10 Books By Women Authors to Add to Your Reading List
Written by AJ Morris
On a sandy beach, at a cute picnic, in the comfort of your bed—no matter where you are or what you’re doing, nothing beats a summer read. Summer and reading are synonymous in my book (no pun intended) because they have so much in common; they’re fun, relaxing, and filled with unlimited possibilities, all of which are much-needed, given what we’ve all gone through these past few years. This relaxing pastime also blends seamlessly into fall, going hand-in-hand with a warm latte and a cozy fire.
For me, reading has always been a way to both explore and escape from the world as I know it. A book is a calming presence that opens you up to new possibilities, stories, and perspectives; you can be seduced by an intense romance novel, brought to the edge of your seat by a mysterious thriller, or moved to either laughter or tears (or both) by a well-written memoir.
With summer winding down and fall coming in right around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of genre-spanning great reads—all by women authors—and we’ve even added in a few reading tips to help you end off the season on a bookish high note!
FYI: Now is the perfect time to shop during Barnes & Noble’s 50% off book sale.
For Whirlwind Romantics:
By Tia Williams
A fun and sexy read following the story of two Black authors who, after an explosive, impassioned week together as troubled teens, reunite in New York more than 15 years later.
By Bolu Babalola
Bolu Babalola’s debut novel plays with the familiar “fake dating” romance trope, but brings with it a fresh twist through the Black British main characters of Kiki and Malakai, in what critics are calling “the ultimate summer romance”.
For Dystopian Diehards:
Parable of the Sower
By Octavia Butler
Written in 1993 but set in the 2020s, Octavia Butler pens the prophetic story of Lauren Olamina, a minister’s daughter who attempts to discern the meaning of life, community, and connectivity while struggling to survive in a society on the brink of climate change-fuelled collapse.
By Nalo Hopkinson
Combining Caribbean folklore, magic, and a dystopian Toronto setting, Brown Girl in the Ring explores a future where the rich have fled, the city has been blocked off, and the poor must fend for themselves under the oppressive rule of crime lord Rudy.
For Those Looking to Learn:
By bell hooks
Lauded as a must-read classic, in All About Love the recently departed, highly-acclaimed feminist bell hooks combines psychology and philosophy in order to discuss new and radical ways of loving in modern society.
Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good
By adrienne maree brown
Explore the politics of healing and happiness with activist and editor adrienne maree brown, who, through this collections of essays, interviews and poetry, outlines innovative ways to make changing the world for the better a pleasurable, joyful experience.
For the Historical (Fiction) Buffs:
Homegoing
By Yaa Gyasi
Spanning seven generations and 14 points of view, Yaa Gyasi’s stunning debut novel traces the lineage of two branches of the same family from the days of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to modern times. With one side being sold into slavery in the Americas and the other experiencing colonial rule in West Africa, the book exemplifies the deep and haunting effects of chattel slavery and colonialism across the diaspora.
By Taylor Jenkins Reid
Evelyn Hugo is a Hollywood icon, who, at the age of 79, details her entire glamorous, stirring, and frankly scandalous life to journalist Monique Grant, including all seven of her marriages.
For Fans of Fantasy:
By Sarah J. Maas
Already a hit on BookTok, the first installment of the series of the same name follows a young adult girl named Feyre, whose life changes upon encountering Tamlin, a Faerie Lord whom she is bound to live with for the rest of her days.
Children of Blood and Bone
By Toni Adeyemi
In the first book of this critically-acclaimed series, we’re introduced to the West African-inspired land of Orïsha, where the white-haired maji have been oppressed for years following the strange incident that left them unable to use their once-famed magic. Enter Zélie, a young maji girl tasked with a quest to restore her people’s magic, and change Orïsha forever.
5 Tips for getting a good read:
Set aside a specific time for reading in your daily schedule
(I prefer to read in the mornings after waking up). If your days tend to be busy, be sure to check out accessible reading options such as audiobooks and ebooks, which can come in handy for those who are always on-the-go.
Use your local library
Book-buying can be an expensive habit to maintain (speaking from experience), so use your local library to the fullest!
Pace yourself!
Reading isn’t a rush to the finish and books aren’t about getting from cover to cover the quickest; they’re about the story that’s told on the way.
Keep track of your reading
Apps and websites like Goodreads are great ways to log the books you’ve read, keep track of what you’d like to read next and build community around books.
Last but not least, READ WHAT YOU LIKE.
There are millions of books out there, and something for everybody. Started something that you’re not feeling? Don’t feel pressured to finish it; put it aside, choose something else, and go from there. Reading should be an enjoyable experience, not a chore!