Read Women discussion
Introductions and Announcements
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Introductions
Welcome, Robin. I went to a talk lately where somebody gave statistics on readers and writers. I will not remember the exact figures but broadly:- male readers read mostly male writers (like 90%)
- female readers read approximately equal female and male writers
- female readers read more books than male readers
- still, this means male writers are disproportionately favoured.
And when it comes to reviews in respected publications like the New York Times or Guardian Book Review, male writers are WAY disportionately awarded column space.
So, I like to support women writers. But of course it does not stop me also reading those male writers that I enjoy - especially where they represent some other minority influence, eg people of colour or LGBTQ.
Hello! My name is Celine and I'm new to the whole online book club thing. Not sure what to say about myself other than I love to read, I love to discuss, and I'm excited about reading more female authors! I have a public policy background and am very interested in human rights and gender issues. Mostly I read literary fiction, but I'm looking to expand my non-fiction bookshelves in the coming year. Glad to have found this group and excited about 2017!
Welcome, Celine. I hope you enjoy Goodreads.
Names Justin. I call myself a trash collector of sorts because most of the books I own were a nickel and were arbitrarily chosen--the mores remarking on touch and that intoxicating scent older books permeate when you flutter in the pages against your nose. I don't know why, but the smell puts me back in elementary school, behind my desk reading when the teacher tells me to pay attention to the lesson. I treasure this. I usually store them in black plastic bags in the garage until I find a good random place to put them in the house. My house is my bookshelf.
I don't care for what the book is about in the back, could care less about who wrote it, or genre, or quality writing often found in classics. Don't care about how big or small; if I walk into a bookstore and I see it, and like it, and It's fiction, I'm getting it. I highlight quotes I like, I dog ear the pages when bookmarks are no where near, I bend the spines for optimal one handed reading.
And it just so happens that most of what I have and read are female authors.
TO BE CONTINUED:
Justin wrote: "Names Justin. I call myself a trash collector of sorts because most of the books I own were a nickel and were arbitrarily chosen--the mores remarking on touch and that intoxicating scent older book..."A delightful introduction, Justin. Welcome!
Hello! My name is Kimberley and I am new on here, searching for good recommendations for books that promote other female authors. I'm from Canada and would love to hear any that other worldwide members find a good read! Thanks!
Welcome Justin! Welcome Kimberley!
Hey everyone!I'm so excited to be a part of this group.I could connect with the idea of the group and hope to read more women authors in the year 2017.
I hope this group helps me to keep up with this New Year resolution of mine.
Looking forward to a splendid cultural and intellectual exchange!!
Happy New Year peeps :)
Hello everyone,I am Virginie, Frenchie who moved to Australia seven years ago. I am a big reader in French, but I never know what to read in English.
I started writing my book 18 months ago and as it's a very new and eclectic genre, I decided to self-publish...which has been a very stressful journey, but in few days I will finally hold a print copy in my hands and realise it's real.
The funny thing is that I never thought I would be able to write in English, but when my friends ask if there will be a French version, I doubt it, unless someone else translates it. The language I use in English is very different than the one I use in French. It's like having split personalities.
Anyway, I am happy to be here and looking forward to see all your book suggestions.
Happy holidays, happy reading.
Hi all, I am Adriana.I am a recent college graduate from New York University with my degree in electrical and nuclear engineering. I have since moved back to Arizona to work at the nuclear generating station here.
I am somewhat "new" to reading, and especially just for pleasure. The past four years were consumed with engineering studies, and reading for various classes. I learned that I actually enjoyed reading as an adult, as I struggled to read as a child.
I have a long list of want-to-reads and have found that many of the books I have read have either been from authors of color, or female authors. Recently, I have read The Vegetarian by Han Kang, My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem, and Feminist Fight Club: An Office Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace by Jessica Bennet.
