These 5 must-read short story books feature women and girls as central characters, exploring their experiences, struggles, and triumphs.

5 Must-Read Short Story Books About Women And Girls

1. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Available at Amazon

Available at Bookshop

A collection of poignant stories exploring the lives of Indian immigrants, many of which center around women and girls navigating cultural and personal challenges.

2. Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

Available at Amazon

Available at Bookshop

A collection of surreal and haunting stories that often center on the experiences of women, exploring themes of desire, identity, and violence.

3. And Then You Apply Ice: Stories by Pamela Gwyn Kripke

Available at Open Books Direct

The women and girls in these twenty-one stories encounter hurt—to their emotions, bodies, beliefs and ideas—confronting who they are or will become. Their predicaments reveal the subtleties of human interaction, the power in one’s decisions and ultimately, the complex resilience that imbues women’s lives. A captivating look at managing transgression, the collection is an honest, funny and astute portrayal of the female experience.

4. Difficult Women by Roxane Gay

Available at Amazon

Available at Bookshop

This collection features a diverse range of stories about women facing various challenges and navigating complex relationships, often with themes of resilience and survival.

5. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin

Available at Amazon

Available at Bookshop

A posthumous collection of stories that offer a glimpse into the lives of women from various walks of life, exploring themes of addiction, family, and resilience.

Visit our Reading Essentials section to discover the best bookshelves, reading chairs, book lights for reading at night, and more!

Receive top book recommendations directly in your inbox.