Books for women should be written by women, about women, and read by women.

Being a woman comes with many dynamics. They can be self-driven or societal, but the bottom line is that they affect women and those around them differently. It is a good thing that currently, there is a space for women's literature.

What Are the Most Popular Women Book Genres?

There are many different types of women's books, but some genres are more popular than others. One of the most popular genres for women is romance novels. In the latest years romance books

These novels often involve a love story with a happy ending. Another popular genre is self-help books. These books offer advice and guidance on various topics such as relationships, personal growth, or health. Yet another popular genre for women is memoirs. Memoirs are autobiographical stories that often focus on a particular event or time in the author's life.

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Books for women offer insights about various issues, situations, or conditions women face and advise how women can navigate such issues. Below are the top pick for women.

Best Chick Lit Books For Women

The Rule Book, by Sarah Adams (2024)

Nora Mackenzie's career as a sports agent is on the line, and it all depends on Derek Pender, a famous NFL tight end who is also her ex-boyfriend from college. Their breakup was messy, and now it's coming back to bite her. As her first client in her new job, Derek holds a grudge against her.

He's got a plan to get back at Nora for breaking his heart, he's going to make her job a nightmare. However, Derek knows Nora is not someone who gives up easily, so his plan for revenge might not be as straightforward as he thinks.

Then, everything changes when Nora and Derek spend a wild night in Las Vegas and wake up married. This unexpected twist throws their plans and careers into chaos. Now, they're dealing with a whole new situation where the usual rules don't apply.

They have to figure out what this means for them professionally and personally. This could be a chance to rekindle their romance and make their careers work, or it could be the thing that ruins both.

The Way I Hate Him, by Meghan Quinn (2023)

Meghan Quinn's The Way I Hate Him is a refreshing deviation from the typical romance narrative.

At its core, it's a tale of revenge gone wrong, but what truly captivates is the electric tension between the protagonist and Hayes Farrow.

In a particularly poignant moment, Hayes pleads, “Don’t kiss me, Hattie. Please don’t kiss me. I won’t be able to stop you.” This raw vulnerability, juxtaposed with the initial animosity, showcases the depth and complexity of their evolving relationship.

Quinn's exploration of truth and deception, both in love and in familial ties, sets this novel apart. A riveting read that delves into the gray areas of human emotion.

Happy Place, by Emily Henry (2023)

Five months after their breakup, Harriet and Wyn find themselves sharing a bedroom at their friend group's annual Maine cottage getaway, a cherished tradition for the past decade. Despite the unresolved feelings between them, they decide to keep their breakup a secret to avoid breaking their friends' hearts, especially since this is the last time they'll be together in the cottage, which is up for sale.

Harriet, a driven surgical resident, and Wyn, a laid-back charmer, must now fake their relationship for a week in front of those who know them best, a task easier said than done.

Things We Never Got Over, by Lucy Score (2022)

Naomi Witt never thought she'd be known as Runaway Bride, but here she is. After an unpleasant couple of days and an even worse introduction to the small town of Knockemout, Virginia, she's now seriously reconsidering her life decisions, and her loyalty towards her twin sister.

I haven't read anything as madly exciting as Lucy Score's Things We Never Got Over yet. Her distinctive characters and laugh-out-loud humor kept me racing to read chapters as fast as I can.

In Five Years, by Rebecca Serle (2021)

In Five Years is about Dannie Kohan, a lawyer working in the financial sector. She is nothing like her best friend Bella, who is a real feminist and wild. Her proficiency when it comes to planning seems to have paid off since she nails the most coveted job interview of her life and accepts her boyfriend's marriage proposal in one fell swoop, nodding off completely content.

But one day when she awakens, she finds herself in a completely different apartment and beside a stranger. In Five Years is an everlasting love story, but it is certainly not the one you're expecting.

