Ava: A Novel by Victoria Dillon

(Thank you to She Writes Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

For fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale comes Ava, a provocative blend of speculative fiction and social commentary that takes readers on a gripping, thought-provoking journey into the fight for women’s autonomy in a politically charged Southern landscape.

What if the only way to reclaim reproductive freedom was to rewrite the very nature of birth itself?

Ten years after Roe v. Wade is overturned, twenty-two-year-old biologist Larkin finds herself unexpectedly pregnant in a country where choice is no longer an option. Initially uncertain, she embraces motherhood—until a devastating diagnosis changes everything. Trapped by Tennessee’s strict abortion laws, she is forced to carry her baby to term, only to endure the heartbreak of losing her hours after birth.

Years later, Larkin joins a radical scientific movement that could change a groundbreaking technology that replaces gestation with incubation, allowing women true control over their reproduction. When she uses it to bring her second daughter, Ava, into the world, she believes she has finally reclaimed her autonomy. But as Ava grows and begins to question the very choice that created her, Larkin is challenged in ways she never imagined.

Ava is a powerful, emotionally charged exploration of motherhood, bodily autonomy, and the far-reaching consequences of restrictive legislation. In a future shaped by loss and innovation, mother and daughter must confront the ultimate what does it truly mean to have a choice?

my thoughts:

Wow! What an impressive and powerful story. Ava by Victoria Dillon is a definite must-read for everyone. It's speculative fiction at its very best. A smart and fascinating story about reproduction, women's rights, and feminism. I found myself getting lost in Larkin and Ava's story every night as I read it - it was just too damn good to put down. I mean who wouldn't be intrigued by this concept of incubation - a way for women to have children and maintain true autonomy over their bodies - WHOA! Talk about weird-sounding science. And yet,, the more I read, the more questions I had about so many of the important topics being explored in this book-  science and technology, reproductive rights, morality, and the mother-daughter relationship. It was all so fascinating. I wound up jotting down notes here and there, because I couldn't stop thinking about this story. It was disturbing, compelling, and unforgettable. I loved it. 

I would definitely recommend Ava to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will not want to miss out on this one. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP!

Thank you to She Writes Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Last One: A Novel by Fatima Daas

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Drawn from the author’s experiences growing up in a Paris banlieue, a powerful, lyric debut that explores the diverse, often conflicting facets of her identity—French, Algerian, Muslim, lesbian.

The youngest daughter of Algerian immigrants, Fatima Daas is raised in a home where love and sexuality are considered taboo, and signs of affection avoided. Living in the majority-Muslim suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois, she often spends more than three hours a day on public transportation to and from the city, where she feels like a tourist observing Parisian manners. She goes from unstable student to maladjusted adult, doing four years of therapy—her longest relationship. But as she gains distance from her family and comes into her own, she grapples more directly with her attraction to women and how it fits with her religion, which she continues to practice. When Nina comes into her life, she doesn’t know exactly what she needs but feels that something crucial has been missing.

This extraordinary first novel, anchored and buoyed by the refrain “My name is Fatima,” is a vital portrait of a young woman finding herself in a modern world full of contradictions. Daas’s journey to living her sexuality in spite of expectations about who she should be offers a powerful perspective on the queer experience.

my thoughts:

What beautiful prose! The Last One reads like a poem with its lyricism and vivid emotions. I just loved reading about Daas and her life in Paris. It was fascinating, thought-provoking, and eye-opening. Talk about food for thought. 

Daas is Muslim, queer, and in her twenties living in France. She is religious and loyal to her family, so she struggles with how her sexual identity will affect these very important relationships. She struggles with it all and shares about it with such authenticity, that you can't help but feel her disconnection and sadness. It is such a passionate story. 

I found myself gripped by Daas's emotional journey and her ability to describe it, share it, and write it all out for us was just amazing. She bears it all - flaws, loves, struggles, pain, and so much more. It was truly a powerful read. 

