Summertime makes for some well-deserved time to get back into reading books that inspire you. On your next beach adventure, chill coffee shop hangout, or lazy afternoon spent sprawled out on a blanket in the park, bring along a good book with you—and if it’s by a female writer, even better. Here are five books by female writers to fuel your girl power this summer.
1—How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. Moran combines hilarious accounts of her own experiences with her observations on life to create what The Observer described as a “short, sharp, feminist manifesto.” How to Be a Woman has chapter titles such as “I Need a Bra!” and “I Start Bleeding!” You’ll laugh out loud at the hilarious way Moran tackles the complexities of being a girl in our modern world.
2—Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? by Kathleen Collins. A collection published posthumous, this book of 16 stories explores topics like race, gender, family, and sexuality from the 1960s to 1980s. Collins’s voice is original and timeless. While these stories of the multifaceted lives of African American women and interracial America happened decades ago, ultimately, they feel just as real and relevant today. The magic and power of this book make it one not to miss.
3—Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann. This novel chronicles Eveline Auerbach and her transition from girl to woman in the dawn of the 1980s. Hamann’s novel sheds light on the pain and beauty of growing up female, falling in love, and becoming who you’re meant to be. You’ll find yourself highlighting Hammann’s masterful writing that explains the feelings we’ve all had but have never been able to put into words. Just take it from my well-loved, heavily bookmarked copy pictured above.
4—Sad Girls by Lang Leav. Social media sensation and international best-selling author Leav has written a coming-of-age story that will be the hit of the summer. Leav’s debut novel tells the story of Audrey, a teenager struggling with anxiety and guilt after telling a lie that causes the death of fellow student Ana. Filled with twists, turns, and a dark romance with a boy named Rad, Leav creates a beautifully written book that pulls you in until the last page.
5—Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler. In Sweetbitter, Danler combines the chaos of the restaurant industry with the adventure of living in NYC for the first time. You’ll find understanding in the mistakes the main character Tess makes and the familiar feeling of trying to find yourself in the midst of it all. Plus, Danler’s exquisite descriptions of tasty dishes will leave you hungry for fancy foods and a trip to NYC.
What awesome books are on your summer reading list? Let us know in the comments below!
