Here are 100 books that Sometimes a River Song fans have personally recommended if you like
Sometimes a River Song.
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I was born and raised in Oxford, UK, where, just like the characters in the books listed here, my early childhood taught me to be quiet and submissive. Education liberated me from these restraints, and for that I am extremely grateful. Yet, there is still a long way to go. Even now there are societies that do not educate girls and this is just not right. Sadly, despite the resistance of those who challenge the norm, standing up to the patriarchy doesn’t always succeed. But whether it be triumph or tragedy, it certainly makes a great story, and this is obvious in the books I recommend here.
Zina Pavlou is a woman with a past. Her unspeakable acts seem incomprehensible until we are taken across the sea to Cyprus and into her tiny prison cell in the UK, where the true facts emerge.
I found the story compelling, dramatic, and informative, and it landed me disoriented but compassionate inside Zina’s disturbed mind.
**Selected for BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club 2023**
'Tense. Moving. Morally complex. Zina Pavlou is wholly unforgettable.' Rachel Rhys
'Hugely powerful... Easily one of the best books you'll read this year.' Emma Christie
THEY HAVE TOLD SO MANY LIES ABOUT ME.
London, 1954. Zina Pavlou, a Cypriot grandmother, waits quietly in the custody of the Metropolitan police. She can't speak their language, but she understands what their wary looks mean: she has been accused of the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law.
Eva Georgiou, Greek interpreter for the Met, knows how it feels to be voiceless as an immigrant…
The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.
The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.
Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…
I was born and raised in Oxford, UK, where, just like the characters in the books listed here, my early childhood taught me to be quiet and submissive. Education liberated me from these restraints, and for that I am extremely grateful. Yet, there is still a long way to go. Even now there are societies that do not educate girls and this is just not right. Sadly, despite the resistance of those who challenge the norm, standing up to the patriarchy doesn’t always succeed. But whether it be triumph or tragedy, it certainly makes a great story, and this is obvious in the books I recommend here.
This book is about political intrigue and control. I was lured into austere Florentine rooms where, behind wooden panels, ears were listening to every conversation. In darkened medieval streets, I heard footsteps following footsteps, and in great palaces, men with power did as they pleased.
Katherine Mezzacappa has captured the oppressive mood beautifully, setting the scene for the lovely Guilia to emerge and change everything. Her innocence evolves into wisdom, keeping me, the reader, totally engaged and hoping for her salvation.
Florence, 1584. Rumours are spreading about the virility of a prince marrying into the powerful Medici family. Orphan Giulia is chosen to put an end to the gossip. In return she will keep her life - and start a new one with a dowry and her own husband. Cloistered since childhood and an innocent in a world ruled by men, Giulia reluctantly agrees, only to be drawn under the control of the Medicis' lecherous minister.
Years later, married and with a growing family, Giulia hopes she has finally escaped the legacy of her past. But when a threat arrives from…
I was born and raised in Oxford, UK, where, just like the characters in the books listed here, my early childhood taught me to be quiet and submissive. Education liberated me from these restraints, and for that I am extremely grateful. Yet, there is still a long way to go. Even now there are societies that do not educate girls and this is just not right. Sadly, despite the resistance of those who challenge the norm, standing up to the patriarchy doesn’t always succeed. But whether it be triumph or tragedy, it certainly makes a great story, and this is obvious in the books I recommend here.
Set in a community obsessed with the evils of Satan, Mary travels across the Atlantic to the newly settled Americas, hoping to escape her family connection with witchcraft. I hated this story as much as I loved it. Not because it was badly written (It wasn’t) but because of its irrationality and superstition, led and facilitated by the dominance of men.
Celia Rees very cleverly conveys the feelings of the times and the hopelessness of women trying to defend themselves against false accusations. I felt for them and read the story quickly in order to satisfy my quest for a happy ending.
