My Favourite Women Writers

My fetish for reading began when I was 5. Since then, I’ve read novels and short stories of mostly crime genre, with a predilection to classics. I read very less contemporary works and that quite changed in the last year. Based on the books I read till now, I’ve thought of discussing about my favorite women who write. (Writing about my favourite women authors is not anything against authors of other genders. If I write something lauding A, doesn’t mean that I debase B, C and D).

1. Enid Blyton

The first book I read as a kid is apparently Panchatantra tales and the next are Famous Five novels. Enid Blyton has a riveting way of keeping kids hooked to her books. Also, one of the famous five is a dog. What more do you want?
The Famous Five go on adventures and unravel many new things and also solve crimes. It would take kids one summer vacation to finish all 22 novels in Famous Five series. It looks like Famous Five was written only to inculcate reading habit among kids!

2. J. K. Rowling

I’m so fortunate that I was born at the right time, to read Harry Potter as the books were being released. (If you think movies were better, sorry, we aren’t friends anymore). Rowling created a universe in itself through Harry Potter. I remember being in 8th class when Harry Potter ended. Harry Potter needs no introduction. I don’t think I should further explain why J. K. Rowling is in this list.

4. Jane Austen

One of the first books I read after school was Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen’s stories are vivid, classic and expressive. They celebrate sisterhood and women and love. Jane speaks brilliantly of women’s views and rights through her books. For all classic readers, if you haven’t started reading Jane Austen, I’d suggest you to.

5. Kavitha Kane

I was reading Mahabharata related novels, from various perspectives when I came across Karna’s Wife by Kavitha Kane. The book was fabulous. Then I read The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty, which was unputdownable. (That’s a word?)
Kavitha’s works are a celebration of the women of the epics. Had I not read her works, I’d never be able to acknowledge these powerful women of Mahabharata.

6. C. M. Sutter

I read three books of C.M. Sutter which are crime fiction. All have strong female leads and intriguing investigation process. The female lead is fiercely strong; will keep you turning pages. Her book ‘Greed’, is on my reading list. For those who like crime and can read longer books, Retribution and Snapped are an experience not to be missed.

Other favorite books by women authors:
1. Period Power by Nadya Okamoto
2. Wise and Otherwise by Sudha Murthy.
3. I am Malala by Malala.

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I acknowledge that there are hundreds of women out there writing books beyond fantastic. I revere all of them. I regret that I am unable to include all of them in this teeny-weeny list. (because, depressingly, reading is not my profession). However, I’ll keep reading books of women and extending the list!

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