There's something truly magical about getting lost in a great book, accompanied by a fabulous glass of wine, especially when that book features a strong and inspiring female character. From fierce warriors to brilliant detectives and scientists, literature is filled with women who have left a lasting impact on each of us. Here are some of our favorites!

Elizabeth Bennet

We couldn’t help but start with Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth is a woman who is truly ahead of her time - she is independent, opinionated, and refuses to marry for anything less than true love. Her wit and intelligence make her a force to be reckoned with, and we loved following her journey of self-discovery. Elizabeth teaches us that we can be strong and independent women and still find happiness.

Jane Eyre

Next on the list is Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Jane is a survivor. She successfully manages to overcome the challenges of poverty, abuse, and heartbreak leading her to find love and happiness. As an intelligent and principled woman, we love how her refusal to compromise her values is what ultimately sets her free. Her story is a great reminder that we all have the innate strength to overcome adversity and that there is always hope, there is always a better tomorrow!

Jo March

Moving on to another classic character, we have Jo March, the determined and fiercely independent protagonist of Little Women. Jo is a tomboy and definitely not the typical young woman of those times. She loves to write and dreams of one day becoming a successful author, something close to our hearts. We love how she is not afraid to speak her mind or challenge the norms of her time. Her journey of self-discovery is a joy to read, and she teaches us that being true to ourselves leads to happiness.

Hanna Majewski

Hanna Majewski from The War Girls by VS Alexander is next on our list. We love her inner strength and determination and her willingness to risk everything to protect those she loves. Her character is a shining example of how to successfully combine being tough and compassionate. She truly is a brave and resourceful protagonist who reminds us that even during the darkest days, there's always hope if we're willing to fight for it.

Hazel Grace Lancaster

Hazel Grace Lancaster from John Green's The Fault in Our Stars is one of the more contemporary characters we love. It is not just her strength we find inspiring, but it is her ability to find beauty and meaning in life, even in the face of illness and adversity. Her story is a reminder that every moment is precious and that we shouldn’t ever take a single day for granted.

Katniss Everdeen

Who hasn’t wanted to be Katniss Everdeen? This fierce and determined protagonist of The Hunger Games is a skilled archer, fierce warrior, and survivor. But what really sets her apart is her strength, resilience, and her unquestionable loyalty to her family. In a world where young people are forced to fight to the death for entertainment, Katniss manages to never lose sight of her humanity, and her willingness to fight for what is right is truly admirable.

Jane Marple

Miss Marple from Agatha Christie's mystery novels is a testament that age can be advantageous. She easily solves the most complex crimes that even the police struggled to unravel. Miss Marple may look harmless, but it is her sharp wit combined with her exceptional intelligence and intuition that makes her so successful. Her lovable character is a  great reminder that age is just a number.

Irene Adler

When we think of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, we instinctively think of Sherlock Holmes but often forget about that brilliant and cunning woman, Irene Adler. She definitely deserves our recognition as there are few people who can match the wits of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, but Irene is one of them. She is a brilliant and cunning woman whose intelligence and independence make her such a compelling character and a testament to the power of a sharp mind and a strong will.

Nancy Drew

We simply couldn’t leave Nancy Drew off our list, most of us first encountered her during our teens, and she helped form our love for the whodunit genre. She was an amazing and resourceful detective whose intelligence and bravery made her a great role model for young readers. She showed us how perseverance and hard work pay off - two traits that will always stand us in good stead.

Lisbeth Salander

Another contemporary character who has left a lasting impact is Lisbeth Salander from Stieg Larsson's Millennium series. She is a complex and fascinating character who defies categorization - a brilliant hacker, a fierce fighter, and a survivor of unimaginable trauma. Despite her past, Lisbeth is a force to be reckoned with, and her story is a reminder that even the most painful experiences can be overcome.

Offred

The Handmaid’s Tale is one of those books that captures your imagination from the first page. Offred finds her way into your heart as you watch her endure unimaginable cruelty while always remaining true to who she is and what she believes. She reminds us of the importance of taking a stand and fighting for freedom, but it is her resilience, strength, and determination that make her stand out from the crowd. She is a great reminder that no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we must always stay true to who we are.

These incredible female characters have had a profound impact on many of us. Each of them has their own unique strengths, weaknesses, and obstacles to overcome. But what stands out is their ability to inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves and to never give up on our dreams. Strength, determination, resilience, perseverance, intelligence, and self-belief are what binds them all together.