March is a wonderful month at the University, bringing about the early days of spring. It is a time for popping outside and cracking open a book while lazing on the Lawn. It also marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, a time where we highlight the achievements and perspectives of women throughout the decades. As such, March is also the perfect time to delve into some books written by incredible female authors. Though reading is often lauded as an “escape,” reading books about women by women can in fact get us closer to reality — closer to the nuances and intricacies of lived experience.
These three books — though varying in genre, in content and in general tone — are prime examples of beautiful pieces of writing by women authors about the twists and turns of life and womanhood.
“Ghosts” by Dolly Alderton
Written by Dolly Alderton in 2020, “Ghosts” tells a fictional tale about a woman faced with the struggles and uncertainties of life in her early 30s. In a gut-wrenching yet comforting story, Nina Dean — a 32-year-old food writer — takes to dating apps two years after the end of her nine year long relationship in an attempt to find someone to settle down with. Her decision to cave to the dating app trend comes after she is faced with growing societal pressure that every woman must be married by her 30s. She eventually meets Max — a charming man who seems to be her perfect counterpart — but after delving deeper into their relationship, Max “ghosts” her.
In the aftermath of the “ghosting,” Nina is faced with these personal and societal pressures once more. She perceives the “ghosting” as a sort of failure, and these pressures soon begin to evolve into inescapable feelings of inadequacy and sadness.
With a very personal and casual first person writing style that makes people feel as if they are truly understanding Nina’s thoughts and feelings, this novel draws readers in with its earnest relatability and soul-baring truthfulness.
The story then follows her journey of learning to be comfortable with this phase of her life. She gradually transitions from feelings of disappointment and shock that push her to overanalyze all aspects of her personal life to feelings of acceptance and solace in the fact that her life does not have to be set at the same pace as those around her. As Nina deals with the uncertainty of a future that may seem bleak in the moment, her journey helps readers explore how undue judgment from society affects the lives of women.
“Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve” by Drew Afualo
Turning from fiction to nonfiction, “Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve” is penned by 29-year-old social media star Drew Afualo. Known for her consistent uplifting of women and her combating of incendiary and misogynistic TikTok content, Afualo is a joy to watch online. She used this book as an opportunity to take her playful-yet-inspiring social media content from the screen to the page.
“Loud” — which was published in 2024 — is a combination of a witty memoir and a meaningful “how-to” book. With chapters with titles like “Meet the Afualos” and “Be Yourself, and Other Impossible but Necessary Life Lessons,” Afualo’s own life experiences, anecdotes and stories guide the advice she gives to the readers on how to build confidence and live life unapologetically in spite of any judgment that the world may throw their way.
While the book is chock full of positivity, one of the best parts is the fact that Afualo’s infectious, iconic laugh can almost be felt through the pages as her clear personal voice shines through and makes readers feel as if they are sitting and chatting with their best friend about the trials and tribulations of everyday life.
“Just Kids” by Patti Smith
Published in 2010, “Just Kids” is a beautiful memoir written by ‘70s music icon and poet Patti Smith and yet another fantastic nonfiction piece to round out this list. While the book focuses on Smith’s relationship with photographer and artist Robert Mapplethorpe — especially because Smith began to pen this piece in Mapplethorpe’s memory after his death in 1989 — it also focuses on the concept of growing as a person and as an artist. The story thus takes place over time as Smith ages, with a focus on her life in New York in the late sixties and early seventies.
The shining glory of this novel is the vivid storytelling. Smith’s detailed descriptions of specific meals she ate alongside transcriptions of seemingly exact dialogues transport readers into a bygone era. As Smith meets the dozens of famous occupants of the Chelsea Hotel and begins to find her footing in the sparkling world of New York art and stardom, one can almost imagine themself there alongside her.
And though the events of Smith’s life may at first seem singular to readers, there is strong relatability in a book about a young girl adapting to a new city amongst people that make her — at times — feel a bit out of place. The awkwardness and feelings of inadequacy that mar one’s late teens or early twenties are aspects of life that so many people can connect to, even if some are going through it alongside the likes of Janis Joplin and Andy Warhol.
So, no matter what genre you are looking for or what kind of mood you might be in, there is absolutely an incredible book written by a fantastic female author waiting to be read. Women’s stories are not just for women — these stories can and should be read by all. Whether you are looking to connect to the woes of a fictional Brit, improve the quality of your own life or delve into the world of a woman going through life as an artist in the Empire State, March is the perfect time to use the warming weather and feelings of springtime growth to pick up a new book and delve into a new story.
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