Reading is a very traditional past-time. And one all women should practice. So, here are 6 of the best books every woman should read. If you’re just beginning to build your traditional woman’s library, be sure to add these to your shelves!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links on this post at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure.
Although I have provided affiliate links to the books listed in this post, you can easily find them at your local library instead. Additionally, you might also find them at thrift stores or in your friends’ library. So, be sure to check those places too!
Reading is one of the most traditional hobbies. But sadly, it’s been replaced by things like computers, game systems and TVs. I remember reading so many books as a kid just for fun! And not only because my mom would take me to Pizza Hut for a personal pan pizza courtesy of their Book-It program.
I also used to read because it was the perfect opportunity to escape into foreign worlds. Meet exciting characters. Or pretend I was on a harrowing adventure. Whether I was reading for school or leisure, I always had a book close.
As an adult, I carry on a love for reading. I’ve graduated from the simple fiction I used to love. In addition to fiction, I read classics, finance, natural health books and lots and lots of cookbooks. Occasionally, I read biographies and theological books also.
The more I read, the more I realize there’s so much more I need to read!
What are the best books every woman should read?
It’s safe to say that every woman should read. Period. There are plenty of libraries and thrift stores to peruse. So, make use of them and find a great book to get lost in.
When it comes to what to read, there are certain genres of books every woman should read. With a focus of traditional, self-sufficient living a woman should target reading books on homemaking and cooking. This provides inspiration and help when needed!
It’s also a good idea to read books targeted to women at specific stages of life. Like, daughters, sisters, wives and mothers or grandmothers. But it’s also helpful to read books that speak to women who work outside the home or and those who are widowed too.
Besides these, here are a few more categories every woman should read.
Classic literature – it’s usually pretty stimulating. Some of them make better sense now than when they appeared on the summer reading list in school. And a lot of authors spoke volumes on womanhood, friendships and life too!
Finance, investing and a myriad of skill-related books. Including biographies! They may not be the most spellbinding books on the shelf, but they definitely can be packed with rare gems.
Lastly, no library is complete without good theological study material. As woman and keepers of our homes, we should take studying scripture seriously. So, we need the right tools for it!
With so many categories to choose from, the beauty of reading is that we will never run out of good things to read and learn!
So, now we know where to focus. The next step is building our traditional library. These are some of the best books every woman should read so be sure to gift some too!
1. Classic Literature choices
Anne’s House of Dreams – Lucy Maud Montgomery
If you loved the girl, Anne Shirley, you’ll love the woman she became. Published in 1917, this book chronicles Anne’s early married life, but it’s not only for married women. You’ll enjoy reading along as Anne approaches her 30s and begins setting up a home and life with her childhood sweetheart. This is a must read for traditional women because it touches on womanhood, homemaking and dreaming.
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
If one girl weren’t enough, join the lives of 4 sisters! This classic, coming-of-age novel is certainly a must-read. Its themes include family, loyalty and friends and there are so many wonderful tales as the girls grow from children into women. For the romantic, there is also true love tones. For the hardy, there’s plenty to learn about hard work and ingenuity.
Have you ever wondered, “What do successful women read?” Then start here. These next books are sort of like how-to manuals for the home. The perfect place to be successful.
Success is subjective because it means different things to different women. But a hallmark feature of the traditional, self-sufficient woman is her ability to manage her home well. However big or small. She is the subject matter expert (SME) on everything related to her and her family.
These books are important to read whether you have a family to watch over, live with roommates in college or are doing your own thing solo. That’s because, it doesn’t matter whether we have much or little. Every woman should be the best steward over what God has granted to her.
2. Homemaking
Having a Martha Home the Mary Way – Sarah Mae
This book is all about having your heart and home in order. I like it because it appeals to those who thrive on timelines. In 31 days, author Sarah Mae walks through how to be a gentle homemaker as she puts it. Gentle homemaking is giving ourselves grace through the process of learning how to keep a home in order. And this little book is perfect even if you don’t have a natural knack for it. Complete with soul care challenges and cleaning assignments!
“I’ve learned that being a “good” homemaker has less to do with having a clean home and more to do with loving others well.”
Sarah Mae
3. Kitchen resources / Cookbook
This segment wouldn’t be complete without some sort of resource for the kitchen!
The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on a quarter acre – Carlene Madigan
A true gem for the wanna-be, city-living homesteader! This book takes the traditional, self-sufficient game to another level. It even has example layouts depicting what to plant and how to arrange it whether you have 1/8 acre, ¼ acre, ½-acre or more! There’s information not just about gardening, but also about raising animals, cultivating orchards and even wild foraging. More than that, it covers how to use and preserve the food too.
One of the best parts of this book is that it’s part of a larger series of backyard homesteading. The other books include building projects, raising farm animals, kitchen know-how and a seasonal planner.
The Pocket Cookbook – Elizabeth Woody
*I HIGHLY recommend you look for this book at the library or thrift store. I found my copy (the original version printed in 1942) at a local thrift store and paid $3.99 for it.
This book is perfect for beginner cooks. Published in 1942, you’re sure to love these time-tested old-fashioned recipes. Simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions make this book a winner. And yes, it does actually fit in a pocket. It’s really as easy as using the index to find a few recipes that suit your tastes. Then practice them until you no longer need the book. This book is also great for those who aren’t gifted with traditional recipes handed down from other generations. A personal favorite of ours is the old-fashioned, from-scratch biscuits! Yum!
When you’re ready for more, pivot inward. These are some of the best books every woman should read to help craft their character.