Although ostensibly written for a young adult readership (it was shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize), this is a mature story that is suitable for adults, too. And whilst it is set in the seventeenth century, it is also a cautionary tale of other injustices that still…
'Historical fiction at its very best' - Waterstones' Guide to Kids' Books 'Prolific, erudite and consistently brilliant ... breathtaking' - Guardian 'Powerful, absorbing and unusual' - The Bookseller _______________
An updated edition of this outstanding historical novel, in a stunning new package to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its publication.
When Mary sees her grandmother accused of witchcraft and hanged for the crime, she is silently hurried to safety by an unknown woman. The woman gives her tools to keep the record of her days - paper and ink. Mary is taken to a boat in Plymouth and from…
The Guardian of the Palace is the first novel in a modern fantasy series set in a New York City where magic is real—but hidden, suppressed, and dangerous when exposed.
When an ancient magic begins to leak into the world, a small group of unlikely allies is forced to act…
I was born and raised in Oxford, UK, where, just like the characters in the books listed here, my early childhood taught me to be quiet and submissive. Education liberated me from these restraints, and for that I am extremely grateful. Yet, there is still a long way to go. Even now there are societies that do not educate girls and this is just not right. Sadly, despite the resistance of those who challenge the norm, standing up to the patriarchy doesn’t always succeed. But whether it be triumph or tragedy, it certainly makes a great story, and this is obvious in the books I recommend here.
Samina is a rebel living in a traditional Pakistani community. I loved the tension between the expectations of her extended family set against her intellect and ambition. I found the quiet, subtle support of her mother really appealing, too.
It is a story steeped in drama and tragedy as well as triumph of the spirit. It opened my eyes, made me smile and made me weep. I thoroughly recommend this book for those readers who want quiet voices to be heard.
1st Place Winner PNWA Literary Novel Unpublished Contest 2022
Can a girl who wants to know the world beyond her courtyard walls survive in a country where violence against women is often as near as a male family member?
When wealthy farmer Nasir offers Samina a scholarship to attend primary school her father doesn't approve. He closes doors to her life goals while Nasir opens them. As Samina grows into young womanhood she falls in love with Nasir, who returns her feelings. But soon Samina's family descends into chaos. Her eldest sister who is…
I love historical stories that challenge the status quo. To me, patriarchy shows up when dominant members of a single group (generally white cisgender men) fiercely grab and hold onto power by erecting systemic barriers based on gender, race, and class. It silences or cuts off anyone in these marginalized groups from having agency and treats these groups as “less than.” Historical stories that overturn patriarchy inspire me.
This unexpected discovery—the story of Meg of St. Michael’s Mead in the 14th century—exemplifies the best of what draws readers to historical fiction. First, there's the heroine, Meg, a young woman coming of age and marked by a facial disfigurement. Immediately, we understand her outsider status, her alienation, and her inevitable struggle against others' scapegoating.
This scapegoating stems not only from typical ignorance but also from the very real fears of the time that she might be a child of the Devil. Meg's life and journey are populated with memorable allies and enemies, but it's her determination to cultivate her talents in women's health—despite the opposition of the male medical elite—that lends her story contemporary relevance.
She struggles against her enemies. But still, they stand in her way.
In 14th century England, Meg of St. Michael's Mead endures a life of abuse and isolation due to her birth deformity. However, her fortunes change when the village wise woman saves her and teaches her the art of healing. After witnessing a shocking birth, Meg discovers her true purpose: to become England's first licensed female physician and provide compassionate care to women.
To achieve her goal, Meg seeks the tutelage of William of Oxford, a gruff surgeon who agrees to mentor her. But there's a catch. She must…
Since 1996 when my first trip to Venice rearranged my interior life, I have been visiting the city and learning everything I can about it. Most of my reading led me to men’s history, but with some digging, I uncovered the stories of Venice’s inspired, undaunted, hardworking women. Their proto-feminism motivated me to share their stories with others in an attempt to redefine beauty. I’ve also created videos showing sites connected to these women’s lives, and I’ve written four books about Venetians, including extensive research into Giacomo Casanova and two anthologies celebrating Venetian life. Reading and writing about Venice helps me connect more deeply with my favorite city.