Best Rom-com For Women

Love, Theoretically, by Ali Hazelwood (2023)

The book is about a theoretical physicist named Elsie Hannaway who works as an adjunct professor and also offers her services as a fake girlfriend to make up for her low paycheck. She has several personas to please her clients, but her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that Jack Smith, the older brother of her favorite client, is the experimental physicist who ruined her mentor's career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere.

Jack is also the head of the physics department at MIT, where Elsie wants to land a tenure. Elsie is ready for a war of scholarly sabotage with Jack, but soon she finds herself attracted to him and starts questioning her guarded theories about love.

There Are No Men, by Carol Maloney Scott (2014)

Claire is separated from her high school sweetheart after a series of miscarriages. She is currently looking for a younger man who has no kids, doesn't have any kids at home, and doesn't wish to. She is now  looking for the perfect single man who does not want children and does not have any children left at home. She jets into online dating, singles events, and indeed hooks up a hookup from her gynecologist's nurse.

A number of constraints she imposes on her own life are leading her to alcoholism, but since this only makes her hyper-focused on high-heeled boots, these now seem pointless.

We recommend this cute rom-com for a summer afternoon read.

Best Women's Literature

The Women, by Kristin Hannah (2024)

The Women is a novel that follows the journey of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a 20-year-old nursing student from Southern California, who, inspired by the evolving world of 1965 and seeking a different future, joins the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War.

Raised by conservative parents, Frankie's experience in war is a stark contrast to her sheltered upbringing, as she navigates the overwhelming chaos and destruction, forming deep but fragile friendships. The novel not only depicts her challenging wartime experiences but also explores the struggles of returning to a divided and protesting America, highlighting the sacrifices and commitment of women who served and emphasizing their often-forgotten contributions to the country's history.

The Women celebrates patriotism and courage, offering a rich narrative with a memorable heroine whose idealism and bravery symbolize the era.

Never Too Late, by Danielle Steel (2024)

Kezia Cooper Hobson, a recent widow, moves to New York from San Francisco after selling her late husband's business and her home. Settling into a midtown penthouse, close to her adult daughters, Kate and Felicity, she meets her movie-star neighbor, Sam Stewart.

Their bond grows as they volunteer together during a crisis in New York City, forging a strong friendship. Kezia's daughters, absorbed in their own romantic lives, are surprised by their mother's new companionship.

This novel by Danielle Steel highlights the themes of human connection, embracing change, and the possibility of new beginnings at any stage of life.

Maame, by Jessica George (2023)

Maame, which has many meanings in Twi but in this context means ‘woman', is a name that encapsulates the life of Maddie Wright. To her Ghanaian parents, Maddie is Maame: the responsible one who takes care of the family, serving as her mother's stand-in and the primary carer for her father, who has Parkinson's disease. Maddie is the one who maintains harmony in her home, often at the cost of keeping family secrets. Living under these expectations and responsibilities, she has constantly been told who she is supposed to be by others, and now she yearns to break free and define herself on her own terms.

When the opportunity arises for Maddie to leave home, she is determined to redefine her identity. She aspires to be a confident, independent woman—one who wears a bright yellow suit, dates men that don't meet her mother's standards, and confronts her boss's microaggressions. She wants to be someone who is confident in her choices, not someone who feels the need to Google every decision she makes. However, when tragedy strikes, Maddie is forced to confront the potential risks and rewards of opening her heart and taking control of her life. This situation raises the poignant question: Will it take losing everything for her to truly find her voice?

Maame is a compelling, coming-of-age story that is both humorously sharp and deeply relatable, highlighting Maddie's journey to become the heroine of her own life.

Age of Vice, by Deepti Kapoor (2023)

Age of Vice quickly became a New York Times bestseller. The book is a dazzling, cinematic, and immersive mystery novel set in contemporary India. The story revolves around the aftermath of a mysterious car accident in New Delhi, involving the wealthy and corrupt Wadia family. Shifting through time and perspectives, the novel explores the lives of three interconnected characters.

