Ten Books Every Woman Should Read

When I think of the literary genre often referred to as ‘Chick Lit,’ I immediately think Bridget Jones’ Diary. They are all built on the same platform…Meet our protagonist, X. She is thirty-something, possibly 20-something. X speaks to her audience in the first person, obviously, and tends to be quick-witted and sarcastic. She is trying to make it in the corporate world. Her parents paid a fortune for her education and yet, what do you know, she hates her job. X is hopeless when it comes to relationships. Also, shenanigans ensue for poor, poor X, until she realizes that the man of her dreams may have been right under her nose the entire time.

Lather, rinse, repeat, right?

But here’s the thing. I think that there are some books that fit this platform. Let’s call them The Beach Reads. These are the Good in Beds and the Sex and the Citys and the Devil Wears Pradas and the Can You Keep a Secrets and the Something Borroweds. But, I think Chick Lit gets a bad rap, mostly because of its name.

A Chick Lit book, really, by nature, is meant to be a book that is written for a female reader. And I am here today to give you a top ten of sorts; Ten Books I Think Every Woman Should Read. Now, I could probably sit here and spit out about 100 books I think every woman I know should read…but these are the first ten that came to mind, and if you haven’t read them, HOP TO IT:

1. Love Walked In – Marisa de los Santos

2. The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver

3. The History of Love – Nicola Kraus

4. The White Queen – Philippa Gregory

5. In the Time of the Butterflies – Julia Alvarez

6. The Postmistress – Sarah Blake

7. The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd

8. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

9. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – Lisa See

10. Love  in the Time of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

So…what do you think should be on this list too?

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123 Responses to Ten Books Every Woman Should Read

  1. Greis December 30, 2010 at 8:36 am

    Does Twilight count? Because I love me some sparkly vampires!

    Ok, but really…I love to read and I’ve never read any of the books on your list. I will definitely be adding all of these titles to my need to read list.

    Reply
    • LovesToSpooge August 6, 2011 at 6:09 pm

      No, Twilight does not count. It barely counts as a book let alone actual literature.

      Reply
      • Kelsey November 12, 2011 at 6:52 pm

        I think thats unfair. You may have any say in the matter you want, but she can still love the book and think its a great piece of literature. I would suggest actually taking time to look deeper into the book then maybe you’ll see its not that bad.

        Reply
        • Danielle December 4, 2011 at 4:14 am

          I have looked deeper into the book. The only thing I find is a terrible role model for women, an emotionally abusive stalker of a boyfriend, and a wolf boy who imprints on a newborn and doesn’t understand the term “no means no.” I don’t know about you, but I want a book that empowers me to be true to myself, not a book that teaches me that I can’t function without a man in my life telling me what to do and how to think. “Not bad” is the exact opposite of what I see. (I, for one, will never let any future children I may have near this book.)

          Also, the writing is about on the same level as a 4th grader. I have yet to see anything a 4th grader has written considered to be literature. A book it may be, but literature it is not.

          Reply
          • Danielle December 4, 2011 at 4:19 am

            That being said, I loved me some “Love Walked In.” Definitely suggest checking that one out. “Pride and Prejudice” isn’t bad either, although it’s not as modern as far as the style of writing goes, so might turn some people off. I much prefer “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” All the greatness of “Pride and Prejudice”, this time with Zombies!

            Reply
    • Bacon and Beer August 7, 2011 at 2:04 pm

      “I will definitely be adding all of these titles to my need to read list.”
      Don’t.
      These are too heavy.
      Stay on the “twilight” level.

      Reply
      • Ashley August 13, 2011 at 1:38 am

        Yes, I agree, stick with the Twilight level, I heard Stephanie Meyer just published yet ANOTHER embarrassment to the american reading community.

