As the year is winding down, there is no perfect time than winter to curl up with a good book. The chill in the air, a cup of cocoa, and a page-turning read paint a pretty cozy picture. The year 2019 greeted a long list of outstanding books by exceptional authors.
In this article, we are celebrating the female writers who had succeeded to enchant readers with their masterpieces. If you are looking for updates to your reading list, here is all the inspiration you need.
Worth Reading Books of 2019 by Female Writers
The Paper Wasp by Lauren Acampora
Lauren Acampora has proved herself worthy or words in her debut novel, The Paper Wasp. Two childhood friends, one a gifted college dropout and the other, a Hollywood starlet, reunite. The plot unfolds these two characters, the nostalgia of school memories soon elevating to that of obsession, drama, and the mysteries.
The plot of The Paper Wasp takes dreary turns, which Acampora has managed to portray in an immersing play of words. The protagonist, Abby, is not so keen to be liked, such as the characters we have seen in books like A Rose for Emily. However, the author has managed to craft an engrossing and haunting read.
The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung
Catherine Chung chose a matter that the world is too acquainted with, particularly the female audience. The Tenth Muse is a stunningly crafted novel styled as a personal memoir, reflecting the challenges of self-awareness of the author. In her second book, she looks back at her life in the post-second world war America.
Having to hide the genius at mathematics in herself, with her abilities unacknowledged and even oppressed, the book traces the author’s struggle to overcome the ostracization not only due to her intelligence but also her mixed parenthood. The Tenth Muse is no less than an emotional wallop of a read.
Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn
A bold and determined take of Patsy revolves around the woman who chose herself over her daughter to make the American dream. The story of the undocumented immigrant is not unfamiliar, but the life of Patsy was told with a refreshing take.
Nicole Dennis-Benn gives voice to a 29-year old Jamaican, who grabbed her first opportunity to revel in the freedom that the foreign land offered.
The characters and their bonds are complex yet fascinatingly intervened. Dennis-Benn vocalized the harsh reality of broken dreams of immigrants, in a much more practical outlook inundated with the emotional turmoil.
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris
Cilka’s Journey is set where The Tattooist of Auschwitz left off. The tale of Cilka Klein, inspired by true events, is that of a woman who survived the horrific experiences of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Her fate does not relieve her of the ordeal even after the liberation, as she is once again sentenced to a Siberian prison camp for 15 years.
Her journey then takes a turn with her willpower changing her life to become a nurse. This historical fiction is a compelling read, a story of survival, one that depicts the harsh, inhuman reality of the Holocaust. Heather Morris has done an excellent job of bringing to light the heartbreaking story of Cilka and many others like her.
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Winning Susan Choi the National Book Award for fiction, Trust Exercise is more than just another adolescent love story. The setting is in the 1980s, in a fiercely competitive performing arts school. What initially starts as an ambition-fueled tale of two students quickly defies the expectations and impedes all narrative fashions.
The three parts of the book offer different experiences to the reader. It is a tricky book: occasionally, the story lacks veracity yet offering a thriller effect.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
The 2019 joint winner of the Man Booker Prize, Bernadine Evaristo, composed a novel or what could be reasonably called a list of 12 interlinked short stories. It is no surprise that this is the celebrated book of the year, as the piece deserves all the attention and acclaim. The polyphony reflects the lives of different women residing in the UK, slowly revealing connections as the book progresses.
Evaristo’s narrative style keeps the readers spiked, anticipating, and yearning for more. The result is a spectacular symphony of voices from entirely distinct scenarios weaved together to create a wonderful experience. Girl, Woman, Other should definitely be in the must-read for everyone, especially women.
Feeling proud and excited about the women in literature? Go buy their books and start reading.
