The Greatest Books of All Time Written by Women

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This collection epitomizes the pinnacle of literature authored by women, aggregating selections from 300 'best of' book lists into a definitive guide to the most acclaimed works by female writers. This aggregation reflects a comprehensive evaluation of literary achievements, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives and voices. For a deeper understanding of our selection methodology and the rigorous criteria behind these rankings, please visit our rankings page.

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  1. 2851. Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

    In the final installment of a science fiction trilogy, the protagonist, a human-form AI once linked to a starship and its ancillary soldiers, continues her quest for vengeance and justice. Now in command of a small ship, she faces the complexities of political intrigue and the challenges of leadership amidst an impending civil war within a vast interstellar empire. With the help of her diverse crew and allies, she confronts the question of what it means to be independent and human while navigating the moral ambiguities of power and the intricacies of personal relationships, all while seeking to secure a future for her home and the people she has come to care for.

  2. 2852. War For The Oaks by Emma Bull

    In this urban fantasy novel, a young musician in Minneapolis finds herself thrust into a hidden world of magic and conflict when she is unwillingly drafted into a war between faerie factions. As she navigates the treacherous politics of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, her human emotions and creativity become powerful weapons in the struggle. Alongside a cast of enigmatic and sometimes dangerous fae allies, she must balance her burgeoning love for a mysterious faerie warrior with the demands of her mortal life, all while fighting to protect her city from the encroaching darkness of the faerie war. This tale weaves together elements of romance, music, and magic, exploring themes of loyalty, identity, and the power of art.

  3. 2853. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

    "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke is a captivating and enigmatic novel that follows the life of the eponymous character, who inhabits a vast and mysterious house known as the House. With its labyrinthine halls and countless statues, Piranesi's existence is solitary and filled with wonder as he meticulously explores and documents the ever-shifting environment. However, his seemingly idyllic existence is disrupted when he encounters another person in the House, leading to a series of revelations that challenge his understanding of reality and his place within it. Through beautiful prose and a sense of profound mystery, "Piranesi" explores themes of identity, memory, and the power of perception.

  4. 2854. Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

    In "Vessel" by Sarah Beth Durst, Liyana is a vessel, a vessel created by the gods to be inhabited by one of them. But when the gods fail to come and inhabit her, Liyana is left alone in the desert. She sets out on a journey to find the missing gods and discovers that they have been captured by a mysterious force. Liyana must navigate the dangers of the desert and confront her own fears and doubts to save the gods and fulfill her purpose as a vessel.

  5. 2855. The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

    "The Interestings" follows a group of six talented friends who meet at a summer camp for the arts in 1974. The novel spans over three decades, exploring their friendships, relationships, successes, and failures as they navigate adulthood. The story delves into themes of talent, envy, money, art, power, and the meaning of success as it examines how these friends' lives diverge and intersect over the years.

  6. 2856. The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin

    In the second installment of a groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, the world grapples with an apocalyptic season of catastrophic climate change known as the Fifth Season. The narrative follows a mother searching for her missing daughter while coming to terms with her own seismic powers that could either save humanity or hasten its end. As communes and factions struggle for survival and dominance, the story delves into themes of oppression, resistance, and the complex nature of human relationships, all set against a backdrop of geological and magical upheaval. The protagonist must navigate a landscape of political intrigue and ancient mysteries to unlock the potential of obelisks, powerful artifacts that could be the key to the world's salvation or destruction.

  7. 2857. Doll Bones by Holly Black

    "Doll Bones" by Holly Black is a story about three friends, Zach, Poppy, and Alice, who embark on a journey to bury a haunted doll that they believe is controlling their lives. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles that test their friendship and force them to confront their fears. As they delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the doll, they begin to uncover secrets about themselves and their families. Ultimately, they must face their fears and find the courage to do what is right, even if it means facing the unknown.

  8. 2858. Tales from Rugosa Coven by Sarah Avery

    "Tales from Rugosa Coven" is a collection of interconnected stories that follow the lives of a group of witches living in a small coastal town. The coven must navigate personal and magical challenges, including a mysterious illness that affects their community and the arrival of an outsider who threatens their way of life. Through their trials, the witches learn the importance of trust, loyalty, and the power of their collective magic. The book explores themes of community, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.

