As this year marks the centenary of the Suffragette movement securing the vote for women, we enlisted the help of our friends at Ipswich Waterstones to select some of the finest books by female authors. Here’s what they came up with.
Dear Life - Alice Munro
A brilliant writer for short stories, this Nobel Prize winning author creates great poignancy in her work – she really does capture the essence of everyday life.
Check out Dear Life and The View from Castle Rock.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie
Christie is a master of writing with a succinct style, she has a subtle sophistication where she abides to the writing laws of showing, not telling, thus creating marvellous plots and gripping crime.
A favourite is her first in the Poirot series The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Across The Nightingale Floor - Leanne Hearn
Across the Nightingale Floor is the first book of the epic Tales of the Otori series.
Set in a mythical, feudal, Japanese land, a world both beautiful and cruel, the intense love story of two young people takes place against a background of warring clans, secret alliances, high honour and lightning swordplay.
Persuasion - Jane Austen
A timeless author, Austen will always be on our bookshelf.
Quite simply, many things in life can be answered with the simple prompt; what would Jane do?
Harmless Like You - Rowan Hisayo Buchanon
It was amazing to have Rowan join us last year at one of our book club meetings.
There are no words to express how poignant this book is and for a debut novel, how impressively she deals with themes of identity, art, adolescent friendships, love, loneliness and reconciliation.
Dear Ijeawele - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Absolutely one of our favourite authors, this lady has greatly inspired people via her novels, TED talks, non-fiction manifestos and much more.
Although her first novel is The Purple Hibiscus, it is worth starting with Half a Yellow Sun or Americanah and then move onto Dear Ijeawele.
The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton
Well known for her fantastic book The Miniaturist ( BBC adaptation) she has also written an equally compelling and immersive story, The Muse, which is split between two different eras.
One to definitely explore if you haven’t already.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson
This is an underrated author that everyone should know.
A writer of both short stories and novels, she is an incredibly atmospheric writer, with authors such as Stephen King being a big fan. Titles that are favourites are The Sundial and We’ve Always Lived in the Castle.
Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman
Most well known for her book Practical Magic, this author has a talent for grasping the domestic dynamics of relationships without being too contrived or predictable.
Particularly she really creates the sense of siblings, how we can both love and hate them at the same time.
The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula Le Guin
Few writers in any genre can claim to have had the range and influence of Ursula Le Guin.
Championed for her works of science fiction and fantasy, Le Guin’s work encompasses short stories, novels, poetry, essays, books for children and works of translation. Her 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness, is regarded as a profound exploration of imagination and our understanding of society and identity.
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