Women Write The World: Stories from Female Writers for International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day, and it is no better time to dive into the wonderful and powerful writing of women. From rollicking romances to tense thrillers and insightful think pieces, women authors have made their mark across the literary landscape for generations. In this list, I’ll share with you some of the books I’ve loved and books I have added to my never-ending TBR pile. Join me as we add these must-read books by talented, creative and fun female writers to the reading pile to celebrate International Women’s Day.

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Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.

Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…

As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?

I loved reading this one, a fun and charming romance that reps life with diabetes in a thoughtful way. You can read my review here. 

 

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

For the first time in her life, Clementine ‘Emmy’ Ryder has no idea what she’s doing. She’s accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming, went to college, and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.

Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Against his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her.

As things between Emmy and Brooks heat up, it gets more difficult for him to keep his hands off of her. Can he help her get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?

If you’re after a heart racing and heart wrenching cowboy romance, then Lyla Sage is for you. You can read my review here. 

 

Wildfire by Hannah Grace

When Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a college party, a drinking game results in a passionate one-night stand. Never one to overstay her welcome (or expect much from a man), Aurora slips away before Russ even has the chance to ask her full name.

Imagine their surprise when they bump into each other on their first day as summer camp counsellors, hoping to escape their complicated home lives for the summer break.

As the summer unfolds, the tension between them intensifies. Russ doesn’t want to risk breaking the camp’s strict ‘no staff fraternising’ rule but, unfortunately for him, Aurora has never been very good at caring about rules. Will the two learn to peacefully co-exist? Or did their one night together start a fire they can’t put out?

This is Hannah Grace’s second novel in this series and it is a wonderful summer cosy read. You can read my review here. 

 

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

They came to earth-Pestilence, War, Famine, Death-four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity.

They came to earth, and they came to end us all.

When Pestilence, the first of the horsemen, comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain- everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horseman is stopped, which is exactly what Sara has in mind when she shoots the unholy beast off his steed.

Too bad no one told her Pestilence can’t be killed.

Alive and furious, the horseman takes Sara prisoner, determined to make her suffer for impeding his mission. Despite her pleas, nothing and no one gets in the way of his orders to destroy humankind. Only, the longer Pestilence spends beside Sara’s bravery and compassion, the more he seems to understand her, and understand humanity. And the longer Sara travels with Pestilence and his plague, the more uncertain she grows about his true feelings toward her…and hers toward him.

Sara might still be able to save the world, but she’ll have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

Pestilence is the first in the paranormal romance series following the four horseman of the apocalypse. I found these books a fun and quick romance read back when Laura was a self-published author. These books were recently republished by Penguin Random House! 

 

Crescent City Series by Sarah J Maas

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life-working hard all day and partying all night-until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose-to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they’re plunged into the fight of a lifetime, making them question everything they thought they knew. With a sizzling romance at its heart and surprises at every turn, the #1 New York Times bestselling Crescent City series has captivated readers everywhere with its exploration of loss, power, and love.

I’m a huge SJM fan and the Crescent City Series is her latest fantasy offering with a cast of powerful women centred to its storylines. It’s a fun series with romance, adventure and politics. If you want to read a spoiler filled review of book three, click here. 

 

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Welcome to Scion. No safer place.

The year is 2059. For two centuries, the Republic of Scion has led an oppressive campaign against unnaturalness in Europe.

In London, Paige Mahoney holds a high rank in the criminal underworld. The right hand of the ruthless White Binder, Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare and formidable kind of clairvoyant. Under Scion law, she commits treason simply by breathing.

When Paige is arrested for murder, she meets the mysterious founders of Scion, who have designs on her uncommon abilities. If she is to survive and escape, Paige must use every skill at her disposal – and put her trust in someone who ought to be her enemy.

This one has been on my to be read pile for years. Recently Samantha Shannon revised book one in this series, saying her new version is where readers should start this exciting series if they haven’t yet read her adventurous novels. 

 

Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young

OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield–her brother, fighting with the enemy–the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother’s betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

I read this novel several years ago now and it is one of those young adult novels that has stayed with me. A strong female lead with a lot of heart I have given copies of this book to several people before to read. A fabulous stand alone adventure. 

 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

Again this is one for my TBR pile, and should be on yours too! Everyone I know who has read this series has utterly adored it and it has been recommended to me by so many people now I’ve lost track. Luckily I now have a copy on my shelf ready to go!

 

Only A Monster by Vanessa Len

Don’t forget the rule. No one can know what you are. What we are. You must never tell anyone about monsters.

Only a monster would kill a hero. Right?

Every family has its secrets, but the summer Joan Chang-Hunt goes to stay with her Gran in London, she learns hers is bigger than most. The Hunts are one of twelve families in London with terrifying, hidden powers.

Joan is half-monster. And what’s more, her summer crush Nick isn’t just a cute boy – he’s hiding a secret as well; a secret that places Joan in terrible danger.

