Do you like to read? Are you looking for more recommendations? Need books to add to your TBR list?
Well, with Women’s History Month here, I have gathered some of my favorite books written by female authors — in no particular order.
- “Shady Hollow” by Juneau Black
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Technically, this is written by two women: Jocelyn Cole and Sharon Nagel. A mix of “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and murder mystery, this series follows a fox and her endeavors to solve murders around her small town. When I first got into this book, I read “Cold Clay: A Shady Hollow Mystery” and, even though it’s technically the second book in the series, it was easy enough to jump into it without having read the others because the authors provide enough details to allow the readers to pick up the series at any point.
- “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson
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A favorite since middle school, “I’ll Give You the Sun” follows the perspective of fraternal twins — one set in the past, one in the future. I’m not sure what Nelson put in this book, but I’ve read it multiple times throughout the years — and I’m not generally the type to reread a book. The dual perspective is something that caught my attention, particularly because it’s done considerably well and I would always recommend this book to anyone who wants to listen.
- “This Is Where It Ends” by Marieke Nijkamp
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What can I say? This book had me sobbing all the way through, while I kept the pages turning. Addictive as it can be, Nijkamp writes through a school shooting minute-by-minute and the complexities that follow. While it’s been a few years since I read this book, it’s still a top-five favorite because I cannot express the immense sadness you feel after reading this book. So, if you need a good cry, definitely try reading “This Is Where It Ends”.
- “The Last Chance Library” by Freya Sampson
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Set in England, this book grapples with grief and fighting for what is right. The protagonist, June Jones, is still dealing with the loss of her mother when her local library is threatened with being shut down. Throughout the book, you find the ragtag group of protestors finding new ways to save their library and watching June transform into a new person. I love a good underdog story, so this one went right into the heart.
- “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner
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I adore this book. In another dual perspective, Penner takes us into 1791 England and present-day London to uncover the mystery of an apothecary bottle. Focused on female liberation and a mix of true history, this novel takes us through a complex story of what women will do to find themselves again. Honestly, I couldn’t put this book down. I haven’t read a book this fast since “This Is Where It Ends” and I cannot express just how amazing Penner did with this. Plus, there are a few recipes at the end for the reader to try. Isn’t that the best?
- “Dark Archives: A Librarian’s Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin” by Megan Rosenbloom
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Ok, so I technically haven’t finished this book — yet. However, I’ve gotten far enough into it to say that it is an absolutely fascinating read. While I’m not normally a nonfiction kind of person, “Dark Archives” is one of the few books that I’m determined to finish because I cannot fathom the idea of books being bound in human skin — and being right there in a library for anyone to grab.
As we continue to celebrate all of the amazing things that women have accomplished, consider checking out some of these books to support more women writers and their amazing creations.