by Iris
In honor of Women’s History Month, which is observed annually in March, we thought we’d take a moment to shout out our favorite female authors for your consideration. Who knows, you might take some inspiration from this varied list of names!
Sophie
I love so many women authors! But I can only choose one, so I choose Ursula K. Le Guin, who I love more and more as I get older (couldn’t really get into her in my teens/twenties). Her thoughtful insights into living in a community (sometimes under duress), amongst many other social topics, are timeless.
Júlia
The Island of Sea Women tells the powerful story of the Haenyeo women divers of Jeju Island. Throughout the book, you witness the strength of female friendships, as well as sorrow and betrayal. I was deeply moved by the courage of these women who dive into the dangerous depths of the ocean every day to provide for their families. The novel is a beautiful tribute to women’s strength and solidarity.
Else
My favourite female author would probably be Ann Leckie. If you’ve ever spoken to me, you will have heard me rave about the Imperial Radch trilogy and all the books set in the same universe. But I also adore her fantasy book, The Raven Tower. This year her latest book, Radiant Star, will release and I cannot wait.
Another one of my favourites is Susanna Clarke. She has only written two novels, but both are amazing in their own way. Piranesi is a short book, but has a big impact. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a nice chonky big book that plays with (theoretical) magic. Two completely different books, but both are great.
Simone
Tessa Hadley is able to write about delicate interactions in relationships with an amazing accuracy that not many authors are able to accomplish. She can dissect the good times and the bad times that couples experience, and make you fully understand and sympathize with the dynamics of human interaction. Late in the Day is an excellent example of Tessa Hadley’s craft.
Iris M.
It’s difficult to single out just one or two favorite female authors! Over the years, I’ve enjoyed books by Robin Hobb, Maggie Stiefvater, Becky Chambers, Martha Wells and A.J. Hackwith, to name a few. Dianna Wynne Jones is high on my reread list (I occasionally revisit books I loved as a child) and my most notable unread female author is Ursula K. Le Guin, which I’m hoping to rectify somewhere this year.
Naomi
My pick is India Holton, because it seems like her writing caters to me, specifically. She’s neurodivergent as well, and her writing just tickles my brain in the exact way I love. Also, she writes about wonderful, competent, funny heroines who can kick ass all day long.
Tiemen
Mine is definitely Fonda Lee. She is an amazing author and her Green Bone Saga is a riveting series of change, inter-generational struggles, diaspora and just really kick-ass action scenes.
Lília
Nalini Singh writes different romantic genres – rock, sports, romantasy – but has also been dipping her toe in mystery/thriller in the last few years, with success. I love just about everything she writes.
Isabelle
I couldn’t possibly pick just one, but the work of Bernardine Evaristo is one of my most recent reads that left me with a lasting impression and has become one of my favorites! Her characters and their stories are ones I simply can’t get out of my head. Anything she writes I’ll pick up for sure. She is of course one of my many favorites, so here by some more excellent authors: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Brit Bennett, Xochitl Gonzalez and Tia Williams.
Matty
Dianna Wynne Jones! Your favourite fantasy author’s favourite fantasy author, Dianna Wynne Jones writes like no one else. Dark, strange, learned and almost unbelievably creative. The difficult, stubborn, smart and resourceful girls she writes have influenced a generation of English girls to try to be the same. Mostly written for children and what would now be called Young Adults, don’t think that this means her books are not for adults, too. Pick any of one her many many books; there will be something in there for you, I guarantee it.
Martijn
The first one that comes to mind is Astrid Lindgren. As a kid I devoured Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, Karlsson on the Roof, Pippi Longstocking, the Emil books and – best of all – The Brothers Lionheart. Great reads, all of them, and they opened up a wonderful world of imagination and adventure for me.
Maria S.
Naomi Novik, but specifically His Majesty’s Dragon series. She is an author who mixes fantasy with history very well, and I absolutely adore the main characters in this series. A great 9-part fantasy series, and her writing pulled me in!
Samantha Shannon is a brilliant author and The Priory of the Orange Tree is in my top 3 favorite books of all time. The main thing I will say about her writing: her characters. I never read such good character development as in this book. Because of these perfectly written characters I have to re-read this book at least once a year.
Iris
One of my favourite female authors is Nghi Vo, who wrote the Singing Hills cycle among other things. I love the different portrayals of femininity in her books, from mischievous servant girls to powerful magistrate’s wives and dangerous shapeshifters. All completely different, but all ring true in some way or other.
Yannis
One of my favorite female authors is Brené Brown, a leading researcher known for her work on shame, vulnerability, and empathy. Her writing is both insightful, clear and inspiring – almost like being welcomed into the home of a wise, compassionate mama bear. And that’s not even the best part! I’m a huge fan of her approach to gently but firmly challenging us to become better humans.
Jesmae
Donna Barbara Higuera is a badass! I love that she uses a lot of Latin American folklore in her stories. It’s cool to see that represented.
Damla
Among too many great candidates to pick from, I have to say that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of my all-time favorites. Her writing feels magical to me in its prose, emotion, and execution. She is never afraid to handle difficult topics, in fact intentionally digs into them, but she does so with such touching depth and insight into the human mind and emotion that it is impossible not to be captivated.
(It would also be impossible for me not to mention V.E. Schwab in this list, but I feel like I have made my love for her writing known in this author spotlight, as well as in every single opportunity I’m given where I can bring her up on a daily basis.)