I would happily recommend The Last One by Fatima Daas to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with this one. 

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Today's Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing the World by Asha Dahya

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Meet the women and female-identifying heroes who have defied death, flouted cultural norms, and risen above poverty to become CEOs, entrepreneurs, activists, role models, media moguls, and movement creators. This collection of stories, essays, and interviews celebrates their superpowers: love, determination, vision, and grit. These 50 women share their wisdom and advice in ways that will inspire you to discover your own superpower.

Each story will transport you into the life and perspective of one who dares to challenge the status quo, dismantle barriers, and empower those around her: Alexa Carlin, a CEO at the age of 17, overcame a 1% chance of surviving sepsis and started the Women Empowerment Expo; Mariah Hanson launched “the Dinah,” the world’s largest party and music festival for lesbians; activist and gun control advocate Shira Tarantino founded the ENOUGH Campaign; Laverne Delgado is program director of Fashion & Freedom, which rescues victims of sex trafficking and helps them learn skills to enter the fashion industry; plus dozens of other women who refused to accept societal limitations and whose achievements offer inspiring lessons for us all.

my thoughts:

Talk about feminism at its very best. Today's Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing the World by Asha Dahya is an excellent book that celebrates women who have overcome a variety of challenges in order to create change in the world. It is truly amazing to read their stories and everything they have accomplished and still plan to do. Awe-inspiring to say the very least. I loved spending time with this book and getting to know these women and their causes. I found myself feeling beyond hopeful as I read this book and long after. It is just such an inspiring and motivating read. 

I would most definitely recommend Today's Wonder Women to everyone - it is a must-read! Definitely get your hands on a copy and share about it with everyone. These female superheroes' stories should be known and should inspire you to share your own superhero stories as well. 

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Today's Wonder Women

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Accidental Suffragist: A Novel by Galia Gichon

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

It's 1912, and protagonist Helen Fox is a factory worker living in New York's tenements. When tragedy strikes in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Helen is seduced by the Suffragist cause and is soon immersed, working alongside famous activists.

As Helen's involvement with the cause deepens, she encounters myriad sources of tension that test her perseverance: estrangement from her husband, who is blindsided by his wife's sudden activism; ostracization by neighbors; unease at working side by side with wealthier suffragettes; and worry about her children as she leaves them to picket the White House in Washington.

The narrative spans World War One and concludes with the triumph of 1919. In a time when the obstacles for women, from any background, were insurmountable, Helen discovers her voice as an independent woman and dreams of equality in a male-dominated society.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a book! The Accidental Suffragist by Galia Gichon is a terrific read. I absolutely LOVED it to bits. This is one book you won't want to miss out on - it's important, it's informative, and it's inspiring. It's historical fiction at its very best. 

It is the early 1900s and Helen Fox works at a local factory.  A horrible fire erupts and her daughter, who also works at the factory, dies as a result. Deep in grief, Helen finds a new job with the suffragist activists - their mission is to get women the vote.  Her husband is not keen on this new gig. In fact, none of her neighbors are happy about the new job either. And, the more involved she becomes with her work and these activists, the more worries she begins to have. Nonetheless, Helen is inspired and motivated to join the suffragists in their cause. She has found her voice and she is determined to make her dreams of equality a reality. Talk about a must-read! 

Gichon has written a wonderful book that I enjoyed spending the day with. I found myself unable to put the book down for anything. I just had to read all about Helen and the suffragists. It was such a great story! The history, the women, and the fight for our right to vote - exciting, thrilling, and inspiring. 

I would happily recommend The Accidental Suffragist to anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Hot Stew: A Novel by Fiona Mozley

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from NetGalley)

In the middle of the bustle of London's Soho, among the theaters and sex shops and pubs, sits a building. It isn’t particularly assuming. But it’s a prime piece of real estate, and a young millionaire, Agatha Howard, wants to convert it into luxury condos as soon as she can kick out all the tenants.

