November 1, 2011 By 109 Comments

Best Women’s Fiction Books? You Tell Us.

Nominations for the Best Women’s Fiction poll are now open.

Fall, a time of beautiful leaves, bountiful harvests and first snow, and like many of you, we enjoy our quiet moments with a great book. As the busy Holiday Season approaches, nominate your all-time favorite Women’s Fiction books for our upcoming poll.

Heart Press is focusing our Fall reader poll on Women’s Fiction. During the coming weeks, your nominations will decide the short list of titles that make it into our Top 100 poll of the best Women’s Fiction (WF) ever written.

Books & Pocket Watch
The first step in the process is to assemble nominees from you, the audience. To nominate your favorite WF books, write the titles and authors into the Comments section below, or if this is too public, send your nominations via email: Send Mail



Here are a few guidelines:

  1. Limit yourself to five titles per comment. Don’t hesitate to nominate a book that someone else has already listed; your entry will count as a vote in favor of that title progressing to the next round.
  2. Our definition of Women’s Fiction is simple; a plausible story appealing more to women than men. Also, no young-adult or children’s titles, please.
  3. The mass genres are out too, so please, no Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Paranormal, etc; which disqualifies most of Stephen King, Charlaine Harris, Stephenie Meyer and the like.
  4. Feel free to nominate a series as a single, collective work rather than listing individual books. That said, there are series and series: To qualify as a collective work, the books in a series must be written consistently by the same originating author or authors.

That’s it, but I can hear the howls of protest already. But arguing the fine points of “Women’s Fiction” rules and such is half the fun (for the record, yes Romance is in, if between humans). In the end, a panel of WF writers and critics will make the tough calls about what’s in or out.

“Melancholy were the sounds on a winter’s night.” – Virginia Woolf, Jacob’s Room

Before the approaching season of home & hearth arrives, let’s make the most of it with a harvest celebration of fantastic fiction. Give us your lists!

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  • Salanie

    The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle
    How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal
    Blackbird Fly by Lise McClendon
    Sweet Tea and Secrets by Nancy Naigle
    High Heels series by Gemma Halliday

  • Anonymous

    I would nominate the book titled Where the Willow Grows in Transylvania. A great story and this book is a heartfelt story. If anyone wants a good book this is the one. I would pick this book over my book. Being honest.” Where the Willow Grows in Transylvania.

  • Rhmiles

    I nominate these books by Linda Rettstatt:
     
    Next Time I’m Gonna Dance
    Shooting Into the Sun
    Finding Hope
    Love, Sam

  • http://www.lindarettstatt.com Linda Rettstatt

    I nominate:
     
    Silver Girl  by Elin Hilderbrand
    Hearts on a String by Kris Radish
    Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
    The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg
    Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook

  • Brina_polk5

    I nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott!

  • Pat Koehnen

    I am voting for /Collette Scott. I have read Forever Sunshine and Hannah’s Blessing and loved both of them. I can not believe she is a first time writer. Last night I read until 2am as I could not put Hannah’s Blessing down. I can’t wait to read her new book If We Dare To Dream.
    Pat Koehnen

  • http://heartpress.com/ SL Clark

    I want to thank everyone for their nominations. The poll is live here:

     http://heartpress.com/2011/12/best-of-womens-fiction-poll.html

    If we missed an important title, please tell us about it here:

     http://heartpress.com/about/contact

    Thanks,
    -Steve Clark
    Publisher, Heart Press

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephanie-Watkins/1786613270 Stephanie Watkins

    I vote for Betty Dravis “1106 Grand Boulavard”

  • Carolyn

    Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott1106 Grand Boulevard by Betty Dravis
    Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out! by Pandora Piokilos
    Guardian of Time by Linda Hawley

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sheri-Ann-Richerson/100002661385118 Sheri Ann Richerson

    I nominate 1106 GRAND BOULEVARD by Betty Dravis.

