As March honors Women's History Month in the US, we're spotlighting the talented women at IGN and their favorite female authors. Last year we featured staff picks of games, movies, and TV. This year we're exploring another beloved pastime: reading.
When asked "Who are your favorite women authors?" – no simple question for book lovers – our team shared a diverse, genre-spanning list. Join us in celebrating both IGN's women and their literary inspirations!
Sharon Creech
Her moving stories about love, loss, and understanding human imperfection resonate deeply. –Marhyan Franzen
Must-reads: Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird
Kelly Sue DeConnick
A trailblazer in the comic book industry, DeConnick famously brought Captain Marvel to Carol Danvers – a legacy that later reached the MCU. Beyond mainstream comics, she crafts boundary-pushing indie works like Pretty Deadly (mystical western) and Bitch Planet (feminist sci-fi). –Chelsea Reed
Must-reads: Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman Historia, Pretty Deadly
Sarah Rose Etter
Etter writes surreal yet piercing novels for unconventional readers. Both The Book of X (about generational trauma manifested physically) and Ripe (Silicon Valley disillusionment with supernatural elements) became instant favorites. –Leanne Butkovic
Must-reads: Ripe, The Book of X
N.K. Jemisin
The Broken Earth Trilogy redefines fantasy with its innovative magic system and earth-shattering stakes (literally). Following Essun's journey through recurring apocalypses delivers one of fiction's most gripping rides. –Miranda Sanchez
Must-reads: The Fifth Season, The City We Became
T. Kingfisher
This prolific author masterfully reimagines fairytales and Gothic horror with refreshing depth. Whether creeping through psychological trauma in What Moves the Dead or navigating romance amid loss in Paladin's Grace, her work leaves lasting impressions. –MS
Must-reads: Nettle & Bone, Paladin's Grace
Han Kang
The Nobel laureate's works examine human extremes through mesmerizing prose. The Vegetarian's haunting study of bodily autonomy remains essential reading, while Human Acts exposes South Korea's political wounds with devastating clarity. –LB
Must-reads: The Vegetarian, Human Acts
Sarah J. Maas
The fantasy romance queen builds lush Fae worlds overflowing with intrigue. A Court of Thorns and Roses offers steamy mythology, while Crescent City blends urban fantasy with hardboiled detective elements – all showcasing impeccable character arcs. –Jessie Wade
Must-reads: ACOTAR series, Crescent City
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
From Victorian horror (Mexican Gothic) to Aztec mythology (Gods of Jade and Shadow), Moreno-Garcia's genre-hopping novels showcase Mexico's rich storytelling traditions. Each atmospheric tale lingers long after reading. –MS
Must-reads: Mexican Gothic, Silver Nitrate
Helen Oyeyemi
Oyeyemi crafts literary wonders that defy categorization – imagine Hans Christian Andersen filtered through magical realism and sharp social commentary. Her unpredictable narratives dazzle with linguistic acrobatics. –LB
Must-reads: Gingerbread, Mr. Fox
Samantha Shannon
The Priory of the Orange Tree delivers epic fantasy at its finest: dragon warfare, political intrigue, and queer romance spanning continents. For Game of Thrones fans awaiting Winds of Winter, here's your perfect stopgap. –Chelsea Reed
Must-reads: Priory of the Orange Tree, Bone Season series
Looking for more recommendations? Humble Bundle is celebrating Women's History Month with special book and game collections supporting CARE's programs.
