What To Read

The original inspiration behind the Women's Prize for Fiction was to recognize female authors at a time when the major literary prizes were failing to adequately represent them. In 1991, not a single one of the shortlisted books for the Booker Prize was written by a woman, despite the fact that some 60% of novels published that year were written by female authors!

For more than 25 years now, the prestigious Women's Prize has amplified the achievements of literary titans such as Ann Patchett, who won for Bel Canto in 2002, Zadie Smith (On Beauty in 2006), Marilynne Robinson (Home in 2009) and Tayari Jones (An American Marriage in 2019). Last year, Ruth Ozeki won the prize for The Book of Form and Emptiness, which was especially beloved by other authors and publishers for its celebration of the power of books and reading.

Here are the longlist nominees for the 2023 prize. The shortlist will be announced on April 26, and the winner will be revealed on June 14.

Cursed Bread 

By Sophie Mackintosh | Preorder for 4/4 Release in the U.S.

Demon Copperhead 

By Barbara Kingsolver

Fire Rush 

By Jacqueline Crooks

Glory 

By NoViolet Bulawayo

Homesick 

By Jennifer Croft

I’m a Fan 

By Sheena Patel | Preorder for 9/5 Release in the U.S.

Memphis 

By Tara M. Stringfellow

Pod 

By Laline Paull

Stone Blind 

By Natalie Haynes

The Bandit Queens 

By Parini Shroff

The Dog of the North 

By Elizabeth McKenzie | Preorder for 3/14 Release in the U.S.

The Marriage Portrait

By Maggie O’Farrell

Trespasses 

By Louise Kennedy 

Wandering Souls 

By Cecile Pin | Preorder for 3/21 Release in the U.S.

Black Butterflies 

By Priscilla Morris (Not Yet Available in the U.S.)

Children of Paradise

By Camilla Grudova (Not Yet Available in the U.S.)