The problem is, the building in question houses a brothel, and Precious and Tabitha, two of the women who live and work there, are not going to go quietly. And another problem is, just where did Agatha’s fortune come from? The fight over this piece of property also draws in the men who visit, including Robert, a one-time member of a far-right group and enforcer for Agatha’s father; Jackie, a policewoman intent on making London a safer place for all women; Bastian, a rich and dissatisfied party boy who pines for an ex-girlfriend; and a collection of vagabonds and strays who occupy the basement. In this much-anticipated follow-up to Fiona Mozley's brilliant debut, Elmet, as these characters—with surprising hidden connections and shadowy pasts—converge, the fight over the property boils over into a hot stew.

Entertaining, sharply funny, and dazzlingly accomplished, Hot Stew confronts questions about wealth and inheritance, gender and power, and the things women must do to survive in an unjust world.

my thoughts:

Out April 20th, Hot Stew by Fiona Mozley is an addictive and fascinating story.  Set in London's Soho area, this book introduces us to Precious and Tabitha, two women working in an old brothel.  They are not happy when they find out that millionaire Agatha Howard wants to convert their brothel, a place they consider home, into a luxury condos. Yep, Agatha wants to gentrify the neighborhood and looks like this building is her ticket.  Except, the people who reside in Soho are not keen on losing their workplace, their home, their bit of history.  So, they set out to make things difficult for Agatha.  Yep, a class war erupts and it makes for quite the story. 

Mozley has written an engaging and interesting story about gentrification, class, ownership, and identity. She's created an unforgettable cast of characters that will intrigue you.  Her vivid and realistic portrayal of London is spot on and makes you feel as if you are visiting the city.  And the story she's written showcases her storytelling prowess. Hot Stew is unputdownable.  It's a story that will captivate you from start to finish. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Mozley and anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Pretending: A Novel by Holly Bourne

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

In this hilarious and heartbreaking debut novel perfect for fans of Fleabag, a woman struggling to move on after a traumatic relationship pretends to be “the perfect girl” in an act of vengeance that goes awry when she finds herself emotionally compromised.

He said he was looking for a 'partner in crime' which everyone knows is shorthand for 'a woman who isn't real'.

April is kind, pretty, and relatively normal - yet she can't seem to get past date five. Every time she thinks she's found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry. Until she realizes that what men are really looking for is Gretel.

Gretel is perfect - beautiful but low maintenance, sweet but never clingy, sexy but not a slut. She's a Regular Everyday Manic Pixie Dream Girl Next Door With No Problems.

When April starts pretending to be Gretel, dating becomes much more fun - especially once she reels in the unsuspecting Joshua. Finally, April is the one in control, but can she control her own feelings? And as she and Joshua grow closer, how long will she be able to keep pretending?

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! Pretending by Holly Bourne is a fantastic novel to get lost in. Its humorous, smart, and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed getting to know April and reading about her journey of 'pretending' and falling in love.  Definitely a must-read for fans of Bourne and anyone looking for their next great read - you won't be able to put this book down!

So, what's the book about? Well, it's about April.  She's a normal gal who just can't seem to find love.  In fact, she's had some horrible experiences (like, traumatizing), so it's no wonder she can't trust men and has trouble settling into a relationship.  So, she decides to create the perfect girl, by 'pretending' to be her. Yep, April becomes Gretel and soon finds herself involved with a guy named Joshua.  Her plan is working. Except, she's falling for him and how can she keep on 'pretending' when she's in love? Uh oh. Looks like maybe April didn't plan for true love and now she's in a bind (to say the least); and what about Joshua? What's he going to think when he meets April, not Gretel? And, that is all I will write about this awesome book!