I am usually more a fan of non-fiction than most anything else, but I am looking to expand my horizons and discover some more great authors here. :)
Hi! I'm Rae.I finished a BA in literature with a focus in creative writing back in May and after three years of being told what to read, I've found it difficult to get back into reading for the fun of it. I thought it would be easy to break out of, but here I am six months later and I can't bring myself to pick up a fiction book without stressing over motifs and themes. I'm hoping joining a reading group will help ease me back into that old mindset that made me fall in love with books in the first place (not that I fell out of love, I just can't seem to turn off the "I need to find a thesis amongst all this text" voice).
My capstone course focused on female development in literature & film (my second choice was modernist women writers; still sad I couldn't take both) and I loved it to pieces, so I'm more than excited to continue the topic while also supporting other women writers!
As for my personal tastes: I've always loved literary fiction, even before I was an English major, but my primary passion (after writing and storytelling) is folklore and mythology, which has always lead me to fantasy and reworkings of folklore. And, naturally, I love magical realism to death as it's magical and incorporates folklore, but is also literary and lyrical and wonderful.
With all that said, however, beautifully written sentences make me cry. So, honestly, no matter the genre, as long as the writer knows how to weave sentences into tapestries and turn words into intricately embroidered images on those tapestries I will cry. No pressure or anything :)
hi, i'm jimmy, queer trans dude and intersectional anarcho-feminist!! i'm always looking to read more books by women. i like punk rock, zines, and the beats a lot (though they're unfortunately extraordinarily male-dominated). the best book by a woman i've read recently has to be laura jane grace's "tranny: confessions of punk rock's biggest anarchist sellout."
oh my gosh, so many people joined at once! welcome everyone. it's so great to have more people here to read with. We're in for some diverse polls now, I know it :) I look forward to discussing so many books with you all. Louise had mentioned having some things eating up her time recently, but I know she'd want you all to have a warm welcome and I hope she comes back soon and well!
Hi! My name is Anneke, and I have just dedicated a whole year to reading women authors only AND have read books set in 80 countries, most of which were written by authors who have ties to the country. It was an exciting year, and certainly doable! So many great authors/books to choose from! Next year I want to continue reading books written by predominantly women and/or POC and/or LGBTQ in 2017. I am also a mother of 4 (youngest was born 4 weeks ago, eldest is 7) and I live in Southwestern Ontario, though I was born and raised in The Netherlands. Hope to start studying French this year and maybe start do some more volunteering.
Hi to all, I'm from the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada (Hi Karin!) and I read eclectically, mostly books by women, often British or Canadian, but also lots of books in translation.
Happy to be here and looking forward to seeing what books you all recommend. Happy reading to all in 2017.
Welcome Anneke and Storyheart :) Happy to meet new members who already have a diverse reading background. I have to admit when I first joined this group I needed recommendations in order to read more women authors. At this point, the majority of my reads are by female authors and I now am looking for more diverse cultural and social viewpoints in my authors. I hope we can all help each other find many excellent and diverse female authors!
Welcome, Anneke.Storyheart--great to see you here!
Hello, I'm Julia from the US. I work in a bookstore, get my books from the library, and am owned by a corgi. I also have a husband and 2 delightful semi-adult children. I've been making a conscious effort to not just read more women (I've always read quite a lot by women) but to read more about women internationally and also women in history and feminism.
I'm not very good at group reads, but I do find some success with challenges, and I'm going to do at least one of the same challenges here that I'm doing over at the Classics group, namely a century of women authors.
More than anything I'm excited to read about what YOU are reading, because that's how I'm going to find some of my best reads this year.
Best regards and happy reading, Julia
Hello, I'm from the US - midwest. I've always enjoyed women's fiction and love book sites because they expose me to many new authors and experiences. I tend to read 50-50 women to men, a nice ratio in my opinion, and tend to be drawn to literary fiction.I'm pleasantly surprised to find a few friends already here and am looking forward to meeting new friends and new books!
welcome Denizen and Julia, we look forward to sharing some good books and discussions with you both as well
Anita wrote: "welcome Denizen and Julia, we look forward to sharing some good books and discussions with you both as well"Thank you! Do you know when the 2017 challenge will show up? I'm afraid I'm going to miss my 2016 goal...
