By Clove Morgan
The inevitable list of “summer goals” is written into journals or typed into the notes app, and if you’re anything like me, it often includes a promise of reading a few books. The thing I struggle with the most is knowing what to read next. What truly makes a book suited for me? I asked myself that question when making this year’s to-be-read list and noticed a common thread among my favorite novels: a strong female character, of course. I’m a lover of a well-written main character I can root for and also relate to. So, to shorten your search, I put together a list of my personal favorites I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
1. A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
In what is likely one of my favorite trilogies of all time, we follow Pip Fitz-Amobi as she takes on the task of the local detective for a school project. The book is a Nancy Drew-esque mystery with a darker twist as she covers the town’s infamous murder of schoolgirl Andie Bell. While digging deeper, she discovers secrets, coverups, and some new allies in her search for real answers. Pip is strong-minded, opinionated, and witty, which is the perfect combination for a refreshing character for a young adult piece. She’s not only a relatable character for the next generation of teen girls, but the story cultivates a stimulating experience that will have you on the edge of your seat. I read this in the autumn of last year, and I have to say that the vibes of the book around Halloween will have you locking your window and shutting your curtains at night–all the while wishing you were as brave as Pip.
2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
By far the most impactful book on a more personal level, Bardugo is a master of developing multi-dimensional characters–especially for the girls. In the Six of Crows duology, we get a literal two-for-one and have two members of the main cast of characters be exceptional representation for young girls. The plot follows six older teenagers, most of them criminals, who conduct a heist, with each of them playing instrumental roles in its success. Inej Ghafa starts us out strong, being only sixteen and having endured a lifetime of hardships. She is quick on her feet and with a knife–earning her the nickname “wraith”–yet her morals and faith withstand every obstacle thrown at her. Nina Zenik, a “heartrender” or witch, is flirty, fun, and a force to be reckoned with. Her strong personality earns her the respect and friendships of the other “crows” even as she is confronted with past mistakes and high stakes.
3. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Legendborn was recently recommended to me by a friend, and I have to say it is absolutely worth the read. The plot follows Bree Matthews, a teenage college student, and her attempt to infiltrate a magical society. With the involvement of real-world issues like class dynamics and racial bias intertwined with fantastical elements, the story makes for a stunning concoction from which a strong lead emerges. Bree Matthews is a powerful, intelligent main character who maintains a perspective that is not only entertaining but thought-provoking. Her interactions with the world around her provide a necessary commentary on social hierarchy and internalized conflict she faces. As she digs herself deeper into the new environment she has entered, she is simultaneously uncovering mysteries about her mother’s death and who she is now that she has inherited magical abilities. The books prompt a necessary conversation with a compelling protagonist as our guide.
4. Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Not all female leads need to be fictional, and Michelle Zauner proves it. Zauner, also known as music artist Japanese Breakfast, wrote Crying In H Mart as a memoir detailing her relationship to her mother, herself, and her culture through food as the primary motif. The emotional range and growth throughout the piece is potent, consistent, and above all else, captivating. I could not put the book down once I started. Zauner’s upbringing may not necessarily be directly relatable to readers, but her experiences and emotions authentically represent what it means to be human. When describing a powerful female lead, most people minimize it to being physically and mentally capable of handling anything that is thrown their way. But Zauner shows us being strong also means allowing yourself to feel and process grief, love, and even resentment. Emotion is power, and Zauner uses her story to show everyone that strength doesn’t equate to unwavering resilience.
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
When it comes to magnetic character-driven works, Reid outsells. It took me a long time to decide which of her books I wanted to add to this list (honorable mentions going to Carrie Soto Is Back and Daisy Jones & The Six), but I had to go with Evelyn Hugo. The title is offputting, some may assume it could be a misogynistic take on women with multiple marriages, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Evelyn Hugo is the biggest star in Hollywood, going from living in borderline poverty to starring in big pictures, and it’s a classic rags-to-riches with a juicy indulgence in drama and romance. She faces hardships, including abuse and mistreatment in the industry, but Reig intertwines these moments with beautiful friendships and a queer romance that happens to be one of my favorites I’ve read in the last year. If you ever wanted to get into a particular author’s work, start with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and dive headfirst into their universe–not to mention that more than one book-to-screen adaptation is in the works.
6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I had to include this modern-day classic on this list. The Hunger Games has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity, with the prequel novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes being made into the latest film in The Hunger Games universe. Katniss Everdeen is somewhat of a blueprint for the modern female young-adult fantasy protagonist. She is a strong-willed teenage girl with a fire in her so bright it became her namesake. In the past, the greater plot and character development was minimized to the Team Peeta V.S. Team Gale debate. Now that the previous targeted audience has aged, though, a new evaluation is being popularized as the true message is spreading like wildfire on bookish social media pages. Katniss is a character that possesses classic traits of a dystopian powerhouse, but remember that she is just a teenage girl. Her capacity to feel and her consciousness is what makes her character so unique and a must-have on this list.
7. Inseparable by Simone de Beauvoir
Inseparable, to me, is an underrated piece of feminist literature. Not all books need to have upfront commentary on social ladders or a grand plot filled with adventure and battles. In the simplest terms, it is a story about a friendship between two girls as they mature with age. However, if you choose to read it from the analysis perspective of female dynamics, you will find something much deeper. Friendships between girls are bonds that cannot be replicated through other dynamics, and there is a certain level of intimacy and understanding that accompanies their shared experiences and outlooks on the world around them. De Beauvoir conveys how she learned from her early-made friendship with this girl, and how she saw freedom, desire, and faith completely changed. Isn’t that what makes a strong female character–the impact one leaves on another?
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