Ajay, a watchful servant rising through the ranks. Sunny, a playboy heir determined to outdo his father and Neda, a journalist caught between morality and desire. As their paths intertwine amidst a backdrop of extravagant parties, predatory business deals, and political intrigue, the characters must face the consequences of corruption and the dark side of family ties.

This woman's fiction combines elements of a crime thriller and family saga, transporting readers from rural Uttar Pradesh to the bustling city of New Delhi, delivering a compelling, binge-worthy literary experience.

Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens (2018)

The novel tells the story of a young girl, who is abandoned by her family and must learn to survive in the wilderness of North Carolina. The novel has been praised by critics for its lyrical writing and beautiful descriptions of the natural world.

The story follows Kya Clark, who is abandoned by her family at a young age and has to learn how to survive in the wilderness on her own. As Kya grows up, she becomes known as the “Crawler” due to her habit of crawling through the swamp to avoid people. Despite being ostracized by most of the town, Kya finds solace in the natural world and develops a close bond with the animals and plants around her. When a new family moves to Barkley Cove and Kya is finally able to form human relationships, she must choose between staying in the only home she's ever known or leaving everything she knows behind.

Best Memoirs For Women From Women

The Woman in Me, by Britney Spears (2023)

In June 2021, Britney Spears' open court testimony captivated the world, marking a turning point in her life and influencing many others. Her book, The Woman in Me, unveils her extraordinary journey for the first time, showcasing the resilience of one of pop music's most iconic figures.

Written with honesty and wit, Spears's book highlights the transformative impact of music and love. It emphasizes the significance of a woman narrating her story on her own terms, underscoring the power of personal truth and autonomy.

My Name Is Barbra, by Barbra Streisand (2023)

Barbra Streisand's autobiography, My Name Is Barbra, chronicles the remarkable journey of a living legend whose career spans six decades across various entertainment spheres. As one of the rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) winners, Streisand recounts her life from her Brooklyn upbringing to her rise to stardom in New York nightclubs, her iconic performance in Funny Girl, and her groundbreaking role as a writer, producer, director, and star in Yentl.

The book details her many successes in film, music, and on stage, highlighting her unique voice and 46 Grammy nominations. Streisand shares her early struggles, her achievements in the recording industry, the challenges in creating Yentl, directing The Prince of Tides, and her relationships with notable figures like Marlon Brando and Madeleine Albright.

Becoming: Adapted For Young Readers, by Michelle Obama (2021)

Becoming is a memoir by one of the most iconic women of our era. Michelle invites readers into what her world and role have been like. She details all the experiences that helped shape her from her childhood years to the years of her executive role.

She also talks about the demands that mothers have to cope with, especially those employed. She gives her accounts in an honest and witty manner that is still very lively. Readers see all her public and private triumphs and disappointments even as a significant figure.

This book will inspire women to find a path for an individual story and welcome hope.

I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy (2022)

This richly detailed narrative on the abuse endured by Jenette McCurdy, turned actress. Her childhood is a particularly juicy read if you're familiar with the actress’s work, even if you're not, this book will still have a significant impact on you.

Jeannette speaks openly about her experiences with Sam and Cat, Dan Schneider, and almost dedicates a chapter to Ariana Grande.

Reading about abuse inflicted on Jennette by her own mother has been heartbreaking. She writes about her autosomal dominant upbringing. Of the six hundred calls her mother made to updating her on the smallest of things, this book is full of heartbreaking content.

Jennette’s writing style is brief yet impactful, well-composed, balanced with seriousness and humor, told in a straightforward tone.

The Girl Who Smiled Beads, by Clemantine Wamariya (2018)

In 1994, Clemantine Wamariya and her fifteen-year-old sister, fled the Rwandan massacre and spent the next six years migrating to 7 African countries, searching for security consistently hungry, imprisoned, and abused, enduring and escaping refugee camps, finding unexpected kindness, witnessing inhuman cruelty.

Wamariya traveled through seven African countries, she describing to her listeners the change in character of refugees in both Africa, where she is but one of many struggling to survive.