  9. 2859. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

    "A Snicker of Magic" is a heartwarming story about a girl named Felicity who has the ability to see words all around her. She and her mother move to a town called Midnight Gulch, where she meets a boy named Jonah and his family who are rumored to have magical powers. Felicity sets out to uncover the town's magical past and help Jonah's family break a curse that has plagued them for generations. Along the way, she discovers the power of friendship, family, and the magic of words.

  10. 2860. The Aliens by Annie Baker

    The play centers around two thirty-something men, Jasper and KJ, who spend their time behind a Vermont coffee shop discussing music, philosophy, and their personal struggles, embodying a sense of aimlessness and lost potential. Their static existence is interrupted when they form an unlikely friendship with Evan, a high school student and employee of the coffee shop. Through their conversations and interactions, the trio explores themes of connection, the search for meaning, and the poignant moments found in the mundanity of everyday life. The narrative unfolds with a quiet intensity, capturing the essence of small-town ennui and the subtle dynamics of male friendship.

  11. 2861. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

    "A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking" is a young adult fantasy novel by T. Kingfisher. The story follows fourteen-year-old wizard Mona, who uses her magical abilities to defend her town from dangerous creatures. However, when a mysterious assassin begins targeting the town's wizards, Mona finds herself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. With the help of a talking sourdough starter and a few unlikely allies, Mona must use her baking skills and her magic to save her community and uncover the truth behind the attacks.

  12. 2862. 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog

    The play follows the emotional journey of a young man who, after suffering a major loss during a cross-country bike trip, seeks solace and understanding by visiting his feisty 91-year-old grandmother in her West Village apartment. As the unlikely pair navigates the complexities of family, independence, and coming of age, their generational gaps both challenge and deepen their bond. Through a series of candid, heartfelt conversations, they explore themes of grief, connection, and the search for personal identity, revealing the profound impact of intergenerational relationships and the resilience needed to heal from life's unpredictable trials.

  13. 2863. Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon

    "Castle Hangnail" follows the story of a young witch named Molly who is determined to become a proper wicked witch and take over the abandoned Castle Hangnail. However, when she arrives, she finds out that the castle's minions are not what she expected and the castle itself is in danger of being sold. Molly must use her wit and magic to prove to the castle's Board of Magic that she is fit to be the new master and save the castle from destruction. Along the way, she befriends the quirky minions and learns the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, and bravery.

  14. 2864. Dun Lady's Jess by Doranna Durgin

    This novel blends the enchantment of fantasy with the thrill of adventure, telling the story of a horse, Jess, who is magically transformed into a human woman. Thrust into a world vastly different from her equine existence, Jess must navigate the complexities of human society, language, and emotions, all while trying to find a way to return to her original form. Alongside a cast of diverse characters, she embarks on a journey that explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the deep bond between horse and rider. Set against a backdrop of magic and intrigue, the story delves into the challenges of adapting to a new form and the quest for understanding across species barriers.

  15. 2865. The Destiny Waltz by Gerda Charles

    "The Destiny Waltz" is a novel that tells the story of a homosexual Jewish man living in London and his struggle to reconcile his identity with societal expectations. The protagonist's journey is marked by his relationships with several women, his efforts to navigate the world of academia, and his struggle with his own desires. The story is a poignant exploration of identity, love, and the often painful process of self-discovery.

  16. 2866. The Bird of Night by Susan Hill

    "The Bird of Night" is a historical novel that explores the life of a brilliant, but mentally unstable poet named Francis Croft in 20th-century England. Told through the perspective of his friend and caretaker, Harvey, the book delves into the complexities of their relationship, the struggles of mental illness, and the cost of genius. As Francis' condition deteriorates, Harvey is left to grapple with the moral and emotional toll of caring for a troubled genius. The novel is a poignant exploration of love, friendship, sacrifice, and the destructive power of mental illness.

  17. 2867. Diving Into The Wreck by Adrienne Rich

    "Diving Into The Wreck" is a collection of poems that explores the complexities of identity, feminism, and the journey of self-discovery. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, the poet delves into the depths of the human experience, examining the wreckage of societal expectations and personal history. The titular poem serves as a metaphor for this exploration, with the speaker donning the gear of a deep-sea diver to investigate a sunken ship, symbolizing the search for truth and meaning amidst the ruins of tradition and past roles. The anthology is a profound reflection on transformation, the struggle for equality, and the courage required to navigate the treacherous waters of change.