        Reply
      • Andy Kaye September 7, 2011 at 9:10 pm

        Wow, guys. Great, really, but try to add a little more asshole next time. It was definitely missing a “You’re a jerk!” element. /sarcasm

        Two, eight, and ten are some of my favorite books. I’ve read Pride and Prejudice more times than I can count. You should absolutely pick that up, if nothing else!

        Reply
    • Ashley September 14, 2011 at 2:19 pm

      I snorted. Because that’s funny!

      Reply
  2. Daisy December 30, 2010 at 8:37 am

    The Red Tent, by Anita Diamante. The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells. The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan. The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Where the Heart Is, by Billie Letts. The Diary of Anne Frank, by Anne Frank. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer & Annie Barrows.

    Reply
    • Alimartell December 30, 2010 at 9:28 am

      I have read ALL of those and loved a lot of them!

      Reply
    • SwingCheese December 31, 2010 at 2:37 pm

      Ooh, I loved the Red Tent! More than I was expecting!

      Reply
  3. Daisy December 30, 2010 at 8:39 am

    Forgot to say that I really enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees….Love in the Time of Cholera I just couldn’t finish -odd, right? Definitely need to download a few of these to the Kindle, thanks.

    Reply
  4. Brittany December 30, 2010 at 10:20 am

    Loved In The Time of Butterflies, i think every woman should read it, and gotta say, even Salma Hayek did the movie version justice.

    I can confidently say, I probably know the words 75% of Pride & Prejudice by heart. I reread that book at least twice a year, since I first discovered it in Junior High.

    I also loved in my Beach Read Stash:
    She’s Come Undone
    Me Talk pretty One Day and also Naked (Really any and all David Sedaris is a must)
    White Oleander (Hated the movie)
    Where the Heart Is
    Practical Magic
    Amy and Isabelle

    From my trashy chick-lit collection of fun reads:
    Mr. Maybe
    Jemima J
    Lucy Sullivan Gets Married

    Reply
    • Kelly December 30, 2010 at 7:34 pm

      Mr. Maybe and Jemima J are the first chick-lit books I remember reading. Well, beyond, Are You There God…, and Just As Long As We’re Together!

      Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:43 pm

      WAIT> There’s a In the Time of Butterflies movie???
      How did I NOT know this????

      ps. LOVED She’s Come Undone, and everything David Sedaris too.

      Reply
      • marci December 31, 2010 at 11:25 am

        Have read & loved all of both these lists…but am I missing Marian Keyes Sushi For Beginners and the lesser known The Girls by Lori Lansens

        Reply
    • Maria January 3, 2011 at 9:40 pm

      Every writer should read David Sedaris.

      Actually every human being.

      Reply
      • Andy Kaye September 7, 2011 at 9:11 pm

        Agreed!

        Reply
    • Jamie September 14, 2011 at 12:14 pm

      Jemima J was a great read. And She’s Come Undone….wow. That is one of MY top ten favs.

      Reply
  5. Nanette December 30, 2010 at 11:04 am

    Oh, I need some new reads! Thanks for this list!

    Reply
  6. Angie December 30, 2010 at 11:16 am

    My FAVORITE ALL-TIME EVER FOREVER book for women is “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant. http://amzn.to/dWHAn2

    I will buy it for you if you don’t have it. It’s THAT good.

    Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:44 pm

      I have read it!
      It’s your all-time favorite? Really? all-time?

      Reply
      • Angie December 31, 2010 at 10:36 am

        yes, really. i’m simple-minded.

        Reply
  7. anita December 30, 2010 at 11:22 am

    The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and The Annuciation by Ellen Gilcrest and The Handmaid’s Tail by Margaret Atwood…

    Reply
  8. Amy December 30, 2010 at 11:23 am

    I would add The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. And I like Persuasion by Jane Austen every bit as much as Pride and Prejudice, but it never gets due props.

    Reply
  9. KtP December 30, 2010 at 11:42 am

    Ooh, thanks for the list! I would add Wally Lamb’s “She’s Come Undone” and Elizabeth Wurtzel’s “Prozac Nation.” These two books spoke directly to me.