  • Marg_schoeffel

    I nominate  “Dollars to Donuts” by Kathleen Kole

  • Chick Lit Lover

    Family Pieces by Misa Rush
    Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda

  • http://www.judyanndavis.com J.A. Davis

    I nominate: Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley

  • Zenwen

    The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell

  • Errorism

    I nominate,

    The Darling Strumpet by Gillain Bagwell

  • Melinda Schweigert

    I nominate The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell

  • Gillian Bagwell

    Well, I’ve got to nominate my own two books (my first and second) which both came out in 2011 to rave reviews: “The Darling Strumpet” and “The September Queen.”

  • Jenehilt

    Susan Juby’s “Home to Woefield”
    Lolly Winston “Good Grief”
    Jane Austen “Persuasion”

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  • Alexandra

    I nominate:
    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Grace

    I nominate:
    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley
    Because it’s one of the most exciting female characters I’ve ever read.

  • Kc Stone29

    I would like to nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott!

  • Monkeyfeet0702

    I nominate Collette Scott “Forever Sunshine”. She’s always a winner in my book!

  • Collette Scott

    I really had to think about this a long time, for I have read some of the classics, the bestsellers and the indies. Personally, I love the heroines that are human but tough.They face their problems and don’t allow tragedy to get them down. Narrowing down to five was so hard, but I will:

    1. 1106 Grand Boulevard by Betty Dravis  – another great tale of a domestic violence survivor
     
    2. Surviving Emily by Laurie Bellesheim – a tearjerker about a very real disease

    3. Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos – a survival story!

    4. Dreams Unleashed by Linda Hawley – a really tough heroine that is not afraid to stick up for her rights

    And if it’s okay to vote for my own…

    5. Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott - a tearjerker about love, loss and survival.

  • Rai29

    I want to nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott

  • Belinda

    I nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott

  • Info

    “The Wildwater Walking Club” by Claire Cook
    “Dollars to Donuts” by Kathleen Kole
    “Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella

  • Lord David Prosser

    I should like to nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott. A novel dealing with a subject that every woman must be aware of and should know how to deal with.

  • Jeanz

    I would also like to nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott
    and For Every action There Are Consequences by Gail Baugniet
    and the girl In The Box by Sheila Dalton
    and 5 Reasons To Leave A Lover by Carolyn Moncel
    and finally The Bringer by Samantha Towle (hope this one is within the rules?)

  • tmurrell

    Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott
    The Help by Kathryn Stockett
    Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
    Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich

  • Jenny

    I would like to nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott.

  • Millmorem

    Dreams Unleashed and Guardian of Time, Linda Hawley

  • http://twitter.com/DianaTrees Diana Trees

    The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon

  • Pb

    Beloved, Toni Morrisson
    Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson
    The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
    Bel Canto, Ann Patchett
    The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy

  • bgodfrey

    I nominate:

    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Saundralacher

    I nominate:
    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd edition by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Tjheagney

    I recommend Michelle Finnegan’s book, Hung Jury.  It is a story by a woman and largely about women, and is insightful, rewarding and timely.
    Another factor is that Michelle uses the proceeds to promote women’s causes though her Essential Arts organization.

  • Joe

    I recently read a book titled “Hung Jury” by Michelle Finnegan. It is a moving story of a young woman struggling with many woman’s issues. Wonderfully written, poignant and in touch with the issues of the day. This is my nominee.

  • Maggie

    The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
    The Year of Fog, by Michelle Richmond

  • Deb G.

    I nominate Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott.

  • robynsc

    she’s come undone by wally lamb
    …and ladies of the club by helen hooven santmyer
    guernsey literary and potato peel society by shaffer and barrows
    the postmistress by sarah blake

    thanx.

  • Virginia Llorca

    I nominate my second book, LAWMAN, by Virginia Llorca because I like it the best.