Julia wrote: "Thank you! Do you know when the 2017 challenge will show up? I'm afraid I'm going to miss my 2016 goal... Do you mean for this group or for the site?
yep, we're in a little weird spot right now with polls and challenges because Louise hasn't been active lately. She had mentioned some things keeping her very busy atm, but she'll hopefully be back soon. As for the challenge, I would suggest still making your shelf and setting your goal because as soon as the challenge goes up, anything on your shelf will be counted. It's just a matter of when the official links are set up by Louise. So just start business as usual in the new year!
Any if the other challenges are just self monitored in the challenges discussions, so feel free to pop into those and see if you'd like to start additional challenges aside from the Read Women challenge. I believe the timeframes are personally set as well in some of those, or they are more of a: this many or this type of book rather than within a timeframe.
Hello, my name is Ashlyn and I am a fourteen year old girl from SC. Reading is something that have always held close in my heart, and reading deep, true books written by powerful women really make me feel so empowered, so hopeful. One day, I strive to be like Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and even some more modern writers like J.K Rowling, and Rupi Kaur. These ladies are my inspirations, and I am so happy to have found a group where others share my loves and interests.
Ashlyn wrote: "Hello, my name is Ashlyn and I am a fourteen year old girl from SC. Reading is something that have always held close in my heart, and reading deep, true books written by powerful women really make ..."Welcome, Ashlyn, it's so great to have a young reader with us and that you enjoy older authors as well as the new ones.
I always prefer to read women authors, and I'm glad to have stumbled on a group devoted to them. Although I read in every category of book except horror, I do have preferred categories. They are historical fiction, fantasy and mysteries.
Hello, first-time poster Patrick Murtha here, hailing from Queretaro, Mexico, where I teach English in my semi-retirement. I'm 58, single, a graduate of Yale (BA in American Studies) and Boston University (Master of Arts in Teaching). I read widely across fiction and non-fiction.
Hello, My name is Dee! I am a college student, currently obtaining a B.A. In psychology. Aspiring to become a Occupational Therapist, but also working in a bookstore! In previous years, I wrote tons of poetry and became inspired more so from other female poets, but I would like to get back into more books created by women to get a taste of historic authenticity and style. Which I am very excited about. As a child, I read tons of books that were mainly from women authors and as a young adult, I would like to continue that habit. Reading has been one of my primary ways to cope with my anxiety and I can never see life without books at hand.
It is wonderful to meet you all!
Welcome to all new members! Hope you'll enjoy it here :)
Hello All! I'm Lisa from Indiana, USA. I joined to help broaden my exposure to female authors. I love to read but have let myself get too busy (with nonsense; here is to saying 'no' more to others and 'yes' more to me) and find that I miss it very much! Life is not the same without a good book. So, I look forward to this community of folks as a means to be introduced to new books, authors, and discussions to challenge me. I love the idea of both the A-Z and Around the World challenges. Looking forward to this! Happy New Year everyone!
Hi! Welcome Ashlyn and Shomeret, Patrick, Dee, and Lisa. We look forward to hearing your perspectives in discussions and hope we can introduce and be introduced to great reads and authors together. There seems to be a lot more interest in reading not only more female authors but more diverse authors as well, and I think this may be a good year for the Read Around the World Challenge in this group (I plan on tackling it this year as well) I encourage you all to check out the Challenges threads and see what you might be comfortable taking on in your own goals to read more women.
Hi all, and welcome!In answer to questions/concerns about the bookshelf: it is moderator only to prevent self-promotional spam sneaking in, so members can't add books themselves. But every single book that gets nominated by our members for a group read, regardless of if it wins or not, gets added to the shelf. If you don't see enough of a certain thing you like on there, the best way you can help us to diversify is by nominating more books of the type you enjoy whenever group read nomination threads go up.