    Reply
    • Ashley December 30, 2010 at 8:51 pm

      I so agree with both of those choices!

      Reply
    • SwingCheese December 31, 2010 at 2:39 pm

      Have you ever read “Bitch” by Elizabeth Wurtzel? I LOVE that book, so, so much!!

      Reply
      • KtP January 5, 2011 at 4:37 pm

        I own it, SwingCheese, but I have to say, it disappointed me. Maybe because “Prozac Nation” was so meaningful to me and I just didn’t get the same feeling from “Bitch.”

        Reply
  10. Christy December 30, 2010 at 11:43 am

    I enjoyed Coffee & Kung Fu by Karen Brichoux. Loved the message it conveyed.

    I also like Emily Giffin books as well; I really identified with Something Borrowed as I grew up with a friend just like Rachel’s. However, I haven’t quite ended up with my “Prince Charming” (yet).

    Beyond that, I enjoy reading the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris (the True Blood books), the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Love Victoria Laurie as well. I just like to read a good book, period, no matter what the genre.

    Reply
  11. Deb Rox December 30, 2010 at 11:50 am

    Two of my all time favorites that don’t tend to make lists are The History of Love (Nicole Krauss) and The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy). Rubyfruit Jungle (Rita Mae Brown) Bastard Out of Carolina (Allison) and Oranges are Not the Only Fruit (Winterson) have my heart. Classics: Beloved (Toni Morrison), Out of Africa (Isak Dinesen) To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee) and everything by Eudora Welty and Carson McCullers. Oh, and William Styron’s Sophie’s Choice, sigh.

    Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:46 pm

      The History of Love. YES. It’s on my list up there because it’s one of my favorites too.

      Love To Kill a Mockingbird and Eudora Welty and Carson McCullers too. Had the pleasure of reading these all in school and fell in love.

      Reply
    • Angie December 31, 2010 at 10:37 am

      i can’t even say the titles of all these smarty-pants books.

      Reply
    • Sara January 3, 2011 at 9:03 am

      Oh I LOVED The God of Small Things…so now I have to add all the books on your list that I have not already read to my GoodReads – with all the suggestions on this post I should be good to go until 2012.

      Reply
  12. legally(ir)relevant December 30, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    Wow. Out of all the books listed, including comments, I’ve read the Twilight Saga and To Kill a Mockingbird. I love reading, and at one time could read at least a book a week, no matter the length! Apparently I’ve missed a lot! I’ve watched some movies based on the books, but I don’t think that counts. I’ve bookmarked this for future reference when I’m trying to find a new book to read! Thanks.

    Daisy, does that give any insight into my choice for the book club?!

    Reply
  13. legally(ir)relevant December 30, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    I’m also sharing this with my mom! She loves reading just as much as I do, and is always looking for new ones.

    Reply
  14. Emily December 30, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Seconding “She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb, it is fantastic, and hands down one of my all time favorites.

    It is hard to believe (and I don’t mean this in a bad way) that it was written by a man. The inner dialog of the protagonist is so very right on.

    Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:46 pm

      it’s soooo true. It’s CRAZY that it was written by a man!

      Reply
      • Amanda January 4, 2011 at 1:40 am

        I read this book as a young, young woman and I thoroughly believed it helped shaped the way I think of myself and my body.

        Reply
  15. Jen December 30, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    Looks like I have some reading to do…as I see no Nora Roberts on this list.

    Reply
  16. Ella December 30, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    I have about a million books women should ABSOLUTELY read, but this one definitely sticks out in my mind.

    “The Art of Racing In the Rain” by Garth Stein

    It’s a story told through a dogs point of view and HOLY CRAP, I sat down to read it one night and finished it 4 hours later. You get so caught up in the story you can’t put it down. I think I’ve bought this book for just about everybody I know asking for a book for something be it a birthday or Christmas. It is fantastic and an ABSOLUTE must-read.