  • Rob

    Dreams Unleashed 2nd Edition by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time by Linda Hawley

  • Karen Davis

    “Forever Sunshine” by Collette Scott

  • EvieV

    The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
    The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
    The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

  • Naomiswebster

    I nominate “Forever Sunshine” by Collette Scott

  • http://twitter.com/Wildwords2 Ute Carbone

    Too many good books, but I nominate
    “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver
    “Love Walked In” by Marissa Della Santos
    “The Monk Downstairs” by Tim Farrington
    “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd
    “The Year of Wonder” by Geraldine Brooks

  • Patricia Gitt

    I nominate:
    “CEO” by Patricia E. Gitt

  • Maddie McKay

    I nominate: Forever Sunshine, by Collette Scott

  • Kat

    I nominate “Forever Sunshine” by Collette Scott.

  • Betsy K

    Sorry I got Kathryn Stockett’s name wrong.  I think this will become a classic.

  • Betsy K.

    My favorites all have different issues:
    The Help by Julie Stockett
    Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
    Plain Truth by Jodi Picolt
    Forever Sunshine by Colette Scott
    Princess by Jean Sasson

  • http://www.terridulong.com Terri DuLong

    I nominate:
    A Woman of Substance – Barbara Taylor Bradford
    The Shellseekers – Rosamunde Pilcher
    The Space Between Us – Thirity Umrigar
    Fortunes Rocks – Anita Shreve
    Talk Before Sleep – Elizabeth Berg

  • Cekatz894

    I nominate:
    Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott

  • Kimaaro31

    I nominate:
    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Sgrizzelle

    In death series, JD Robb.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nadine-Bailey/676496752 Nadine Bailey

    We need to talk about Kevin
    Night Waking

  • Bart Ocheltree

    I nominate;
    Dreams Unleashed 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian Of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Boianobaby

    Ednot Scardens by Kathleen Barker

  • Johnathan

    I nominate:
    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Warriorommy

    I nominate:
    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Paul Bean

    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Kimlevitan

    I nominate Hung Jury by Michelle Finnegan
    Hung Jury by Michelle Finnegan is a fabulous women’s fiction book…written by a woman, writing about women’s issues, sold to raise money for women’s scholarships…and is dedicated to women.
    Kim

  • Jackie Jones

    Dreams Unleashed, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

    These books consist of so many genres that there’s no way they can be pinned down by a mass genre.

  • Zillah Booker

    “Dreams Unleashed”, 2nd edition, by Linda Hawley
    “The Host”, by Stephanie Meyer
    “Devil’s Food Cake” by Josi S. Kilpack
    “Seabiscuit” by Laura Hillenbrand
    “The Esther Vice House” by Wilma F. Smith

  • Jim G

    Ednor Scardens by Kathleen Barker

  • Sherry

    I nominate:

    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by
    Linda Hawley

    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • http://twitter.com/LindaHawley TheProphecies Author

    I nominate:
    Dreams Unleashed, 2nd Edition, by Linda Hawley
    Guardian of Time, by Linda Hawley

  • Lou Jillett

    Barbara Kingsolver – Animal Dreams
    Helen Garner – Monkey Grip
    Marguerite Duras – The Lover
    Miles Franklin – My Brilliant Career
    Jean Rhys – Wide Sargasso Sea

  • http://www.annycook.com Anny Cook

    These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer
    The Windflower by Laura London (Tom and Sharon Curtis)
    Cry No More by Linda Howard
    The Crystal Cave (Arthurian series) by Mary Stewart
    Morning Glory by LaVryle Spencer

  • Connie J Jasperson

    I would like to nominate ‘Ednor Scardens’ by Kathleen Barker. It is a wonderful
    coming of age story, and one I would definitely read again and again.

