I stated in Plans for my reading in 2011 that I wanted to read a selected number of American writers, especially women writers. I tend to focus a lot more on African-American and other writers of color when I read American fiction. Frankly, I’ve overlooked contemporary white and Jewish American authors and I want to remedy the oversight. I think I’ve compiled a good list of authors. I used one of Elaine Showalter’s articles in The Guardian as a guide. The list includes a couple of writers of experimental fiction. It excludes several authors, like Barbara Kingsolver, that I have previously read.
Here is the list:
- Cynthia Ozick: The Puttermesser Papers
- Marilynne Robinson: Housekeeping
- Francine Prose: Blue Angel
- Joyce Carol Oates: them
- Anne Tyler: Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant
- Andrea Barrett: Voyage of the Narwhal
- Jane Smiley: Ordinary Love and Good Will
- Bobbie Ann Mason: Shiloh and Other Stories
- Renata Adler: Speedboat or Pitch Dark
- Annie Dillard: The Living
- Jayne Anne Philips: Lark and Termite
- Rebecca Goldstein: The Late-Summer Passion
- Lydia Davis: The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis
- Jennifer Egan: A Visit from the Goon Squad
- Amy Hempel: The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel
- Kathryn Davis: The Girl Who Trod on a Loaf
- Claire Messud: Emperor’s Children
- Rikki Ducornet: Phosphor in Dreamland or The Jade Cabinet
- Carole Maso: AVA
- Gina Ranalli: Suicide Girls in the Afterlife
- Deborah Eisenberg: The Collected Stories of Deborah Eisenberg
- Roxana Robinson: Cost
- Alice Hoffman: Blue Diary
- Lorrie Moore: Self-Help
- Selah Saterstrom: The Meat and Spirit Plan
I’m willing to add another five writers. So suggestions are more than welcome.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I’ve amended the list. It’s now complete :).
[…] Reading List of Women Writers […]
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[…] The Puttermesser Papers by Cynthia Ozick explores the “disappointed” life of intelligent Jewish lawyer Ruth Puttermesser. A prompt for me to start my reading project on contemporary American women writers. […]
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[…] Egan’s book is part of my Contemporary American Women Writers project. Yet, another reminder that I need to get moving on my reading […]
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Alice Hoffman and Amy Tan (who is actually Asian-American) are quite good.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve read Amy Tan but I’m not familiar with Alice Hoffman.
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I’m not sure if you are considering non-fiction – but Sarah Vowell’s books, particularly Assassination Vacation, are excellent.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I’m only considering fiction at this time but will definitely make a note of Sarah Vovell’s books.
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You should check out the Blue Dairy by Alice Hoffman, Kinna. It’s a compelling mystery and emotional roller coaster that kept me gripped from the start. What’s more it bewitchingly written – beautiful, poetic prose captures complex emotions. I can’t recomment the book enough. Happy reading, girl!
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Thanks for the suggestion, Yaba. Myne also suggested Alice Hoffman. I will add it to the list.
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I want to suggest Roxana Robinson. I’ve read at least four of her books, and her writing is special.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I have not heard of Roxana Robinson. Will check her out and amend the list accordingly.
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What about Lorrie Moore, PEOPLE LIKE THAT ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE HERE?
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Now I can’t remember why I left Lorrie Moore off the list. Thanks for the reminder.
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Great list! I can’t wait to see what you think of these!
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Thank you Marie. I’ve bookmarked your list of Russian reads that you published in December (?).
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Hi Kinna,
Wow, what a fantastic list! I especially like that you’ve included some of the most wonderful experimental fiction writers working in the US. Further suggestions: have you thought of Deborah Eisenberg’s short stories? I’ve recently discovered Selah Saterstrom, whose Southern fiction is powerfully moving. Aimee Bender and Rachel Glaser are two interesting younger women writers.
I enjoy reading your review and look forward to the above!
Take care,
Susannah
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Thanks for the visit and for the comment. I’ve decided to read a lot more experimental fiction this year. I will look into the authors and books that you suggested.
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I’m reading A Visit From the Good Squad right now and it is quite good! I haven’t read anything else on your list but I’ve heard of most of them; looks like great choices.
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Yeah, I’ve heard good thing about A Visit From the Goon Squad as well. Looking forward to your review. All the best, Kinna.
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What a great list of authors. I haven’t read any and have only heard of one from the list. I will certainly be watching to see what you think!
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Thanks, Amy. I rather like it myself 🙂
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I swear I already left you this comment, but I’ll leave it again just in case! 😉
I LOVE Hempel; I’ve read two of her ss collections and actually have her Collected Stories lying around here somewhere. I’ve only read a few on your list (I tend to only read modern white American genre stuff), and I’m not sure what you consider contemporary, but have you thought of Eudora Welty, Carson McCuller, or Shirley Jackson? They all sprang to mind for me! I’ll be looking forward to your reviews, since I should probably get better acquainted with these authors myself.
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Well, quite the endorsement of Hempel. I’m not quite sure what I meant by contemporary 🙂 but I’ve read Welty and Jackson. I wanted to read those after Welty. The list is a bit quriky for sure. Thanks for your commentary and suggestions.
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You have an impressive list. Much interested in Messud and Oates.
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Thanks, Geosi. All the best, Kinna
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I haven’t heard of about 99.9 percent of the names, except Joyce Carol Oates and Anne Tyler, I think. Or
Would be reading your thoughts.
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You know that I think you should be reading more women writers, don’t you 🙂
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It’s funny that although I do a lot of reading, I have never read any of these authors. Your list is pretty impressive. It will be nice to know your thoughts when you are completed with the novels. Good Luck:)
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Thanks for the comment. I’m looking forward to reading the list.
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I don’t have an additional author to recommend, but I did like The Emperor’s Children.
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Thanks for the endorsement. All the best, Kinna
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