The F-word discussion
INTRODUCTIONS
Hello, I'm Jennie, I'm just finishing a gap year before I start my BA in Education. My aim is to work for the Department of Education as there were so many things I didn't agree with and thought needed changing when I was at school and if I'm lucky enough to have children in the future, I want them to have as best an education as possible. I'm currently reading Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham and then I'm starting Unfiltered by Lily Collins, those two and several other women have inspired me to stand up for what I believe in and have taught me that it's okay to be myself and be different and for that, I am ever grateful.
Mod
Our most trafficked areas in this group are the book discussions for Group Reads which can be found here. Each month we do a group read of one fiction book and one non-fiction book. We have group reads lined up for six months at a time based on votes. I'll be putting up a nomination thread for June-December group reads probably in early May and then give everyone a chance to vote for what they'd like to read over the next six months.
This month we're reading The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer (non-fiction) and Problems by Jade Sharma (fiction). I'm woefully behind on both this month. Sigh. :)
We read The Second Sex last July. Since you're about to start Book II, you're welcome to stop in that thread, read our discussions, and even jump in with your own thoughts. Threads remain open to foster discussion until the end of time (or the end of Goodreads, whichever comes first).
We have some interesting discussions that pop up occasionally in Talking Points. You can jump in at any time, so if you see a discussion that is really old but is of interest to you or you have something you'd like to share, please do not be discouraged. We would love to see more discussion in other places. Or feel free to start your own topic! The more the merrier.
Good luck with your exams! We'll still be here whenever things settle down and you're able to join us. :)
Mod
Welcome, Jennie! Good luck when you start your BA in Education. I love your plan to work for the Department of Education. So much help and quality education is needed in that department, and also strong voices, so I'm glad to see you're interested in making a difference there.
I haven't read Lauren Graham's books yet, but I loved Gilmore Girls and cannot think of a better person for the role of Lorelei than Lauren Graham. I also liked her on Parenthood, for that matter. I think she deserves more attention than she probably gets. (I also thought in the early seasons of the Gilmore Girls that she would have made an amazing Wonder Woman if they made a movie back then. Of course that was mostly based on her dark hair and blue eyes, much like Lynda Carter from the 70s, which may not be a fair representation of Wonder Woman. Sorry, now I'm babbling, lol.)
I have not read Lily Collins at all! I should rectify that.
Hi, welcome Jennie and Meenakshi! glad to have you here
Hello,My name is Emma and I'm from England. I was raised a feminist by my Mum who had to fight for her right, and eventually had to move schools so she could study the sciences. Her original teachers said she would have to work at a chicken factory until she married, she always instilled in me how I should never be put down based on my gender.
I've been involved in activism where I can but after going through a tough period 2 years ago I haven't done any since and want to get back into it.
Lastly here are 5 random facts about me:
- I'm a vegan and have taken part in loads of animal rights events.
-My favourite author growing up was Malorie Blackman.
-My laugh sounds like a guinea pig squeaking.
-I work in end of life care and worry that I'm too relaxed about death.
-My Mum proposed to my Dad & I thought I'd do the same but was beaten to it by my fiancé.
Mod
Your 5 random facts make me smile! Congratulations on your engagement. :)
El wrote: "Welcome, Emma! I'm sorry to hear about the tough period you went through, but am glad to hear you're interested in getting back to it. Remember that even the smallest bit can help.Your 5 random f..."
Hi El, thank you for the warm welcome and for the congratulations! :)
Emma wrote: "Hello,My name is Emma and I'm from England. I was raised a feminist by my Mum who had to fight for her right, and eventually had to move schools so she could study the sciences. Her original teac..."
I would love to hear you laugh.
I personally would want to be the one to propose the love of my life. I hope I have better luck than you do :P
Hi, I'm NicoleI've been involved in Feminist activism when I can, unfortunately I haven't been recently because I moved to a new city where I don't know a lot of people.
Although, I've been involved with on the ground feminist activism, I haven't read as many feminist books as I want to and for a while I didn't know were to start, so I joined this group to rectify that
Mod
Hello everyone. I'm Jessica. I'm from a very small town in Ohio so I often feel like the only feminist in the world. Haha. I only have books and social media to know others exist! I joined this group to expand my knowledge while also engaging in stimulating conversation. Add in books and the possibility of new friends and I'm sold.
Mod
Hi everyone! My name is Elyse and while I joined awhile back, I haven't been active and looking to change that.
I currently live in AZ and have my undergrad in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Women Studies. And while I'm going back to school for a MBA, part of me wants to go to grad school specifically for Women and Gender Studies since I love it so much.
Looking forward to August and having a discussion!
Best,
Elyse
Mod
Hi, I'm Beverly. I'm new to the group and only recently began to take feminism more seriously. Like many people in my generation, I was beholden to an ethic of not complaining, just taking your lumps and carrying on. For me, the difference was harassment. I always thought that this was just "normal" and that we had no right to complain. Now I see it for what it is, and that yes, we DO have a right to complain. I recently wrote this post for my FB page:10 Things Men Say to Women
That They Would Never Dare Say to Men
#1 – Whatcha readin’?