  18. 2868. The Sacred and Profane Love Machine by Iris Murdoch

    The book revolves around the lives of three main characters: a psychoanalyst, his wife, and his mistress. The psychoanalyst lives a double life between his wife and children and his mistress, who lives nearby with their son. The story explores themes of love, morality, guilt, and identity as it delves into the consequences of the psychoanalyst's actions on the lives of those around him. The narrative takes a tragic turn when the wife discovers the affair and the two families are thrown into a complex and painful situation.

  19. 2869. The Book Of Form And Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

    "The Book of Form and Emptiness" follows the journey of a young boy named Benny Oh who discovers an extraordinary ability to hear the voices of inanimate objects. As Benny navigates his complicated family dynamics and copes with the loss of his father, he becomes entangled with a cast of eccentric characters and finds solace in the companionship of the objects around him. This thought-provoking novel explores themes of grief, identity, and the power of imagination, ultimately challenging readers to reconsider their relationship with the material world.

  20. 2870. Kingfisher by Patricia A. McKillip

    "Kingfisher" is a fantasy novel that follows the story of Pierce Oliver, a young man who is the son of a powerful sorcerer. Pierce is sent on a quest to find his missing father and in the process discovers a hidden world of magic and intrigue. Along the way, he meets a cast of unique characters, including a talking bird and a shape-shifting princess. As Pierce delves deeper into the mystery of his father's disappearance, he must also confront his own destiny and the power he possesses. The book is a thrilling adventure full of magic, mystery, and self-discovery.

  21. 2871. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

    This novel explores the lives of two families in New York City during the 2008 financial crisis. One family is a wealthy couple who live a luxurious lifestyle due to their Wall Street connections, while the other family is a pair of Cameroonian immigrants who are trying to make ends meet. As the financial crisis hits, both families face challenges that test their relationships, their dreams, and their understanding of the American Dream.

  22. 2872. Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

    "Anything is Possible" is a collection of interconnected stories exploring the lives and struggles of various residents in a small town in Illinois. The stories delve into the characters' pasts, revealing their secrets, regrets, and the complexities of their relationships. The book explores themes of poverty, trauma, and the human capacity for change, demonstrating that despite hardships and heartbreak, anything is possible.

  23. 2873. Dreams Before The Start Of Time by Anne Charnock

    "Dreams Before The Start Of Time" by Anne Charnock is a thought-provoking novel set in a future where reproductive technology has advanced to the point where people can choose the genetic makeup of their children. The story follows multiple characters across generations, exploring the ethical and emotional implications of these advancements on family dynamics, personal identity, and the nature of parenthood. Through its richly developed characters and intricate plot, the book raises questions about the role of technology in shaping our lives and the complex interplay between science and humanity.

  24. 2874. The Flick by Annie Baker

    The play is a poignant exploration of the lives of three underpaid employees at a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts. As they perform the menial labor of cleaning the theater between screenings, their conversations and interactions reveal the quiet desperation, unspoken dreams, and complex relationships that shape their everyday lives. The narrative unfolds with a deep sense of realism, capturing the subtle dynamics of friendship, the longing for connection, and the struggle to find meaning in the mundanity of daily work. Through its meticulous attention to detail and authentic dialogue, the play offers a window into the lives of ordinary people and the profound truths that lie in the quiet moments of the human experience.

  25. 2875. Ship Of Magic by Robin Hobb

    This fantasy novel introduces readers to a vivid world where ships can come alive, embodying the spirits of their figureheads. It centers around the Vestrit family, particularly focusing on Althea Vestrit, who dreams of captaining her family's liveship, the Vivacia. However, upon her father's death, the ship is passed to her brother-in-law, igniting a complex family struggle. The narrative weaves through themes of inheritance, piracy, and slavery, set against a backdrop of a richly detailed maritime setting. As the Vivacia herself awakens, the characters must navigate not only the physical dangers of the sea but also the moral and emotional challenges that come with their intertwined destinies.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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