Sometimes reading eighteenth-century writing can be tedious due to the differing norms and expectations of writing. But Archangela Tarabotti’s essays burn the page.
Her anger is incandescent. She became a cloistered nun without a calling and lived her years trying to make a life of letters. Though she had a couple patrons—men—who brought her books and helped publish her works, she was at their mercy and was later nearly silenced by them. She rails against fathers, priests, and powerful nobles who limit women’s choices and voices. I have never forgotten her anger at injustice.
Sharp-witted and sharp-tongued, Arcangela Tarabotti (1604-52) yearned to be formally educated and enjoy an independent life in Venetian literary circles. But instead, at sixteen, her father forced her into a Benedictine convent. To protest her confinement, Tarabotti composed polemical works exposing the many injustices perpetrated against women of her day.
Paternal Tyranny, the first of these works, is a fiery but carefully argued manifesto against the oppression of women by the Venetian patriarchy. Denouncing key misogynist texts of the era, Tarabotti shows how despicable it was for Venice, a republic that prided itself on its political liberties, to deprive its…
Aury and Scott travel to the Finger Lakes in New York’s wine country to get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings at the Songscape Winery. Disturbed furniture and curious noises are one thing, but when a customer winds up dead, it’s time to dig into the details and see…
Let’s face it—we spend a lot of time at work. Work is a big part of our lives, but sometimes it’s terrible and feels like there is no winning against institutionalized sexism and capitalism. And you really want to win! I love reading about women who are finding ways to overcome massive obstacles at work no matter what gets in their way, whether it’s by destroying an industry with a spreadsheet, breaking a curse, ditching a bad boss, or just finding a way to survive. Because sometimes that’s all you can do—survive it. Stories of women working feel endlessly relatable because we have so many shared experiences, and that’s why what happens at work shows up in my reading and my writing.
This book is full of petty rivalries and hierarchies that seem high stakes in the moment but, with time and distance, seem absurd. Competition between employees at the LA television station where the novel takes place is cutthroat. There’s no trust, no downtime, and something as simple as taking a day off with the flu can destroy your standing.
This book is chaotic and challenging and somehow perfectly captures the feel of an office in a fast-paced office that takes itself too seriously. I’ve been there, and I felt every moment of this book. Kaplan finds ways to point out how ridiculous our workplaces are while still honouring the experiences of the women who work there. It is highly relatable and wrenching.
The compulsively readable novel about a young woman trying to succeed in Hollywood without selling her soul - perfect for fans of Sweetbitter, My Dark Vanessa and Exciting Times
'Deliciously sharp, ridiculously funny, and surprisingly heartfelt' COCO MELLORS 'A blistering look at the hidden side of Hollywood' GLAMOUR 'Frank, funny and unputdownable' CLAIRE MESSUD 'Glittering. A funny, spiky, compulsive story about toxic workplaces' EVENING STANDARD 'A frank account of leaning in and its inherent filthiness' RAVEN LEILANI ________
You knew Hollywood would be difficult.
So when you land a job in television, you're ready for anything: pulling all-nighters, leaning on…
I am an LA-based author, sociologist, and cultural and political theorist who writes from beyond the surface. A seer since childhood, I have always challenged the official story (even when it got me in trouble), guided by my intuition and a refusal to accept injustice as inevitable. My writing is fueled by a deep curiosity to unravel society’s darkest puzzles—systems of control, violence, collective amnesia—and to imagine what could exist beyond them. Through storytelling, I invite readers to question what they’ve been taught and to see the world not only as it appears, but as it truly is, and reimagine what it could be.
This book came to me when I had survived so much up until that point and really began to realize the need to liberate myself and release social conditioning. I was like, “Goodness, this is the book I need to hold up anytime someone shames me using tropes about a ‘woman’s place’ in the world.”
