No matter what she’s doing or what continent she’s on, Maxie McCoy is championing women. The author of You’re Not Lost is a feminist whose writing resonates with women everywhere. Also a voracious reader, the books Maxie recommends are definitely worth your time. Here are the books Maxie McCoy has been getting lost in.

On Writing by Stephen King

On Writing by Stephen King

Like Maxie quotes, “Reading is the creative center of a writer’s life.” As she was preparing her first book, Maxie dove into Stephen King’s On Writing among a myriad of other books. King waxes poetic on the craft of writing and what it truly means to be a writer while sharing his personal history as an author.

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

“Get lost in the epic story of friendship in Firefly Lane.

Firefly Lane is the epitome of a friendship novel. It takes you through three decades in the lives of Tully and Kate, showcasing just how powerful friendships can be despite the odds.


Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harrari

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

What does it mean to be human? That is the question. In this broad book, Harari explores our collective history to determine what makes us all human and whether or not we can control our happiness and the future of the world. A must-read according to Maxie McCoy.


Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu

Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu

What woman isn’t too busy for her own good? In this memoir/manifesto, Tiffany Dufu explains the importance of letting go and outlines exactly how we can all do that.


Evolution of Goddess: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Activating Your Feminine Superpowers by Emma Mildon

Evolution of Goddess: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Activating Your Feminine Superpowers by Emma Mildon

“A few new ones I’m working my way through that you’ll adore: Evolution of a Goddess – by THE feminine luminary @emma.mildon.”

Mildon takes readers on a trip through history (including myth and legend) to explore femininity and what it means to use our own inner “superpowers.”


Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships in a Hyper-Connected World by J. Kelly Hoey

Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships in a Hyper-Connected World by J. Kelly Hoey

Maxie is a champion of strong relationships in life – both professional and personal. Build Your Dream Network by J. Kelly Hoey is a book on how to cultivate and foster those relationships in order to achieve your goals, no matter how out-of-reach they may be.


Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Maxie calls Lilac Girls and The Alice Network books that “completely stirred [her].”

This WWII-based novel follows the lives of three women: Kasia works as a “rabbit” for the underground resistance, Herta finds herself working as a Nazi doctor at Ravensbrück, and Caroline is a New York socialite working at the French embassy when the Germans invade France. These three women find their lives tangled together, while Caroline and Kasia work tirelessly to bring justice to victims. You’ll find an exploration of love, redemption and secrets in Lilac Girls.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

A novel built on loyalty, love, bravery and resilience.

Kate Quinn focuses on the women involved in WWI and WWII in this historical fiction. While Eve Gardiner is haunted by her past as a spy during WWI, Charlie St. Clair is dealing with a wealth of personal problems – she’s unwed and pregnant, and banished to Europe by her family. But instead of succumbing to hopelessness, Charlie decides to go on a quest to find her missing cousin, Rose, who was lost in Nazi-France during WWII. Charlie finds Eve and forces her to face the past, and hopefully also find Rose.

(Feature image courtesy of Create & Cultivate; designed by She Reads)