Jennifer Lambert

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You are here: Home / Homeschool / Women’s Literature Study

Women’s Literature Study

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August 3, 2015 By Jennifer Lambert 28 Comments

I spent a summer minimester reading and discussing women’s issues with my favorite professor (who was a man with a daughter) and only half a dozen girls. It was a small, intimate class and I learned a lot about myself and who I wanted to be.

One of my favorite college courses was a Women’s Literature Study.

I have three daughters and a son. I want them to love women authors too. I want my girls to grow into strong women. I want my son to be respectful of women.

While some of these titles have graphic content, they are important works to understand women around the world and how we struggle for identity, to be heard.

Throughout history, men have had power and control.

Women were in the background, in the kitchen, in the nursery, hidden away from the world, unseen and unheard.

Many of these authors challenge social, cultural, and political ideas. Their voices will not be silenced.

This is a book list for a mature reader. I read most of these titles in college and beyond. These would be great options for a book club.

I look forward to reading these books again and discussing them with my daughters when they’re ready.

Women's Literature Study - Top Ten Women Authors

My Top Ten Women Authors

1. Margaret Atwood

I love Atwood’s writing style and her focus on gender politics. When people ask what my favorite book is, I am quick to say Surfacing. It was a life-changing read for me.

2. Amy Tan

Spellbinding stories of Chinese and Chinese-American women and their struggles as mothers and daughters and to be seen and heard throughout history.

3. Sandra Cisneros

A writer focusing on the cultural identity of Chicana women amidst the isolation of misogyny and white American dominance.

4. Julia Alvarez

She grew up as a Dominican American in New York. She focuses primarily on issues of cultural assimilation and identity, as evident in the combination of personal and political tones in her writing.

5. Isabel Allende

Her works focus on mystical realism as she writes from personal experience, focusing on South American women‘s relationships.

6. Barbara Kingsolver

She focuses on topics such as social justice, biodiversity, and human interaction with their communities and environments.

7. Alice Walker

In all her written works, Walker examines the creative inheritance of one’s maternity. She has been an activist all her adult life: for civil rights, the poor, women – all living beings. She coined the term “Womanism” as the black women’s struggle for gender equality, as opposed to the term “Feminism” that primarily focuses on white women.

8. Kate Chopin

Regional Cajun and Creole race interests and feminism mark Chopin’s writing style. Specifically The Awakening is recommended for its frank approach to sexual themes. The main character leaves her marriage to have an affair. It was shocking for the times and received much criticism. Desiree’s Baby focuses on matters of race and moralism.

9. Jhumpa Lahiri

An Indian American author, born in London and raised in Rhode Island. She highlights the immigrant experience, the clash of cultures and assimilation, and the poignant, tangled ties between generations.

10. Azar Nafisi

After resigning from her job as a professor at a university in Tehran due to repressive policies, the author secretly gathered seven female students to read forbidden Western classics every week in her home. She wrote about it in Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books. Celebrate our freedom of education and learn about the desperation of these women to learn.

Some other Good Books About Women:

  • Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

The author originally traveled to Afghanistan to offer humanitarian aid. Soon, she learned she could create an extraordinary community of women by empowering them through the art of beauty.

  • Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

This novel challenged the sexual morals of late Victorian England. The themes and events certainly offer many discussion opportunities.

  • Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

The main character’s voice is silenced. She is only able to express herself when she cooks. Esquivel employs magical realism and writes like a screenplay. Setting is turn-of-the-century Mexico.

There are so many wonderful writers to name that it was hard to narrow it down to a top ten!

Who are your favorite female authors?

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Comments

  1. Lorey Lyons says

    August 4, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    I might actually be interested in looking into some of Alice Walker’s writings, if only to better understand the differences between “Womanism” & “Feminism”. I don’t actually agree with much of today’s 3rd wave Feminism, but a true feminist is about Equality. Not just for the social advancement of women, especially that of just white women. In fact, when the women marched for equal right in the early 1900’s, black women were there, arm in arm. I’ll be the first to agree that I don’t understand the complete struggle that people of other colors, creeds, sexes, religions, etc go though, but to basically lump feminism with racism is kind of a hard reach for me. Could be interesting to learn more.