You definitely need to check it out! The writing is top notch, the characters are unforgettable, and the story itself is unputdownable. You will LOVE this book to bits! 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

His Only Wife: A Novel by Peace Adzo Medie

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

     Peace Adzo Medie’s captivating debut novel, HIS ONLY WIFE, paints a nuanced portrait of a young African woman who must forge her own sense of identity and worth within the strictures of a less-than-ideal arranged marriage. Medie, who is also an accomplished academic in the UK and her native Ghana and the author of the seminal text Global Norms and Local Action: The Campaigns to End Violence Against Women in Africa, displays a great talent for fiction writing, crafting a deceptively breezy narrative that invites readers into the intimate world of its heroine, Afi—a world that straddles traditional expectations and modern desires. As Afi navigates the pressures of an unusual marital situation, she also learns to exert her own independence in unexpected ways.

     Afi is a young seamstress living in the small town of Ho when she is betrothed to Eli, the
successful son of her family’s benefactor. The marriage has been arranged by Eli’s family in an
effort to get him away from his Liberian mistress, a woman viewed as unsuitable by all. Eli is not
even at the wedding—the couple is married by proxy. Afi moves into a luxury apartment in
Accra, the bustling capital city, but weeks go by without a visit from her new husband. She
enrolls in design school and begins to build a life for herself. When Afi and Eli do finally
consummate their marriage, the attraction and affection between them is real. But, Eli continues
his second life with the other woman, leaving Afi confused about her options.

     HIS ONLY WIFE “is a commentary on the value that is placed on marriage in Ghanaian
and most African societies (and in many other places in the world),” Medie says. “This emphasis
on marriage and its association with womanhood, places a great deal of pressure on young
women and causes many to settle for relationships that are often unfulfilling and unhappy.” At its
heart, the novel is a story of a young woman coming into her own and finding her voice. It also
offers a unique glimpse into a very unconventional marriage, and into life in Ghana. HIS ONLY
WIFE “is also a feminist novel,” Medie adds, “but not in a way that might be familiar to many
readers. This is because Afi’s path to finding her voice is circuitous and not always
empowering.”

     Depicting a way of life that may surprise many uninitiated Western readers, HIS ONLY
WIFE is also “a hilarious, page-turning, sharply realized portrait of modern womanhood in the
most infuriating of circumstances. A gem of a debut,” says Wayetu Moore, author of She Would
Be King.

my thoughts:

I absolutely LOVED reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie. It's the story of Afi, a young woman who enters into an arranged marriage with a man from a wealthy family.  His family is not happy that he is entangled with a mistress and is hoping that by marrying Afi, he will finally settle into a respectable life. Except, that doesn't happen. In fact, he doesn't even show up to his own wedding and instead Afi marries him via proxy. Yep, a proxy. How crazy is that?! So, Afi settles into her new married life sans husbands which is strange, but also freeing in a way. She enrolls in school and starts a new life for herself. And then, he shows up. Things take a turn for Afi when she finds herself attracted to her husband. It's obvious that he likes Afi, too. Except, he won't break things off with his mistress. And so, Afi's marriage becomes complicated as emotions become entangled and options become limited. Talk about a difficult relationship.

Medie does a fantastic job of describing Afi's marriage, the Ghanian culture, and the concept of womanhood. She explores the ways in which women find their voices within unhappy relationships and how society plays a role in limiting women's growth. This story is captivating and eye-opening. It's definitely a must-read for anyone looking for their next great read. You won't want to miss out on Medie's excellent writing and her unforgettable characters. Such a great book!!









Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Women: The National Geographic Image Collection

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

This powerful photography collection, drawn from the celebrated National Geographic archive, reveals the lives of women from around the globe, accompanied by revelatory new interviews and portraits of contemporary trailblazers including Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and Christiane Amanpour.

#MeToo. #GirlBoss. Time’s Up. From Silicon Valley to politics and beyond, women are reshaping our world. Now, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, this bold and inspiring book from National Geographic mines 130 years of photography to showcase their past, their present, and their future. With 300+ stunning images from more than 50 countries, each page of this glorious book offers compelling testimony about what it means to be female, from historic suffragettes to the haunting, green-eyed “Afghan girl.”

