Women’s Books to Be Read by All

Open just about any literature textbook and you’ll most likely see that women writers make up just a small fraction of the contents.

It shouldn’t be that way. Women have been writing in all genres for centuries and there are more good women writers today than ever before.

Because March is recognized nationally as Women’s History Month, I asked some of my colleagues to join me in recommending a diverse group of books exploring the female experience.

These books are not for women only. Women and men, teen-agers and adults can find enjoyment and meaning in any of these works.

“Anywhere But Here,” by Mona Simpson, is about a mother and her young daughter who move to Los Angeles after a divorce.

Although this is a dysfunctional family, the descriptions of some of their experiences are gently funny and hold a special pleasure for Angelenos who will recognize the settings.

“Anywhere But Here” deals realistically and humorously with the problems of divorce and single parenting that growing numbers of women are experiencing. And it is an interesting story in its own right.

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, presents worst-case scenarios of the limits and societal pressures that North American women have fought strongly against. “It deals with so many issues of women,” said Carol Jago, an English teacher. “It’s a frightening book, a powerful but haunting story.”

“Tracks” and “Love Medicine,” by Louise Erdrich, both present the lives of American Indian families from the women’s point of view.

Erdrich is half-Indian, and although her stories are realistic, she adds intriguing elements of the supernatural--and makes them believable. “You just accept them as real, much like you’d accept the magic in a folk tale,” said Rob Thais, another English teacher. “That’s one of the things I find amazing about it.”

“A is for Alibi,” by Sue Grafton, is one of several books that challenge the stereotype that good detective stories must always star hard-boiled men.

Grafton’s protagonist is tough all right, but this one’s a woman who reappears throughout the detective series, which now includes almost 10 novels.

“It’s wonderful light reading and it’s an unusual character choice,” observed English teacher Meredith Bilson.

“The Players Come Again” was written by Amanda Cross, another writer who features a female detective. This book is the latest in a series by Cross, who is a widely known scholar of English literature at Columbia University (her real name is Carol Heilbrun). It’s no surprise that Kate Fansler, Cross’ recurring detective character, is a literature professor who solves crimes in her spare time.

In terms of women’s history, many biographies are available about remarkable women of all backgrounds, eras and careers, but the “American Women of Achievement” series is especially good.

Each of the 50 books describes a woman who has affected American history or culture. The list includes U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; biologists Florence Sapin and Elizabeth Blackwell; entertainers Mae West, Beverly Sills and Katharine Hepburn; athletes Althea Gibson and Wilma Rudolph, and activists Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan.

“A Fanatic Heart” is the latest collection of decidedly feminist short stories by one of my favorite Irish writers, Edna O’Brian.

Her characters are as up-to-date as can be--frequently they are single mothers--and are women struggling for fair treatment or rebelling against the Catholic church; some are divorcees looking for a fresh start in life.

For women’s poetry beyond the usual Emily Dickinson fare, “try any of the poems by Alice Walker, especially those she has written for her 17-year-old daughter,” suggested Peggy Shackelton, also an English teacher.

Probably best known as the author of “The Color Purple,” Walker is a prolific poet and essayist on a range of topics concerning women. “She’s honest, she writes extraordinarily well, and from her own experience,” said Shackelton. “She doesn’t preach--she tells it like it is.”

Although there is much less women’s literature available for grade-school children, here are a couple of my favorites:

“Harriet and the Promised Land,” by Jacob Lawrence, is the first book that I can remember being affected by, way back in the second grade.

Twenty years later, I still value what I learned about how a woman armed with a noble purpose and strong will can beat injustice and improve other people’s lives. Harriet Tubman, the story’s protagonist, did just that by risking her life to help hundreds of slaves flee to freedom in the North.

“I Hate English!” by Ellen Levine, tells of a girl named Mei Mei who moves from Hong Kong to New York City. But she refuses to speak English for fear of losing her Chinese culture and identity.

Soon she bonds with a very American teacher and sees that she can actually have the best of both cultures.

“I Hate English!” features wonderfully bright watercolor illustrations by Steve Bjorkman, and it gives a refreshing young and feminine perspective on the traditional immigrant story.

Mary Yarber teaches English and journalism at an area high school.