Biographical Fiction for Women's History Month

A collection of biographical fiction featuring women, both well-known and should-be-known, for Women's History Month in March.

Updated February 26, 2025
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Her hidden genius : a novel
Benedict, Marie
Paper Book
"Brings to life Franklin's grit and spirit...an important contribution to the historical record." --The Washington Post The new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie! She changed the world with her discovery. Three men took the credit. ...
The mystery of Mrs. Christie : a novel
Benedict, Marie
Paper Book
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER! "A stunning story... The ending is ingenious, and it's possible that Benedict has brought to life the most plausible explanation for why Christie disappeared for 11 days in 1926."--The Washington Post The New York Times and USA...
The personal librarian
Benedict, Marie
Paper Book
Over one million copies sold! The Instant New York Times Bestseller! A Good Morning America* Book Club Pick! Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR! Named a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post! "Historical fiction at its best!"...
Carnegie's maid : a novel
Benedict, Marie
CD
From the author of The Other Einstein, the mesmerizing tale of what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty. Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a...
The first ladies /
Benedict, Marie,
Paper Book
The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents....
The Mitford affair /
Benedict, Marie,
Paper Book
"Plunges readers into a world of glamorous, charismatic young British debutantes and then turns that shiny world on its head...the most delicious storytelling." --Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post From New York Times bestselling...
The only woman in the room
Benedict, Marie,
Paper Book
She possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both? Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third...
White houses : a novel
Bloom, Amy
CD
For readers of The Paris Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue comes a "sensuous, captivating account of a forbidden affair between two women" (People)--Eleanor Roosevelt and "first friend" Lorena Hickok. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Financial Times <...
Flight of the sparrow : a novel of early America
Brown, Amy Belding
Paper Book
A historical novel based on the life of Mary Rowlandson ""An authentic drama of Indian captivity...A compelling, emotionally gripping tale."--Eliot Pattison, author of the Mystery of Colonial America series" "She suspects that she has changed too much to ever fit easily into English society...
Boudicca
Cast, P. C.
Paper Book
From P. C. Cast, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the landmark House of Night urban fantasy series, comes an epic, lusty, magic-filled romantasy about British warrior queen Boudicca. Perfect for fans of Sue Lynn Tan and Madeline Miller! In Roman-occupied...
Remarkable creatures /
Chevalier, Tracy.
Paper Book
A voyage of discoveries, a meeting of two remarkable women, and extraordinary time and place enrich bestselling author Tracy Chevalier's enthralling new novel From the moment she's struck by lightning as a baby, it is clear that Mary Anning is marked for greatness. On...
The Instrumentalist
Constable, Harriet
Paper Book
Music, intoxication, and betrayal combine in this "immersive, impassioned" (The Guardian) debut novel inspired by the true story of Anna Maria della Pietà, a Venetian orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi and ultimately became his star musician--and his biggest muse.<...
Learned by heart /
Donoghue, Emma,
Paper Book
"A wrenching love story" (Chris Bohjalian, The Washington Post) based on the true story of two girls who fall secretly, deeply, and dangerously in love at boarding school in 19th century York, from the bestselling author of Room and The Wonder. Drawing on years of...
Becoming Madam Secretary /
Dray, Stephanie.
Paper Book
Raised on tales of her revolutionary ancestors, Frances Perkins arrives in New York City at the turn of the century, armed with her trusty parasol and an unyielding determination to make a difference. When she's not working with children in the crowded tenements in Hell's Kitchen, Frances throws...
My dear Hamilton :
Dray, Stephanie.
Paper Book
USA Today Bestseller "An edge-of my sear immersion into historical events...No study of Alexander Hamilton would be complete without reading this book." --Karen White, New York Times bestselling author "The best book of the year!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling...
The bookseller's secret : a novel
Gable, Michelle
Paper Book
The lady of the rivers /
Gregory, Philippa
Paper Book
#1New York Times bestselling author and "queen of royal fiction" (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory brings to life the story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman of passion and of legend who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the War of the Roses to bring her...
The other queen
Gregory, Philippa
Paper Book
Matrix /
Groff, Lauren.
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE 2022 JOYCE CAROL OATES PRIZE FINALIST FOR THE 2021 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION One of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of 2021 Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times,...
When we flew away : a novel of Anne Frank, before the diary
Hoffman, Alice
Paper Book
Bestselling author Alice Hoffman delivers a stunning novel about one of contemporary history's most acclaimed figures, exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank's life before she went into hiding. Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl has captivated and inspired readers for...
The other Alcott /
Hooper, Elise
Paper Book
A People Magazine and POPSUGAR pick! "[May's] adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s [...] The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May."  --The New York Times Elise Hooper's debut...
The frozen river
Lawhon, Ariel.
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * GMA BOOK CLUB PICK * AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR * From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha...
I was Anastasia :
Lawhon, Ariel.
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * An enthralling feat of historical suspense that unravels the extraordinary twists and turns in Anna Anderson's fifty-year battle to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov. Is she the Russian Grand Duchess or the thief of another woman's legacy? ...
Finding Dorothy : a novel
Letts, Elizabeth
Paper Book
Discover the story behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the book that inspired the iconic film, through the eyes of author L. Frank Baum's intrepid wife, Maud, in this richly imagined novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The...
Maria :
Moran, Michelle.
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER . Maria von Trapp. You know the name and the iconic songs, but do you know her real story? This dramatic novel, based on the woman glamorized in The Sound of Music, brings Maria to life as never before. "As immersive, heartbreaking, and ultimately...
The Tattooist of Auschwitz : a novel
Morris, Heather (Screenwriter)
Paper Book
 #1 New York Times Bestseller and #1 International Bestseller * Now a Peacock Original Series starring Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau...
The diamond eye :
Quinn, Kate.
Paper Book
Don't miss the thrilling new novel from Kate Quinn, The Briar Club, coming July 9th! New York Times Bestseller The bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet bookworm who becomes history's deadliest female sniper. Based...
Jackie :
Tripp, Dawn Clifton.
Paper Book
In this mesmerizing novel about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, acclaimed author Dawn Tripp has crafted an intimate story of love and power, family and tragedy, loss and reinvention. "A brilliant, beautiful book [that] touches the soul."--Chris Bohjalian, New York Times...
Half broke horses : a true-life novel
Walls, Jeannette
Paper Book
From the author of The Glass Castle and Hang the Moon--"Walls vividly depicts her astonishing, resilient grandmother with a lightness of touch that is plainspoken yet heartfelt" (Chicago Tribune). Half Broke Horses has transfixed readers everywhere. "Those...
Katharine Parr, the sixth wife : a novel
Weir, Alison
Paper Book
"A sharp and lucid blend of grim fact and stylish fiction" (Publishers Weekly), this thrilling novel in New York Times bestselling author Alison Weir's Six Tudor Queens series follows Katharine Parr, King Henry VIII's sixth and last wife, and the romantic intrigue after his death...
The engineer's wife :
Wood, Tracey Enerson,
Paper Book
THE USA TODAY BESTSELLER! THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER! She built the Brooklyn Bridge, so why don't you know her name? Emily Roebling built a monument for all time. Then she was lost in its shadow. Discover the fascinating woman who helped design and construct the Brooklyn...

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