I enjoyed how it invites you to question why powerful figures in traditional religious institutions have been rendered as men. She pushes us to go farther back in history, before Abrahamic religions, to trace the spread of disinformation about women as leaders, goddesses, and powerful beings.
I love this book because it is useful at any step of your journey to reclaiming personal power.
The landmark exploration of the ancient worship of the Great Goddess and the eventual supression of women's rites.
In the beginning, God was a woman...
How did the shift from matriarchy to patriarchy come about? In fascinating detail, Merlin Stone tells us the story of the Goddess who reigned supreme in the Near and Middle East. Under her reign, societal roles differed markedly from those in patriarchal Judeo-Christian cultures: women bought and sold property, traded in the marketplace, and inherited title and land from their mothers. Documenting the wholesale rewriting of myth and religious dogmas, Merlin Stone describes an ancient…
Let’s face it—we spend a lot of time at work. Work is a big part of our lives, but sometimes it’s terrible and feels like there is no winning against institutionalized sexism and capitalism. And you really want to win! I love reading about women who are finding ways to overcome massive obstacles at work no matter what gets in their way, whether it’s by destroying an industry with a spreadsheet, breaking a curse, ditching a bad boss, or just finding a way to survive. Because sometimes that’s all you can do—survive it. Stories of women working feel endlessly relatable because we have so many shared experiences, and that’s why what happens at work shows up in my reading and my writing.
This novel caught my eye for one simple reason—the protagonist attempts to destroy her society with a spreadsheet. Although a fantasy in which the modern world (even office life) is divided between heroes and villains, this novel lands on some brutal truths—like the difference between good and evil is mostly marketing and that some people will do anything for the right job.
It’s a hilarious book that pokes fun at the most absurd bosses, the things we do for work, and the real harm a toxic workplace or system causes everyone. The supervillain/hero context provides food for thought without slowing the story down or causing work-related cold sweats.
"This book is fast, furious, compelling, and angry as hell." -Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author
The Boys meets My Year of Rest and Relaxation in this smart, imaginative, and evocative novel of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption, told with razor-sharp wit and affection, in which a young woman discovers the greatest superpower-for good or ill-is a properly executed spreadsheet.
Includes a bonus story for the paperback.
Anna does boring things for terrible people because even criminals need office help and she needs a job. Working for a monster lurking beneath the surface of the world isn't glamorous. But…
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…
I was living one of the darkest periods of my life when a friend took me to a Louise Bourgeois show. I wandered among her pieces feeling numb. Then I entered a large room filled with Passage Dangereux from 1997. A most depressing art piece that put me into contact with the restrictions in a family, the limitations we set for each other, and the unhappiness everywhere. When I left the room, I felt a lift in my spirits. I’m a writer to try to put more precise words to what goes on inside ourselves when we are alone and when we fall in love and enter into a relationship with another person.
A man I was working with recommended this book to me, when he heard about my novel, while it was in the making. I got hold of this book and already after the first chapter I understood why. Janice Radway investigates how Harlequin novels have such a large audience. In essence it is because romance novels always end well, as opposed to life, that keeps being complicated. It taught me that I’m a very romantic person. This was something I had never regarded as a positive trait so of course I failed to see just how important romance was and is to me. By identifying with millions of women who read these romance novels, I gained a respect that I still feel is lacking in our culture: A respect for our emotions and the big role they play in our sense of satisfaction with life.
Originally published in 1984, Reading the Romance challenges popular (and often demeaning) myths about why romantic fiction, one of publishing's most lucrative categories, captivates millions of women readers. Among those who have disparaged romance reading are feminists, literary critics, and theorists of mass culture. They claim that romances enforce the woman reader's dependence on men and acceptance of the repressive ideology purveyed by popular culture. Radway questions such claims, arguing that critical attention ""must shift from the text itself, taken in isolation, to the complex social event of reading."" She examines that event, from the complicated business of publishing and…