Her story recounts her journey as she attempts to reclaim her family after years away from separation and her own personality, which is irrevocably altered.

Best Self-help Books For Women

Normal Broken, by Kelly Cervantes (2023)

The book offers a compassionate approach to grief, acknowledging the diverse and nonlinear journeys people take after experiencing loss. Born out of her own experience losing a daughter to epilepsy, Cervantes aims to meet people where they are in their grief, providing support without pressure to ‘move on' or ‘think positive.'

Normal Broken is divided into ‘moments' of grief, with chapters that can be read in any order, addressing various emotions and situations such as socializing, anniversaries, and healing. By sharing her own story, advice, and simple exercises, Cervantes creates a companion for those mourning the loss of a loved one, regardless of their relationship to the person.

How to be A Woman Online, by Nina Jankowicz (2022)

The online world can be troubling, but this book guides women to stand up for a safer and fairer space. Nina has been a victim of online abuse herself.

Today, many women in different fields face and live with similar online bullying stories. Nina wrote a definitive report about this phenomenon with the help of some of the world’s best extremism researchers.

She draws her insights from how public and political figures have been treated. She also uses her experiences to give readers a detailed plan about dealing with online harassment, doxing, abuse, and disinformation.

Strong Female Lead, by Arwa Mahdawi (2021)

Women have had to live with the narrative about “leaning in” and acting like men in order to get ahead. But it is time we brought up a different plan.

Some of those at the top keep saying that “it is what it is” even as we face a global pandemic, financial collapse, environmental devastation, and the disintegration of various democracies. However, some leaders are showing us how to better the world. They are investing wisely, building trust, and making operational decisions.

This book investigates a female leader's qualities and what leading as a woman entails.

That’s What She Said, by Kimothy Joy (2018)

Giving up should not be an option if women want an equitable and just society.

This book celebrates influential women of different diversities and empowers women of current and future generations to be ready to speak for themselves and inspire change.

The women in the book are of different ages, backgrounds, and races. More than fifty women are honored, including Maya Angelou, Malala Yousafzai, Virginia Woolf, Gloria Steinem, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Sojourner Truth.

They persisted even in the most daunting of circumstances, and it is from their experiences that readers will get an inspired perspective.

Empowered Women Empower Girls, by Melody Pormoradi (2021)

It doesn’t matter your position as a woman on this earth. Whatever title you go by, mother, teacher, sister, rock star, coach, etc.- you influence the young girls observing you. They continuously pick up your cues about what being a woman means.

Women, therefore, need to take advantage of this opportunity to bring forth evolution and empowerment and get women's voices heard.

 Empowered Women Empower Girls is a book that aims to prompt women to unleash their greatness and realize why the actual value of what they give begins with who they initially decide to be.

12 Rules of Being A Powerful Woman, by Sarah Ordo (2019)

This is the guidebook that women of today need if they are ready for life transformations, stepping into power, and changing the game for themselves.

The book is packed with inspiring quotes, uplifting rules, and daily mantras for transforming your mindset. It will have you ready to go through every day as an unstoppable woman and navigate life with unwavering confidence.

Women are encouraged to allow themselves to do things, embrace their beauty, realize their inner strengths, and renew their senses about who they are—walking and living their talk with strength.

Self-Love Workbook for Women, by Megan Logan (2020)

It is time women discovered how much they have to love about themselves. This book will get you on a self-discovery journey about what self-love is and entails. It will then immerse you in exercises meant to help you improve your relationships and grow your self-esteem.

The book stands out with proven techniques rooted in positive psychology and mindfulness. There are motivating activities and inspiring prompts to help you explore and tap into your emotions while letting go of limiting beliefs.

It also features empowering affirmations for positivity and nurturing yourself and a writing space for introspection and reflection.

