As Women's History month comes to a close, I've been thinking about some of my favorite fictional women--the heroines I return to again and again for their humor, eccentricity, distinctiveness. Here are four of my most beloved female characters to inspire your next read.
Eleanor Oliphant, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
If you're in the market for a heartwarming story about a socially awkward outcast finding her footing, Eleanor Oliphant is your girl. I had a grin on my face the entire time I read this book, though it does go deeper than you'd think. Eleanor's intense specificity and blunt worldview will keep you turning pages.
Emma Woodhouse, Emma by Jane Austen
I love a period drama and none more so than Emma. Austen's plucky heroine has a freedom unlike many of her contemporaries--she's wealthy and doesn't need to marry for financial support. She's comfortable in her life and her place in society and decides to entertain herself by meddling in the lives of those less fortunate. She's got spunk and, despite needing to learn a lesson or two, she refuses to lose it.
Lucy Carlyle, Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud
I will ride for Stroud's delightful, paranormal YA series unapologetically, in part because of the protagonist, Lucy Carlyle. She's messy, stubborn, willful, and fantastic at her job. In an alternate ghost-infested London, where only kids and teens have the ability to sense, and thus fight, the raging spiritual epidemic, Lucy joins up with Lockwood & Co., a small independent ghost hunting agency, and gets to the bottom of "the Problem" over the course of five books.
Olivia, Olivia by Ian Falconer
Last but certainly not least, this list would not be complete without the iconic children's book figure, Olivia the pig. She's messy, she's creative, she's dramatic, she's relatable. If you have a little one to read to, or just want to flip through a fun story yourself, I guarantee Olivia will bring a smile to your face.