Jul 17

Jul 17 Books for Women in Their 30s

Reading is such a wonderful way to stay informed, learn new things, and be thoroughly entertained—no matter your age. But there’s something special about what books mean to us in our 30s. For many women, these years bring new levels of responsibility, reflection, and even reinvention. We’re often balancing careers, relationships, family life, personal growth, and the quest to nurture our mental health—all while making sure to carve out time for ourselves.

That’s why I’m so excited to share this reading list: a round-up of books for women in their 30s. These titles are thoughtful, funny, deeply honest, and truly engaging—perfect for women at this stage of life who want stories they can see themselves in, be inspired by, and talk about with friends over coffee or at their next book club.

Whether you’re into literary fiction, juicy memoirs, short stories, or sharp rom-coms, this list is designed to be both personal and expansive.

Books for Women in Their 30s

Before we dive into the individual recommendations, let’s talk about the kinds of topics and genres women in their 30s often enjoy.

At this stage, many of us want to see our realities reflected on the page. We gravitate toward books about friendship, marriage, motherhood, career choices, reinvention, identity, and the big questions of what we want from life. But we also want to escape, laugh, and learn. That’s why you’ll find a mix of fiction and nonfiction here, as well as some essential classics and buzzy new favorites to keep your reading list fresh.

These books make perfect additions to your personal library, gifts for friends, or picks for your women’s book club books.

What Do Women Read About In Their 30s

So what exactly are women in their 30s reading about?

Honestly—everything! But some common themes include:

Identity and self-discovery: Who am I now? Who do I want to be?
Career and ambition: Navigating big decisions and transitions.
Friendship: How connections change (and deepen) with time.
Family dynamics: Parenting, partnership, aging parents.
Mental health: Prioritizing well-being in busy lives.
Love and romance: Both the magic and the mess.
Escape and entertainment: Because sometimes we just want a great story.

That’s why this list is so varied—it reflects the layered, rich experiences of life in your 30s.

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What Are Must Read Books for Women in Their 30s

Below you'll find recommendations that I think belong on any reading list for women in this decade of life.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

A sharp, modern novel about race, class, and millennial adulthood. Reid’s writing is smart, propulsive, and often darkly funny. Perfect for women in their 30s who want something both entertaining and conversation-worthy.

I'd love to get stuck with Emira from Such a Fun Age (by Kiley Reid), about 5 years after the book ends. I'd want to know what of that period stuck with her, and did she feel like it changed who she was? I think she wouldn't want to talk about it! But I'd be so curious to see how she moves on and where she ends up. - An excerpt from my author interview with Luna Westish

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Part memoir, part psychology, this look inside therapy (from the perspective of a therapist) is deeply relatable and incredibly human. A great pick for anyone thinking about mental health and self-understanding in their 30s.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

This bestseller is a rallying cry for women to live truthfully and fearlessly. Doyle’s writing is personal, lyrical, and motivational—ideal for readers feeling called to reinvent themselves or question long-held expectations.

[The author I draw inspiration from is] Glennon Doyle. Untamed, for sure. It’s such a beautiful story of how Glennon found authenticity, began living her most genuine life, and shook off the world’s domestication. - An excerpt from my author interview with Amber Wardell, PhD

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

A lush, beautifully written novel about love, betrayal, family secrets, and the choices that shape us. Perfect for women looking for layered storytelling that doesn’t shy away from moral complexity.

[The last book I read was] ‘The Paper Palace’ by Miranda Cowley Heller. A compelling, domestic drama that explores how traumatic events in the past can still affect the present. A wonderfully evocative book with an ambiguous ending. - An excerpt from my author interview with Dinah Jefferies

Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby

A laugh-out-loud collection of essays perfect for short stories fans. Irby is known for her frank, hilarious takes on everything from dating to aging to health. A wonderfully cathartic read for anyone who appreciates humor in the chaos of adult life.

