Poll
Our Shared Shelf Book Themes for 2021 (Second Annual)
Women + Mental Health Issues
Indigenous women
(write-in)
Sex Workers
Her-story: Feminism pre 21st century
Climate change
(write-in)
South Asian Writers
Feminist Speculative Fiction
(write-in)
Women + Health Issues
Women in the Workplace
Motherhood
Feminist romance (straight and LGBTQIA+)
(write-in)
Critical Feminist Theory
Latinx writers, history, stories, memoirs
(write-in)
Women Fighters
Trans women
(write-in)
Incarcerated Women
Women in Anticolonial Struggles
Racial Justice
Women over 60; Single women; Women in non traditional employment
(write-in)
Feminist romance
(write-in)
south asia
Women as child molesters
(write-in)
Arab Women
(write-in)
Women in Fantasy
(write-in)
2448 total votes
Poll added by: Pam
Comments Showing 1-32 of 32 (32 new)
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I would love to read more books by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and Ismat Chugtai !
I think Women and Mental Health Issues is an important topic to raise awareness for. Even if we’ve never struggled with our own mental health, we probably know someone who has. Personally, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety, and I would love to read more about similar stories.
Something involving (radical) feminist work, since I had already ordered lots of it last year: latest orders had been from Audre Lorde, Andrea Dworkin, and the fiction of Jenny Hval, plus a good number from Verso Books.
I would love to read female speculative fiction especially from authors like Ursula Le Guin, N.K. Jemisin, or Octavia Butler.
I dont ready many fantasy or sci fi books by women that would be interesting.
I would love to read more about inspirational women who are passionate in what they doing giving real impact to people around them.
Fateha wrote: "I would love to read more about inspirational women who are passionate in what they doing giving real impact to people around them."I would love to read more books like that as well! Great idea!
I would love to read more books on ingenious women and mental health!
Fiction is love dude!💕 So sci-fi and fiction...
Debbyanne wrote: "I would love to read more books on ingenious women and mental health!"Did you mean indigenous?
Tria wrote: "Debbyanne wrote: "I would love to read more books on ingenious women and mental health!"Did you mean indigenous?"
Nope the last option... But I am a bit new over here can you tell me how to vote for it? When I clicked on the option I wanted this page opened up!
Climate change... I'm currently taking a degree course so won't have much time to contribute, but this is the big issue of the coming decade.
I would like to read about women in fantasy because fairy tales are very sexist towards both genders and depict women as being dainty (or else no one is interested) and men as being strong soldiers (likewise). Women are the ones that have to be saved and men are the ones that have to save them.I know that not every fairy tale does this but it annoys me when it happens.
When we vote, does the system force us to pick just one? Or can we pick multiple?
Ash wrote: "I would love to read female speculative fiction especially from authors like Ursula Le Guin, N.K. Jemisin, or Octavia Butler."I would add Suzette Haden Elgin to that list. I loved her Native Tongue series, and thought it brought up interesting points the role/value of women, their connections with relationships, and the use of language (from a linguist, of course!).
Also, as much as it is good to learn direct facts (as in nonfiction), something a little more out there, in terms of reading fiction in unique settings, would be quite nice. Haven't we all had a little too much of our reality? Wouldn't it be nice to escape a little, even if we are analysing and coming back to look at the world from a different angle?
Tria wrote: "Debbyanne wrote: "I would love to read more books on ingenious women and mental health!"Did you mean indigenous?"
Good question, was Debbyanne the victim of autocorrect? But ingenious women sounds good, too. There are also plenty of ingenious indigenous women, even some in the field of mental health. Maybe we need a book to cover it all!
Syed wrote: "Fiction is love dude!💕 So sci-fi and fiction..."I agree, Fiction is love. It also allows for some escapism to mix with analysis.
Then, the biggie: while some non-fiction (such as memoirs) activate large, varied regions of the brain, fiction is the most activating. In particular, it exercises the compassion and empathy "muscle" by allowing the reader to identify and/or become the character. While all books can make you more knowledgeable, and knowledge/dispelling ignorance can make you a better person, the emotional exercise of fiction makes its readers better people, even when it doesn't tackle particular subjects.
