Top 5 Must-Read Books with badass women Gloria Steinem would've been proud of.

I never thought I'd miss Gloria Steinem this much. She was my mother's hero. Not mine. But the footage flooding our screens in the last week has been an undeniable reminder of how her life and activism influenced the way all women in the U.S. and around the world live and work every day. I know without her dedication to building a world where women contribute, neither of my own books would have been possible. And for this, I offer my most sincere thanks. We miss you, Gloria!

In honor of her work, here are five books with smart, funny, flawed, and morally complex female characters that wouldn't have been sold without the Gloria Steinems of the world.

The Awakening (Kate Chopin)

A classic of feminist literature, this novel was incredibly controversial for its time for daring to depict a married woman exploring both her sexuality and her identity outside of domesticity. In poetic but well-paced prose, Chopin explores each character as an individual. All ensnared in the same oppressive Victorian system meant to to keep everyone locked in their roles. If you want a short taste of her work before committing, be sure to check out The Story of an Hour, a condensed and absolutely grueling synopsis of the world Chopin portrays.

Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)

Cliche? Sure. But, come on. Does it get any more iconic than the Cool Girl monologue? Flynn is a master of the moral gray area. Is Amy Dunne horrific? Absolutely. Does a tiny corner of your psyche understand her motivations? Probably. A masterclass in midpoint plot twists, it's required reading for any woman who feels the weight of unreasonable expectations. If you haven't picked this one up, seriously, what are you doing with your life?

Terms of Succession (Anna Marie Riley)

What does revenge look like for women who spent decades trying to fix what the 2008 financial crisis broke? Cole Tate's about to find out when his most important invention explodes in front of hundreds of people, forcing him into exile at a mysterious retreat. The most recent book on this list explores the impact our past has on a future being manufactured for us without our knowledge. And the role, for better or worse, that women play.

Dial A for Aunties (Jesse Q. Sutanto)

Looking for something a little lighter? Jesse Q. Sutano's got your back. Ok, maybe manslaughter isn't all that light, but the circumstances around this tragedy are hysterical. This delightful tale of family love, duty, and the weight of expectations is one everybody can relate to. And the aunties support their niece with the sort of balls of steel righteousness that feminists everywhere look up to.

Margo's Got Money Trouble (Rufi Thorpe)

I've heard the television adaptation is great but I refused to see it until I read the book. Some stories work better on the page and, no shade to the series, but this is definitely one of them. Thorpe's keen observation of the tiniest details runs like a river through the story and never lets you think you're anywhere but with Margo as she struggles awkwardly through the early days of Only Fans. Steinem had very clear views on pornography. But i think she would have been proud of Margo for her craftiness and compassion.

Bonus: Seven Days in June (Tia Williams)

Not a story with a particularly engrossing female lead, but the opening paragraph of this one had me doing a spit take of my macchiato as I read it in the middle of my local bookstore. Seriously, try to control the guffaws that are sure to erupt from your mouth. It's embarassing. You never know what your worst nightmare might be until you've read page one of this great book.