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

Classic Ephron: witty, wise, and wildly relatable. A series of essays about aging, maintenance, love, and loss. Women in their 30s will recognize the seeds of these reflections in their own lives—and laugh at the truths Ephron so perfectly captures.

[The author I draw inspiration from is] Nora Ephron. She was a reporter, an essayist, a novelist, a screenwriter -- and a wife and mother. And a hell of a chef. Her essays are like vitamin B shots for me, they revive me. I have a little black and white portrait of her on my desk, and whenever I am feeling sorry for myself for a bit too long, I look at it and think of something she used to say, that her religion was "Get Over It." - An excerpt from my author interview with Aggie Blum Thompson

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This modern classic tells the story of twin sisters who choose radically different paths. It’s about family, identity, race, and the meaning of home. Gorgeous writing and a story that lingers long after you finish.

[I draw inspiration from] Emily Henry for her banter and fun, easy style. - An excerpt from my author interview with Noelle Salazar

Happy Place by Emily Henry

An irresistible contemporary romance about second chances and complicated friendships. Henry is a master of witty banter and heartfelt storytelling, making this a must for anyone wanting a cozy, escapist read with real emotional depth.

Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman

A nonfiction exploration of deep, long-term friendship and how to sustain it through life’s changes. Honest, moving, and insightful—especially meaningful for women realizing that adult friendship requires work and commitment.

[The last book I read was] Crying in H Mart (Michelle Zauner), of how the Korean American author took care of her mother during her cancer diagnosis and treatment, and subsequent death and how she kept the memory of her mother alive through Korean food she cooked. Amazing writing, a spectacularly visual memoir taking us through Korea, America and back and how the author navigates grief of losing her parent while trying to live life one day at a time. Such an astonishing memoir. - An excerpt from my author interview with Madhushree Ghosh

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

A moving memoir about grief, identity, family, and food. Zauner’s story about losing her mother while navigating her own cultural heritage is beautifully written and emotionally resonant—a perfect addition to any reading list focused on personal growth and connection.

[I’m inspired by] Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng: her writing style is the pinnacle in my mind. I will be aspiring to write like her for the rest of my life. - An excerpt from my author interview with Caitlin Buhr

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

A compelling novel about motherhood, privilege, secrets, and the idea of "playing by the rules." Ng’s storytelling is precise and absorbing, making it perfect for book clubs and anyone who loves layered, character-driven fiction.

I loved Emily Henry's Beach Read - the tension between the characters and how she explores their inner worlds really resonates with me. It wasn't a direct inspiration, but I loved how it made me think and question what I knew about the characters. I read it a long time ago, but I've always loved the way A Year in Provence talks about travel and how we sink into new surroundings. I love it when a book or movie makes the city feel like its own presence, a full character, in the story, because that's how I feel about cities! - An excerpt from my author interview with Luna Westish

Beach Read by Emily Henry

A smart, funny romance about two writers who challenge each other to switch genres for a summer. Henry nails the banter and emotional beats, delivering both laughs and genuine depth—a perfect pick for women wanting both love story and self-discovery.

Educated by Tara Westover

Also listed in Uplifting Books

This memoir is riveting and inspiring, telling the true story of Westover’s journey from an isolated, survivalist upbringing to earning a PhD from Cambridge. It’s about family, resilience, and the transformative power of education.

I really love Curtis Sittenfeld’s writing. I was completely absorbed in her debut Prep from the first sentence, and marveled at her capacity to draw a reader into a scene in a classroom. I remember analyzing the opening chapter of Prep to figure out how Curtis managed to make such a simple scene so full of tension and emotion. The main character, Lee Fiora, is being called on to present an assignment to her class. And each little action and emotion is described with precision. Eligible is another of her books that really stands out to me. Her modern incarnation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was vivid and enjoyable. Her latest book, Rodham, was just about perfect. - An excerpt from my author interview with Genevieve Gannon

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

Also listed in Best Historical Fiction Books About Real Women

A smart, provocative reimagining of Hillary Clinton’s life if she had never married Bill. It’s both alternate history and sharp commentary on gender, ambition, and politics—ideal for women in their 30s questioning the paths not taken.

