Women's Fiction

I recently read an article about the genre of women's fiction. It helped clear up issues in my own head and I thought I would spell it out for those of you who are interested. Basically, women's fiction explore women's relationships. Those relationships don't have to be romantic but can be. The main thrust of the story is what is happening in the life of a woman. So, a woman is the main character and her emotional development is the story. Love and romance may be present but they are not the main focus. If you care more about the language being used than the story being told, it is literary fiction and not women's fiction. Here are some good examples of women's fiction that have been published in the last year.

The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri. A woman leaves her politician husband to New England after he was involved in a sex scandal.

Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster. A former high school 'mean' girl attends her reunion and finds that her schoolmates have not forgiven her. A friend offers her a potion that will allow her to go back and right her previous wrongs.

So Far Away by Meg Mitchell Moore. A Library archivist bonds with a high school student who is researching an old diary for a school project.

Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg - a motivational speaker who is great at coaching others, is not so good at following her own advice.

Here also is a list of possible authors for you to investigate:
Elizabeth Berg - all of her books deal with women's search for happiness
Emily Giffin - she writes contemporary fiction featuring modern relationships.
Kristin Hannah - writes of love and loss and family secrets.
Jodi Picoult - queen of the issue driven novel.
Luanne Rice - tearjerkers featuring mature, strong females.
Jennifer Weiner - she infuses humor into relationship issues.

Enjoy finding something new to read if you like 'women's fiction'.