Best Reads 2025: 13 Books by Popular Female Authors

For fans of popular female authors, try The Night Watchman or Circe. These books promise captivating stories and lively characters.

The Night Watchman coverCirce coverRed Clocks cover

13 Must-Read Books by Popular Female Authors: In this post, we highlight the 13 best books by popular female authors that have captured our hearts, made us laugh, cry, and think deeply. We’ve chosen these books because they tell gripping stories, offer unique perspectives, and showcase brilliant writing. Each book on our list proves that popular female authors continue to shape the literary world with powerful narratives and unforgettable characters. Get ready for an exciting reading journey!

On this list:

13 The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

The Night Watchman cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2020
  • Pages: 464

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Set in the 1950s, this book follows a Chippewa tribe’s struggle while hinting at real history. We loved her storytelling!

12 Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe cover

  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 400

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A mesmerizing re-imagining of Greek mythology from a witch’s view. We found her mix of myth and character simply magical.

11 Red Clocks by Leni Zumas

Red Clocks cover

  • Genre: Dystopian Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 368

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A thought-provoking, dystopian tale where women lose rights. We found it eerily relevant. It’s just un-put-down-able!

10 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

The Vanishing Half cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2020
  • Pages: 352

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Twin sisters live in separate worlds. A compelling take on identity and race that left us hanging onto every word.

9 Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Pachinko cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2017
  • Pages: 496

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This multi-generational saga peeks into a Korean family’s history. Packed with detailed emotion, it left us with tears.

8 Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People cover

  • Genre: Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 273

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A beautiful story of love and friendship that feels raw and authentic. We related to its portrayal of complicated relationships.

7 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2017
  • Pages: 390

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Quirky protagonist Eleanor navigates loneliness and hope. We found her journey touching and funny. Just what the doctor ordered.

6 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks cover

  • Genre: Non-Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2010
  • Pages: 381

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This investigative read on medical ethics and race stirred our minds. Skloot’s writing is as compelling as it is informative.

5 Educated by Tara Westover

Educated cover

  • Genre: Memoir
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 352

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A gripping memoir of a girl redefining her life through education. Her determination left us inspired and awestruck.

4 The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The Testaments cover

  • Genre: Dystopian Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2019
  • Pages: 432

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This much-awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale shocked us. Atwood’s vivid world-building is as sharp as ever.

3 Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2017
  • Pages: 352

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A domestic tale about secrets and identity that was hard to put down. Ng paints characters with incredible depth.

2 Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming cover

  • Genre: Memoir
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 448

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A candid memoir of self-discovery by the former First Lady. We admired her honesty and resilience.

1 The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2013
  • Pages: 771

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Our top choice! This Pulitzer-winning novel is an epic journey through art, loss, and redemption. The book entices with its depth and complexity, inviting readers to navigate life’s unpredictability alongside a young boy named Theo. For us, it’s the layers of mystery and vivid imagery that hold attention from page one to the end. Tartt’s storytelling is like a masterful painting—nuanced and unforgettable. If you venture into any book from a popular female author, let it be this one. It’s an emotional ride you won’t regret.

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!