The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore

Synopsis from GoodReads:  Jo March, Scarlett O'Hara, Scout Finch—the literary canon is brimming with intelligent, feisty, never-say-die heroines and celebrated female authors. Like today's women, they placed a premium on personality, spirituality, career, sisterhood, and family. When they were up against the wall, authors like Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott fought back—sometimes with words, sometimes with gritty actions. In this witty, informative, and inspiring read, their stories offer much-needed literary intervention to modern women.
Full of beloved heroines and the remarkable writers who created them, The Heroine's Bookshelf explores how the pluck and dignity of literary characters such as Jane Eyre and Lizzy Bennet can encourage women today.

Each legendary character is paired with her central quality—Anne Shirley is associated with irrepressible "Happiness," while Scarlett O'Hara personifies "Fight"—along with insights into her author's extraordinary life. From Zora Neale Hurston to Colette, Laura Ingalls Wilder to Charlotte BrontË, Harper Lee to Alice Walker, here are authors and characters whose spirited stories are more inspiring today than ever.

My thoughts:   This was a fantastic exploration of literature.  I had read only some of the books referenced and have been inspired to read others. The thing that I really love about this book is that you can easily read it bits at a time.  Whatever the occasion, there is likely a section to inspire you.  Having a crisis of faith?  Read the section devoted to faith.  Feeling a bit unhappy, the section on Happiness takes you to one of my favorite characters, Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables.

Each of the sections also includes a suggestions for a similar novel.  Many of these suggestions were new to me as well.  I will certainly be picking up one or two of them.  


The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking that this would make a great basis for a challenge.  Wouldn't you know that someone else was thinking the same thing and put one together.  You can find the Heroine's Bookshelf Challenge over at Bibliophibian.  I would be participating in this one if I had just a bit more free time.  

I highly recommend this book filled with strong women.  It is sure to perk you up if you are feeling a bit down and inspire you to be all that you can.  


You can find Erin Blakemore on the web at http://www.erinblakemore.com/

Erin Blakemore lives in Boulder, CO so I am including The Heroine's Bookshelf on my Literary Road Trip exploration of Colorado Authors.  


I received my copy of The Heroine's Bookshelf from the great people at HarperCollins Publishers for review.  My review has not been influenced by receipt of this book.