Gail Godwin Reading Order
7 series · 39 books · Born 1937
Gail Godwin is a celebrated American author known for her compelling narratives in literary fiction. With an impressive portfolio that spans 39 books across 7 series, including novels, short story collections, non-fiction, biographies, and memoirs, she has captivated readers since 1970. Among her notable works, her novels stand out, featuring multiple best-sellers and National Book Award finalists, showcasing her mastery of storytelling through rich character development and introspective themes.
Anthologies Series
Complete11 books (1980–2012)
Start with The Writer on Her Work, the first of 11 books in the Anthologies series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Writer on Her Work 1980Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Real Life: Writers from Nine Countries Illuminate the Life of the Modern Woman 1981Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  The Best American Short Stories 1985 1985Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Growing Up in the South 1991Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Listening for God, Vol. 2 1996Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  First Words: Earliest Writing from Favorite Contemporary Authors 2000Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 | Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  Writers on Writing 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | 12 Short Stories and Their Making 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | First Words: Earliest Writing from Favorite Contemporary Authors 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 | 27 Views of Asheville: A Southern Mountain Town in Prose & Poetry 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
Biographies & Memoirs Series
Likely Complete4 books (2007–2021)
Start with The Making of a Writer: Journals, 1961-1963, the first of 4 books in the Biographies & Memoirs series.
Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith Series
Complete4 books (1994–2002)
Start with Listening for God Reader, Vol. 1(By: Flannery O'Connor,Raymond Carver,Alice Walker,Garrison Keillor,Annie Dillard,Richard Rodríguez,Patricia Hampl,Peter Hawkins,Frederick Buechner,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins), the first of 4 books in the Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Listening for God Reader, Vol. 1(By: Flannery O'Connor,Raymond Carver,Alice Walker,Garrison Keillor,Annie Dillard,Richard Rodríguez,Patricia Hampl,Peter Hawkins,Frederick Buechner,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins) 1994Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 | Listening for God, Vol. 2(With: Anne Tyler,John Updike,Tobias Wolff,Henry Louis Gates Jr.,Kathleen Norris,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins,Carol Bly,Andrew Dubus) 1996Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Listening for God, Vol. 3(By: Tillie Olsen,Wendell Berry,John Cheever,Louise Erdrich,Mary Gordon,Tess Gallagher,Reynolds Price,Oscar Hijuelos,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins) 2000Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Listening For God, Vol. 4(By: Robert Olen Butler,Allegra Goodman,James Baldwin,Kent Haruf,SueMiller,Doris Betts,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins,MichaelMalone,Alice Elliot Dark) 2002Buy 🇺🇸 |
Margaret Bonner Series
Complete2 books (1991–1999)
Start with Father Melancholy's Daughter and read in order.
Non-Fiction Series
Ongoing2 books (2001–2024)
Start with Heart and read in order.
Short Story Collections Series
Complete2 books (1976–1983)
Start with Dream Children and read in order.
Standalone Novels Series
Complete14 books (1970–2020)
Start with The Perfectionists, the first of 14 books in the Standalone Novels series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Perfectionists 1970Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Glass People 1972Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  The Odd Woman 1974Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 | Violet Clay 1978Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  A Mother and Two Daughters 1982Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 | The Finishing School 1984Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  A Southern Family 1987Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  The Good Husband 1994Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | Evenings at Five 2003Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Queen of the Underworld 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  Unfinished Desires 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  Flora 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Grief Cottage 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  Old Lovegood Girls 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Gail Godwin written?
- Gail Godwin has written 39 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1970 to 2024.
- What is the first book in each Gail Godwin series?
- Here are the first books in Gail Godwin's series: Anthologies: The Writer on Her Work; Biographies & Memoirs: The Making of a Writer: Journals, 1961-1963; Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith: Listening for God Reader, Vol. 1(By: Flannery O'Connor,Raymond Carver,Alice Walker,Garrison Keillor,Annie Dillard,Richard Rodríguez,Patricia Hampl,Peter Hawkins,Frederick Buechner,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins); Margaret Bonner: Father Melancholy's Daughter; Non-Fiction: Heart.
- What order should I read Gail Godwin's books?
- We recommend reading Gail Godwin's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Gail Godwin still writing new books?
- Yes, Gail Godwin has 1 ongoing series: Non-Fiction.