There's a wealth of reading material out there, but only few books become a woman's best friend.
For me, there's just something about immersing myself into a world filled with strong fictional (and sometimes non-fictional) heroines who fight against every constraint in their lives and end up coming out okay.
From the downtrodden woman with no voice, to the abused one who not only survives the trauma, but becomes an inspiration to others…
Of course, that's not to say that we don't love our light, fluffy reads about kick-ass heroines who fight crime, fall in love and try to navigate their way through high-society, because we do.
Either way, there are many different reasons why we have our favourites. We asked our Twitter followers what's the one book every woman should at least read once.
Here are their responses:
@Jinx_dj: Gone With The Wind.
@pisceandragon: The Color Purple. It is so powerful and shows us how lucky we are to be women with more control and respect today.
@1QueenBBM: The Power of a Praying Wife, Parent & Woman. (3 in1 Collection) by Stormie Omartian. Prayer changes everything!
@Taniar2: Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarisse Pincola Estes, because it teaches us to trust our instincts.
@Kimbelshanks: I think Eat, Pray, Love is one of the best books for all ages of women.
@mariskaza: How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - Awesome no-excuses-held manifesto to being a woman (feminist even).
@TheDoinkles: The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck. Every sentence is dense, valuable and provides incredible insight into living a conscious life.
@YandiLanda: Our Bodies, Ourselves by Judy Norsigian = body Bible. It's a must!
@bron_stew: Escape by Carolyn Jessop. It makes one very grateful for the life you live and the freedom you have.
@jackiejvr: Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It forever changed the way i think about money.
@princessruw: Penny Vincenzi's The Decision. It's a high drama about how a mother fights for the custody of her little girl.
@JadeDevine911: Without a doubt, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. A book every man should read too.
@MichelleMollett: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Hands down! :)
@MichelleMollett: I Have Life: Alison's Journey as told to Marianne Thamm. Inspirational and uplifting.
@MichelleMollett: Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. Inspiring and eye-opening.
@TurtleWalkSA: The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf is essential reading: insight into beauty industry's vested interest in womens' body insecurities.
@junejknight: The Women's Room by Marilyn French - feminist classic.
@ShazRich7: Eat, Prey, Love. It teaches us to follow our dreams and to keep learning, loving and living!
@bronwencoleman: Ariana Huffington's book, Fearless is a must read for the modern day woman!
@franjipanji: The Fever Series by @KarenMMoning, because we all have an inner kick-ass siren behind our blonde hair and pink nails!
@RonelleB: Eat, pray love. I read it on my first trip abroad. Wonderful story about travelling to the opposite side of the world to find yourself.
For more bookish rambles, you can follow me on Twitter.
What books would you recommend that aren't on our readers' list? Share your reading picks below.