Best Business, Leadership Books For Women

Good Power, by Ginni Rometty (2023)

In Good Power, former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty presents a rich blend of memoir, leadership lessons, and innovative ideas aimed at fostering impactful, positive change. Rometty, who led one of the world's most iconic companies, narrates her extraordinary journey from a challenging childhood to becoming one of the world's most influential business leaders. In the book, she redefines power as a force for significant, positive change that can benefit not only individuals and organizations but also broader society.

With vivid stories from her life and career, she promotes the concept of “good power,” emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership and the notion that how we lead is as crucial as what we accomplish.

The book is structured as a business memoir with purpose, combining Rometty's personal experiences with actionable advice akin to a coaching session. She outlines her belief that good power is a choice available to all, regardless of socio-economic status or professional standing. Through the lens of five key principles—serving others, building belief, discerning what must change and what must endure, stewarding good tech, and resilience—Rometty offers practical tools for individuals at any life stage to effect genuine change.

Good Power is portrayed as an inspiring and heartfelt guide for anyone committed to creating meaningful change in both their personal and professional lives.

In Her Own Voice, by Jennifer McCollum (2023)

In Her Own Voice provides a data-driven roadmap for women seeking to overcome challenges and rise to leadership positions in business. The book highlights the importance of gender-balanced leadership for organizational success and discusses the slow progress in achieving gender equity, particularly in Fortune 500 companies.

Drawing on 25 years of research by Linkage, a leadership-development firm, the book identifies specific hurdles women face, such as internal bias and branding, and offers key competencies and action steps to overcome these obstacles. Combining data with real-life stories, In Her Own Voice serves as a blueprint for women at any stage of their careers to tackle barriers and advance in the workplace

The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You, by Lydia Fenet (2019)

The most powerful woman does tremendous things, and she can be you.

Lydia tells women that one of the skills that sets them apart personally and career-wise is their selling ability. This book will help you discover what you need to know about selling authentically, networking, and why you need to start negotiating and being truthful instead of apologizing.

Women discover how they can find their signature move and feel confident when pitching for the first time. They are also encouraged to take ownership of their positions and look for more and better innovation opportunities.

Unbound, by Kasia Urbaniak (2021)

How are many women reluctant to hold difficult conversations or speak up in meetings even when they feel “good and mad?” Why do many women feel like they are not good enough and too much simultaneously? Mostly, the cause is the inability to own their power.

This book offers women practical insights about standing in their power, finding their voice, and using it appropriately.

Women will learn how to embrace their desires for their destiny’s pathway, ask for what they want and get it, and skillfully navigate resistance and opposition. Women also see how they can flip power dynamics when their boundaries are crossed and how to create new roles and expand them with precise asks for those in their lives.

Financial Empowerment for Women, by Jayne Ellegard (2021)

Any woman prepared to become confident and self-assured in her money-making decisions will benefit from this book. It doesn’t matter your wealth level, age, or financial knowledge.

It is time the narrative about women becoming financially successful changed. Every woman needs to level up regarding money knowledge.

This book outlines six pillars that are fundamental to attain financial empowerment. Jayne gives the comprehensive details with clarity, and they are full of motivational and hopeful insights.

The fact is that your financial situation as a woman is something you have to live with. So, the earlier you invest in yourself, the better.

Best Eye Opening Books on Equality For Women

The Moment of Lift, by Melinda Gates (2021)

How do women summon moments of lift for human beings? If you want to uplift society, you must not keep women down.

Melinda shares with readers the lessons she has gotten by inspiring people in her line of work and her travels worldwide. These people gave her urgency and focus for her life, and their stories can help you too.

She has highlighted a narrative backed up by eye-opening data and explores issues that most need attention- workplace gender inequity, lack of contraceptives access, child marriage, and more.

Melinda shows women the incredible power of connecting with others for opportunities that bring forth change.

She Will Rise, by Katie Hill (2020)

Katie has experienced misogyny and double standards rampant in the political world. She aims to help women overthrow the longstanding power structures that have kept them from equality through this book.

