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I’ve been making a conscious effort to read more books by women lately, and I’ve found some absolute gems.
The stories are always so rich, the characters so real, and the emotions so raw. It’s like every book is a journey of its own.
Women writers just know how to tug at your heartstrings, and I’ve been loving every minute of it.
So, I thought I’d share with you a list of 20 amazing fiction books by women that I think you’ll love as much as I did.
Whether you want to laugh, cry, or just get lost in a good story, these authors have got you covered.
1. A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
Deya, an 18-year-old in Brooklyn, is stuck in a battle between her dreams and her family’s traditions – namely, an arranged marriage.
As she digs into her mom’s past, secrets come to light that change everything.
This book will have you feeling all the feels as it dives into love, family, and breaking free from the chains of tradition.
2. The Terrible by Yrsa Daley-Ward
Yrsa’s life story is raw, real, and unforgettable.
From growing up in a tough family dynamic to exploring her sexuality, it’s all here – pain, joy, and everything in between.
It’s like reading a dark fairy tale that leaves you thinking long after the last page.
3. Mrs Everything by Jennifer Weiner
Jo and Bethie were raised in the ‘50s with big dreams, but life didn’t exactly go as planned.
This book takes you on a wild ride through their changing lives – love, heartbreak, and finding who they really are.
If you like stories about growing up and discovering who you are, you’ll be hooked.
4. Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
In a world where people are divided by skin color, Sephy (a “Cross”) and Callum (a “Nought”) fall in love, even though they’re not supposed to.
It’s a gripping, emotional story about love, race, and all the stuff that keeps us apart.
5. The Farm by Joanne Ramos
What if someone paid you a ton of money to have their baby?
Sounds like a dream, right? But when Jane becomes a “Host” at a fancy farm, things aren’t as easy as they seem.
This book is super thought-provoking and makes you think about motherhood, money, and what it means to truly be free.
6. Reputation by Sara Shepard
After a massive email hack exposes everyone’s deepest secrets, things get messy.
Kit’s husband is found murdered, and her sister Willa is determined to figure out who did it.
Drama, suspense, and twists galore – this one’s like a rollercoaster you won’t want to get off.
7. How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
Johanna, 14, is super awkward, so she decides to reinvent herself as Dolly Wilde – an edgy, fearless girl who drinks, smokes, and totally owns her sexuality.
It’s a hilarious, heartfelt journey of self-discovery, and honestly, it’s like if Grease’s Rizzo wrote The Bell Jar.
8. After the End by Clare Mackintosh
Max and Pip are faced with the hardest decision of their lives: what to do when their son’s future is in their hands?
This book will have you tearing up while exploring love, marriage, and how far we’ll go for the people we love.
It’s an emotional ride, but so worth it.
9. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Ursula keeps dying and being reborn, over and over again, in different ways.
It’s like Groundhog Day, but with way more WWII and big life decisions.
Can Ursula change the world with all her second chances?
This book is trippy and deep, but totally fascinating.
10. More Than Words by Jill Santopolo
Nina is trying to figure out her life after her dad passes away, and everything she thought she knew gets flipped upside down.
Caught between her childhood boyfriend and a surprising new romance, this one’s full of love, loss, and big life choices.
Grab some tissues – it’s a tearjerker for sure.
11. The Winter Sister by Megan Collins
Sylvie hasn’t gotten over her sister Persephone’s death, not after 16 years.
When she goes home to help her mom through cancer treatment, Sylvie starts digging into Persephone’s unsolved murder.
But the more she looks into it, the more tangled things get – especially since Persephone’s ex is now working at the hospital where her mom’s being treated.
Can Sylvie finally uncover what happened that night, or will the truth be too much to face?
12. How to Be Both by Ali Smith
This one’s a little different. Ali Smith gives you two stories in one book – one about a Renaissance artist, and another about a kid growing up in the 1960s.
And the cool part? You can read them in any order.
Time bends, truth gets tricky, and the whole thing is a creative whirlwind.
Whether you start with EYES or CAMERA, it’s all the same story, just a different order.
13. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Harold Fry is retired and living a pretty quiet life, until he gets a letter from an old friend, Queenie, who’s dying.
He decides he’s going to walk 600 miles to see her because he believes as long as he walks, she’ll stay alive.
Along the way, Harold starts to remember the big moments in his life.
It’s a heartwarming journey about finding meaning and healing through unexpected paths.
14. Trapeze by Leigh Ansell
Corey’s always lived her life up in the air – she’s a trapeze artist.
But when disaster strikes the circus, Corey has to figure out how to land on her feet in real life.
This book is all about adjusting to change, dealing with loss, and learning how to keep going while discovering who you really are.
15. The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
Pauline and Michael rushed into marriage during WWII, and it was never really a good match.
She’s impulsive, he’s cautious, and it’s been years of disagreements and frustration.
Anne Tyler tells the story of a couple who never quite figured each other out, even when life keeps moving forward.
It’s a funny, bittersweet look at love, marriage, and family.
16. We Came Here to Forget by Andrea Dunlop
Katie’s Olympic skiing dreams crashed when a family secret shattered her career.
Now, she’s reinvented herself in Buenos Aires, but when she meets a mysterious man, she realizes she can’t escape her past.
This book takes you from snowy mountain peaks to the vibrant streets of Argentina.
And, it explores how we try to escape, but sometimes, we have to face what’s left behind.
17. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Cassandra Mortmain is a 17-year-old with a knack for writing and a crumbling castle for a home.
Over six months, she fills her journal with witty and heartfelt reflections on her family’s quirky struggles and her own confusing feelings about love.
It’s a charming, coming-of-age story with a lot of heart.
18. Never Greener by Ruth Jones
Kate had a whirlwind affair with a married man when she was younger, and it left her with a lot of baggage.
Now, years later, she’s got a family and a solid life until she runs into him again.
This story is about second chances, the pull of the past, and realizing that sometimes, the life you have is the one you should hold onto.
19. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
This novel follows two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana – one married off to an Englishman, the other sold into slavery.
It traces their lives, and the lives of their descendants, across centuries and continents.
From slavery to civil rights, it’s a powerful exploration of how family, history, and identity shape us.
20. Cat Lady by Dawn O’Porter
Mia’s been living her life for everyone else until a shocking event makes her question it all.
Now, she’s choosing to live for herself, and that includes being single, independent, and totally fine with having a cat.
It’s funny, empowering, and the perfect read for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite fit the usual mold.
If any of these books caught your eye, or if you’ve got your own must-reads by women, drop a comment below – I’d love to chat about them!
And before you go, make sure to check out the related posts for more book ideas.
Happy reading, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!