    Reply
    • Amy December 31, 2010 at 9:20 am

      I LOVE that book! It’s simply life-changing, isn’t it?

      Reply
  17. Katy December 30, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    I’ll mention Eat, Pray, Love…every woman on earth has probably read that by now though! It’s not for everyone…there’s so much navel-gazing and self-absorption. But it can really speak to people who are searching in their lives…if it comes to you at the right time in life it can really hit the right notes.

    Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:47 pm

      See…and I have absolutely NO desire to read it. I think you are right…it’s not for everyone!

      Reply
  18. Major Bedhead December 30, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    If you like gothic, The Thirteenth Tale is excellent. I also really enjoyed The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Also, for the Arthurian legend buffs out there, The Mists of Avalon is that story told from Guinevere & Morgan le Fay’s points of view.

    Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:47 pm

      the Thirteenth Tale is TOTALLY on my list of to-reads!

      Reply
      • Txtingmrdarcy January 7, 2011 at 11:17 am

        I second “The Mists of Avalon.” Totally epic storytelling. I reread it every couple of years just to enjoy it again.

        Reply
  19. Major Bedhead December 30, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    And for a complete & utter trashy novel experience, nothing beats Scruples by Judith Krantz. I love that book. To be honest, I have loved most of her books.

    Reply
  20. Rachel December 30, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    The Help – Kathryn Stockett
    Prodigal Summer – Barbara Kingsolver (liked this a little better than The Poisonwood Bible)
    Still Alice – Lisa Genova
    Housekeeping – Marilynne Robinson
    The Best of Everything – Rona Jaffe
    What Was She Thinking? (Notes on a Scandal) – Zoe Heller

    Just to name a few I’ve read that have stuck with me the past few years.

    Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:48 pm

      YES>
      so many of these are ones I LOVED.

      Reply
      • KtP January 5, 2011 at 4:41 pm

        Still Alice broke my heart.

        Reply
  21. brittanynoelle December 30, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    I LOVELove In the Time of Cholera, Pride and Prejudice and A History of Love. I think To Kill a Mockingbird she be required reading for all humans. Some really great books have already been mentioned, but I have to throw out anything by Audrey Neffinegger; The Time Travelers Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry, they are both amazingly good. I’m currently reading Water For Elephants and loving it thus far. I have a soft spot for The Bell Jar(I’m kind of obsessed with Sylvia Plath) and I love Stardust by Neil Gaiman and I also loved The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and the rest of the trilogy.

    Reply
    • alimartell December 30, 2010 at 7:48 pm

      see…I LOVED The Time Traveler’s Wife and I absolutely HATED Her Fearful Symmetry. Weird, no?

      Reply
      • Amanda January 4, 2011 at 1:42 am

        Haven’t read Her FEarful Symmetry, loved Time Travelers Wife, like so much that I’ve reread it about a hundred times. Rereading Water for Elephants now. Such a fantastic novel through and through.

        Reply
        • KtP January 5, 2011 at 4:43 pm

          TTW is one of my all-time faves. Loved Water for Elephants. They’re making it into a movie, though, boo!

          Getting back to work now….

          Reply
      • Txtingmrdarcy January 7, 2011 at 11:19 am

        Her Fearful Symmetry WAS weird. I fought through it trying to get to the point where I would like the characters, and I never did. :-P
        Yay for ANYTHING by Neil Gaiman. Stardust, Good Omens and Neverwhere are some of the highlights for me.

        Reply
  22. Kimberly December 30, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    Anything and everything by Jen Lancaster or Stacey Ballis!

    Reply
  23. Lisa December 30, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    Run by Ann Patchett
    Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson
    Patty Jane’s House of Curl by Lorna Landvik
    London is the Best City in America by Laura Dave
    The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

    Have to agree with commenters about The Red Tent and The Art of Racing in the Rain. And The Help (LOVED!)

