The month of March is approaching! And with it comes Women’s History Month. It is a time to celebrate the amazing women who have changed the world. Ever since I can remember, I have always loved a story (whether in film or literature) with a strong female character. Throughout my childhood, women were portrayed as damsels in distress and had to end up with a man in the end. Now, there are more options for female characters. They can be scientists, business executives, detectives, and heroes. In honor of Women’s History Month, I am going to list my top 5 favorite books with a strong female main character.
1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston
I first read this book in my first year seminar at Mount Holyoke, American Women’s Fiction. The book tells the life story of Janie Crawford. In the span of her life, Janie goes through three marriages to three different men. Through these marriages, she learns about how she should be treated by people and fights for her independence along the way. This book tackles the question of how women should be seen.
2. I Should Have Honor by Khalida Brohi
My mom had always recommended this book to me and I never got around to reading it. When I finally did, it did not disappoint! Author Khalida Brohi tells the story of her life in Pakistan. In her culture, she was going to be married off at a young age but her father stopped it so that she can pursue an education. After her cousin is sentenced to an “honor killing” for running away to be with the man she really loves, Brohi dedicates her life to empowering Pakistani women and girls by giving them education and job opportunities. This book is interesting because Brohi embraces her culture, but fights the sexist customs.
3. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
This book is about Alice Wright, a British woman who marries an American minister’s son and moves to a small town in Kentucky. While there, Alice is having a hard time adjusting to her new Southern life especially with her father in-law enforcing these old school ideas on her (i.e. a woman should stay at home and serve her husband by bearing a son). She then starts working for Margery, an independent woman who runs the traveling library in town. By working there, Alice learns about the power of female friendship, what reading can do to people, and that she shouldn’t let a man govern her behavior.
4. Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The book follows the coming of age story of Kya Clark a.k.a the Marsh Girl. Throughout her life, Kya learns about love, loss, and respect. Things take a turn when Kya is accused of murdering the town’s Golden Boy and her ex-boyfriend Chase Andrews. This book also paints vivid images of the swamps in North Carolina. Abandoned by her father and family when she was young, Kya exhibits a strong female character because over the years she becomes self-sufficient by being able to take care of herself and the marsh she lives on.
5. Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My absolute favorite! Set in the 1970s, this book follows the rise and fall of the rock and roll band Daisy Jones and The Six. What I love about this book is not only the seventies vibe and how it is written as a bunch of interview transcripts, but also how it has strong female friendships. The main character Daisy Jones goes against all her naysayers and makes music HER way. Bonus fun fact: this book is being made into a TV-series produced by Reese Witherspoon.
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