Hey Everyone! I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy, and you’re all coping with what’s going on okay.
I know everyone has a bit more free time on their hands now so I wanted to give some book recommendations for everyone in these difficult times. However, I thought I would add a twist and recommend books only by women, as I am trying to read more books by women this year, so I thought I’d include you all in that!
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This is a classic and one I think everyone should read at some point in their lives. Admittedly I also included this one because it’s one of my favourite books of all time and my copy is ruined by years of rereading over and over again. Its a very easy and entertaining read, as well as be a hard-hitting one in which the racial issues they discuss in America are still largely relevant to this day. However, do not read ‘Go Set A Watchman’ which is the sequel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ because it will be the most disappointing thing you’ve ever read, and I don’t know why anyone thought publishing it would be a good idea
Circe by Madeline Miller
This book is absolutely stunning, and it probably will be one of my favourite reads of the year. The story follows Circe, who was mentioned briefly in ‘The Odyessy’, but gets a whole novel from Miller. It is a truly wonderful story that gives a voice to a women who didn’t have one before, and I devoured it and will be for sure reading more from Madeline Miler in the future. If you’re looking for a book written about a woman by a woman with a bit of historical fantasy, or an adult female Rick Riordan, this is for you.
Vicious by V.E.Schwab (Villains #1)
The first book in what has so far been an incredible trilogy, ‘Vicious’ is an intoxicating read the follows the story of Eli and Victor across ten years of rivalry. It features supernatural powers, crime and a little bit of science fiction. It’s accompanied by Schwab’s amazing writing and her ability to create complex characters that you want to know more about. You will devour this and immediately pick up the sequel, I was unable to put this or the sequel down and read for hours at a time – I can’t recommend this enough.
The Binding by Bridget Collins
This is a book I read for a series I’ve yet to announce on this blog, but will be announcing very soon. This was the first book I read as part of that series, and it’s for sure going to be one of my top three books of the year. It’s a spellbinding read and incredibly touching, I don’t want to give too much away as I will be posting a review for this over the next couple of weeks, but it touched me in a way I can’t explain. I will say the first part of this novel is fairly slow as it focused on learning a lot about the world it’s set in, but that’s a personal taste thing and I didn’t mind it – also it’s well worth pushing through that for part two and three.
Half Bad by Sally Green (Half Bad Triology #1)
I love this whole trilogy, and will talk about until the day I die. However it seems to be a little like marmite – you either love it or hate it. I think that’s mainly due to the writing style being a little strange, but if you can get used to it and love it it’s a fantastic trilogy. The whole story is compelling and incredibly touching, it will move you – it made me cry a couple of times. I also loved the characters in here and it’s something I will probably reread again and again. If you’re looking for a YA fantasy that’s not super heavy, then this could possibly be for you.
Persepolis by Majane Satrapi
A graphic novel that follows the author’s life as a young girl in Iran to a woman who is independent and can navigate the world on her own. It’s very enlightening portrayal of daily life in Iran and the struggle that poses to many of it’s citizen. It’s a very intimate story and honest above all else. It will touch you and wreck you but I think it’s an important read, and because it’s a graphic novel it’s very easy to digest.
The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed
If you’re looking for a hard-hitting YA contemporary you have come to the right place. This isn’t a book if any of your triggers include rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment but the book starts a very important discussion on consent and these kinds of issues and crimes against young women. The female characters in here are diverse and interesting and I love them all. Amy Reed did such a good job handling this topic, and it’s a great book for female teenagers and young woman to read.
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (Todd Family #1)
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this, and I don’t think I ever will again. It’s a fantastic novel that follows one woman’s life as she lives it again and again. It does at times focuses on issues that woman are often left to face and it’s incredibly emotive. This isn’t a book if you read exclusively YA fiction or looking to read more adult fiction, I do only recommend this to those who already like adult fiction – not because of anything explicit but because of how it’s written and formatted.
There’s are some of my favourite books by women. I’ve tried to include a range so hopefully everyone can find something they like. What are your favourite books by women?
Moonlit Books 
This is such a strong list! I’ve read ‘The Nowhere Girls,’ but ‘Vicious’ is one that’s been on my TBR list for ages and I’ve put it off for a long time. And ‘Half Bad’ isn’t a book I’ve heard mentioned in a long time. I have the paperback on my shelf, but the weird writing style did put me off 😳 That was a few years ago though, so maybe I should chance it again?
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Thank you!:) You definitely have to read ‘Vicious’, it’s amazing! It’s a book I’ll recommend over and over again. I would give ‘Half Bad’ a go again if you can bring yourself to, but if you can’t get into the writing style don’t push it because then you’ll just hate it and that would be so sad!
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