Autumn is the season of colourful leaves, scary movies, and chilly weather. It’s also the perfect time of year for putting on a huge fuzzy sweater and curling up with a hot cup of tea and a good book. And, since there’s simply no better way to procrastinate on your coursework than doing just that, I’ve compiled a list of five great books to check out now! This list of female-authored books is perfect if you’re sick of being recommended the same old male-authored books that dominate high school reading lists. These five books are fresh, different, and fascinating, and the incredibly talented women who wrote them might just inspire you! So, without further ado, here are five books written by women to read in the coming months.
Bunny by Mona Awad
For fans of: surrealism, plot twists, satire
Bunny tells the story of a graduate student studying creative writing who ends up entangled in a strange and sinister friend group. This book is funny at times but creepy at others, and full of page-turning plot twists that will leave you at the edge of your seat! Awad’s engaging writing style will leave you hooked from page one. This book is probably unlike anything you’ve ever read, because of its unpredictable twists and unconventional narrative style, so do not hesitate to check it out! I recommend not knowing too much about the plot before you start – being surprised is half the fun!
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
For fans of: historical fiction, family stories
Homegoing is Gyasi’s debut novel, and it has generated a lot of buzz in the literary community – for good reason! Gyasi is an extremely talented young writer, and the book is written with a strong narrative voice and vivid detail. Homegoing tells the story of two half-sisters from Ghana after one is imprisoned in America’s slave trade in the 18th century. This heart-wrenchingly beautiful story spans generations. It may leave you teary but you’ll turn the final page more knowledgeable and inspired.
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
For fans of: horror, AHS: Freak Show, cult classics
Warning: this book is not for the faint of heart! Dunn’s cult classic award-winning 1989 novel has a misleading title – it is not a romance! It is, however, an engaging and thought-provoking story that’s perfect for this time of the year. Geek Love tells the story of an idiosyncratic family who runs their own carnival, and is told in a disturbing, gothic style that will send shivers down your spine. Dunn’s seamless prose and unforgettable characters make this book a must-read.
Fleabag: The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
For fans of: humor, television
If you love the show Fleabag, then you’ll definitely love this book. It contains the scripts for the show’s two seasons, as well as special behind-the-scenes secrets from the show’s legendary creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Reading this book will give you new insights into the inner-workings of the show and you’ll come to appreciate Waller-Bridge’s writing talent all the more, as well as how far she’s come from playwriting to becoming one of the biggest voices on television. It’s a quick read, and definitely worth checking out if the two short seasons of Fleabag weren’t enough for you.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
For fans of: apocalyptic fictio
SuspenseIt may sound crazy to recommend a book about a global pandemic in 2022, but just trust me, Station Eleven is worth the read. It takes place in a world where a flu kills most of the population, leaving only a few survivors who find happiness in a ravaged landscape by forming a theatre troupe. Mandel tells the tale in an unconventional way, taking place across multiple timelines, with strange and eccentric characters. There’s even a TV adaptation to watch once you’re done reading!