While the year has only just begun, it already seems it’ll be a great one for books, especially those written by female authors and those that focus on female narratives. 2018, it seems, will be the literary year of the woman.
“The Immortalists” by Chloe Benjamin — Jan. 9
Benjamin’s “The Immortalists” asks the question, “What would you do with your life if you knew exactly when it would end?” Following the four Gold children, Benjamin depicts the complications and struggles of their lives after a traveling wise woman reveals to them the day they’d die. Exploring the line between life and death, Benjamin paints a beautiful picture of what it means to live.
“Red Clocks” by Leni Zumas — Jan. 16
“Red Clocks” has found its way onto the top of almost every 2018 anticipated books list, and for good reason. Zumas’ dystopian novel imagines a world where abortion and in-vitro fertilization is illegal, and every embryo has the right to life, liberty and property. The novel follows four very different women as they struggle to navigate this new world and the problems it leads them to face, from needing an abortion to trying to
get pregnant.
“Still Me” by Jojo Moyes — Jan. 30
“Still Me,” the third installment in the wildly popular “Me Before You” series, follows Louisa Clark and her journey to New York while trying to keep true to her quirky and positive self and the world she’s left behind. Expect “Still Me” to follow in the bubbly, romantic and occasionally heartbreaking footsteps of it predecessors, making for a delightfully easy read.
“The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror” by Mallory Ortberg — March 13
Ortberg, the woman behind the popular blog “The Toast” and The Slate’s advice podcast “Dear Prudence”, has put her never-failing wit to “The Merry Spinster,” a collection of stories based on classic fairy tales, but with dark and humorous twist, imagining the velveteen rabbit as an anyhting-but-innocent vampire. Born out of “The Toast’s” most popular segments, “Children’s Stories Made Horrific,” Ortberg’s latest work is sure to delight longtime fans and newbies alike.
“The Female Persuasion” by Meg Wolitzer — April 3
“The Female Persuasion” follows Greer Kadetsky, a college freshman enamored by her boyfriend, Cory. But after Greer meets Faith Frank, a famed women’s rights activist, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. “The Female Persuasion” tracks a coming-of-age story that many young women will be able to relate to. Wolitzer’s novel is set to be an important book in a year where we continue to discuss the trials and triumphs of being
a woman.
“Circe” by Madeline Miller — April 10
“Circe,” the follow-up to Miller’s sensational mythological retelling “Song of Achilles,” tackles one of Greek mythology’s most infamous villains. Miller’s retelling gives life and a backstory to its titular character, Circe, by painting her not as the classical vengeful seductress, but as a strong and independent woman trying to find her place in
the world.
“And Now We Have Everything: On Motherhood Before I Was Ready” by Meaghan O’Connell — April 10
“And Now We Have Everything” is an exploration in motherhood and unplanned pregnancy through O’Connell’s own experiences after unexpectedly getting pregnant in her 20s. After failing to find a book that helped prepare her for life as a young mother, she decided to write her own and depict impending parenthood in a completely open and
honest way.