Organized around chapter themes like grit, love, and joy, the book features brand-new commentary from a wide swath of luminaries including Laura Bush, Gloria Allred, Roxane Gay, Melinda Gates, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and the founders of the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. Each is accompanied by a bold new portrait, shot by acclaimed NG photographer Erika Larsen. The ultimate coffee table book, this iconic collection provides definitive proof that the future is female.

my thoughts:

Oh my, gorgeousness! Women by The National Geographic Image Collection is beyond stunning.  I fell in so deep with this beautiful tome chock full of images of women from all over the world.  These photographs captured so much emotion, history, and livelihood - they were brilliant. I spent days with this book, just pouring over the each picture and finding myself smiling, tearing up and just taking it all in. The strength and fortitude of women is crystal clear throughout the book and I just loved that. Women is one book you most definitely don't want to miss out on. It is truly special and makes for quite the reading experience. I absolutely LOVED it to bits. And, I can't wait to share it with loved ones - I just know they are going to enjoy looking through this book and placing it front and center on their coffee tables.

I would happily recommend Women to fans of National Geographic and anyone interested in their next great read - you will LOVE this book!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Women

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Question Authority: A Novel by Rachel Cline

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The Question Authority is a timely and moving novel about what happens when childhood best friends face the damage done by the teacher who molested them both.

Meet Nora Buchbinder—formerly rich and now broke and newly employed at the NYC Education Department. She would be the last woman in Brooklyn to claim #MeToo, but when a work assignment reunites her with her childhood best friend, Beth, she finds herself in a hall of mirrors. Was their eight grade teacher Beth’s lover or her rapist? What should justice look like after so much time has passed? And what, if anything, can Nora do now?

In this powerful and emotionally wrenching story, Nora and Beth’s memories, and those of their classmates, their former teacher, and members of his family are revealed. These memories shed light on the way we manage and absorb unbearable behavior and how one experience can influence a whole life.

The Question Authority tracks Nora’s trajectory from denial to reinvention, self pity to self righteousness and, finally, insight and action. As Nora begins to understand her own personal #Metoo, she faces some difficult revelations about herself and how she has chosen to live her life.

Praise

“A gripping, provocative story about bright young girls in thrall to a charismatic teacher, and his haunting impact on their adult lives. The novel adds depth and nuance to our ongoing conversation about #MeToo revelations.”  —Kate Manning, author of My Notorious Life

 

“Cline compels us to face the most pressing questions that #MeToo raised: how is inequality truly seen, what does justice look like, what good does questioning authority do when the authority is so skilled at dodging questions?” —Matt Caprioli, Red Hook Star-Revue

 

“So in touch with the present moment that it might have been written last week, so skillful that it couldn’t have been, this prescient novel deserves your attention.” —Martha Southgate, author of Third Girl from the Left

my thoughts:

OMG! What a story! Not only is it relevant right now - #MeToo movement - but it is an important read that explores the topics of sexual abuse/assault, justice, etc.. This thought-provoking story will haunt you long after you turn the last page.  It is gripping, eye-opening, and smart.  I gobbled it up and couldn't stop thinking about it.  What a great book!!

Nora reunites with childhood BFF Beth through her job and soon finds herself questioning their past.  Beth is currently representing a male teacher who has been accused of behaving inappropriately with his students.  The case reminds Nora of a teacher that she and Beth both had.  A teacher that Beth slept with, along with a number of other girls from their class.  Nora questions the nature of that past relationship and how it would be treated now. She wonders how Beth feels about what happened all those years ago. Was it sex? Was it rape? So many thoughts and questions swirl through Nora's mind.  Can there be justice for something that happened so long ago? How is Beth able to represent a man who has been accused of pedophilia? How has her past truly affected Beth?

As the story unfolds and we learn more about what happened all those years ago, you can't help but wonder how it happened and continues to happen even now  What justice is there for these young women?  You find yourself filled with questions and searching for answers. It is such a compelling story that you can't help but get so immersed in it.  These characters become people you know and it just breaks your heart reading about their experiences.  The Question Authority is quite an unforgettable read.

