When I was in graduate school, it occurred to me one day that all the authors I read were male, I couldn't even think of any female authors I had read or planned to read, so I decided to challenge myself to seek out and read more female authors. Here are some female authors I have read.
The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood
Amazon | Goodreads
Topic: Dystopian Future; Fiction/Non-Fiction
The Handmaid's Tale is a book based on the premise that in a dystopian future, conservatism has taken over and woman are used as servants. For those who are elite and whose wife do not produce offspring, they are given handmaids with whom stay at their home and have relations with the end cause being procreation. Additionally, in this book, this dystopian future is recent enough that there are still people who remember a time before the sanctions on women, when they were equal, still having the right to vote, speak freely, read, write, and think.
The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins
Amazon | Goodreads
Topic: Dystopian Future; Fiction/Non-Fiction
While the Handmaids Tale focused on women, in this society war has brought out the have from the have-nots, the rich from the poor. Basically, everyone who is not part of the Capital is in want and need while those in the Capital live in excess, throwing away food while others starve. The Hunger Games are a means of control, both providing entertainment, fear, and food/money to the victor. These games show the power of the government while allowing them to act as if the end justify the means, that by having a victor to whom to give gifts, the spilling of children's blood is acceptable and needed. For deeper meaning in this story one must read the books subtext, as the author is not merely telling a story but making a social commentary regarding government, free speech, entertainment, and reality television.
Getting Naked Later: A Book for the Fully Clothed by Kate Hurley
Amazon | Goodreads
Topic: Christianity; Singles
Blog: The Sexy Celibate ; Facebook
In this book, Kate Hurley takes us through her journey, thus far, of being single. Being a single Christian has not been easy for her, with her longings and desire for a husband and family. In the book she comments on issues in the church regarding singles, namely their desire to easily answer the complex questions and experiences singles bring, not just about themselves but about God's will. She writes about how many answer her desires with quick fixes, such as "Let it go and the right man will come" or "Pray and God will give you the desires of your heart". In truth, this dichotomy in the church between singles and marrieds is almost a class system. Most notably, for me in this book, was the scene where Kate describes being at a wedding, desiring to dance but being asked by no one. I appreciate the authors vulnerability and honesty in this book. I would recommend it to those who are single and those who are married who want to break down the walls between themselves and their single friends.
Ruby Slippers: How the Soul of a Woman Brings her Home by Jonalyn Grace Fincher
Amazon | Goodreads
Topic: Women; Females; Sexuality; Femininity; Christianity; The Church
Blog: Soulation: Jonalyn's Blog
I started reading this author on her blog (see above) and found her thoughts very interesting. I bought her book because I wanted to hear about females from a female author. Her book begs the question: What does it mean to be female? What does it mean to be female in the church? Most notably in her books is the fact that she states that while writing her book, diving into the scriptures and in conversations with other Christians, her views were transformed. Where she originally was going to write a book more along the lines of femininity and God's call to be complimentary rather than equal in the church, her mind was changed. She writes about the female soul, how it is part of the image of God, just as much as the male soul. Females are tuned into the emotional side of things, with the ability to use words either to uplift or tear down. Most notably to me was her honesty in admitting there have been times when she was tempted to use her emotional discernment to manipulate men instead of encourage them. Still, she writes about her struggle in the church trying to speak out and think critically as a female while being in a mans domain.
Guilty As Sin by Tami Hoag
Amazon | Goodreads
Topic: Thriller; Mystery
I am going to be honest. I got this book at a gift-shop for .50 cents. I was intrigued by the premise and it looked like something similar to a novel by John Grisham or Tom Clancy, so I gave it a try. In this book the main character is a female caught in the midst of a murder trial. The murder started as a kidnapping and moves on as the wheels move in the investigation, in the courts, and in the female leads life-long obsession with her job and her inner desire to find love and happiness in a world she is unsure of life and finds it unpleasant after so many years of working on such cases. Worth a read!
When We Were in Fire by Addie Zierman
Amazon | Goodreads
Topic: Memoir, Christianity; Conservatism; Evangelicalism
Blog: Addie Zierman: How to Talk Evangelical ; Facebook
First of all, this author is very open about her life. Basically, she grew up as a conservative evangelical, many times trying to please her boyfriend, instead of finding out who she was herself. This book describes, in length, her time with her first boyfriend, and then later as time went on how she began to find herself. This book is a messy, but I feel sometimes life is messy and reading something like this puts a mirror up to the reader to question the status quo (especially among the religious) and also to figure out what life and faith mean for them. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those who grew up conservative or to those who want to better understand the life and thoughts of one who grew up in that situation for years, struggling later to break free from that past and find her own journey.
Celibate Sex by Abbie Smith
Amazon | Goodreads
Topic: Single, Sexuality, Celibacy, Faith
Website: Unsteady Saint ; Facebook
Honestly, it took me a while to get into this book. However, after a chapter or two I began to really enjoy this book. Abbie writes about the dichotomy between the single and those who are married in the church. She asks how come the church seems to value those who are married over those who are single, when Jesus himself was single. Certainly there are verses that speak of the riches of marriage; yet we also have scriptures that speak of the great opportunity afforded to those who are single or choose to be single. In effect, the single person can devote more time to God and the kingdom when they are not consumed with pleasing their spouse and keeping up with children. Abbie writes very well to express how both married and single persons can both be equally serving God, only by different means and avenues. Neither should be praised nor looked down upon.
More Female Authors on my To-Read List:
Oryx and Crake (MaddAddam Trilogy #1) by Margaret Atwood
Evolving in Monkey Town: by Rachel Held Evans
Christianity After Religion: by Diana Butler Bass
Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible’s View of Women by Sarah Bessey
Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir by Donna Johnson
Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint by Nadia Bolz-Weber
On Death and Dying ; Life Lessons ; The Wheel of Life by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
The Great Emergence by Phyllis A. Tickle
Daring Greatly: by Brené Brown
Beauty Restored by Me Ra Koh
My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
Fired Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flag
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Have you read any of these books?
If so, what did you think?
Do you have any female authors you would recommend?
~ Daniel Brockhan
