8 Literary Fiction Books by Women You’ll Actually Enjoy
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I’ll admit it — for years, I avoided literary fiction. It always felt a little too serious, too intimidating, too… “assigned reading.” I wanted stories that moved, characters that felt alive, and books that didn’t make me feel like I needed an English degree to “get” them.
Then I met Laura Bird, a reader, writer, and passionate library advocate who completely changed the way I think about the genre. Laura describes literary fiction as “books that go down smooth” — stories that can break your heart and still make you feel hopeful. In our recent conversation on What to Read Next, she shared eight novels by women that fit that description perfectly.
These are the kinds of books you can curl up with on a quiet weekend afternoon — emotional, beautifully written, but still deeply readable. If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toe into literary fiction without feeling lost, start here.
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1. Maggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee
A debut novel that explores heartbreak, illness, and the power of friendship. When a woman’s husband leaves her — and she’s diagnosed with cancer — she names her tumor Maggie. Equal parts devastating and funny, this story is ultimately a love letter to female friendship.
Why You’ll Love It: Short vignettes, raw emotion, and a best friend character you’ll never forget.
2. The Most by Jessica Anthony
In just 133 pages, Jessica Anthony captures a woman’s entire emotional universe. Set in 1957, it follows Kathleen, a former tennis champion who spends one mysterious day in her apartment pool — and slowly reveals the secrets that have defined her life.
Why You’ll Love It: A quiet, devastating read you can finish in one sitting.
3. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Told through letters, this novel follows 73-year-old Sybil as she reconnects with people from her past — and reckons with love, regret, and renewal. Expect tears (Laura confessed she cried in a doctor’s office reading this one).
Why You’ll Love It: Heartfelt, beautifully written, and perfect for fans of 84, Charing Cross Road.
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4. Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross
A sharp, timely debut about a bookish teen in Maine whose world is upended after a traumatic event. The shifting family perspectives make this one both enraging and empowering.
Why You’ll Love It: A fearless story that will make you root for Hazel — and think about the headlines differently.
5. To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage
Spanning three decades, this story follows a Cherokee woman who dreams of becoming an astronaut. It’s about family, ambition, and belonging — and how Indigenous women navigate identity and hope.
Why You’ll Love It: A debut full of heart and intergenerational strength.
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6. How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
Don’t let the title fool you — this is a powerful story of redemption. A young woman rebuilding her life after prison forms unexpected connections with a retired teacher and an elderly handyman.
Why You’ll Love It: Deeply moving, never saccharine, and quietly unforgettable.
7. People of Means by Nancy Johnson
A mother-daughter novel spanning the civil rights era and the early 1990s. Through two women’s perspectives, we see what it means to risk everything for justice — and how activism evolves across generations.
Why You’ll Love It: If you crave stories about courage and social change, this one’s for you.
8. Heart, The Lover by Lily King
Set in the 1980s, this slim novel about young love, longing, and emotional truth will wreck you (in the best way). King proves again why she’s one of the most beloved voices in literary fiction.
Why You’ll Love It: Tender, intimate, and perfectly crafted for a cozy weekend read.
Final Thoughts:
Every one of these books reminded me that literary fiction doesn’t have to be intimidating — it just has to be human. These are stories about women finding their voices, facing loss, and still choosing hope.
If you’ve been craving a reset from all the “hot girl thrillers” and “spicy rom-coms” on your feed, consider this your gentle reading detox — a reminder that slow, soulful storytelling still hits hard.