Born to the sun god Helios yet dismissed by her divine family for lacking their power and cruelty, Circe discovers her rare gift for witchcraft and is exiled to a remote island. In solitude, she hones her abilities, crosses paths with legendary figures like Odysseus, and ultimately learns to forge her own identity in a world ruled by gods and men.
Blending rich mythology with emotional depth, Circe is an emotionally compelling yet accessible read. It’s an especially great pick for fans of Percy Jackson & the Olympians who are looking for a more mature story told from a female perspective.
Circe won multiple awards, including the Goodreads Choice Awards and Athenaum Literary Award in 2018, as well as the Indies Choice Book Awards in 2019. Madeline Miller is also known for novels like Song of Achilles and Galatea, both also rooted in Greek mythology.
Their Eyes Were Watching God follows the life of Janie Crawford, an African American woman in the early 20th-century South, as she searches for her own voice, love, and independence. The novel spans her three marriages, which each portray a different lesson about and commentary on identity and the constraints of society for African Americans.
Written fully in the vernacular, Hurston’s prose is rich and lyrical, which perfectly reflects the vibrant culture of the Black communities Janie inhabits. The story explores themes of self-discovery and the tension between societal expectations and personal fulfillment.
This modern classic is a must-read that continues to resonate with both women and men to this day.
The book that took Booktok and Goodreads by storm since its release in 2017, the story follows a successful actress in her career and personal life. Constructed like a fictional autobiography, the reader is quickly entangled in the story of the glamorous Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo, her relationships and marriages with various men, her friendships, and the not so glamorous life in Hollywood.
As we approach International Women’s Day, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo feels especially resonant, as the book celebrates a complex woman who defies the constraints of her era to define success on her own terms. Evelyn’s story highlights not just the glamour of Hollywood but the resilience, ambition, and agency of a woman navigating a world that constantly tries to limit her.
It’s one of those books that’s easy to finish in a few sittings, but still leaves you thinking about the characters and their choices long after the last page.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian fiction set in the oppressive Republic of Gilead, where fertile women are forced to bear children for the ruling class. The story follows Offred, a Handmaid stripped of her identity and freedom, as she quietly resists a society built on control and inequality.
Probably the most compelling read out of this list, this modern classic is both haunting and thought-provoking, offering an exploration of female resistance in a patriarchal world.
The Handmaid’s Tale was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1986 and remains a strikingly relevant read today. Its impact also extends beyond the page, with a critically acclaimed television series that you can watch on HBO.
A book where Fahrenheit 451 meets 1984 – perfect for dystopia and speculative fiction lovers!
My Brilliant Friend follows the intertwined lives of Elena ‘Lenù’ Greco and her childhood friend Lila Cerullo, growing up in a poor neighborhood in Naples, Italy. The novel explores their friendship, which is full of admiration, rivalry, as well as tension, as each girl navigates the challenges of family, school, and society.
Ferrante’s prose is raw and intimate, which captures the sights, sounds, and struggles of post-war Naples. The story examines how education, curiosity, and resilience can become tools for personal growth, even in a society that often seems stacked against young women.
This novel is not just a story of friendship – it’s a portrait of ambition and the courage to challenge the world around you. Perfect for spring and Women’s Day!
