March is Women’s History Month! Which means it’s a great month to celebrate all the fantastic women authors out there, especially in young adult literature. Granted, we should be reading these authors year round, but it’s always nice to have a month to celebrate them!
Not only are these books by awesome women writers, but they also write strong, beautiful, complex female characters. Which is what we want! Give all kinds of female characters a voice in young adult books. Here are some great books to pick up this month!
Women’s History Month
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas is one of the biggest names in young adult fantasy, though some of her stuff is really more New Adult. This latest book by her has some of the most diverse women in it, though Bryce takes the crown. She’s constantly letting people underestimate her and proving their assumptions wrong. There are lots of great conversations about gender, too!
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Guess who just released the title, cover, and release date for the fourth book in this series? That’s right! I just read this (well, listened to it) last year and I absolutely loved it. There are so many great characters in this book that have a lot to love, on all sides of the law. Since the next book comes out this December, now is the best time to pick up this series!
Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman
In her newest book out next week, Bowman takes a close look at women in the circus and the lengths they’re willing to go to be successful. The business is pretty much everyone for themselves, shown in the way characters interact with each other. While you’re waiting, pick up her first two books, Starfish and Summer Bird Blue.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
I keep picking authors with new books out this month–not on purpose! Tahereh Mafi’s popular series, Shatter Me, also has a lot of great characters, but I wanted to highlight this book. Based on Mafi’s own experiences, this is about a Muslim girl dealing with the after effects of 9/11. An eye-opening read!
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Harper has cerebral palsy but that doesn’t stop her from stealing the show in this book! And stealing the prince’s heart. What I like is that we get to see even more sides to her in A Heart So Fierce and Broken in addition to some new, even more well-rounded characters. It’s a series you won’t want to miss!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
By now, pretty much everyone knows about this book, but I’m still including it here. Angie Thomas has achieved so much with this book, including a continuous spot on the bestseller list. I’m still waiting for it in paperback, but maybe it’s time for a re-read!
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Pretty much all these authors have new books coming out this year, including her! This is a book in verse that I highly recommend the audiobook for. Acevedo is an award-winning slam poet and that shows through her narration in the audiobook. It’s one of my favorite audiobooks to date!
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
While Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is great, this might be my favorite of Albertalli’s books. Leah is hilarious as a narrator, and her relationship with Abby spins into an adorable romance. Plus, we get to see more of Simon and Blue, which is always a bonus! If you’re looking for a funny book to read this March, this one should definitely be added to your TBR!
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
A magical enemies to lovers story filled with witchcraft and tons of character development. Lou and Reid are forced to marry, on opposite sides of the war on witchcraft. But their relationship slowly changes over the course of the book as new information is learned. There’s another book coming out this year (shocker!), and I absolutely can’t wait to read more about this world.
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
Alaine is sent to Haiti after her school presentation is a disaster. There, she learns more about her culture as well as starts to mend her relationship with her mother. With few books set in Haiti, not only do readers get to learn more about a new culture, they also are introduced to two strong female journalists. I feel like this one flew under the radar, but it’s so worth the read!