2024: A year of female voices – a reflection on gender in my reading

As I reviewed my list of books read in 2024, I couldn't help but notice an interesting trend: the majority of books I read were written by female authors. Of the 41 books, 20 were by unique female authors, while only 7 were written by men. 8 of the female authors were also Australian. This wasn’t something I intentionally set out to achieve, but looking back, it feels like a reflection of my desire to support and amplify female voices. It’s also a bit of an anomaly compared to the previous years, where the gender balance of my reading was much more even or tipped in favour of male authors. This shift has made me reflect on the state of female representation in the writing industry.

Female authors face unique challenges when it comes to getting published and having their work recognised. While women make up a significant portion of the literary world, studies consistently show that books written by women are underrepresented, particularly in genres traditionally dominated by male authors. Historically, male authors have tended to be considered for and awarded major literary prizes at higher rates than their female counterparts for example. This disparity is a result of historical biases, societal expectations, and even subtle biases in the publishing process, all of which make it harder for female authors to break through. The gender imbalance in publishing has led to fewer opportunities for female authors to gain the same visibility and recognition as their male counterparts, despite their contributions being just as significant and diverse. 

In response to this imbalance, initiatives like the Stella Prize have emerged. Established in 2013, the Stella Prize is an Australian literary award that celebrates the writing of women and non-binary authors across all genres. Its creation was a direct reaction to the underrepresentation of female writers in major awards, notably the Miles Franklin Award.

So, as I look back on my reading habits this year, I feel good about supporting women in literature, but I also acknowledge the broader systemic challenges that many female authors still face in their careers.

The authors

Agatha Christie - many

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - We Should All be Feminists

Elizabeth Coleman - A Routine Infidelity (Australian)

Sulari Gentill - The Rowland Sinclair series (Australian)

Anna Funder - Stasiland (Australian)

Holly Jackson - Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Azako Yuzuki - Butter

Barbara Kingsolver - The Bean Trees

Geraldine Brooks - March

Hannah Kent - Devotion (Australian)

Jane Harper - The Exiles, The Survivors (Australian)

Suzanne Collins - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Dervla Tiernan - The Murder Rules 

Brenda Jagger - Flint and Roses

Rebecca Huang - Yellowface (Australian)

Lisa Jewell - Then She Was Gone

Stephanie Bishop - The Anniversary (Australian)

Jean M Auel - Valley of Horses

Amy Taylor - Search History (Australian)

Jill Duggar - Counting the Cost