Many women who make mistakes still face more brutal and swifter consequences than men, as clearly demonstrated by the events that led to Katie’s resignation. She, however, advocates for women not to get discouraged and take positions of power.

Women must overcome misogyny and all the obstacles holding back their achievement of equal representation.

Women Don’t Owe You Pretty, by Florence Given (2021)

Florence powerfully illustrates modern feminism and encourages women to question the treacherous narratives holding them back from self-love, self-acceptance, and power.

Through a clear-cut art style, Given examines all angles of conversation. She talks about overcoming insecurity projection, finding comfort in fellow women’s flaws, recognizing and fighting against toxic cultural baggage and the male gaze, and embracing body positivity and sex.

This book reminds women that they are valuable and don’t owe the world anything, especially not “pretty.”

Hood Feminism, by Mikki Kendall (2021)

How can feminists stand in solidarity with the likelihood that there are women who oppress others?

The present-day feminist movement features a striking blind spot, and contradictory, it is women. Rarely do influential feminists address the issues of satisfying basic needs as feminist. Mikki says issues like quality education, medical care, food insecurity, living wages, and safe neighborhoods are all feminist.

But mostly, the focus is on enhancing privilege for the minority and not on the majority’s basic survival. This refusal to prioritize these substantial issues only exacerbates the old problems of women rebuffing at carrying titles and conflicting discord. Many women have myopic feminism due to class, race, gender intersection, and sexual orientation.

Best Spiritual Books For Women

Woman Be Wild, by Indigo Indigo (2020)

 Woman Be Wild explores the demands and effects culture has brought about and how it has severed humanity’s earth connection, femininity, sexuality, and spirituality. The book details getting rid of oppressive conditioning and limiting beliefs. It offers support, encouragement, and a gentle push for women to return to their natural and wild state of being.

Women must restore balance in themselves and unlock their keys to become significant.

This book is an account of feminine awakening, freedom, and empowerment. It dissolves sex-shaming and commands that women must end feminine suppression and patriarchal rule by expressing themselves fully, authentically, and diversely.

Best Christian Living Books For Women

More Than a Mom, by Ashley Carbonatto (2020)

The motherhood journey is challenging and monotonous, and it can get overwhelming for many women. It is not for the faint-hearted. But it is still one of the most fantastic jobs a woman prides herself in.

Ashley gives aspiring moms, first-time moms, and experienced moms a guide to meet them right where they are. She addresses anxiety, boredom, loneliness, postpartum issues, and frustrations alongside lessons for self-discovery, growth, and friendships.

Moms must find freedom in what they were created to be-the monotonous and mundane motherhood tasks. More Than a Mom is an honest companion with humor and encouragement.

Healing the Soul of a Woman, by Joyce Meyer (2019)

Can a woman hurt by life’s circumstances heal her heart and soul? Can a woman hurt, abandoned, or betrayed by the one(s) she loves be trusting enough to love again? Yes, she can.

This book is specially written for every woman struggling with emotional wounds.

Joyce uses her experiences to encourage emotionally wounded women that there is hope and that they can still find joy in living. Her positivity has been created by her journey and witnessing many women who still don’t believe they can triumph over their pain and those who don’t know where to start.

Best Addiction Recovery Books For Women

Quit Like a Woman, by Holly Whitaker (2021)

Quit Like a Woman is a groundbreaking book looking at alcohol and a new path to sobriety. We live in a world full of drinking fanatics and events. Surprisingly enough, nobody questions the ubiquity of alcohol. The question usually is why somebody isn’t or doesn’t drink.

Alcohol has become a belonging qualifier, and if you don’t indulge, you are mostly seen as an anomaly.

We are obsessed and keen on health and wellness. Still, we elevate alcohol like a magic elixir. It is not. If you don’t want in on the drinking culture, then cut it out with your head high and begin the journey to living your best life.

Final Thoughts on the Best Women's Books

Any woman, young or old, will be delighted to read our list of books every woman should read. They have nuggets of wisdom for inspiration and how to take on womanhood matters.

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