There are two things I absolutely love in a book of any genre: an intriguing plot and a heroine who knows her worth. Books with strong female characters have inspired readers all over the world. It doesn’t matter whether they are solving mysteries, fighting bad men, toppling empires, or simply trying to exist in a world that doesn’t really understand them. They give us the courage to become brave.
If you are craving characters who inspire, captivate, and redefine what it means to be strong, you are in the right place. Today, we are celebrating 25 remarkable books with strong female characters that fall, learn, and rise again. Scroll down and meet your new heroes.
1. Millenium series by Stieg Larsson
Character: Lisbeth Salander
Let’s begin the list with Lisbeth Salander. The dark, brooding, mysterious, and honestly, badass character. My jaw dropped when I first read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Salander is the kind of heroine who refuses to be defined by her trauma. She was assaulted many times but she never lets it get in the way of her life.
She is one of the rare literary women characters who is brilliant with technology. She is fiercely independent, rides a stylish motorbike, and punishes those who hurt her. All the books in the Millennium series are hands down some of the best books with strong female characters for adults.
2. A Song of Ice and Fire by George. R. R. Martin
Characters: Daenerys, Arya, Sansa, Cersei, Brienne of Tarth
A Song of Ice and Fire or more commonly known as Game of Thrones, has many strong female characters. One of the most unforgettable is Daenerys Targaryen, the mother of dragons. She begins her journey terrified and powerless. She was traded like a possession. But with a lot of grace and grit, she became the queen who commands armies.
Similarly, even Sansa Stark goes from a naive, sensitive girl to a cunning political player who learns how to navigate the hurdles. Arya Stark, my personal favorite, trains relentlessly and becomes a strong woman, both physically and mentally.
Their nemesis, Cersei, rules through strategy and she isn’t afraid of claiming what she wants. Lastly, Brienne of Tarth is all about strength, honor, and loyalty.
These women and more in the series written by George R. R. Martin teaches us to fight for survival, justice, and their own destiny. If you are looking for the best fantasy books with strong female characters, go ahead and pick A Song of Ice and Fire. We promise, you won’t be disappointed.
3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Characters: Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy
Little Women is one among the greatest classic books of all time. It was way ahead of its time. The March sisters (Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy) represent a unique kind of strength that still resonates with readers today. Jo is bold and passionate about her career, and she wants to be the master of her destiny.
On the contrary, Meg chooses a quiet and simple life, showing that this is also equally brave. Beth is gentle and kind, whereas Amy is creative and ambitious. One thing we all need to learn from this book is that womanhood isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Each woman has different wants, likes, and dislikes. If one wants to get married and live a peaceful life, that’s great. If another woman wants to become the CEO and shatter the glass ceiling, that’s great too. Womanhood is diverse, and such classic books with strong female characters prove so.
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Character: Liesel Meminger
If there’s one book I could read again for the first time, it would be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The way it is written, the emotions it conveys, and the quietly powerful heroine, Liesel Meminger. She is small yet mighty who is torn from her family and placed with foster parents.
Amidst the cruelty of war, she finds her strength in words. In books. In stories. And in the list of historical fiction books with strong female characters, Liesel’s strength and courage stand apart. They lie in compassion and kindness. It reminds us that resistance can begin with a single stolen page.
5. The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
Characters: Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley
The Harry Potter series is one of the most famous fantasy books of all time. Even though it’s about the Boy Who Lived, we can’t deny the importance of Hermione Granger. I mean.. without her, Harry would have died in the first book. She is intelligent, brave, and unafraid to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular.
My all time favorite character in the series is Luna Lovegood. She embraces her uniqueness confidently, without any apology. And we can’t forget about Ginny Weasley. She went from being shy to fighting against the most powerful wizards and witches in the history of Hogwarts. If you want to read YA books with strong female characters, all the Harry Potter novels need to be on your list.
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6. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Characters: Offred, Moira, Serena Joy
In the totalitarian regime of Gilead, Offred, Moira, and Serena Joy show us the immense courage it takes for women to survive in a patriarchal society. The Handmaid’s Tale is a haunting example of an oppressive world.
Offred is stripped of her name, identity, and freedom. But she is resilient and hopeful. Moira refuses to let the regime break her spirit. That’s one thing we can all learn from her. Even Serena Joy shows strength in her quiet ways. Together, these women reveal that survival itself can be a radical act.
7. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Character: Eleanor Opliphant
In Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, Eleanor is a different kind of strong female character. She isn’t swinging swords or leading revolutions. She is simply trying to navigate her daily life while carrying deep emotional scars.
Chapter books with strong female characters can warm your heart. In this one, as the story unfolds, we witness Eleanor’s transformation. From a girl who has her guards up to letting herself feel connected. She learns to accept help without feeling weak. Honestly, that’s the kind of strength we all need in today’s fast-paced life.
8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Character: Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre is a timeless classic book that teaches women to know their worth and in literature, Jane has always been a symbol of self-respect and moral courage. Growing up unloved and mistreated, she learns early to depend on her own strength.
When Jane is faced with heartbreak and social injustice, she still refuses to compromise her principles. It’s one of the best classic books with strong female characters.
9. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Character: Celia
Silenced, abused, and constantly told that she is worthless. That’s the life Celia has lived. To ease her pain and suffering, she begins to write letters as her only form of expression. Poets write poems. Painters paint. And Celia wrote letters as an act of survival.
From fear to self-acceptance, her growth is profound and a must-read for those who want to see powerful portrayals of female strength in literature. This story exhibits that empowerment can blossom even in the harshest circumstances, and sisterhood can change everything.
