The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (Greek Mythology)
Perfect for fans of The Odyssey, Atwood’s rendition follows Penelope, the witty wife of the infamous Odysseus, through a stunning feminist take of mythology with a modern twist.
When Odysseus leaves to fight in the Trojan War, his bright and faithful wife is left behind with her twelve maidens to lead the city of Ithaca. In Homer’s original tale, The Odyssey takes an exclusive focus on Odysseus’ gallant triumphs, while Penelope’s bravery in fending off over a hundred suitors set on taking the throne of Ithaca is conveniently overlooked. Not only this, but her divine status being the daughter of a king and a nymph, her relation to Helen of Troy, and ingenious leadership are only some of the qualities that make Penelope a stunning female protagonist.
Filled with wit, sorrow, beauty, and magnificent prose, Margaret Atwood’s take on the beloved myth is an idyllic and quick-paced read with a complex female narrator deprived of proper recognition.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Literary Fiction)
One of my very favorite five-star reads of 2025, Virginia Evans epistolary novel is filled with wisdom that I hope to always carry with me.
Told entirely through the form of letters, The Correspondent follows Sybil Van Antwerp: a clever, intensely stubborn, and perceptive law retiree. Sybil uses letters as her means to the world–whether writing to her brother, spurring strangers on the internet, thanking esteemed novelists, or corresponding with her best friend–she emphasizes the grip of the written word. Simultaneously, Sybil battles losing eye sight, complicated relationships with her children, and a series of mysterious threats from her past in a fascinating forum.
Virginia Evans’ writing is eloquent, engaging, and entirely dazzling. I absolutely adored the way the story connected throughout, and felt so much for each of the characters. The Correspondent will be a re-read for me in 2026, and I am beyond excited to return to it.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Historical Fiction)
Being the only woman in the room of a 1960s laboratory, Elizabeth Zott is faced head on with the trials of misogyny and doubt against a throttle of close-minded male chemists. Following an unjust decision that forces Elizabeth to resign from her research institute, she moves forward by taking matters into her own hands through an unconventional approach: a nationally televised cooking show which uses chemistry in the kitchen. As she teaches other women across the country to cook through scientific approaches, she also encourages them to pursue their passions, challenge the restraints that hold them down, and stand up to a society that negates all that they have to offer.
Elizabeth Zott is, in my humble opinion, one of the most excellent, strong-willed, and subtly hilarious female characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Bonnie Garmus writes her in the most droll yet prevalent way that can’t help but leave you feeling inspired by the end of her novel. A powerful, sometimes quite dark, and inspiring read, especially perfect for women in or pursuing STEM.
Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier (Thriller)
A quality that I’m rather fond of when reading is the perfect encapsulation of ‘female rage’; an art form that Jennifer Hillier has simply mastered in her thrillers and mystery novels.
For Marin, the protagonist of Little Secrets, this rage is brought on by the disappearance of her son, Sebastian. Marin’s life was seemingly perfect as a self-curated business woman, college-sweetheart-husband, and mother to her son. All until a crashing halt takes place when her son is taken and the FBI case has withered over the year that follows. In a rampage to take control over her life again, Marin becomes hell bent on finding the truth and fixing the obstacles in her way.
I am a major fan of any and all works by Hillier, but Little Secrets is a particularly gripping read. Filled with plot twists, varying points of view, and a halting ending, this thriller is entirely worth the read.
Fundamentally by Nuissabah Younis (Literary Fiction)
After publishing a groundbreaking article over deradicalization, Nadia Amin’s life takes a major switch when she is contacted to work alongside the United Nations in a gripping task: rehabilitating ISIS brides in Iraq. Nadia quickly finds herself in the most challenging tasks of her life in managing pesky coworkers, global political discord, and forming a bond with fifteen-year-old Sara, a tempestuous young girl pulled into the radicalism, and all too similar to Nadia in a myriad of ways.
Fundamentally is powerful, thought-provoking, and skillfully weaves comedy into tragedy through a brilliant fashion. I am immensely grateful to have been introduced to this novel when hearing Younis speak at The Women’s Prize Live over the summer in London. While not something I would ordinarily pick up on my own, I think about this story and these characters at least once a week since reading.