When the monsters of London are attacked, Joan is forced on the run with the ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family who are sworn enemies of her own. Joan is drawn deeper into a world that simmers with hostilities, alliances and secrets. And her rare and dangerous power means she’s being hunted. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

. . . she is not the hero.

This YA novel is the start of a series and sounds so electric and different. A diverse cast tackling some big issues in a fantasy setting. Sign me up!

 

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Huang Bo-Reum

Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop.

In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju – they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live.

I think this is possibly the best book I read in 2023. It is THE cosy read I recommend to all the readers in my life who need something comforting and life affirming. I laughed. I cried. This is a book to savour. 10 out of 10. You can read my review here. 

 

Butter by Asako Yuzuki

The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story.

There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.

Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back.

Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body, might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought?

Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, “The Konkatsu Killer”, Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

This is the latest edition to my bookshelf curtesy of Harper Collins Australia, who sent me this ahead of its March 2024 release. An intriguing crime novel I am excited to give this a read. Translated fiction is a new love of mine, particularly exploring novels from female writers from various countries across Asia. 

 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Your ability to change everything – including yourself – starts here

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing.

But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Forced to resign, she reluctantly signs on as the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six. But her revolutionary approach to cooking, fuelled by scientific and rational commentary, grabs the attention of a nation.

Soon, a legion of overlooked housewives find themselves daring to change the status quo. One molecule at a time.

This book was hugely popular on release, and while I’m late to the party I am looking forward to reading this over the Easter break. A women in STEM novel carving her own path through a world against her. There is a reason this book resonated with so many women across the country.

 

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

A book deal to die for.

Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled.

Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach.

But then the women begin to die.

Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.

This was one of those novels I read to branch out my reading, jumping across to the suspense/crime genre and it was a lot of fun. A little absurd at times this book does poke fun at much of the world of writing and publishing while having some serious undertones. You can read my review here (warning there are spoilers for the ending!). 

 

Circe by Madeline Miller

Woman. Witch. Myth. Mortal. Outcast. Lover. Destroyer. Survivor. CIRCE.

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Circe is a strange child not powerful and terrible, like her father, nor gorgeous and mercenary like her mother. Scorned and rejected, Circe grows up in the shadows, at home in neither the world of gods or mortals. But Circe has a dark power of her own- witchcraft. When her gift threatens the gods, she is banished to the island of Aiaia where she hones her occult craft, casting spells, gathering strange herbs and taming wild beasts. Yet a woman who stands alone will never be left in peace for long and among her island’s guests is an unexpected visitor- the mortal Odysseus, for whom Circe will risk everything.

So Circe sets forth her tale, a vivid, mesmerizing epic of family rivalry, love and loss the defiant, inextinguishable song of woman burning hot and bright through the darkness of a man’s world.

Madeline Miller is a stunning writer, her way with words and transforming classic myths and make them new is a work of art. Circe is one of those novels that has stayed with me for years. A true favourite of mine and perfect for anyone looking for a new myth retelling with a feminist angle. 

 

The Witches of New York by Ami McKay

1880

Witches Adelaide Thom and Eleanor St Clair have opened a tea shop in Manhattan specialising in cures, palmistry and potions.

When an enchanting woman called Beatrice joins the witches as an apprentice, she soon proves indispensable, but her new life is marred by strange occurrences.

She sees things no one else can see. She hears voices no one else can hear. Has she been touched by magic or is she simply losing her mind?

Amidst the witches’ tug-of-war over how best to nurture her gifts, Beatrice disappears. But was it by choice or by force? In a time when women were corseted, confined and committed for merely speaking their minds, is anyone really safe?

A historical fiction novel with some fantasy elements (is it real or are they insane?) this was a interesting look at a moment in history in the US through the lens of women acting outside of societies expectations of them. A great standalone read. 

 

 

On Our Best Behaviour by Elise Loehnen

Why do women equate self-denial with being ‘good’?

We congratulate ourselves when we resist the donut in the office breakroom. We celebrate our restraint when we hold back from sending an email in anger. We put others’ needs ahead of our own and believe this makes us exemplary. Journalist and podcast host Elise Loehnen explains that these impulses – often lauded as distinctly feminine instincts – are actually ingrained in us by a culture that reaps the benefits, via an extraordinarily effective collection of social mores:

Lust. Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Wrath. Envy. Pride.

These so-called ‘deadly sins’ have been used by the patriarchy to control women throughout our history. For instance, a fear of gluttony drives us to ignore our appetites and an aversion to greed prevents us from negotiating a better salary at work.

So, what would happen if we stopped trying to be ‘good’?

Provocative and bold, On Our Best Behaviour is a probing analysis of history and contemporary culture that explains how women have internalised the patriarchy, and how they unwittingly reinforce it. By sharing her own story and the spiritual wisdom of other traditions, Elise Loehnen shows how we can break free and discover a path toward a more balanced, fulfilled way to live.