    Reply
    • Sara January 3, 2011 at 9:05 am

      Half-broke Horses (Walls) is fantastic as well! It is about her grandmother growing up ranching in Arizona. I loved it.

      Reply
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  25. Al_Pal December 30, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    Dig the Julia Alvarez, for sure! Enjoyed her other books as well.

    Pearl Cleage is awesome. Her first novel, “What Looks Like Crazy On an Ordinary Day”, was an Oprah pick. Great read, enjoyed her other novels as well–they are like modern-day fairy tales for the contemporary Black woman [and those who would like to better know them].

    Enjoyed the Red Tent for sure.

    Cute less-known ‘beach read’ type: “English as a Second Language”: USA Girl, tired of people who think she can’t do things, goes to UK for grad school, finds confidence and adventure. :P

    Reply
  26. Amanda December 31, 2010 at 1:43 am

    All of Joshilyn Jackson’s books
    - gods in Alabama
    - Between, Georgia
    - The Girl Who Stopped Swimming
    - Backseat Saints

    The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
    Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen
    Persuasion – Jane Austen
    Where the Heart Is- Billy Letts

    Lovelovelove to read. These are definitely some of my very favorites!

    Reply
    • Danielle December 4, 2011 at 4:23 am

      I’ve been meaning to read The Handmaid’s Tale for awhile now, but the person I was going to borrow it off of needed it, and I have been so swamped of late. I’m going to have to get my hands on it soon, though.

      Reply
  27. Emmachaos December 31, 2010 at 10:44 am

    Loved History of Love (love her husband’s books too). I would absolutely add Atonement by Ian McEwan and anything by Carol Shields. She shows the minutia of a woman’s life like no one else.
    Eat, Pray, Love – ugh.

    Reply
  28. Melissa December 31, 2010 at 11:25 am

    I have to add the Meg Cabot series Queen of Babble and Size 12 is Not Fat. Great reads!

    Reply
  29. britni December 31, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    The Twentieth wife and the The Feast of Roses, both by Indu Sundaresan.

    Reply
    • britni December 31, 2010 at 9:16 pm

      I forgot to add that if you liked The Red Tent then you will love these books ;)

      Reply
  30. Michele {moxygen} December 31, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    Wow! I just added a ton of books to my to-read shelf on Good Reads!

    I am currently plowing through the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness. I have been enjoying a lot of Young Adult fiction lately. Although I do tend to feel weird when the librarian looks me up and down when I am checking out. Last time she said I must be checking out books for someone else. Since I had picked up a couple of books for my daughter I wasn’t exactly lying when I agreed I was.

    Books every woman should read… hmm. Way too many to list. I go from loving a good trashy novel – like the Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson – to a good tear jerker like Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. I recently re-read To Kill a Mockingbird and appreciated it so much more than I did when I read it in school all those years ago.

    Reply
  31. Tara (Do These Kids Make Me Look Crazy?) January 1, 2011 at 12:10 am

    Gone with the Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
    East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
    Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean Auel)
    The Power of One (Bruce Courteney)
    A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
    Stones from the River (Ursula Hegi)
    Roots (Alex Haley)

    Anything by Jodi Picoult, particularly Nineteen Minutes
    Anything by Pat Conroy

    Okay, none of those books are specific to women, exactly, but I LOVE THEM.

    Reply
    • Dee August 24, 2011 at 6:35 pm

      At first I thought I must have posted this list and forgotten. Too funny, I agree with your list, love your choices! Pat Conroy and John Irving are two of my favorites!
      I haven’t read Stones from the River, but now I will!