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - don't miss out on this important story!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Question Authority

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving An American Obsession by Alice Bolin

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“Dead Girls is everything I want in an essay collection: provocative lines of inquiry, macabre humor, blistering intelligence… I love this book.” —  Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties

“Bracing and blazingly smart, Alice Bolin’s Dead Girls could hardly be more needed or more timely.” — Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of You Will Know Me

Best of summer 2018 – included on best-of lists by Bitch Magazine, Harpers Bazaar, The Millions, Esquire, Refinery29, Nylon, PopSugar, The Chicago Tribune, Book Riot, and CrimeReads

In this poignant collection, Alice Bolin examines iconic American works from the essays of Joan Didion and James Baldwin to Twin Peaks, Britney Spears, and Serial, illuminating the widespread obsession with women who are abused, killed, and disenfranchised, and whose bodies (dead and alive) are used as props to bolster men’s stories. Smart and accessible, thoughtful and heartfelt, Bolin investigates the implications of our cultural fixations, and her own role as a consumer and creator.

Bolin chronicles her life in Los Angeles, dissects the Noir, revisits her own coming of age, and analyzes stories of witches and werewolves, both appreciating and challenging the narratives we construct and absorb every day. Dead Girls begins by exploring the trope of dead women in fiction, and ends by interrogating the more complex dilemma of living women – both the persistent injustices they suffer and the oppression that white women help perpetrate.

Reminiscent of the piercing insight of Rebecca Solnit and the critical skill of Hilton Als, Bolin constructs a sharp, perceptive, and revelatory dialogue on the portrayal of women in media and their roles in our culture.

my thoughts:

As a huge fan of essays, I was super excited to read Dead Girls - a book of essays about the "dead girl" trope within American culture and media - specifically in literature.  Talk about a fascinating book!

This nonfiction tome is a bit of a memoir as Bolin writes about her life in LA and we get to see how she navigates loneliness, relies on Joan Didion's writing, and shares about her experiences with roommates and boyfriends.  Of course, we also get the essays that explore the idea of exploiting the "dead women" that society seems to be obsessed with.  You know, stories that begin with a dead woman and end with their murder being solved (or unsolved).  Its the idea that these "dead girls" are what the male characters depend on in order to grow/develop within the story - so crazy, but seemingly true to the arc of many a story.  And then there are the TV shows that use "dead women" to show how men are incapable of resisting their homicidal tendencies by exploring their methods and psychology - talk about crazy and interesting essays!  Bolin also looks at the concept of the "living girl" and the ways in which these women are exploited - such as through their fame, like with Britney Spears.  I just loved reading this book! I found myself easily caught up in everything that Bolin wanted to share with her readers and found myself jotting down notes to look at later.  Talk about a great mix of feminism and popular culture!

Dead Girls is terrific book of essays that I would happily recommend to anyone interested in nonfiction, specifically feminist nonfiction - you will LOVE this collection to bits!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Dead Girls

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

In Praise of Difficult Women: Life Lessons From 29 Heroines Who Dared to Break the Rules by Karen Karbo

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

From Amelia Earhart to Carrie Fisher, this witty narrative explores what we can learn from the imperfect and extraordinary legacies of 29 iconic women who forged their own unique paths.

Smart, sassy, and unapologetically feminine, this elegantly illustrated book is an ode to the bold and charismatic women of modern history. Best-selling author Karen Karbo (The Gospel According to Coco Chanel) spotlights the spirited rule breakers who charted their way with little regard for expectations: Frida Kahlo, Nora Ephron, Hillary Clinton, Amy Poehler, Shonda Rhimes, Elizabeth Taylor, and Helen Gurley Brown, among others. Their lives–imperfect, elegant, messy, glorious–provide inspiration and instruction for the new age of feminism we have entered. Karbo distills these lessons with wit and humor, examining the universal themes that connect us to each of these mesmerizing personalities today: success and style, love and authenticity, daring and courage. Being “difficult,” Karbo reveals, might not make life easier. But it can make it more fulfilling–whatever that means for you.

