Books can be an experience that engages all the senses, taking the reader on a trip somewhere new. In a society that is hyper-critical of young women, these brief escapes are treasured. Even in a book that takes the reader to somewhere fantastical or strange, there is an impact made when readers can identify, in some way, with the characters.
Fiction for young women should therefore feature an array of female protagonists as diverse and unique as the young women readers themselves. In an effort to further promote this and expand our selection of books, gathered here is a wishlist of titles that we hope to acquire, all of which are written by women and feature engaging female main characters.
If you’re looking to help out the library, these books would make great donations!
Fiction:
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella (2015) Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Kinsella tackles the tale of a teen coping with depression and an anxiety disorder,
all with the light humour that she has become known for.
Asking For It by Louise O’Neill (2015) Publisher: Quercus UK
Considering the unfortunate culture we live in in modern society, this book is an
important and brave examination of rape culture, sexism, and victim-blaming.
The Lost and Found by Cat Clarke (2015) Publisher: Quercus
Faith Logan’s sister, Laurel, was six years old when she was abducted. Thirteen
years later, she returns home.
Girls Like Us by Gail Giles (2014) Publisher: Candlewick Press
Two special education teenagers, Quincy and Biddy, are matched by their
teacher after they graduate their high school’s program and are sent out into the
world to find jobs. Both young women find understanding in each other even as
the world tries to shut them out with prejudice.
Liberty’s Fire by Lydia Syson (2015) Publisher: Hot Key Books
A historical fiction account of doomed love during the Paris Commune of 1871.
Killer Game by Kirsty McKay (2015) Publisher: Chicken House
A thriller set at a boarding school on an isolated Welsh island,
necessitating a heroine to solve the mystery.
One by Sarah Crossan (2015) Publisher: Greenwillow Books
This book muses on friendship, solitude, love, and identity via the story of
conjoined twins. It also raises philosophical questions about surgery on conjoined
twins and the possible threat of genetic engineering.
Fantasy:
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna (2012) Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Eva is one of a class of clones who’ve been created to serve as replicas of real,
living beings in the event of their deaths. Eva’s journey to individuality with the
girl she’s supposed to replace is full of danger, heartbreak, and eventually
empowerment.
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (2010) Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
A skillfully crafted story that features Māori mythology, romance, and betrayal.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (2015) Publisher: HarperTeen
Very Hunger Games-esque, and featuring an equally fierce, headstrong
heroine.
If you have a copy of any of these titles that you would like to donate to the library, please get in touch with us via email or in person.
Read any of these books? What stories for young women do you think we should stock our shelves with? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
