There was no shortage of Milwaukee women publishing books this year in just about every genre for just about every age. And books make great gifts. Some of us might even go so far as to say books make the best gifts. 

So if you're playing the Santa role this year, we recommend purchasing one or some or all of these books from a Milwaukee-based independent bookshop. But hey, we aren't judging the convenience of delivery service from the Big Guys.

Here are 13 books written in 2023 by female authors, in no particular order.

“While You Were Out”
Meg Kissinger
Memoir/Non-Fiction

It took 10 years for longtime Journal Sentinel journalist Meg Kissinger to write this erudite and emotional banger of a book. Kissinger tells a story of how mental illness and addiction besieged her large, loving family in 1960s suburban Chicago and Milwaukee. It was named in Best Memoirs of 2023 by Amazon, Audible and Goodreads as well as chosen as the editors' choice by the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. So. Who’s gonna play Meg in the inevitable film adaptation?

“More Than Representation: The Cheat Codes To Own Your Seat At The Table”
Raven Jemison
Memoir/Leadership Guide

Raven Jemison is the Executive Vice President of Business Operations for The Milwaukee Bucks, a role that didn’t come easily to her. Jemison, who is a Black, queer woman, navigated her way to the top of the male-dominated sports industry and now she’s sharing her stories to illuminate the path for others. “For minorities and marginalized groups, representation matters, but access matters more,” writes Jemison. Say it louder for the people in the back.

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“Holy Food: How Cults, Communes and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat – An American History” 
Christina Ward
Food/Spirituality

Christina Ward is the editor and VP of Feral House, Inc. – a Washington-based publishing company that produces “high-quality books on forbidden topics.” Ward’s “Holy Foods” is exactly that. Her insatiable appetite for food, religion/cults and history led Ward – who is an atheist –  on a five-year journey to write this meaty masterpiece that explores what groups of people eat and why they eat it. Major bonus: it features 75 recipes from religious and communal circles that were tested and updated by Ward and her culinary cohorts. Wanna whip up pierogi as made by the Rajneesh Movement or an apple pie invented by The Shakers in the 18th Century? This is your book.

“The Milwaukee Bucket List: 101 Real Milwaukee Adventures”
Barbara Ali
Travel

After traveling the world with the Air Force, Barbara Ali landed in Milwaukee and appraoched her city with the same enthusiasm as she did foreign countries. Ali originally published “The Milwaukee Bucket List” in 2014, but updated and reissued it in April of 2023 with new Brew City explorations from bicycling to beer making.

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“The Cards You’re Dealt: How To Deal When Life Gets Real” 
Teresa Reed
Tarot Card Guide / Self-Improvement

The prolific Teresa Reed – aka “The Tarot Lady” – published her eighth book this year. “The Cards You're Dealt” provides smart, frank and heart-based wisdom to anyone dealing with life’s toughest stuff. Reed shares insightful instruction to any level of tarot card enthusiast who wants to celebrate the small stuff and make better use of their time while navigating the dark waters of disappointment.

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“Wisconsin Field To Fork: Farm Fresh Recipes From The Dairy State”
Lori Fredrich
Cookbook / Non-fiction

In October, OnMilwaukee’s Senior Writer and Dining Editor Lori Fredrich stirred this scrumptious title into existence. “Wisconsin Field To Fork” is Fredrich’s second book and it mixes stories from the farmers who provide the ingredients to sustain local restaurants with recipes from the chefs who transform the food into edible art.

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Olivia The Owl (series)
Bet-z Boenning
Kids

After decades of dreaming, Milwaukee's Bet-z Boenning brought an idea to fruition this year when she published a series of books about an Owl name Olivia. Olivia practices love, kindness and acceptance and deeply values friendship. The books, which are part stories and part coloring books, are available via email only: oliviatheowlwi@gmail.com

“Death’s Intern Derrick”
Becky Franzel
Fiction

This is the third book by Brew City author and writing instructor Becky Franzel. “Death’s Intern Derrick” tells the tale of a guy named Derrick who starts working for Death Inc. and learns a lot about life, work, mortality and the often-ambiguous nature of right versus wrong.

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“Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin: How America's Most Famous Architect Found Inspiration in His Home State”
Kristine Hansen
History/Guide/Architecture

Kristine Hansen’s second book is a comprehensive guide featuring Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs along with insider historical information. Wright was a world-renowned architect who designed New York City’s Guggenheim Museum yet remained committed to not only beautifying but bettering Wisconsin with his affordable-housing prototypes and architecture school in rural Spring Green.

“Vulnerable”
Nakisha Adams
Poetry/Short stories

This collection of writings is Nakisha Adams’ journey of reflection, release and re-directing her focus. The stories are told through five different relationships with the intent to help others discover their personal empowerment through self-examination.

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“Intrigue In Istanbul”
Erica Ruth Neubauer
Historical Mystery

“Intrigue In Istanbul” is the fourth book in Erica Ruth Neubauer’s “Jane Wunderly Mystery Series.” In this adventure, it’s 1926 and young American widow Jane Wunderly travels to Istanbul, Turkey, where she searches for her archeologist father and unravels secrets in doing so. 

The Ghostly Tales of Tombstone
Anna Lardinois
Kids, 8-11 years old

Writer and historian Anna Lardinois spins spooky ghost stories from America's Old Wild West in Tombstone, Arizona. Readers will learn about wandering phantoms, haunted locations, shoot-outs, secret tunnels and more. Ideal for youngins who like action and adventure.

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It’s A Good Day To Change The World: Inspiration and Advice For a Feminist Future
Lauren Schiller, Hydley Dynak, Rosy Petri (illustrator)
Motivational

This energizing book rooted in social justice features interviews with groundbreaking activists, authors, artists, entrepreneurs and visionaries from Ijeoma Oluo to Sarah Silverman. Readers will learn how to push new ideas forward, the significance of building solidarity, the liberating power of laughter, the importance of valuing your own time and more.