10. Circe by Madeline Miller
Character: Circe
I cannot praise this book enough. It’s a fictional story about the famous witch of Greek mythology, Circe. She is banished to a lonely island for having powers.
But this doesn’t stop her from exploring her powers. She hones her magic. She challenges gods and monsters alike. Circe is a compelling heroine who decides to write her own fate. If you love Greek mythology, you need to read this book.
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11. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Character: Esther Greenwood
The Bell Jar is Sylvia Plath’s only novel where she talks about her own suffering in a fictionalized manner. Esther Greenwood is facing mental health issues in a world that expects her to be perfect. She is constantly feeling trapped inside a metaphorical “bell jar”.
Despite all the struggles and sorrows, she never breaks. Her journey toward healing is deep and imperfect but that’s what makes it so real. If you too are going through mental hardships, then just surviving and trying to recover shows that you have immense strength and courage.
12. A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum
Characters: Isra, Deya, Fareeda
There are three women at the heart of this story. Isra, Deya, and Fareeda. Each shows strength in their own way. They live in a society where women’s voices are silenced and their dreams are ignored. But this doesn’t stop them.
They fight for the most basic right ever: the right to choose their own life. Written by an American-Palestinian writer, the book is a great way to learn more about the Palestinian culture.
13. Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharti
Characters: Mayya, Asma, Khawla
Winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2009, Celestial Bodies is a book I’ve read more than once. It’s about the Al-Awafi sisters who navigate love, marriage, and identity in Oman, where some people are modern and some are still traditional and backward.
Their journeys intersect throughout. Mayya buries her heartbreak and learns how to be happy on her own. Asma believes happiness comes from performing her duties sincerely and being patient. Khawla refuses to let go and fights for her love. This beautiful novel brilliantly shows that women’s bravery comes in many forms.
14. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Characters: Mariam, Laila
Khaled Hosseini is an extraordinary writer who narrates powerful and important stories; the ones deserving of your attention. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, Mariam and Laila embody extraordinary courage in the face of devastating circumstances.
Mariam grows up thinking that she is unworthy of love, whereas Laila is educated and doesn’t let loss or war define her future. These two form an unbreakable bond and their story is one that all women must read.
15. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Characters: Ammu, Rahel
Looking for Indian books with strong female characters? The God of Small Things is a powerful novel that defies rigid societal rules and expectations. Despite the constant judgment Ammu faces as a divorced mother, she fights for her right to love and to give her children a future free from shame.
Rahel, her daughter, also inherits her resilience and rebellious nature. Through their intersecting stories, Arundhati Roy narrates the centuries-long oppression women have faced. Also, this book won the Man Booker Prize in 1997.
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16. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Characters: Elizabeth Bennett, Jane Bennett, Charlotte Lucas
How can we discuss strong literary women characters and not mention Elizabeth Bennett? That’s impossible. Some people mistake this book for just a romance novel, but it’s way more than that.
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth is a woman of her principles. She is sharp-witted and won’t marry anyone who doesn’t respect, value, or love her. Apart from her, characters like Jane Bennett and Charlotte Lucas choose kindness even in the face of adversity.
17. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Characters: Katniss Everdeen, Johanna Mason, Rue
The Hunger Games series is a popular YA book with a fantastic female lead, Katniss Everdeen. She is a symbol of survival and rebellion. She is forced into a deadly competition where she uses her skill, intelligence, and instinct to not only survive in the competition but also to protect those she loves.
There are many other characters from The Hunger Games, like Rue and Johanna Mason, who show fierceness in the face of oppression. These fantasy book is a must-read for those looking for YA books with strong female characters.
18. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Character: Hester Prynne
Hester Prynne is a literary icon. She was publicly shamed and forced to wear the letter “A” for committing adultery. She doesn’t let this destroy her.
Instead, Hester builds a life defined by compassion, independence, and dignity. She raises her daughter Pearl with fierce love. We can all learn from her quiet resilience.
19. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Characters: Aibileen, Minny, Skeeter
The Help is an important book on social commentary. It tackles race, sexism, and strict social rules. Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter show courage in the face of these three things in Mississippi during the 1960s.
Together, these women challenge a deeply unfair system. Their courage proves that when you speak up even when you are afraid, it can spark real change.
20. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Characters: Anna Fitzgerald, Kate Fitzgerald
Prepare to have tears streaming down your face if you want to read My Sister’s Keeper. Anna Fitzgerald was born to be a genetic match for her sister, Kate. She spends her whole life going through medical procedures that she never chose. She soon decides to fight for control over her own body.
On the other hand, Kate is the one who suggests she do this despite showing great strength. She doesn’t want her sister to go through more pain. Sometimes having strength means fighting your own parents and supporting your siblings. It’s heartbreaking and one of the saddest books you’ll ever read.
21. The Complete Persepolis by Marianne Satrapi
Character: Marji
Marji is a bold and relatable narrator growing up during the Iranian Revolution. Even when she was a kid, she would question the authority and the unjust system against women.
The Complete Persepolis is a graphic novel where Marji’s rebellious spirit and sharp wit become acts of resistance. Through all the struggles, she doesn’t lose sight of who she is. She tells us to be true to ourselves in any scenario of life.
Conclusion
Books with strong female characters aren’t just entertaining. They are also empowering and inspiring. Every woman’s voice matters and that’s exactly what all these books are about. So here’s to heroines who break barriers, defy expectations, and inspire us to be brave in our own lives.
