For English class, I have to pick a book that was either written by a woman or features female characters in leading roles. The teacher gave us a list of possible books to read, but it's filled with people like Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott - in other words, books that I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in reading. I wanted to read Stephen King or something, but the teacher said that he's too popular and she wants us to choose "a piece of literature that you wouldn't normally pick up." We can choose a book that isn't on the list, so I decided to ask here for help. Does anyone know of any books that fit the above criteria without being totally boring? She said that it doesn't have to be a historical book, and that it could be modern if we want, but I have no idea what I should pick. Help, please!
2007-10-23 07:46:43 · 12 answers · asked by myusername 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Here's a great one. Smilla's Sense of Snow, by Peter Hoeg (?). It was a literary best-seller in the mid80s, and even made into a movie.
An adventure that included a little otherworldly mystery, set in Denmark/Iceland/Greenland with terrific characters.
Google it, or get the description from Amazon. and ask to read that one. You'll find it at your local public library.
2007-10-23 07:52:32 · answer #1 · answered by noname 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really know what kinds of books you like, so in no particular order, here you go.
I've been enjoying Philippa Gregory's books lately; one of them, The Other Boleyn Girl, is coming out as a movie soon. I just finished The Boleyn Legacy. Both of these books are full of strong female characters.
I don't know if science fiction is acceptable. If so, Sheri Tepper writes strong female characters (and the books definitely have their own point of view, which makes them easy to review). Nearly all of Marge Piercy's books have female protagonists; I particularly enjoyed City of Darkness, City of Light, which is about the French Revolution.
I'd also suggest going back to the list your teacher gave you. Sometimes older books can surprise you (although I'll never like Jane Austen).
2007-10-23 07:56:33 · answer #2 · answered by marvymom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
2007-10-23 08:44:13 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" by Stephen King (Surprise!).
It's got a female in the leading role, it's by Steve King, and it's probably not "what you'd normally pick up"!
2007-10-23 09:06:20 · answer #4 · answered by al 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood
You just might like this. It's about two young men, possibly the only human survivors after some terrible disaster has left the world a wasteland. One is playing God. It's sci-fi, fairly straightforward, plenty to think about, but you don't have to dig for any deep meaning. Good characters, good story from one of the best authors around.
2007-10-23 08:49:08 · answer #5 · answered by Diana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beloved by Toni Morrison
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Lovely Bones - Alice Seabold
Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
Fried Green Tomatos - Fanny Flagg
2007-10-23 12:12:45 · answer #6 · answered by Deb W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try reading the life story of Mary Shelley, the wife of poet Percy B. Shelley. She's also the author of of the book Frankenstein. Her life story is stranger fiction and contains more twists and turns than a modern mystery.
Kim F.
2007-10-23 08:33:04 · answer #7 · answered by Kim F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually those books which you have no interest in reading are exactly the books you should read! Get them under your belt.
It is hard to be considered 'well read' if you've never read LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott or PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE by Jane Austen.
Try: THE GUNS OF AUGUST by Barbara Tuchman
THE GOOD EARTH by Pearl S. Buck
SILENT SPRING by Rachel Carson
STILLWELL AND THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN CHINA by Barbara Tuchman
'MORGAN: American Financier' by Jean Strouse
'BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: The Musician and Inventor' by Cecilia Brauer
2007-10-23 08:16:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
historic Fiction: the two aspects of Time sequence- Caroline B. Cooney (additionally romance) Bloody Jack sequence-L. A. Meyer (additionally adventure) If I could Die earlier I Wake- Han Nolan the excellent and undesirable splendor sequence- Libba Bray (additionally fantasyish fiction) the different Boleyn female- Philippa Gregory The Queen’s fool- Philippa Gregory The consistent Princess- Philippa Gregory The Bolelyn Inheritance- Philippa Gregory The e book Thief- Markus Zusak Fantasyish Fiction Twilight sequence- Stephenie Meyer (additionally romance) The Mediator sequence- Meg Cabot (additionally romance) Avalon intense- Meg Cabot (sorta) Uglies sequence-Scott Westerfeld Midnighters sequence- Scott Westerfeld Fiction: All American female- Meg Cabot Airhead- Meg Cabot The Earth, My Butt, and different huge around issues - Carolyn Mackler Fly on the Wall- E. Lockhart Megan Meade’s instruction manual to the McGowan Boys- Kate Brian fortunate T- Kate Brian The 5 human beings You Meet in Heaven- Mitch Albom My Sister’s Keeper- Jodi Picoult replace of heart- Jodi Picoult The Da Vinci Code- Dan Brown Romance: The Angels Trilogy- Lurlene Mcdaniel The %.- Jodi Picoult The computing device- Nicholas Sparks secret: Stranger With My Face- Lois Duncan Down a dismal corridor- Lois Duncan Locked in Time-Lois Duncan Any e book via R.L Stine Non- Fiction a new child pronounced as It- Dave Pelzer Who Killed My Daughter- Louis Duncan Diary of a youthful female- Anne Frank
2016-10-04 10:45:43 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
-Fits both criteria
-Is a classic
-Is both a romance and suspenseful story/ murder mystery
-Hitchcock made a movie version that follows the book fairly well
You might actually enjoy it, and it definately is something you wouldn't generally pick up.
2007-10-23 08:05:35 · answer #10 · answered by Angeliss 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