Folks, it’s international women’s day! Give your mothers, daughters, friends, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, etc, lots of love today.
I have thrown this post together so forgive its unpolished qualities—I really should be writing an essay for class right now but instead I am doing this! I wanted to put together a list of books and a list of women on Substack I’d highly recommend.
Firstly, here is a short list of books by women, about women, that you should read!
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
A literary masterpiece, a meditation on societal constructs, the kindness of women, community, oppression, and love, this book is only around 200 pages and absolutely worth a read. I am not ashamed to admit it made me cry. The story is bleak but it is the most hopeful book I have read in a while.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
This one is an obvious pick; a book revolving around three women grappling with post-civil war slavery in the south, Beloved is a deep exploration of motherhood, violence, family ties, boundless love, and the intersection of race, gender, and class. Morrison’s writing is unlike anything you will ever read, and this book will likely make you cry but I think everyone should read this at least once in their life.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
I know, I know, how many times can I possibly say I love this book? But listen, I love this book! Our Wives Under the Sea is an elegantly written queer love story intertwined with deep sea explorations, strange transformations, and lingering grief. I cannot explain how much sheer emotion this book pulled out of me. The writing is reads like poetry and overall it is such a lovely book.
Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado
I believe I have mentioned it before, but this book is a collection of short stories exploring women’s bodies, motherhood, abuse, home, and a variation of other themes, and it is written so brilliantly. It was the first book I read by Machado, who quickly became a favourite author of mine. This collection is deeply intimate and lovely and is worth your time!
There is an abundance of women on here that deserve your attention, but I want to highlight some wonderful women I know on here that write such lovely pieces that you may not have heard of. Obviously I can’t list every single woman on here, though I wish I could, but please feel free to highlight your favourite women writers on here too!
was one of the very first people I connected with on here and I feel so very lucky for that — she is always so sweet to everyone and writes about all sorts of things; culture, books, art, killing mice, etc, that you should be reading!
is another lovely writer on here that deserves the world. She recently rebranded her Substack and writes about her experience as a migrant, literature, and of course, anything that moves her. Her writing is honest, fervent, and deserving of your attention!
is yet another brilliant writer and such a kind and open person; she writes about anything and everything, including books, movies, music, and her experience being aroace. Check out her newsletter, you won’t regret it!
writes about all sorts of things; books, personal reflections, and media, something for everyone! She always has a kind word to say and her writing is sharp and brilliant, make sure to check it out!
writes all about translated literature and is lovely to talk to, she always has a recommendation and a kind word, and you should absolutely check out her newsletter!
’s newsletter is all about poetry!. She is so sweet and genuine, her writing is beautiful, and her work deserves your attention, especially if you enjoy all things poetry!
is another wonderful writer on here who is so lovely to speak to. She writes personal essays (her recent one, Girl on the Run, is so inspiring & certainly worth a read) book-related content, and more, and you should check out her newsletter!
is so kindhearted and always has a solid recommendation for you. She writes all about books and occasionally other media, and her newsletter is always a joy to read!
writes about media, culture, being a Black woman in America, personal reflections, and more. Her writing is brilliant, nuanced, and memorable, and I always enjoy reading her newsletter. She is so lovely to talk to and trade recommendations with, and her work deserves your attention!
*EDITED TO INCLUDE MORE WONDERFUL WOMEN!
writes reflective pieces and they are all so honest and moving. She is such a kind person and you should check out her writing!
’s writing never fails to amaze me, she writes various musings & reflections and is a lovely person whose work deserves your attention!
writes beautiful meditations on life and love and everything in between and is a brilliant writer who you should check out!
writes very poignant and personal pieces and her writing always gets me, so lovely and invoking and a joy to read, go check out her newsletter!
writes about the human experience, including answering questions from friends and writing about her experience as a trans woman and is just so lovely of a person, go check out her writing you won’t regret it!
does these notes from each month that are a joy to read, is such a kind person and her work is deserving of your attention!
writes a brilliant newsletter and runs a bookclub that focuses on queer, trans & BIPOC books. She is a lovely person to chat to and every post is a delight to get in my inbox, check out their newsletter!
writes about music & various musings, and I just love her style of writing. Plus she’s got brilliant taste in music and you should give her pieces a read!
writes, as the name suggests, a marginal perspective on life and various other topics. She’s a lovely person and you should check out her newsletter!
writes all things movies. Her writing and analysis of various topics in films is brilliant, make sure to check out her newsletter especially if you love movies!
writes poetry pieces that are so moving, and you should certainly tune in if you like intimate and striking poetry!
writes on all sorts of topics including analyzing dreams and reflections on life. She makes these lovely collages as well, make sure to check out her newsletter!
writes on all sorts of topics including the earth, movies, and categorization. She is so genuine and kind and writes brilliantly, make sure to check out her stuff!
writes personal essays and reflections on various things and is such a lovely person whose writing you should give a read!
’s newsletter is indeed a cabinet of curiosities, with lovely writing on just about everything including Palestinian poetry, Joan of Arc, and reflections on the year. Check out her Substack!
writes on movies, personal reflections, and has such distinct writing that is so moving and deserving of your attention!
writes such a fun and lovely newsletter mainly about movies & media and always has a good recommendation, you should absolutely check out her newsletter!
writes on all kinds of topics including personal essays, music, and movies and her work is brilliant and deserving of your attention!
writes various essays, poems and other reflections and is such a kind person, check out her newsletter!
writes about all sorts of things, including books, self love, knowledge, and other reflections, and is such a kind and lovely person, go check out her writing!
To all other women on (and off) Substack, I love you! Happy international women’s day, the world loves you, keep doing what you’re doing.
I hope you all enjoyed this little post. Please highlight some of your favourite woman authors or writers on here in the comments or anywhere else!
That’s all for now, take care of yourself!
Once again I am put in company with women writers and thinkers that I admire so deeply. What a wonderful community we are building here on Substack. Is it weird that it makes me want a girls night out with you all???? Even just like french fries and diet coke and chats and then go home by 9 pm
so honoured to be included in this list! and to see so many other writers that i admire!! thank you so much for writing this <3