my thoughts:

Love this book! Its chock full of mini-biographies about female icons within a variety of industries - Frida Kahlo, Nora Ephron, Shonda Rhimes, and Gloria Steinem to name a few.  Its the perfect book to dip in and out of. I love the idea of grabbing a cuppa, this book, and just diving right in.  Its such a great pick-me-up.  Reading about these awesome women, their struggles, their successes, and how inspiring they are - just puts a smile on my face.

The women in this book come from all walks of life and we learn about the ways in which they fought, raged, and paved their paths for their passions.  They are/were strong, determined, and capable - so they went for it.  These are women who believed in themselves and showed the world that women can do anything.  They are awe-inspiring stories that I gobbled up with joy.

I would happily recommend In Praise of Difficult Women to everyone - its a must-read!!


Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule: In Praise of Difficult Women

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

WOMEN UNBOUND - Start of challenge meme!

Alright, so to kick off this challenge there is a meme to respond to. Here it goes:

WOMEN UNBOUND Start of Challenge Meme:

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

Feminism is an ongoing movement that focuses on improving the social status of women (equality between men and women), educating the world on the inequalities between men and women and the ways in which these inequalities can be addressed, establishing more rights for women to become equal partners to men in every arena (academic, political, social, economic, etc.). I think that feminism does have to do with the work sphere, the social sphere, the way we dress and they ways in which we act (social behavior, customs, cultures, gestures, language, etc.). In fact I believe that it affects every aspect of our livelihood (to some degree).

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

Yes, I do consider myself a feminist, because I believe in the feminist movement's agenda to work on establishing more rights for women, and raising awareness of the many issues women face on a daily basis, along with helping to secure equal rights for women in every area of their lives (specifically, political, social, work, economic).

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

Inequality within the political, academic, work, social and economic arenas. Over time, there have been some slight changes, but at the end of the day, women are still being paid less than men and are still being overlooked for promotions because of their gender.

Okay, so those are my answers to the meme. I'm looking forward to figuring out which books to read for this challenge. Happy Reading!

WOMEN UNBOUND: A Reading Challenge

I just found out about this interesting challenge called, Women Unbound.
Basically, it is a challenge devoted to reading texts, both fiction and non-fiction, that are related to the concept of 'Women's Studies'. As a women's studies major I am most definitely interested in this challenge and think its a wonderful way to get more people interested in writings that focus on the culture of women and their roles within society.

Here are the details for the challenge:

The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010, but you may join in the fun whenever you wish! Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’ The definition according to Merriam-Webster is,

"the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender".

For nonfiction, this would include books on feminism, history books focused on women, biographies of women, memoirs (or travelogues) by women, essays by women and cultural books focused on women (body image, motherhood, etc.). The topics I’ve listed aren’t meant to be exhaustive; if you come across a nonfiction book whose subject is female-related, it counts! Of course, if you’re not sure you can always ask about it in a comment. And if you need some ideas for specific books, check out the ‘Reading Lists’ page.

It’s trickier to say what is applicable as fiction. Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to explain in your review why you chose this for the challenge and its connection to women’s studies. Once again, if you need some specific ideas, check out the ‘Reading Lists’ page.

One quick note about author gender. There isn’t a rule if a book’s written by a woman it counts and if by a man it doesn’t count. I firmly believe that men can be feminists and that not all women are feminists. As long as the book adheres to the definition of women’s studies I’ve shared above, it counts.

Interested in participating? Great! There are three levels you can choose as a reader (you can count books for other challenges as well):

• Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
• Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
• Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

You can sign up for this challenge over at Women Unbound.

For any other questions regarding this challenge head on over to Women Unbound.

I don't have a list yet, but I am going to read at least 8 books for this challenge. So, I guess I'll be participating at the Suffragette level. Here's to some great reading!!