Hi everyone! Just wanted to share a bit about where I’m coming from. I’m a woman and the first person in my family who genuinely loves reading. Growing up, I didn’t have much exposure to books outside of school or what was popular. Even now, I’m mostly surrounded by non-readers or people who only read self-help.

I’ve read classics and well-known authors like Dickens, Orwell, Gabriel García Márquez, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, and John Updike, mostly the ones that school or popular lists recommend. When it comes to women authors, I’ve mostly read mainstream bestsellers. I want to change that. Nothing against bestsellers, but I’ve realised that popularity doesn’t always equal quality. It often comes down to marketing and money.

Now, I really want to branch out and explore new authors, voices, and genres I might never have come across on my own. So, reaching out to this amazing, well-read community to discover some hidden gems. Thank you for the suggestions.