In honor of Women's History Month, our librarians have assembled a great collection of books that are by and about women and girls.
Thanks to Readers' Advisory Librarian Nancy for this month's picks for adults. If you'd like personalized suggestions, consider trying the library's Book-A-Librarian service.
Adults
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid is currently popular for her newest book Malibu Rising (which is also fantastic and you should read it!), but this was the first book that I read by her and fell in love with the characters and her writing style.
Inspired by real life celebrities Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, and Tab Hunter, Reid really brings Evelyn to life as a flawed, brave, bisexual Cuban woman who climbed her way to the top in Hollywood during the 1950s. Now in her late seventies, Evelyn summons Vivant magazine reporter Monique Grant to write her life story, which is full of ruthless ambition, Hollywood scandal, and forbidden love hidden amidst her seven husbands.
The Dry by Jane Harper
Jane Harper’s debut novel is a small-town, big-secrets page-turner.
Federal agent Aaron Falk returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of a friend who is believed to have shot his wife and son and then himself. Already suspicious of his best friend’s death, he receives an anonymous note that forces him to confront a false alibi that caused him and his father to flee their town after a young woman’s death twenty years ago. Her death is still unsolved, and this new note could be the answer to uncovering truths behind both crimes.
Gritty and suspenseful from the believable suspects, and flashbacks revealing what really happened, to the tensions of this rural community, already plagued by poverty and alcoholism, going through the worst drought in a century.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
One of my go-to recommendations for people who loved the Harry Potter books!
It’s intricately plotted with immersive world building, and most importantly, magic. Unlike Harry Potter, this is a high fantasy series, which takes place in a completely different world and time period, and it also has much darker content.Twelve years ago, a blood fever plague killed all infected adults and left the surviving children marked with scars, unnaturally colored hair, and for a few of these malfettos, mystical powers. Adelina is a 16-year-old malfetto, who discovered her own power to create illusions through surviving her abusive father. She finds herself between two powerful factions who want to use her for their own gain: the cruel king and his army of Inquisitors, and the rebel malfettos known as Young Elites. All Adelina wants is to protect herself and her sister, but after years of abuse and torment, she is fueled by rage and terror, and can easily turn into either a hero or a monster.Teens
Teens
Thanks to Teen Services Librarian Maggie for her selections.
Shout by Laure Halse Anderson
Although Speak was published more than 20 years ago, it is still a popular (and frequently challenged/banned) YA book. In this intense and powerful poetic memoir from the author, Laurie sheds light on how she was able to write such a poignant and resounding novel. She also shares some insightful and inspiring thoughts young readers have shared with her, and her opinion on banning books. Listen to the audiobook version read by the author if you can; it’s almost as if Laurie is there with you telling you her story.
CD audiobook
Playaway audiobook
Ebook Audiobook
Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes
If you enjoy emotional memoirs, you must read Ordinary Hazards by author and poet Nikki Grimes. Growing up with an absent father and a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, Nikki had a rough childhood. At an early age, she found release and comfort in writing and in this memoir, Nikki shows how the power of her words helped her conquer the hazards of her life.
A Tyranny of Petticoats edited by Jessica Spotswood
If strong heroines in fantasy, historical fiction, and romance novels is more your thing, then you’ll want to read A Tyranny of Petticoats, which includes 15 short stories by an impressive sisterhood of YA writers. Inside you’ll find pirates, bodyguards, monsters, mediums, heiresses, and murderers, and they all have thrilling stories to tell.
Children
Picture Books
Thanks to Children's Librarian Lindsay for her selections.
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
This picture book makes a great read-aloud with its silly rhymes while discussing the unconditional acceptance of oneself for exactly who they are.The main character talks about how she doesn’t care what other people think or what she looks like (a snout for a nose or warts? No problem.) or if she’s having a bad day—she will still like herself.
Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone
Full of engaging and bold illustrations, this book provides a sweet introduction to the story of the first woman doctor in America. Readers will learn about Elizabeth’s tenacity and quirks that helped her succeed in her journey to practicing medicine and the obstacles she faced down along the way.
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Known for her illustrations, Ehlert has written many classic children’s books that are perfect for reading together at bedtime and any other time. One of my favorites is the Leaf Man because of the inspiration the story provides to use your imagination to see the world around you in a new and fun light.
Chapter Books
Thanks to Children's Librarian Kallie for her selections.
Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly
This is the story of Lalani Sarita, a twelve-year-old girl who lives on the island of Sanlagita in the shadow of a vengeful mountain. When she makes a fateful wish that endangers her already-vulnerable village, she sets out across the distant sea in search of life's good fortunes. Grown men have died making the same journey. What hope does an ordinary girl have?
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi
Twelve-year-old Ebony-Grace Norfleet has lived with her beloved grandfather Jeremiah in Huntsville, Alabama ever since she was little. As one of the first black engineers to integrate NASA, Jeremiah has nurtured Ebony-Grace's love for all things outer space and science fiction--especially Star Wars and Star Trek. But in the summer of 1984, when trouble arises with Jeremiah, it's decided she'll spend a few weeks with her father in Harlem. 126th Street begins to reveal that it has more in common with her beloved sci-fi adventures than she ever thought possible, and by summer's end, Ebony-Grace discovers that Harlem has a place for a girl whose eyes are always on the stars.
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she’s in middle school everything feels different. Soojin is suddenly hanging out with one of the “cool” girls in the class, and even talking about changing her name to something more “American.” Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized.