      Reply
  32. EC January 1, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    “The Whipping Girl” by Julia Serano. A transgendered woman relating her experiences and defending femininity.

    http://www.amazon.com/Whipping-Girl-Transsexual-Scapegoating-Femininity/dp/1580051545

    Reply
  33. Denise January 1, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    I will add a couple-
    Their Eyes Were Watching God~ Zora Neale Hurston
    The Color Purple~ Alice Walker
    The Rapture of Canaan~ Sheri Reynolds
    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society~ Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

    Reply
  34. Bridget January 1, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    I’ll get right on those and add too-
    The Help by Katheryn Stockett
    Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier’
    Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

    Reply
  35. Maria January 3, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    I actually really, really loved The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

    Reply
  36. Amanda January 4, 2011 at 1:44 am

    Also, The House of Gentleman. If you can find it, it is stellar.

    Reply
  37. AmyLK January 5, 2011 at 10:14 am

    OMG! What a wonderful list of books from the post AND the comments! I should have NO reason to say I have nothing to read for YEARS! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  38. Major Bedhead January 5, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    If we’re just listing books we love and not ones particularly written for women, I’d add:

    Maia by Richard Adams (it’s a huge book, but it goes quickly)
    The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
    Rebeca by Daphne DuMaurier
    The Camber of Culdi series by Katherine Kurtz (fantasy fiction)
    Stones From The River by Ursula Hegi
    The Last Convertible by Anton Myrer
    A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engel

    Can you tell I’m trying, without much success at all, to cull my books? I’m being overrun.

    Reply
  39. Amber June 22, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    The Time Travelers Wife… a must read for all women. It is a great story.

    Reply
  40. Nikki July 1, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    “Why Men Love Bitches” by Sherry Argov.

    http://www.amazon.com/Why-Men-Love-Bitches-Relationship/dp/1580627560

    Reply
  41. Beth July 29, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    Gone With the Wind!

    Reply
  42. Threegypsies July 30, 2011 at 12:04 am

    The Gargoyle
    Women Who Run With The Wolves
    The Pull of the Moon
    Garden Spell

    Reply
  43. Katie August 2, 2011 at 12:39 am

    I know this has been said, but The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is one of the most outstanding books I have ever read.

    Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris is also amazing, and you will be kept in suspense until the end, when you will realize why it is a book for women.

    While I agree with most of the other books people have listed, I have to add one more that I read at least three times a year (and have read for ages) – Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Politics aside, this book was written for both women and men, but in having the protagonist as a woman (and a powerful, intelligent, and sexual one at that), Rand creates a masterpiece!

    I also have to quickly add that the History of Love is an amazing piece of literature and I have read it so many times the cover fell off :)

    That’s my two cents!

    Reply
  44. Anon August 2, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    How about a book that depicts women as equal to men: Atlas Shrugged & The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Both are quite long, but they feature a woman’s powerful side instead of her emotional side.

    Reply
  45. Deanna August 3, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

    Reply
  46. Alli August 4, 2011 at 10:32 am

    She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb

    Reply
  47. Margaret August 4, 2011 at 10:42 am

    Lovelovelove to read, also! Thanks so much for the inclusive list. I, too, want to give a shout out for “The Art of Racing in the Rain” and for pure fun and engaging suspense, has anyone ever read Barbara Michaels? That woman can write! She also writes as Elizabeth Peters.

    Reply
  48. Gayle Lin August 4, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    And the new love story by Tom McNeal, To Be Sung Underwater.
    What a masterpiece!

    Reply
  49. Jasmine August 4, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    The Bluest Eye by bell hooks :)
    PUSH by Sapphire
    Longing to Tell by Tricia Rose

    Reply
  50. Jamnesia August 4, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    Okay – One Vacant Chair or Apologizing to Dogs both by Joe Coomer; Absence of Nectar and Prince of Lost Places both by Kathy Hepinstall. LOVE these authors, constatntly lookiung for new releases.

    Reply
  51. Sarah August 5, 2011 at 8:55 am

    Every woman needs to read “Girl in Translation” by Jean Kwok. The story is touching and at times heart wrenching and you can’t help but fall in love with the main character Kimberly Chang. She is sweet and endearing but tough when need be. The ending was a little bittersweet, but I still loved the journey of her story.

