Books That All Girls Need To Read (Now You Finally Have Time To)

Since everyone has a lot of spare time on their hands, it's the perfect opportunity to delve into a new book. However, I understand that it can be difficult knowing where to start, especially since bookshops are closed and you can't go in for a leisurely browse at the latest releases. I thought I'd put together a list of my favourite books that are written by women for women (although I'm sure that anyone could enjoy them) and are absolute must-read releases from the last few years. Note that there are some affiliate links used throughout which I will earn a small commission from if you make a purchase. Without further ado, it's time to see what books you're missing out on!

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

I'm sure that you've all had a point in your life where you've felt out of control and like everything is going wrong. Well this is exactly the struggle that Queenie is facing - she doesn't see eye-to-eye with her Jamaican-British family, she can't quite let go of a toxic relationship and her journalism job isn't all that she hoped for. We are whisked away into Queenie's coming-of-age story that is all about finding out who she truly is and her place in the world, and the turbulent journey that she has to go through to get there.

What I found most important about this book is its resilience to openly vocalise topics such as mental health, race, consent and female empowerment, yet it does so in fairly subtle ways. You will experience Queenie's pain as if you're right beside her yet you'll also be laughing whilst turning the pages - this novel really encompasses all of the uncertainties that we face in life. Click here to order a copy of Queenie now.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

What seems like a deceptively simple tale on the surface - two mismatched teenagers that share a kind of connection - blossoms into a heartfelt story of intimacy, yearning, mistakes and passion. We get to follow the shifting landscape of their relationship in moments of unspeakable closeness and undisclosed distance, charting their undeniable yet fluctuating connection throughout their youth. It ultimately depicts the impact a single person can have in shaping someone's life, as we see Marianne and Connell's personalities grow both intertwined and in opposition to one another.

What I loved most about this novel is Rooney's insistence on conveying 'normal people' - it's a raw depiction of the course of a connection and the influence that this has. It's refreshing to finally hear a voice that isn't afraid to adhere to the 'happily ever afters' or brutal heartbreaks that pervade literature; Normal People conveys a realistic relationship of our modern day. If you'd like to order Normal People then click here.

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

You may be familiar with Nora Ephron from When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, but her collection of memoirs is perhaps one of her best works that are a rite of passage for all women to read. This glaringly real book shares the truths of being a woman that you will undoubtedly relate to on some level, regardless of your age. Whether it's the shopaholic syndrome, navigating dubious relationships or the often poisonous view of our own bodies, Nora Ephron covers it all.

This book almost feels like a handbook for womanhood and will have you laughing along at how unbelievable accurate it is. Not only will you learn many lessons from Nora Ephron's undeniable wisdom,  but it'll also be a comforting read proving that you're really not alone in any of your life experiences. Although this is probably best suited to someone older than myself, I'd highly recommend all women to read it, as there will definitely be lessons you can learn. Order now by clicking here!

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

The front cover of this book perfectly captures it, detailing the many disastrous dates, lifelong friendships and struggles of establishing yourself that all women may face in their lives. This is an eye-opening glance into Dolly Alderton's life and you get to watch her grow up as though you're living it alongside her, and I can guarantee that you'll be both laughing and crying along throughout this book. It really captures how messy yet beautiful life can be, and cherishes how every moment can shape a person.

Although this is ultimately an autobiographical text, it springs to life on the page and feels like fiction as you're transported to Dolly's adolescent world of disparate bars and unruly flings. There is honestly something so perfect in the way that she describes both pleasant and tragic life experiences in their true rawness, and I highly recommend you pick up this book and experience the journey of growing up alongside her. You can purchase Everything I Know About Love here.

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

This is perhaps a bit of a rogue one to include on this list, but I absolutely fell in love with this Women's Prize for Fiction winner. This novel examines the extent that you'd go to for passion, loyalty and in searching for an identity, all of which is bound together in a complex relationship of siblings. Radicalisation and love don't seem like two topics that go hand-in-hand, but Kamila Shamsie perfectly weaves together these two spheres in a way that you won't be able to put down.

Like the other books I've listed, Home Fire also deals with the struggles faced in everyday life, yet it instead depicts a teenage boy's terrorist involvement and the consequence this has on his entire family. Alongside this are ideas of Muslim-British identity and finding yourself in a constantly shifting world, and regardless of whether you relate to these issues or not this novel will have you hooked. Click here to order a copy of Home Fire.


Hopefully there is something for everyone in this list, but there is no doubt that they are all essential reads for young girls and women alike, and I'd highly recommend them to anyone. If there are any books you feel as though are missing from this list, I'd love to know down in the comments!