If you’re new to feminist reading then I recommend starting with this book. It covers so many topics and issues women experience in life today and through history blended with Elise’s own life story. I was fortunate enough to go to her book launch in Sydney last year and it is a great launch pad if this is a new topic for someone. You can read my review here. 

 

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

Imagine a world where…

Your phone is too big for your hand
Your doctor prescribes a drug that is wrong for your body
In a car accident you are 47% more likely to be injured.

If any of that sounds familiar, chances are you’re a woman.

From government policy and medical research, to technology, workplaces, and the media. Invisible Women reveals how in a world built for and by men we are systematically ignoring half of the population, often with disastrous consequences. Caroline Criado Perez brings together for the first time an impressive range of case studies, stories and new research from across the world that illustrate the hidden ways in which women are forgotten, and the profound impact this has on us all.

This is one of the books I’ve set myself to read this year after it was recommended to me by my partner. He found it eyeopening, and from the small stories I know from the book it is clear it is an illuminating read on what the world is like for women that both sexes should read.

 

For Small Creatures Such As We by Sasha Sagan

Sasha Sagan’s parents – the astronomer Carl Sagan and the writer and producer, Ann Druyan – taught her that the natural world and vast cosmos are full of profound beauty, and that science reveals truths more wondrous than any myth or fable. When Sagan herself became a mother, she began her own hunt for the phenomena behind our most treasured occasions – from births to deaths, holidays to weddings, anniversaries, and more – growing these roots into a new set of rituals for her young daughter to honour the joy and significance of each experience without relying on a religious framework.

Part memoir, part handbook and part social history, For Small Creatures Such as We is a luminous exploration of all of Earth’s marvels that requires no faith in order to be believed.

While this book came out a few years ago now I found it an enlightening and comforting read. The exploration of science and reality verse faith and traditions from a woman with a unique upbringing. 

 

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

A dazzling love letter to a beloved institution – our libraries.

After moving to Los Angeles, Susan Orlean became fascinated by a mysterious local crime that has gone unsolved since it was carried out on the morning of 29 April 1986: who set fire to the Los Angeles Public Library, ultimately destroying more than 400,000 books, and perhaps even more perplexing, why?

With her characteristic humour, insight and compassion, Orlean uses this terrible event as a lens through which to tell the story of all libraries – their history, their meaning and their uncertain future as they adapt and redefine themselves in a digital world.

Filled with heart, passion and extraordinary characters, The Library Book discusses the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives.

While I haven’t read this narrative non-fiction novel yet I loved the sound of it when I heard Susan Orlean speak at Sydney Writers Festival a few years ago. It has been on my bookshelf for a while, but now that I’m training to be a librarian this certainly is being bumped up the list, which helps to tick off two of my reading goals this year; read more non-fiction and read more from my bookshelf. 

 

Three Women by Lisa Taddeo

All Lina wanted was to be desired. How did she end up in a marriage with two children and a husband who wouldn’t touch her?
All Maggie wanted was to be understood. How did she end up in a relationship with her teacher and then in court, a hated pariah in her small town?
All Sloane wanted was to be admired. How did she end up a sexual object of men, including her husband, who liked to watch her have sex with other men and women?
Three Women is a record of unmet needs, unspoken thoughts, disappointments, hopes and unrelenting obsessions.

Another narrative non-fiction for the TBR pile, Three Women was recently made into a TV show which is set to air soon in Australia. Hugely popular, it explores the internal lives of three very different women. 

 

The Year I Met My Brain by Matilda Boseley

Matilda Boseley’s adult ADHD diagnosis was a massive, earth-shattering event. She was given a prescription but had no idea what ADHD meant for her identity, her relationships or her future.

Twelve months of confusion later, journalist Matilda embarked on an epic voyage to figure out what’s really happening in the stormy seas of the ADHD brain and write the guide she wished she’d had.

The Year I Met My Brain is the ultimate travel companion for navigating and enjoying life as an ADHD adult, covering-

– what adult ADHD symptoms look like
– why so many ADHDers (especially females) are missed as kids
– how the disorder impacts our relationships, careers and self-esteem
– why we unfairly treat ourselves like failures – and how to find self-forgiveness and healing
– practical tips for social and organisational wins
– and, most importantly, how to make our lives work to fit our brains rather than trying to force our brains to fit our lives.

Uplifting, empowering, deeply researched and sparkling with ‘a-ha’ moments, The Year I Met My Brain is an invaluable resource for ADHDers and those who love them.

I have followed Matilda Boseley on social media for a while now and when I saw she was publishing a book I immediately added this to my TBR pile. Whilst I don’t have ADHD, I think this novel is potentially helpful in better understand it for those around me who do. . 

 

So that is my list for this year’s International Women’s Day reads. Have you read any of these books? Got more you think should be on the list? Drop your recommendations and reviews in the comments!

Until next time,