4. Womanhood
Let Me Be a Woman – Elisabeth Elliot
I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s for every woman at every stage of life. However, it’s a beautiful gift for those young ladies you may know just entering adulthood. Written by a mother to her daughter, it’s the perfect summation of everything you’d ever need to teach her. Elliot walks through tough issues like single life (and married life), femininity and submission. This short, breezy read is power packed and answers the age-old question, “Who am I?”
This may be one of the best books every woman should read on this list, But it’s even better to talk through it with a friend, sister or daughter while reading it.
5. Self-care
My Fringe Hours – Jessica Turner
“For the woman who is doing everything for everyone – except herself.”
Quote on the back cover
This book will help you redeem some time for yourself. Even if you’re incredibly busy and don’t see how. Take a few minutes to read through this and apply some of the tips. And you’ll be well on your way! If you ever wondered how to become more efficient and productive while still having time to yourself, this is for you. Feel empowered to practice a little self-care.
But there’s another category. These may be the best books to read in your 20s or 30s and beyond.
One of the best reading investments you can make is in good hermeneutic tools. Things of God are the only things that are eternal. So, it’s worth spending time learning how to interpret as much as you can of what He’s revealed in His word.
6. Well-spring Reading
Mercy Like Morning – Jane Johnson
My near-obssession with this book began with a 7-day devotional on the YouVersion Bible app several years ago. Johnson writes with a quirky sense of familiarity that makes you feel like kindred spirits. It’s a step above plain English. And her personal story of pain and suffering helped me realize how much I was missing in my own relationship with Christ. But I was hooked when she walked me through one of my favorite scripture passages of all time in a way I had never seen it before: Lamentations 3:21-26.
It was this book and this woman that taught me to start digging my own well for real. My favorite feature is the 30 ways to study one piece of scripture. I committed to doing this for 30 days and couldn’t believe the richness and newness I uncovered from passages I had read for years. This is great by itself, but why not pair this one with a friend? After all, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Prov. 27:17
If you want to learn more about God, particularly studying His different names, head over to Jane’s website at JaneJohnson.com to learn more.
Women in the Word – Jen Wilkin
Another trusted resource. If you’re struggling to study God’s word or just don’t know how, this is great. This book will help you go deeper into scripture rather than just nibbling at the surface. It will help you engage with the text and will equip you too! Wilkin’s book isn’t just another tactic. By the end, you will have a zeal for studying like never before.
And if you’re in the season of marriage or motherhood, here are 2 bonus books to add to your traditional library.
These are some of the best books every woman should read during these stages of life. But don’t worry if you’re not married or a mother yet. Bookmark them for later or gift them to a friend!
7. Marriage
Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe – Sharon Jaynes
It’s as simple as it sounds. This wonderful book is an eye-opener for sure. As wives, one of the greatest privileges we have is being able to take our husbands before God. No one else is as connected to him. No one else knows him (or should know him) like we do. But have you ever stopped to pray for your husband literally from head to toe? Until this book, I never did. I would struggle to pray for him or think I needed something really specific.
The truth is, I just need to pray for him in all areas. And this book showed me how. Covering 16 different features from the mind to the path a man takes, this book is one of the most practical reads for women. And great as a prelude for those who hope to marry one day too!
8. Motherhood
Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches – Rachel Jankovic
Let’s be honest. Not every woman loved being pregnant. And in the same way, not every mother loves the little years. That doesn’t make anyone a bad mother. Sometimes moments and emotions get the best of us. So, if you’ve ever struggled to see the light in the midst of midnight feedings or if you’re at the end of your rope yet again while cleaning up after toddlers, this is for you. Written by a mom of multiple kids, this book sympathizes with the moms going through hard times. It can be hard to see past the screaming and messes sometimes. But nonetheless, we can persevere.
Becoming a traditional woman doesn’t only mean it’s business all the time. Reading is a fun outlet for me. And while I still read for leisure, one of my 2022 goals was to increase my family’s self sufficiency. One way I plan to do that is by reading 3 self-improvement books that will help me grow as a woman. Read more about the goals I created for myself by reading this post.
So, I’ll be revisiting some of these books. But there are so many other great books for the traditional woman’s library. If you’ve read a great one, share the wealth by leaving a note in the comments!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links on this post at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure.
the Village Reservoir
- Village Posts:
- Reading Material:
- Anne’s House of Dreams – Lucy Maud Montgomery
- Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
- Having a Martha Home the Mary Way – Sarah Mae
- The Backyard Homestead Series:
- The Pocket Cookbook – Elizabeth Woody (Remember to thrift this one!!)
- Let Me Be a Woman – Elisabeth Elliot
- My Fringe Hours – Jessica Turner
- Mercy Like Morning – Jane Johnson
- Women in the Word – Jen Wilkin
- Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe – Sharon Jaynes
- Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches – Rachel Jakovic
- Virtual Resources:
- Jane Johnson’s website: JaneJohnson.com
Nice recommendation of books Mrs. Traditional! Looking forward to hearing of other reads. Thank you for your consistency. I enjoy reading your posts.
Thank you for your comment! I appreciate your support.
The wealth of knowledge that can come from reading is wonderful. Great article. This is very good info. 👍
Thank you for reading! Please share with others and stay tuned for more.
Such wonderful suggestions how to continue a life-long passion for reading! I too am a reader, and know how fulfilling reading can be in one’s life. It takes you places you’ll only dream about and encourages one’s quest to live life to its fullest. Wonderful suggestive readings! Hope to dive into a few if not all of them. And WOW. I remember Book-it!!
You remember Book-it too! That was a great part of my childhood (and probably helped encourage me to read more too).