Crissi McDonald's 3 favorite reads in 2024

"When Women Were Dragons" by Kelly Barnhill is a genre-bending tale that mixes fantasy and social commentary, exploring themes of empowerment, rage, and transformation. Set in a 1950s America where women mysteriously transform into fierce, fire-breathing dragons, this novel is both a powerful feminist allegory and an enchanting story of personal liberation. Through the eyes of young Alex, who grapples with the mysterious "Mass Dragoning" that claimed her aunt, Barnhill delves into suppressed female anger, the cost of societal expectations, and the strength found in self-discovery. The prose is poetic yet sharp, rich with emotion and wonder, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between humanity and mythology blur. This book takes the reader on a bold, imaginative journey that is not only entertaining, but moving and inspiring. A must-read for anyone who’s ever felt the call to unleash their inner power after life tells them they are powerless.

In this witty and introspective memoir, Anna Blake shares her love of horses and roadtrips. Traveling thousands of miles towing her Rollin' Rancho, with her copilot Mister (a Cardigan Corgi) she introduces us to the beauty of the country she travels through, the perils of being on the road as a woman, and the insights she's gleaned from her years as an artist, and now as a horse instructor and clinician. Filled with clever writing and bold ideas, the overarching mood of "Undomesticated Women" is one of kindness and a rough hope that Blake holds in both fists.

"Path to the Priestess Temple" by Dianne Adel is a transformative journey into the lives of three modern-day women, and what happens when an ancient even touches them. Adel's writing is both wise and enchanting, introducing characters that connect deeply with the divine feminine. Her writing is beautifully empowering and celebrates the rich inner and outer lives of women, through the three main characters that inhabit these pages. This book is a true gem for those wishing to get lost in the lyrical writing and storytelling that Adel crafts.