[The author I draw inspiration from is] Erin Morgenstern. She breaks a lot of rules, in both a macro sense—her imaginary worlds are impossibly strange and idiosyncratic—but also in a micro sense: grammar, sentence flow. After reading The Night Circus, I felt braver as a writer. She used second-person POV and passive voice quite a bit in that book, and I was inspired to bend a few rules in my own work, too. - An excerpt from my author interview with Sarah Penner

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Also listed in Top 10 Most Popular Book Genres

For those who love lyrical, imaginative storytelling, this magical novel is an escape into a world of rival magicians and enchanting circus tents. Perfect for women looking to get lost in a beautifully crafted, romantic fantasy.

I just finished reading THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I found Evelyn Hugo delightfully awful. I'd love to be stuck in an elevator with her, or even better, the real life starlet that the book is supposedly based on, Elizabeth Taylor. - An excerpt from my author interview with Adele Myers

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Also listed in Authors Like Kristin Hannah

A juicy, heartfelt novel about an aging Hollywood icon revealing her life story—including a forbidden love. Reid’s knack for creating complex, glamorous characters makes this impossible to put down.

[The last book I read was] MALIBU RISING by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It's the latest from this author and another absolute gem, with beautifully complex characters, fascinating and complicated relationships, and themes that the author conveys so powerfully. Plus, you can't beat the setting: a mansion on a cliff with an exquisite ocean view. - An excerpt from my author interview with Megan Collins

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Another hit from Reid, this one about family, fame, and one unforgettable party in 1980s Malibu. Great for readers who want a sun-soaked, emotionally layered novel about siblings navigating old wounds and new beginnings.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

Bennett’s debut explores love, friendship, secrets, and the ways our early choices echo through life. Intimate and beautifully written, it’s perfect for women thinking about how our 20s shape our 30s.

The character I choose [to be stuck in an elevator with] is Guncle Patrick from The Guncle by Steven Rowley. He wouldn't have the kids with him, but he'd have a little girl's pink underpants falling out of his pants pocket. He'd glance down, notice the underwear, realize I am watching as he stuffs them back to invisibility and laugh as he stumbles over an embarrassed explanation that would start out, "It's okay, they're mine. I mean, not to wear, oh crap, wait, uh, I didn't mean crap like that, I mean, they're my kid's, well, she's not my kid, she's...oh...this isn't going well, is it?" - An excerpt from my author interview with Lynne Hugo

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Also listed in Books For Women In Their 40s

A warm, funny novel about a gay sitcom star who becomes the guardian of his niece and nephew. It’s full of humor and heart, offering both escape and reflections on grief, family, and unconventional love.

Even though I love all of Lisa Wingate's books I will mention Before We Were Yours and her most current one, Shelterwood. Both books deal with children who are taken out of their family homes, just as my character Silstice, finds herself homeless during the Great Depression. It's a grim world and there are no easy answers. In each situation the author comes up with a plot that’s feasible and characters who are problem-sovers. - An excerpt from my author interview with Charlotte Whitney

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

A historical novel based on the true scandal of children kidnapped and sold for adoption in mid-20th-century America. It’s moving, immersive, and asks big questions about family, belonging, and resilience.

If you’re building your TBR pile or curating the top books for women, this list is meant to help you find your next unforgettable read.

Reading in your 30s can be a grounding, enlightening, and joy-filled experience. Whether you're looking to understand yourself better, laugh at life’s absurdities, or lose yourself in a powerful story, there’s something here for you.

If you loved these recommendations, be sure to bookmark this post—I’ll be updating it with even more books for women in their 30s over time. Happy reading! 📚✨

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