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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, celebrate international women’s day by discovering these must-read books by women authors!
Happy International Women’s Day! On March 8, 2025, we celebrate the strength, creativity, and resilience of women worldwide. One powerful way to honor this day is by diving into the incredible stories, ideas, and worlds crafted by women authors. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, women have shaped literature in profound ways. Here’s a curated list of books written by women that deserve a spot on your reading list—not just today, but all year round.
Must-Read Books By Women Authors
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
No list of women-authored books is complete without this American classic. Published in 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird explores justice, morality, and empathy through the eyes of young Scout Finch in the racially charged South. Lee’s singular voice and unflinching look at humanity continue to resonate decades later. If you haven’t read it yet, today’s the day to start.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian masterpiece remains as chilling and relevant as ever. First published in 1985, this tale of a totalitarian regime that strips women of their rights feels like a clarion call for vigilance. With its gripping prose and haunting imagery, Atwood reminds us why women’s voices—and freedoms—must never be silenced.
3. Beloved by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a heart-wrenching exploration of slavery’s lasting scars. Through the story of Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman haunted by her past, Morrison weaves a narrative that’s both brutal and beautiful. Her lyrical style and unflinching honesty make Beloved a testament to the power of women’s storytelling.
4. The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
Inspired by her grandfather’s life, Louise Erdrich’s 2020 novel shines a light on Native American resilience. Set in 1953, it follows Thomas Wazhashk, a Chippewa night watchman, and Patrice Paranteau, a young woman navigating a world that seeks to erase her community’s rights. Erdrich’s rich, evocative writing celebrates Indigenous women’s strength and spirit.
5. Circe by Madeline Miller
For mythology lovers, Madeline Miller’s 2018 retelling of the Greek sorceress Circe’s story is a must-read. Transforming a minor character from The Odyssey into a complex, powerful woman, Miller blends feminist reclamation with breathtaking prose. It’s a reminder that women’s stories have always existed—they just needed the right voice to tell them.
6. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante is a 2011 novel (translated from Italian) kicks off Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet, following the lifelong friendship between two women in post-war Italy. Ferrante’s raw, intimate portrayal of female bonds is as captivating as it is universal.
7. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Brit Bennett’s 2020 bestseller tackles race, identity, and sisterhood with grace and nuance. The story of twin sisters who take divergent paths—one living as a Black woman, the other passing as white—spans generations and geographies. Bennett’s sharp insights and compelling characters make this a modern classic.
8. Women Talking by Miriam Toews
Inspired by real events, Miriam Toews’ 2018 novel imagines a secret meeting of women in a Mennonite community after enduring years of abuse. Their discussions—about faith, freedom, and survival—are both harrowing and hopeful. Toews’ spare, powerful storytelling amplifies women’s agency in the face of oppression.
Why These Books Matter Today
International Women’s Day isn’t just about celebration—it’s about recognition and reflection. These books, spanning genres and eras, showcase women’s contributions to literature while exploring themes that echo the ongoing fight for equality. Whether they’re reclaiming narratives, exposing injustice, or imagining new worlds, these authors remind us of the power of women’s voices.
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