Pushing The Boundaries: The Female Writers You Need To Read

There’s nothing better than a book you can’t put down, however if you’re an avid reader you’ll know that these kinds of masterpieces are few and far between.

Over the past few years, a host of incredible female writers have been working hard to bring us reads that are gripping, chilling, thrilling and completely all-consuming. We pick them up and we actually can’t tear ourselves away from the pages.

If you’re looking for something new to read why not try one of the following female authors? Here are the women who are pushing boundaries, telling intense stories and developing a major following in the realms of modern literature.

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1. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn
Originally published last year, this novel only gained a following in Ireland over the past month or two. Gone Girl is Gillian’s third novel and has made the New York Times best seller list. The plot focuses on the turbulent marriage between Nick and Amy Dunne. Nick comes home one day to find that Amy has disappeared. It isn’t long before Nick becomes the main suspect in her death. This is absolutely gripping. You won’t be able to put it down.

2. “Red Doc>” by Anne Carson
If you’re looking for something a little different, Anne Carson’s Red Doc> is a great place to start. It’s the follow up to her bestseller Autobiography of Red, but the good news is that you don’t have to have read the first book in order to follow it. The fact that Carson is a poet is evident from the achingly beautiful prose. You’ll get drawn into the story thanks to the complex characters and easy flow of the words. We’ll be honest and say that it’s not a straightforward read but stick with it and you’ll enjoy it.

3. “The Shining Girls” by Lauren Beukes
Readers around the world are counting down the days until this book is released in June of this year. It’s already been described as The Time Traveller’s Wife meets The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by critics, so if that’s anything to go by you just know it’s going to be amazing. The plot revolves around Harper Curtis, a man who discovers a key to a house that opens on to other times. Beukes is a writer who will continually keep you guessing with her sharp twist and turns. A must read.

 4. “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg is the chief operating officer of Facebook and is considered one of the 50 most powerful women in the business world. Her current book Lean In has caused a lot of debate, although it has been widely celebrated by the critics. The book focuses on the lives and choices of working women and Sandberg tries to find out why women’s progress in achieving leadership roles has stalled. It’s one of the most talked-about books out there at the minute and definitely worth a read. Sandberg’s ideas are interesting and chances are you’ll find yourself inspired to achieve your full potential once you finish it. Consider it smart self-help for accomplished women.

5. “The Blue Book” by A. L. Kennedy
A. L. Kennedy is considered to be one of the best contemporary British writers out there at the minute and anyone who has read her work is guaranteed to agree. The Blue Book is an amazing story about love, loss and deception. It contains beautiful writing and a plot that is unlike anything you’ve ever read before. Perfect reading for your summer holiday or on these chilly spring evenings.