February nomination threads will be going up in the next couple of days and there will be two books to nominate this month. Our regular monthly book will be open choice so absolutely anything (as long as it is written by a woman) goes. Our second read will be the first of our new, regular, 'Read Around the World' group reads and, as soon as I've picked a continent to start on, it will be books set on that continent only - so I do forsee a much greater number of WoC making it onto our bookshelves this year.
Also: as a mythology addict, I am totally down with retellings as one of our themes in 2017! Thank you for the idea!
Hi, I'm Frances Greenaway, based in London. I'm interested in feminist fiction written by women or men about older women and men.
Hello Martha, I'm a new one in this group. I stay in Germany, so I miss the contacts I had before in reading books. I found your list of loved genres, and I found: I have the same interests!! In history I like the time of Italian renaissance, such as the Gonzagas (relatives of mine) and other noble families of that time. What do you like in history? Greetings from Germany Suzanne
Hi, Tamara (and others with same interests!) very interesting! I like to read mythological books - for sure about goddesses and femals priests. I'd enjoy talking to you about them. I was Head of Departement of Natural Environment (that was interest and a bit also for money). Now I'm retired from teaching. Now living in Germany it's not easy to get good books and good recommendations. Love to hear from you Suzanne
Joining the discussion without any particular introducing myself ... I'm sorry! So now in the right way: I'm Suzanne, formerly Head of Departement of Natural Environment. Living in Germany today, but at home in the South (Georgia). I love to read about mythological women (as Tamara and others in this group), crimes written by female authors, some kind of Southern gothic, history, esp. Italian renaissance, One of my favorites: The Help. I found it in a German mall ... If possible to get recommended books here in Germany ... I would like to be a member of this group :))
Suzanne wrote: "Hi, Tamara (and others with same interests!) very interesting! I like to read mythological books - for sure about goddesses and femals priests. I'd enjoy talking to you about them. I was Head of De..."Hi Suzanne,
Nice to hear from someone who shares my interest in myths and the role of women in mythology! I'd love to discuss the topic with you. I've written four books, all on women in myths. I'll send you a personal message so we can continue our conversation in private since this group does not permit authors to discuss/promote their books.
Cheers for now.
Hi! My name is Raevyn. I'm a fifteen-year-old, neurodiverse girl, and I don't really go out of my way to read either male or female authors. I will say that the authors of my favorite books are women. :)
I'm also a writer (I'm not published, but that's my main goal for the future).
I'm also a writer (I'm not published, but that's my main goal for the future).
Welcome to Read Women Raevyn, I hope you find some more favorite books by women here :)
Welcome, Raevyn and Sandy! Also, this is the first time I have heard the term neurodiverse, which includes so much. I like that term! I have 2 neurodiverse children (not kids really, since the youngest of my 3 is 16), but with totally different things under the definition.For those who, like me, haven't heard that term before, here is a definition:
Neurodiversity is a concept where neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation. These differences can include those labeled with Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyscalculia, Autistic Spectrum, Tourette Syndrome, and others.
Hi all, I'm a biologist from the Netherlands, currently doing a PhD in philosophy of science. I find myself more and more interested in feminism and gender issues, and prefer diverse cultural viewpoints. I already read quite a lot by women but want to focus more on that this year, so I'm looking forward to exploring more female authors in this group!
Hello, I am Sairah (no, I was not blessed with this wonderful username as my actual name). Like some of you, I never realized the lack of diversity in some of the books I read, so I am making a conscious effort to broaden my horizon.
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For the last few years it has worked out that about half the books I read are by women, though I didn't plan that. Some of it is because I read a lot of genres, and in historical fiction, cozy mysteries, and romance, a lot of authors are women. However, I also like fantasy & sic-fi and many more women write in those genres than used to. And I read literary fiction and some nonfiction.