Recently, we came across this list of “fun” books every woman in her 20s should read; Needless to say, even if you’re a casual visitor to this space, the books (Confessions of a Shopaholic, Bitches on a Budget) aren’t exactly what we’d pick. so, perhaps quite predictably, we decided to put together our own list. now don’t forget these are books for women in their 20s we assume you’ve already read as much as you’d like to jane austen and louisa may alcott we hope you’ve already tackled killing a mockingbird and i know why the caged bird sings and jane eyre. And while women should read all books about all kinds of things and from all kinds of authors, this list necessarily skews toward female writers and characters, given the topic of the day. Click through to see our reading list, and since every woman should be reading 20+ books by age 20 (hundreds, ladies!), add her own favorites in the comments.
bad behavior, mary gaitskill
You are reading: Books every woman should read in her 20s
Filled with longing, weird sex, dislocation, and disillusionment, gaitskill’s now-legendary debut collection reminds us that no matter how damaged we are, we’re not alone. we have mary gaitskill.
the edible woman, margaret atwood
Atwood’s first proto-feminist novel is, ahem, a delightful investigation into the inner life of a young woman engaged to the wrong man. alienation, dissociation and metaphorical cannibalism? that’s our kind of book.
to the lighthouse, virginia woolf
some may have read this classic in high school, but we didn’t until college. Woolf may be our most universally loved female author – this is her (difficult, beautiful) masterpiece of hers.
white teeth, zadie smith
Smith’s witty, epic debut tackles race, gender, class, immigration, middle age, suicide, faith and everything in between. it’s also fun as hell. You’ll never look at your teeth the same way again.
the golden notebook, doris lessing
One of the mainstays of feminist literature, Lessing’s 1962 postmodern novel examines the political climate (communism, women’s liberation) and the ever-changing gender constructions of modern life. If you’re not convinced, consider this: In awarding Lessing the Nobel Prize in 2007, the Swedish Academy described her as “that epicist of the female experience, who with skepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilization to scrutiny.” /p>
nightwood, djuna barnes
difficult, silly. Nightwood is an undisputed classic of lesbian literature (and of 20th century literature in general), brimming with literary flair and fierce sentiment. perhaps, like c.t. eliot suggested, “only sensibilities trained in poetry can fully appreciate it”, but that’s you, right?
venus delta, anais nin
Superbly written erotica from one of our all-time heroines, essential reading even if, especially if, you’re squeamish about literary sex. you’ll never think about 50 shades of gray again.
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self help, lorrie moore
This is the only self-help book you’ll ever need. Moore will teach you, in her wise, witty and funny way, everything it means to be a woman. these stories are tragic. they are hilarious. They won’t tell you the exact answers, but they will look with you at the strange crack in the ceiling and commiserate.
the portable dorothy parker, dorothy parker
every girl could bear to read a little more about dorothy parker, our patron saint of wit. Sure, you can bring up dating at parties, but we bet he’ll dig a little deeper before he’s done with you.
the complete claudine, colette
One of the most badass authors in history, Colette’s writing is almost as sassy, sexy, beautiful and smart as she is. These four novels trace Claudine’s maturation from a mischievous fifteen-year-old into a young married woman who, well, is still up to mischief. aren’t we all?
the liars club, mary karr
Well, we recommend all of Karr’s memoirs, but you’d better start here, with his dark and comedic account of a spooky childhood. we also highly recommend his poetry. even if that’s not your thing.
you can’t keep a good woman down, alice walker
It’s amazing that Walker’s frank and politically charged stories still ring so true even thirty years after this collection was originally published. abortion, sadomasochism, race, class: all of this falls apart in his capable hands.
the silent woman, janet malcolm
If, like us, you carry a permanent torch for Sylvia Plath, you need to read Malcolm’s incredible postmodern biography, which dissects not only the Plath myth, but also the way we read the Plath myth.
a visit from the thug squad, jennifer egan
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jennifer egan is wonderful, and this novel in fragments is wonderful: funny, moving and prescient. if anyone knows the way to go, it’s this lady.
magic for beginners, kelly link
we think women should read more literary fantasy. You’ll start to think so too if you read these unbelievably weird, magical and wise stories, full of hauntings, zombie anxieties, supernatural TV shows. In fact, it’s as if Buffy is a collection of short stories written by Flannery O’Connor. yes folks, it’s that good.
the full stories, flannery o’connor
Speaking of which, we strongly recommend finishing this volume before the age of 30. we all know you’ll be better (and darker and smarter) for it.
against interpretation, susan sontag
Any girl with an interest in the arts in general should take sontag as one of her teachers, and this provocative book of essays is the perfect place to start.
the unbearable lightness of being, milan kundera
This favorite of students of philosophical literature has a group of devotees for a reason. What is the difference between sex and love? is there an answer? who are we one without the other? These are questions every 20-year-old girl should think about.
sula, toni morrison
One of the fiercest female friendships we’ve ever seen on paper, and one of its most tragic, this book will ring in your ears for years to come.
carolina bastard, dorothy allison
oh bone, we will never forget you. Terrifying, beautiful and grotesque, Allison’s searing tale of poverty, abuse and childhood in the American South has become a modern classic.
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