In recognition of International Women's Day on March 8, RTL Today has compiled a selection of influential books written by women. The list highlights stories of resilience, identity, and empowerment through diverse narratives from mythology to dystopia. These works offer insights into women's experiences across different eras and settings.
International Women's Day, observed annually on March 8, prompts reflections on women's achievements and challenges. RTL Today's article, published on March 8, 2026, presents five recommended reads by female authors to mark the occasion.
The first is Circe by Madeline Miller, which reimagines the life of the witch from Greek mythology. The protagonist, daughter of the sun god Helios, faces rejection from her family for her perceived weaknesses. Exiled to an island, she develops her witchcraft skills and encounters figures like Odysseus, ultimately shaping her own path in a male-dominated divine realm. Described as blending mythology with emotional layers, it appeals to readers of more mature tales inspired by series like Percy Jackson. The book earned the Goodreads Choice Awards and Athenaum Literary Award in 2018, plus the Indies Choice Book Awards in 2019. Miller's other works include Song of Achilles and Galatea.
Next, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston traces the journey of Janie Crawford, a Black woman in the early 1900s American South. Through three marriages, the novel examines her quest for self-expression, love, and autonomy amid racial and social barriers. Hurston's dialect-driven, poetic style captures the vibrancy of Black communities and delves into self-realization versus societal norms. It stands as an enduring classic.
Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, released in 2017, gained popularity on platforms like BookTok and Goodreads. Framed as a fictional memoir, it chronicles the life of Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo, her seven marriages, friendships, and the industry's hidden struggles. The narrative underscores a woman's determination to succeed despite era-specific limitations, emphasizing resilience and personal agency.
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale depicts a dystopian society, the Republic of Gilead, where women like the protagonist Offred are subjugated to reproduce for elites. It portrays subtle acts of defiance against patriarchal oppression. Shortlisted for the 1986 Booker Prize, the story's relevance persists, with an HBO television adaptation extending its reach. Fans of speculative fiction may compare it to Fahrenheit 451 and 1984.
Finally, Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend explores the bond between Elena Greco and Lila Cerullo in mid-20th-century Naples. Amid poverty, the girls confront family pressures, education, and rivalry while pursuing growth. Ferrante's vivid, personal writing evokes the era's hardships and celebrates ambition as a means of overcoming obstacles.
These selections span genres and highlight themes of female strength, making them suitable for the day's focus on women's voices.