Have you ever finished a book and thought, Wow, I wish everyone would read that?
I’m an avid reader, and I love hearing about the books that inspire strong reactions in other readers—the ones they finish thinking the world would be a better place if every single person would read it.
But here’s the funny thing about these books we consider “must” reads: every reader has a different list. I asked on Instagram for you to share the books you think are so good that every woman has gotta read them. And WOW, did you deliver: the comments, both public and private, contained an astonishing variety of literary works.
I’m sharing the most frequently cited books in two blog posts. I previously shared 25 must-read classics for women. Today I’m sharing 50 contemporary works that many women consider must-reads, divided loosely by genre. Some of these titles won’t surprise you a bit; I’m betting you’ve never heard of several others.
Readers, I hope you enjoy browsing the variety of books many different women consider to be must-reads. Are YOUR must-reads on this list? If not, please tell us all about them in comments.
53 comments
I would absolutely add Half the Sky to the non-fiction list! Particularly at a time when gender issues are at the fore in our Western society, this is a MUST READ on the bigger picture.
Oooh, I agree. My book club read it several years ago and since then we have made an annual donation to a fistula repair/support organization.
I love that you all took action as a group after reading it!!
I agree, Victoria! I finished that book earlier this year, and it has stuck with me. It is, unfortunately, so relevant now, even though it is a few years old.
Have you read their follow-up, “A Path Appears”? It is high on my TBR for this year.
I would add West with the Night by Beryl Markham.
Yes!! So good!
Not to make more work for you, but is there any way we could get a printable list of all these must-reads? I would love to work my way through them and check them off as I go.
I was just coming to ask the same question! Thanks for these two posts!
I had the same thought! Love a checklist. 🙂
Yes! I was coming to ask the same question. This is a great list! I’d love a printable.
I would love a printable list as well! I started to print this for reference and it came to 129 pages! I want to check them off!
I am quite surprised at how many of these books I have actually read. Usually the books I read never show up on anyone’s list.
Rosamonde Pilcher has been a favorite author of mine for a very long time. I have read every one of her books.
I read Follow the River a long time ago. It is amazing the strength of a woman’s spirit.
What a great list! I am a really slow reader and sometimes feel inferior to your guests because of it, but I have read 19 of these books. Impressive for me! : )
would love a printable list for these. Great selection
While I have read almost all the classics, I’ve only read a handful from this list. I recognize some titles from your podcast, but it’s so nice to see them written down. I’m ready to read more memoirs. Thanks.
I was hoping for a printable list too.
This was a really fun list! I added a few books to my list of books to be read. I would add The Number 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Actually, I’d recommend the whole series, but the first one sets the tone. I love the “Botswana morality” and the gentle, generous, uplifting tone of these books. I would never have thought I would be interested in reading about a woman in Botswana, but what a model she is!
I’ve watched the Netflix series, but had no idea it was based on books : ) Love it!!
What a great list! I haven’t read too many of these, but a lot of these are already on my shelves, so I just need to get around to reading them! I’m glad that What Alice Forgot is getting the attention it deserves. It’s definitely one of my favorite Liane Moriarty books.
So many potential reads!! This is How it always Is, Stone Diaries and Glass Castle were all excellent choices for the list. Can’t wait to read others…
What a great list – some old favorites and definitely some to add to my TBR. Please do a printable list! I’d love to add it to my reading bullet journal.
I would love to have a list of “the non-reader reading list”. I have such high hopes of reading all these great and wonderful books. I even go as far as checking them out, then nothing. Audible doesn’t help either, my drifts too easy 😉
So do you have a list in place to point me back into the love of reading?
Wow, great list! But… no sci-fi?!? Except The Handmaid’s Tale, which I think is nearly a classic by now.
Human beings (not just women) who don’t attempt sci-fi are really missing out, in my opinion.
I love the list but think there should be some Anne Lamott on the list, too.
Bird by bird by Lamott is named—she is a personal favorite of mine.
I would add The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. The role of women in wars past is so seldom explored, and interweaving family ties, friendships, and unbelievable endurance is so beautifully presented in this book.
agree!
I would absolutely add The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson to the non-fiction list (also >500 pages) and in the fiction category, for some of the most lyrical prose I have read in many years, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.
I would add The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.
I would also add “When Breath Becomes Air” by Dr. Paul Kalanithi to the memoir list. And have some Kleenex handy. Fascinating memoir about life, death, and living while dying.
I have so many books to add to my list! The Nightingale would definitely be on my own must read list. I’ve never been so inspired, moved, or challenged by a novel. The Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is another great one!
Wow, an amazing list! (Although I would swap out My Antonia for O Pioneers!, my favorite Cather novel.) Sharing this list with all of my bookish friends. Love it!
What a great list. A few of these were already on my TBR list and added a few more.
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
Oh dear, I don’t know ANY of these! Except for a man called Ove and that’s one of my favorites, so I guess I’ll have to save this post for later use 🙂
X Lazy Bird
Little Fires Everywhere, The Garment Maker’s Daughter, Born Creative, Keep it Shut, Goliath Must Fall, Frindle, Ask for the Rain, Anything (Jennie Allen), Raising Kids with Character that Lasts, The Resolution of Women
Thoroughly enjoyed this and the list of 25 classics. I’ve got quite a few I’m excited to read now. Thanks so much!
I was expecting to take a read of this blog post and tick of many more books that I’d actually read, but it’s quite a surprise that I’ve only read one on this list, that being The Hate U Give. I’ve had The Handmaid’s Tail on my list for a little while after watching the series and wanting to find out more about the universe, but other than that, I hadn’t heard of any of the other books you mentioned. I think it’s time for me to hop onto my Goodreads account and start adding some of the books from this list to my to-read section! It’s needed a freshen up from the books I added in 2014 that I’m never going to read, anyway. Thanks for the inspiration!
Rebekah Gillian | http://rebekahgillian.co.uk
I loved and shared this list. Two great books that I read and still remember for how on target they were and were great companions to each other:
1) Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation by Elissa Stein
2) The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls by Joan Jacobs Brumberg
Both of these are new to me. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I’ve read some of these but loads I hadn’t even heard of. If you had to pick your top three from the whole list, what would they be?
Fantastic list!
I recently recorded a podcast in which we talked extensively about the books from this particular list. (Episode link: http://www.josephineelia.com/03-kendra-stanton-lee/)
It was so much fun! Thanks for putting it together.
I’d like to add: A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute; The Flame Trees of Thika by Elspeth Huxley; The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich; and The Master Butchers Singing Club also by Louise Erdrich. I loved them all.
Thanks for a super list. Many I’ve read. Looking forward to grabbing the ones I missed.
This list contained many of my favorite books, but it was conspicuously missing anything by Barbara Kingsolver.
amazing list, many thanks.
I have not read the book, but I am shocked to hear the author of “Come as you are” say that NEW science has discovered that womens sex is contextual! Where has she been? It is new to her that stress, fatigue, body image, and trust affect ones sex life?