My Favorite Classic

Books Written by Women

Nicole Kidman is living proof that classic never goes out of style.

Classic books are no different. They have the power of eternal relevance. I think that’s because even as the world evolves and we find ourselves moving at the speed of oh-my-god-make-it-stop, human nature remains unchanged. Our basic instinct to find meaning and purpose through stories, stays intact.

We want to know how people feel deeply. It helps us make sense of the world and thereby, ourselves. Sometimes, the most important messages are received through a story from the past.

Here are a few of my favorite classic books, written by women:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (Published in 1939)

The original who dunnit mystery. The author masterfully sets up a literary escape room for our curious minds to play in. Secrets are expertly revealed and death is the only real proof of innocence. If you like doing the Wordle, you’ll probably enjoy this fully-engaging, I-gotta-know-what-happens-next book.

Even a sisterless girl like me will fall instantly into family with these four. Little Women has the magical Sex and the City element of a girl quad. You will surely identify with one sister over all the others. I’m a Jo. An accurate depiction of one version of life in New England during the Civil War.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (Published in 1963)

If I’m going to read about a woman losing her mind, I prefer the tale to be told by a woman with some real-life experience in the realm. Poetic, haunting, and even a little dark at times, this one will stick with you forever. Feels like a passage to another dimension of womanhood, at any age.

Kindred by Octavia Butler (Published in 1979)

Time travel, fantasy, historical, and science fiction. Kindred fits into all those categories, and more. It’s un-boxable. This unique story stays a classic because there’s nothing else like it. Nobody has ever done it better.

This month, SheReaders is discussing The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7pm EST on Zoom. This book, originally published in 1971, is the story of a very brave woman who helped Jews escape the Nazis, was caught and made prisoner in a concentration camp. In this book, Corrie tells us exactly what happened and how faith helped her survive. It’s eye-opening!

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