Favorite Books by Women

In honor of International Women’s Day, I thought I list my top ten favorite books that I found influential in my life:

10. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit–I read many books in my childhood but not many had a lasting effect as much as this one did. The first time I connected with an independent female character.

9. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank–For what was going on around her, her optimism was empowering. She defines what International Women’s Day is all about.

8. The Awakening by Kate Chopin–A controversial book at its time and a revolutionary book to this day.

7.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee–What can you say about this classic American tale? This powerful plot just kept me asking for more.

6. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley–In my opinion, the first novel that started the horror genre.

5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte–Another gothic novel, but a more “deep passionate love but the whole world is against us” approach.

4. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell–The same Austen style but a more descriptive depiction of Victorian times. Loved the relationship between Margaret and Mr. Thornton.

3. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes–This one is not any typical chick-lit book. This one makes you rethink all of life choices and really do something with your life. Moyes is on the path redefining the chick-lit genre.

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte–An embodiment of a resilient, independent woman. A different take on a 19th century woman.

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen–Truthfully, I would put all of Austen’s novels in this category, but if I picked one this would be it. Austen’s wit and humor made fall in love with reading in the first place. Some she doesn’t show realism in her novels, but in my opinion she is the most realistic writer I have ever read.

Let us stand up and applaud these female authors who helped shape the literary world.