Five books to read during Women’s History Month

Izabella Black, sophomore international studies major, looks at a Barnes & Noble book selection. PHOTO BY ERIKA FOTI.

Spring is about the flowers blooming, coming back to life after winter, rebirth, change and coming of age. Not only is March the first month of spring, but it is also Women’s History Month. During this month, people celebrate and appreciate the contributions women have made and will make in the future. As a dedication to Women’s History Month, the recommended books are all written by female writers.

“The Seed Keeper”

Diana Wilson authored a haunting novel about generational trauma, Dakhóta culture and people’s connection to seeds and nature. Wilson published “The Seed Keeper” in 2021 and won the 2022 Minnesota Book Award for Fiction. “The Seed Keeper” is written in the perspectives of four women in Rosalie Iron Wing’s family.

After losing her father and being sent to foster care, Rosalie returns home years later to learn more about her family’s history. She discovers that they protect the seeds, which are living, breathing things that tell stories of all that happens in the land. Wilson got inspiration from being a gardener herself and from writing her own family’s memoir.

“The Songs You’ve Never Heard”

A dual-written novel published in June 2022 by K-pop writer Becky Jerams and children’s music composer Ellie Wyatt. This novel is a fun read for music lovers, as it is about two girls, Meg McCarthy and Alana Howard, trying to get their music out there into the world.

Meg’s older brother, Caspar, is an already famous musician. After being overshadowed by her brother and cyberbullied by her peers, she is afraid of sharing her music with the rest of the world. This changes when she meets Alana, a songwriter in Brighton, England, who is bullied for her weight. Compared to Meg, Alana is unafraid to show her talent and stand out. The themes of this novel are friendship, sisterhood, musical talent and body positivity.

“The Wild Ones”

In August 2021, Nafiza Azad published “The Wild Ones,” a thrilling piece of fantasy fiction about strong women. The novel follows Paheli and all the other Wild Ones protecting the magical community, women, children and their creator, Taraana.

The novel intertwines several different points of view, such as third person, the point of view of the main protagonist Paheli and little poems of the lives of the other girls. Azad presents women from all around the world that have gone through so much, while giving the reader a mystical tale of friendship and women’s power.

“I Have Some Questions for You”

Rebecca Makkai’s “I Have Some Questions for You” was named the most anticipated book of 2023 by Times magazine, NPR and more. Published on Feb. 21, the novel is a literary drama and murder mystery that touches on sexual harassment and race. “I Have Some Questions for You” is about Bodie Kane, a professor who goes back to her old boarding school to teach a podcasting class. Two of Bodie’s students decide to create a serial-like podcast about the death of Bodie’s old roommate, Thalia Keith. Back then everyone blamed the Black athletic trainer, but the podcast makes Bodie look back to recount events to uncover the truth about her roommate’s death.

“What the Fireflies Knew”

This novel is Kai Harris’ debut novel, and she published it in February 2022. “What the Fireflies Knew” focuses on racism, relationships and the coming-of-age of Kenyatta Bernice (KB), a 10-year-old girl who loses her father to an overdose.

After her father dies, KB moves to her grandfather’s house with her sister for the summer. Everything in her life changed when her father died. Her sister is distant, her mother is missing and her grandfather is stoic. As the novel progresses, KB grows and forges her own identity.

These novels highlight the creative minds of women and touch on elements like race, harassment, change and nature.