Jane Austen. Maya Angelou. Louisa May Alcott. Agatha Christie. Zora Neale Hurston. Mary Shelley. Virginia Woolf.

These names carry weight and power, belonging as they do to some of the most influential authors in history. Influential authors who also happen to be women.

Collectively, female authors are a force to be reckoned with. And while historically some of them have been compelled to utilize gender-neutral pen names in order to appeal to a broader audience of (perhaps) smaller minds—George Eliot, the Bronte sisters, even J.K. Rowling—today they are celebrated for exactly who they were and are: fierce, powerful, pen-wielding women whose works made a deep impact that continues in a never-ending ripple effect.

Modern-day beneficiaries of these brilliant writers embrace their identity, their perspective, their unique experiences that infuse their work with relatability and grit, passion and perseverance, profound vulnerability and unwavering strength.

I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman. —Virginia Woolf

Fortunately for book lovers, today's literary world roars with a cacophony of female voices—some new, some seasoned, all worthy of an attentive ear and an open mind. Popular authors abound, each adding her own unique perspective and value, each individual contribution enriching the whole. A small sample: 

• Kristin Hannah takes readers on profound journeys featuring unforgettable characters and compelling narratives.
• Liane Moriarty weaves taut mystery and intrigue into pages that practically turn themselves.
• Diana Gabaldon singlehandedly created a saga so absorbing that its voracious fans may never get enough.
• Sarah J. Maas creates captivating fantasy worlds that invite readers inside and keep them spellbound there.
• Louise Penny discovered her passion for mystery writing in her 40s, when she first penned life into the now-ubiquitous case-cracking Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.

Scores of other women have carved out a permanent niche in the book world, all of them inspired and empowered by the remarkable trailblazers who came before.

What a wonderful time to be a book lover!