    Reply
  52. Amber August 5, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    I stumbled upon this page and I am so excited to read all these books! I must add Janet Evanovich! All her books are amazing. I lovelove the Stephanie Plum series. The seventeenth book just came out. And she has a long list of great romance novels. :)
    http://www.evanovich.com

    Reply
  53. Sally August 5, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    Chick Lit is actually, by definition, referred to as exactly what you have described “beach reads” to be. Chick Lit refers to the plight of a female protagonist in a career driven world, that throughout history has often been run by men, and the struggle and successes that these women (who are often highly relatable to the demographic indulging in said novels) face.

    The books listed here are not all categorically fitting as “Chick Lit”. A classic such as Pride and Prejudice, and even Love in the Time of Cholera are both love stories of arguably epic proportions, that not only women, but men, can take away from.

    The beauty of Chick Lit is that it does indeed have a formulaic plot, something that is indulgent, yet different everytime. Who are we to say that a book has an aimed gender? That being said, however, these are all wonderful books.

    Reply
  54. kelsey August 6, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, both classics and both beautiful love stories. Amazing chiclit that i recommend for all of my female customers, along with Pride and Prejudice (I work in a bookstore).

    Reply
  55. Barbara August 6, 2011 at 11:47 pm

    Just finished Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. An absolute
    MUST read. Not chicklit, though.

    Reply
  56. Brittany August 7, 2011 at 3:23 am

    I loved everyone’s comments and I have some awesome books now to catch up on. I just wanted to share that Eat,Pray,Love got alot of promotion and was maybe talked about too much..but that boom truly changed my life. Her writing was refreshing like listening to a friends stories..I got a bunch of friends who also cringed at the idea to read it and it changed their prospective on things as well. I’m well aware that it’s not for everyone as previously stated, but please don’t over look it. It’s fantastic.

    Reply
  57. Kim August 7, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Fear of Flying by Erica Jong

    Reply
  58. Lesley August 8, 2011 at 2:59 am

    Leaning towards infinity, by Sue Woolfe
    The Stone diaries, by Carol Shields
    The transit of Venus, by Shirley Hazzard
    The Children’s Bach, by Helen Garner

    Reply
  59. Leah G August 9, 2011 at 9:57 am

    All these books sound so great!! I cannot wait to get some more summer reading done!!!

    One book that is really great is: A Great and Terrible Beauty.. actually all the books in the Gamma Doyle Tril are great. all by Libba Bray. Very memorizing.

    and all of the Janet Evanovich books are a great read! Especially if your lookin for a good laugh!!!

    Reply
  60. Kendra August 10, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    ‘Walking in circles before lying down’ should definitely be on this list.

    Reply
  61. milka August 12, 2011 at 6:03 am

    twilight saga sucks. your not going to marry a vampire. neither a werewolf is going to fall in love with you. in a few years you are going to feel embarassment because you liked it at all.

    Reply
  62. Cynthia Welch August 12, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    I agree with a previous post about these books not being Chick Lit. I have read most of these books, my favorite is Snow Flower, Secret Fan (the movie strays far from the book, I was dissappointed in the movie). One book that I don’t see on this list that I believe every woman should read is “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden. “Falling Leaves” by Adeline Yen Mah is another very good book.

    Reply
  63. Alaina August 12, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Wally Lamb’s book- I’ve Come Undone. Brutally honest, yet somehow written by a man…

    Reply
  64. k August 13, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    The Secret Life of Bees was an amazing read along with Love in the Time of Cholera. But I will be adding a couple more of these to my reading list

    Reply
  65. Kate August 14, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Catch-22

    One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest

    The Unbearable Lightness of Being

    Taming of the Shrew

    A Confederacy of Dunces

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

    The Picture of Dorian Gray

    Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

    Books are either good or tedious. Who cares if you’re a woman or a man?

