What should we add to our bookshelf?

[Courtney]

Just went through my read list and found some of my favorites by female authors.

The Mists of Avalon The Arthurian tales told from the women's point of views. A classic read for fantasy fans, and soooo worth the time investment.

White Oleander

Born Confused This is definitely the best coming-of-age book I've ever read and really helped me through my teenage years. It's a quality read even as an adult.

The Awakening

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

The Poisonwood Bible Best. Book. Ever. Heartbreaking and full of extremely well fleshed out female characters.

The Joys of Motherhood This one is actually fiction (doesn't sound like it, huh?). The story of a west African woman dealing with intense family-related hardship and her mental decline.

The Secret History

The Red Tent A good read even for non-Christians like myself. I found it a very feminist interpretation of a tale from the Bible.

A Visit from the Goon Squad

Autobiography of a Face to be read along with Truth and Beauty. Both are memoirs of the author Lucy Grealy's cancer and subsequent depression.

Bel Canto Another heartbreaking read for Patchett fans.

Bossypants I didn't know much about Tina Fey before I read this, but I pretty much instantly became a fan. This book made me laugh in public on the train, which no other book has ever made me do.

[Courtney]

Bree wrote: "I haven't read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, but from the goodreads description it seems to focus only on male characters. Are there female protagonists as well the excerpt didn't mention?"

Yeah, there are a few female protagonists, but it's been a while since I've read it and I honestly don't remember if it passes the Bechdel test or not...I'm assuming not, but I'd have to ask someone who has read it more recently! I mostly picked it because it has a woman author, though. Clarke does have another book (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...) that as far as I remember, has more of a focus on female characters. Man...this is making me want to re-read those so bad.