From the beginning of the fourteenth century onwards, we have sources documenting the book ownership of Icelandic women. Furthermore, we know with certainty that, from the fifteenth century, preserved books in their possession exist. From this time until 1500, the books owned by women were mainly legal texts, saga manuscripts (Icelandic family sagas, Kings’ sagas, legendary and chivalric sagas, and sagas about saints and holy maidens), religious writings, and Konungs skuggsjá (King’s Mirror). Women used books for various purposes, with the majority serving as cultural resources and support for their primary roles as mothers and housewives. At the same time, books served as indicators of their owners’ education, interests, and self-esteem. In addition to these roles, women sought comfort and protection from the uncertainties of the world within the pages of their books. Consequently, book ownership constituted a multifaceted interplay of factors, encompassing education, entertainment, strengthening one’s self-image, and cultural capital.