    Reply
  66. carrie August 18, 2011 at 1:20 am

    i don’t think anyone’s mentioned anne of green gables yet. other than that omission, i’d have to agree with time traveler’s wife, atlas shrugged, a wrinkle in time, the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy trilogy and pride and prejudice. i’ve never tried the red tent. i’ll add it to my kindle. thanks for the interesting post.

    Reply
  67. MelANoel August 18, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    What about “Atonement” by Ian McEwan

    Reply
  68. Rhiannon August 23, 2011 at 7:05 am

    I still love my George R R Martin :) It will be hard to find another author that has a similar style. I’ve loved every single one of his books, even if he kills off characters a lot ;) I still haven’t even been able to see the show to judge whether or not it’s any good. Oh well, ignorance is bliss I suppose heehee.

    Reply
  69. Dee August 24, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    These suggestions are wonderful– Anna Karenina –Tolstoy , is my all time favorite! But A Map of the World, Jane Hamilton-is a must read not on the list-so poignant! also Tracey Kidder’s, Mountains Beyond Mountains is an unforgettable life changer!

    Reply
  70. Laura August 30, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Great list, am certainly add them to my read-list. I loved LOVED Time in the love of Cholera (as I love all of Marquez’s books)
    I highly recommend The Zahir – Paulo Coelho
    Aunt Julia and the scriptwriter – Mario Vargas Llosa
    Princess – Jane Sasson
    And chicklit.. Eat Pray Love – Elizabeth Gilbert. I didnt wanna read it for a long time thinking it was just another buaa story but i have to say after reading it, I did allow myself to be positively influenced by it.
    Good reads, thanks!!!

    Reply
  71. Laura August 30, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Ahh I’d like to add.. there are a lot of comments on the latest Vampire saga.. I do agree that is well.. for teenagers and not really serious reading, but when I started reading as a kid my favorites were The little Vampire by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg and thats what hooked me on reading when I was 6 years old. As a teenager one of my favorite serious writers was (and is) Umberto Eco – the name of the rose, amazing! But at that same time Anne Rice drove me crazy with the Vampire Chronicles and I still like those books (but her writing is amazing!). The point being (sorry) is that as long as we read is already a positive, educating our reading goes with time. For the people that already like those books is a step away to start moving into more serious writers.

    Reply
  72. Andy Kaye September 7, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    Just because I didn’t see them:

    The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende (Also, Eva Luna! And Zorro!)
    Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawai
    Slouching Towards Bethlehem (A collection of essays) by Joan Didion

    Reply
  73. Pingback: Ten MORE Books Every Woman Should Read

  74. Cindy September 15, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    Daisy,

    You’ve got the list, girl. All excellent books that you mentioned!

    Reply
  75. Sandy September 17, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    Jane Eyre.

    Reply
  76. Ellie September 20, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Hey.
    I have just finished reading Little Gods by Anna Richards.. Absolutely amazing.. if anyone scrolls down this far I would completely suggest reading it.
    A week in December by Sebastian Faulks and On Beauty Zadie Smith I would also reccomend :)
    Also you ladies should start a book club.

    Reply
  77. melissa October 22, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    Why are these books all about love? Is the female obsession with stories of love not the reason that destroyer of hope books like Bridget Jones exist? Being female, i think we need to get over the fact that all of life isn’t about love. there is so much more.

    Reply
  78. monica November 27, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    Anything by Jodi Picoult is really spectacular. I always think I know the ending, but she surprises me every time! Definitely worth reading any of her work.

    Reply
  79. kenzie December 6, 2011 at 2:14 am

    One book that all girls should read is A Room With a View by E.M Foster. Me and a few of my friends feel that high school doesn’t have us read good literature so we started a book club this was the first. another great book is the bell jar by Sylvia Plath

    Reply
  80. Aly December 19, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    I think A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is definitely a must-read for any woman.

    Reply
  81. Ashley March 8, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    I love me a good book, but I don’t like smut. Are there arny of these books I should avoid to avoid smut? otherwise I am so putting them on my must read list

    Reply

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