  • Amywall

    Ednor Scarden’s by Kathleen Barker

  • Patricia Woodside

    Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
    Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
    The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
    The Rhythm of Secrets by Patti Lacy
    Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

  • seakiev

    I nominate:

    Mrs. Tuesday’s Departure by Suzanne Anderson

  • http://gabrielleluthy.typepad.com Gabrielle

    “The Lost Recipe for Happiness” by Barbara O’Neal
    “Heart of the Matter” by Emily Giffin
    “The Opposite of Love” by Julie Buxbaum
    “The Sugar Queen” by Sarah Addison Allen
    “No Place Like Home” by Barbara Samuel

  • Kwillowb

    Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
    Surfacing by Margaret Atwood
    Beloved by Toni Morrison
    The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
    Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

  • Kate

    “Ednor Scardens”…….by Kathleen Barker

  • Margot

    Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
    What the Heart Knows by Mara PurlThe Princess Bride, William Goldman
    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Annie Barrows

  • Anonymous

    The Nobodies Album, Carolyn Parkhurst
    Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
    The Dogs of Babel, Carolyn Parkhurst
    The Pilot’s Wive, Anita Shreeve
    The Fugitive’s Doctor, Deirdre-Elizabeth Parker

  • Kari Young

    This was hard . . .

    1.)  Persuasion by Jane Austen (Who doesn’t love that letter?)
    2.)  Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (Rips your heart out)
    3.)  Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (So many giggles)
    4.)  The Lottery or anything by Shirley Jackson (Something is not right and I love it)
    5.)  Secret Life of Bees by Sue Mon Kid (Beautiful imagery)

  • Niamhclune

    I would like to nominate:Excuse me my Brains have stepped out by Pandora Poikilos

  • Andeluca

    The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
    Rules of the Wild by Francesca Marciano

  • Kwenborn

    ps Just noticed the ‘avoid mass genres’ like Stephenie Meyer. Why? How very prescriptive!! Anyway, The Host is about humanity, Harry Potter about love, good and evil and Woman in Black about vengeance. Oh, and is Little Women a children’s title?? Or is it ok because it is a ‘classic’?
    Gosh, so many constraints! Guys, we should be able to nominate the books we love regardless of ‘classification’.
    ok rant over!

  • Kwenborn

    The Play Room, Olivia Manning. 
    The Woman in Black, Susan Hill
    Little Woman, Louisa M Alcott
    Harry Potter – The Prisoner of Askaban, JK Rowling
    The Host, Stephenie Meyer

    With all of them I would say put aside any preconceptions about genre, age or topic – and enjoy.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Marsha-Randolph/100000001144841 Marsha Randolph

    Here are my Fabulous Five:
    The Truth About Vashtai by Marsha Randolph
    Nothing New Under the Sun by Tonya D. Floyd
    Forever Sunshine by Collette Scott
    Surviving Emily by Laurie Bellsheim
    Excuse Me My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos

  • EssentialArtBooks

    “Hung Jury” by Michelle Finnegan is also available as an ebook

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  • Sean Brown

    When Fate Dictates by Elizabeth Marshal
    Caring For Eleanor by Sonia Rumzi 
    Again by Diana Murdock
    Her Reluctant Groom by Rose Gordon
    The Gastar series by C.C. Cole

  • Palma_mckeown

    I would like to nominate the six books that make up the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett (the first book is The Game Of Kings). They are a must for anyone who likes intelligent, historical fiction. 

  • Deborah Swift

    The Help by Kathryn Stockett
    Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier
    We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
    The Red Tent By Anita Diamant
    Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

    That was too hard! So many more I could have put there, but went for a mixture of classics and ones which examine a woman’s role in a very readable and accessible way.

  • Kerri

    I’m with everyone else that said this is so hard! But here are some of my picks:

    Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
    The Help – Kathryn Stockett
    The Distant Hours – Kate Morton
    Getting Rid of Matthew – Jane Fallon
    The Other Queen – Philippa Gregory

    I actually really love and enjoy all three of Kate Morton’s books, and all of Philippa Gregory’s wives of Henry VIII’s books, but made myself pick just one from each author :-)
    Loving everyone else’s suggestions!

  • Joyce

    It Could Happen Again by Sonia Rumzi
    In Leah’s Wake by Terri Long
    Voice Mail Murder by Patricia Rockwell

  • Cstallie

    Indeed, very hard to just pick such a small number.  But these are book that I keep close to my heart and are writen by women with guts and a true talent for story telling. 

