This collection is intended for readers interested in historical fiction about women. Click on this link to access the discussion questions for all the books in this collection.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah In 1940s France, two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, have their lives upended by Nazi invasion. Though they are in completely different situations, they both must rediscover the meaning of bravery.
Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden Set against the historical fabric of the Red Summer, the strength of the women's suffrage movement, and anarchist bombings, Savannah Riddle, a member of the upper class African American community in Washington DC, develops agency to become part of social change movements. She grapples with her privilege and lack-there-of as she tries to discard the image of passivity she has grown accustomed to expect.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See In nineteenth century China, Lily, a young girl, is paired with Snow Flower to be lifelong friends. Their emotional relationship shows the power of bonds between women.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn In this novel, two women, a spy from WWI and an American searching for her cousin in the wake of WWII, are brought together.
True Grit by Charles Portis After the murder of her father, fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross goes on a quest to avenge his death. This classic western shows the meaning of stubbornness, courage, and grit.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd When Lily Owens' mother is killed, she escapes to Tiburon, South Carolina, where her mother's secrets are hidden. She is taken in by three black beekeeping sisters, who raise her in a world of honey, bees, and female power.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Dubbed "Marsh Girl" by the kids of the quiet fishing village beside the marsh, Kya Clark lives a reticent live void of family; just her and the sanctuary nature provides. When, in 1969, Chase Andrews is found dead, she becomes the leading suspect responsible for the murder. Kya learns the reality of the dishonest world, love, and independence, with nature as her only loyal confidant.
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka A group of young Japanese women, known as "picture brides," are brought from Japan to San Francisco. The Buddha in the Attic tells these women's stories, with experiences including their journey to America, their work in the fields, and their first night as wives.