Who was the first female writer to be published

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Female authors 21st century

Not only can biographies provide us with the inspiration needed to move forward in our lives, but they also widen our worldviews, providing us with alternate viewpoints we haven't previously encountered. Even if you're usually a fan of fiction, biographies are the ideal palate cleanser, giving you unexpected insight into another person's life and helping you to better understand the perspectives and experiences of your peers.

And when it comes to the best biographies and memoirs of women, there is no shortage of options, from political icons to successful musicians and award-winning performers. The books on this list include incredible true stories about remarkable women who overcame great adversity, from Hollywood heavyweights sharing their personal stories for the first time to women journeying through grief, love, heartbreak, and hardship.

While some of these books explore what it means to move forward after a violent crime, others explain the influence a person's upbringing had on their identity. Here, we round up 10 of the best biographies of women to add to your reading list in Michelle Obama needs no introduction following her eight-year tenure as first lady in the White House, but that doesn't make her story any less remarkable.

Becoming covers everything from Michelle's youth in Chicago to her relationship with husband and former president Barack Obama and the way she's learned to juggle working on a world stage alongside raising her family. Rather than shying away from her mistakes, Michelle reflects on her life to date, offering every ounce of wisdom she's gathered, making her memoir an essential read.

When Malala Yousafzai was just 15 years old, she was shot in the head after standing up to the Taliban regarding her right to an education.

Inspiring female biographies

Seemingly against all odds, Yousafzai survived the attack, and was subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in for her advocacy on behalf of children and young people. Since then, she has continued her activism by supporting young women to receive an education, while opposing extremism. I Am Malala is Yousafzai's incredible story , told in her own words.

As an award-winning actor and the ex-wife of Bruce Willis , Demi Moore is no stranger to the spotlight. In Inside Out: A Memoir, Moore uses her wit and candor to discuss her unlikely rise to fame, the difficulties she encountered as a Hollywood star, and aspects of her personal life even the most dedicated fan wouldn't know.