    “The Red Tent” by Antia Diamant
    “The Birth of Venus’ by Sarah Dunant
    “Like Water for Chocolate’ by Laura Esquivel 
    “Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen
    “The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Magaret Atwood
    “The Poisonwood Bible’ by Barbara Kingsolver

  • http://twitter.com/djledford Deborah J Ledford

    Most of the classics have already been listed, so I though I would go a bit more contemporary. After searching the bookcase featuring my favorite books, here are my picks:
     
    The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
    The way the Crow Flies - Ann-Marie MacDonald
    Songs in Ordinary Times - Mary McGarry Morris
    and most recently:
    Bury Your Dead – Louise Penney
    The End of Everything – Megan Abbott

    http://www.DeborahJLedford.com

  • Emmy

    In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
    Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
    The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
    Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

  • http://twitter.com/Laurielu1207 BonaFideReflections

    In alphabetical order:Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLeanThe Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
    Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
    Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas
    Happy Reading,
    Laurielu

    Bona Fide Reflections

  • Ttlb2222

    A Dream Unfolding By Karen Baney.

  • Anonymous

    While I’m Falling – Laura Moriarty
    The Sinner’s Guide To Confession – Phyllis Schieber
    Things I Want My Daughters To Know – Elizabeth Noble
    The Year Of Fog – Michelle Richmond

    So many books to consider . . .

    Thank you for asking.
    Sheri

  • http://susanrussoanderson.com Susan Russo Anderson

    “Emma,” Jane Austen
    “Still Midnight,” Denise Mina
    “Giving Up the Ghost: A Memoir,” Hilary Mantel
    “Gone With the Wind,” Margaret Mitchell
    Anne Perry’s historical mysteries: esp. The Thomas Pitt series

  • http://www.jennyandadam.com/Jenny/ Jenny

    So hard to pick! In no particular order:

    “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant”You Know When the Men Are Gone” by Siobhan Fallon
    “Ladies’ Auxiliary” by Tova Mirvis
    “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits” by Ayelet Waldman

  • Clara

    Silas Marner by George Elliot
    Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
    The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther
    The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
    Persuasion by Jane Austen

    this is wonderful. I like this a lot.

    • http://heartpress.com/ SL Clark

      I like this a lot too!
      Thank you. 

  • Laurena Castel

    Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
    The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
    Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
    Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
    My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

  • http://twitter.com/SRumzi Sonia Rumzi

    Thank you for this opportunity to vote on books that I loved.
    Margaret Mitchel’s Gone With the Wind
    Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre
    Elizabeth Marshall’s When Fate Dictates
    Zoe Saadia’s The Chahokian
    Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon

    I thought some of the old deserved the nomination too. So many to choose from and I feel horrible leaving out some of the really good books out there. Thanks again!

  • Natahki

    Hi,

     

    Thank
    you for the opportunity to make a difference J

    I
    would love to nominate:

    * “When
    Fate Dictates” by Elizabeth Marshall

    * “Caring for Eleanor” by Sonia Rumzi* “Again” by Diana Murdock * “The Gastar series” by C.C. Cole * “The Cahokian” by Zoe SaadiaI hope my nominations answer all the criteria :)

  • Kelly

    sorry, pressed post and I wasn’t done!

    also:
    When Fate Dictates by Elizabeth Marshall
    In Leah’s Wake by Terri Long

    X

  • Kelly

    Here are my suggestions:

    The Cahokian by Zoe Saadia
     Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos
     A Dead Man’s Debt by Grace Elliot

  • Elizabeth

    Thank
    you so much for running this wonderful poll. What a fabulous way to allow us
    readers to show our appreciation for the authors we love and their work.

    I
    know some of my nominations may be stretching the rules, but none the less I feel
    their inclusion is deserved. Many thanks and much love, Elizabeth M x

    Here are my nominations –

    Caring For Eleanor by Sonia Rumzi

    Again by Diana Murdock

    Her Reluctant Groom by Rose Gordon

    The Gastar series by C.C. Cole