It might be nice for us to get some indirect benefits along with the direct benefits of discussion. Get it from all angles.
Can I vote against something? I haven't participated largely due to cost/access to the books, though I would like to participate more this year. I am only one person, and new to boot, but I will be bowing out of themes related to abuse, particularly sexual abuse, for the time being. Just not up for potential triggers right now. Not for me. I would just wait for the next theme to participate.
I'm gonna go for climate change because that's an extremely important topic that is tightly linked to every single type of discrimination/oppression.If no actions are taken regarding climate change then equality and justice will never be met.
I want to read some really inspiring stories of alone women, who are late to live in terms of job, family, and love. Especially about the ones who are living life in honorable ways and standing all alone against all the condescending and exclusionist pressure to her preferred or fated loneliness, to her past decisions and regrets in life, coming from both men and women.
The never-married, old, wise women, and especially without kids, without parents, without any reliable sincere friends, surrounded by insidious, unreliable people ... their struggle and success to getting over the heartbreaks, burnouts, depressions...
Their starting over everything later in life and the tremendous effort to earn money in honorable ways, their devotion through their jobs and passion in life, finding decent jobs, and finding peace...
Climate change is important though...
Anonym wrote: "I want to read some really inspiring stories of alone women, who are late to live in terms of job, family, and love. Especially about the ones who are living life in honorable ways and standing a..."
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Claire wrote: "When we vote, does the system force us to pick just one? Or can we pick multiple?"only one :(
I am down for Women + Mental Health as it is a clear and pressing issue in my personal and professional world. Women are at a severe disadvantage when it comes to mental health, wellness, and medical treatment and I would like in my life time to see this amended. I know I will not live long enough to see it eradicated, but I can hold hope for the smallest modicum of change.
Indeed, only one but we'll have 6 selections among that list (I suppose). In addition, if your choice is not selected I'm sure that if you ask for book selections in a thread you'll be advised amazing books 🙂
I voted for Mental Health issues but I think South Asian, Latinx, and Trans authors would also be wonderful.
I voted for Women and Mental Health, since I believe this is an important topic in general to bring more awareness to mental illness and all the forms it can come in. It's not always so readily noticeable, and I'm sure women tend to hide it more, since we are often in the caretaker role for those around us.I'd also like to read nonfiction books on women that took that next step in life...whether personally or professionally. It could be towards a goal they had in life, something they are passionate about...or leaving a relationship...moving on to the next job (knowing you should leave the one you're in but just never had the courage or the push to do it).
Women and Mental Health issues is a good choice, especially during these difficult times. Being personally suffering from anxiety( which this pandemic has made worse), I think it will be great if we learn and gain more knowledge about it.
I'd love to read about trans women. They are among the most unheard among all of us, and they deserve our understanding, inclusion and support❤️
I would like to see more feminist romances. It can be because I'm a romantic person yet the contemporary romances or any historical romance, although it starts with a strong female lead eventually end up in the "good wife" stereotypical role. I also like to see more books on mental health and the lives of people who fight this mental issues. It is high time we acknowledge the fact that both men and women sometimes need professional mental help.
ANNMARY wrote: "I would like to see more feminist romances. It can be because I'm a romantic person yet the contemporary romances or any historical romance, although it starts with a strong female lead eventually ..."Annmary, please describe for me Feminist Romances. I am not being funny or ugly . . .honestly, I have a bit of an attitude about romances and do not really comprehend the 'feminist romance' idea . . . what does that encompass? What does it look like?
Enquiring minds want to know!
I personally think that Climate change, Indigenous women and Sex workers might be three important topics! Also we need more Arab and Asian women representation.
It's that time when we pick our book themes for the new year. Your vote will help us to determine the six upcoming themes for our book topics.
Last year, you voted for:
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Authors
- Eco-Feminism
- Memoirs Outside of the US or UK
- Classic Feminist Works
- Disability Justice
What will you vote for this year? This poll will live from Sunday, January 31 - Saturday, February 6. (Please note that the "Your Choice is used if you want to add a new topic to the list)
We look forward to your decision!
With gratitude,
- The OSS Mods.