    Found you at Good Tips Tuesday. Thank for sharing!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 11, 2015 at 6:57 pm

      I did a HUGE paper at university on Womanism. It is fascinating. Funny what feminism has turned into in our modern times.

      Reply
  2. Alison says

    August 6, 2015 at 11:41 pm

    This is a great list and I look forward to checking out some of the authors that are new to me. Thank you for linking up at the #ThoughfulSpotBlogHop this week! :)

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 11, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks! I’ve enjoyed these authors over the years.

      Reply
  3. MB says

    August 7, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    On the subject of strong women I do find the book of Esther quite inspiring :)

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 11, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Oh, yes! She’s one of our favorite Bible stories!

      Reply
  4. otilia says

    August 9, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing with the #pinitparty

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 11, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks for the linkup!

      Reply
  5. Lulastic says

    March 11, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    YESS! Another great list- THANK YOU!! I’m a huge fan of some of these authors and others are totally new to me, will seek them out :D

    Reply
  6. Calleen Petersen says

    March 4, 2019 at 10:09 am

    New authors to explore! If only I wasn’t back in college right now and could read more of what I want. I’d sign up for another Literature class just to be able to read but alas, the college has said that I can’t take any more Literature classes. . .

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 11, 2019 at 11:01 am

      ack! no more lit courses! I majored in reading (literature) lol

      Reply
  7. Michele Morin says

    March 5, 2019 at 9:42 am

    Marilynne Robinson tops my list for fiction. Thanks for sharing yours!

    Reply
    • sue says

      March 6, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      me, too – Loved HOME the best.
      and maeve binchley!!!

      Reply
  8. Lauren Sparks says

    March 5, 2019 at 11:05 am

    I love this topic. Wish I could pass my love of reading on to my daughter. She thinks she isn’t interested and it makes me so sad. Visiting you from tea and word wed link up. laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 11, 2019 at 11:00 am

      There’s always time to find an author or book that sparks for her. We do lots and lots of read alouds even into teen years.

      Reply
  9. Lisa notes says

    March 5, 2019 at 1:24 pm

    I love seeing this list, Jennifer. I’m always on the lookout for great women authors and it looks like you’ve found them. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Donna Reidland says

    March 5, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Thanks for your list and your thoughts about each one. Hope you have a great week!

    Reply
  11. Gayl says

    March 5, 2019 at 5:15 pm

    Thanks for sharing this list. I’ll have to check out some of these authors. I’ve heard of some but not all of them. Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #TeaAndWord.

    Reply
  12. Angela Johnson says

    March 5, 2019 at 6:20 pm

    Very interesting. I also have a daughter. I need to save these and let her read them as well.

    Reply
  13. Debbie Kitterman says

    March 5, 2019 at 6:51 pm

    Jennifer – thanks for the great recommendations and list of new authors to look into. we are neighbors today over at Meg’s #Tea&Word :)

    Reply
  14. Ellen Hawley says

    March 6, 2019 at 5:58 am

    Can I add Andrea Barrett, Ann Patchett, and Naomi Alderman? They’re consistently interesting and write well.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 11, 2019 at 10:59 am

      awesome! Thanks for the recommendations!

      Reply
  15. sue says

    March 6, 2019 at 4:50 pm

    love louise penny and martha grimes! and barbara kingsolver !

    Reply
  16. Rebecca Jones says

    March 6, 2019 at 7:47 pm

    I like to read about women’s lives, usually I only get to read short biographies. I believe the idea of submission to the husband is more of being on the same mission, God wanted equality and a threefold cord. The abuse of women went on for years, Jesus did come and began setting them free. John 8:36. whether or not we agree on religion or politics, we have a lot of common experiences to share and encourage other with, thanks for the list.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 11, 2019 at 10:58 am

      I love the threefold cord analogy!

      Reply
  17. ~Karrilee~ says

    March 6, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    Adding some of these authors to my must-read list right now!

    Reply
  18. Meghan Weyerbacher says

    March 11, 2019 at 9:18 am

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  19. Tina at Mommynificent says

    April 2, 2019 at 10:12 pm

    Thanks for sharing this list at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

    Reply

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