#2 – (at the bus stop) So, where ya headed this fine morning?
#3 – Smile! Why so sad?
#4 – (on the bus) So, who’s the lucky fella this seat is saved for? (the seat is vacant, not “saved”)
#5 – (in the parking lot of a shopping center) Hey! Whatcha got for me in that bag? (laughter)
#6 – (in a cafeteria) So, it’s buttered carrots today then?
#7 – (when it’s cold out) Hey, why the rush? You forget your long undies this morning? (laughs)
#8 – I’d just like to thank you so much for wearing that top!
#9 – (at the gym) Slow down! Not too much now. I know he likes some curves! (laughter)
#10 - (while being ignored after any of the above) Hey, look at me! I’m talkin’ to you!
Greetings: My name is herman, I'm happy to join this group I'm very supportive of women empowerment and leadership wish we had a woman leader right now in this country.
Mod
Mod
I guess since I've posted in the active group discussion a couple of times, I should introduced myself. I am Timothy, an avid reader and a liberal feminist who identifies with the third-wave and liberalism. I'm queer, but that's a self-identifier and, if it offends anyone, I am very apologetic about that as it's just for my own identity. I also happen to be a writer and I write when I get free time; typically, my feminism revolves around Queer/LGBT Studies and intersectionalism.
For the past year, my feminism has become a lot more serious to me and I feel that focusing on the struggles of women are other minority groups through feminism is a vastly important part of how activism works. I, currently, am the Vice President of the Alphabet Center at my college, which is the Gay-Straight Alliance, and a member of the College Democrats and Feminists for Change, with all work to make positive, progressive change in my state. I hope, through discussion, I can get to know you all!
Edit: I am an English major and a Women and Gender Studies minor in college, which I forgot to add initially.
Mod
Sounds like you're doing wonderful work. You mentioned doing a lot of work to make "positive, progressive change in [your] state"... without prying too much (you don't have to say exactly which state you live in), do you live in a state where that sort of thinking is atypical? Wondering how much of an uphill battle you have. Keep up the good work!
El wrote: ""Welcome", Timothy, even though we've been having some discussion already. Thanks for popping in here and sharing a bit about yourself. Do you publish what you write?Sounds like you're doing wond..."
I live in Kentucky and I haven't published what I write yet. Honestly, we have one of the worst governors in America currently (Matt Bevin) and he does a lot to try to destroy the rights of many people. Currently, we are battling him to keep our last "abortion clinic" open because he, desperately, wants to shut it down. Progressive thinking is atypical, yes, but I know a lot of us who are trying to work hard for such a thing, so it's not all that bad. Even those that aren't working toward it tend to be open-minded to some extent here, but it's still difficult! And thanks.
Hi all. I'm a current law student and I'm extremely interested in critical theory, gender and queer theory, and basically everything pertaining to the current struggle for social justice and equity.I'm looking to read more books by women, members of the LGBTA+ community, and people of color.
I'd love to have more friends with similar interests if anyone wants to add me!
Mod
Hi all! I'm so glad I found this group. I pretty much only read books with strong female characters. My favorite book is Kushiel's Dart.By day, I am an aerospace engineer who works in mission control at NASA. (Yay for girls in STEM!) By night I'm a mom/wife/historical fiction author who writes books with strong female characters.
I'd love to chat with you all here or @KMPohlkamp
Mod
I haven't read Kushiel's Dart yet, though my brother's girlfriend bought the trilogy for me for Christmas a few years ago. One of these days I hope to read them. Maybe over my holiday break this year.
Yay for STEM! Keep up the good work. :)
Hello, everyone! My name is Sari and I live in Arizona with my wife and daughter. I am the author of Bubblegum, a dystopian thriller with feminist themes and LGBT characters. In my free time I enjoy crocheting, playing video games, and collecting Star Trek action figures!It is wonderful to meet you all! Feel free to add me as a friend. I'm always interested in meeting fellow readers!
Caroline wrote: "Hi all. I'm a current law student and I'm extremely interested in critical theory, gender and queer theory, and basically everything pertaining to the current struggle for social justice and equity..."It's great to hear that you are so interested in these issues as a law student. You could really go on to do great things for the world! It was very nice to meet you.
Mod
Speaking of Star Trek, have you been watching the new series? I was only able to see the first episode before it switched over to streaming (which I will not do), but from what I have heard the new series has done a wonderful job at approaching the story from a feminist and more inclusive approach than past efforts. (Though I think, other than the original series, the different iterations have done a pretty good job at trying to be diverse and inclusive - I've just heard that so far this one is the best at it.)
Of course, that's sort of presumptuous of me to assume that because you collect Star Trek action figures, that you would necessarily watch the series. :)
El wrote: "Welcome, Sari! Feel free to jump into any of the discussions or group reads.Speaking of Star Trek, have you been watching the new series? I was only able to see the first episode before it switch..."
Hi El! I have only watched the first three episodes, unfortunately. I do plan on getting to the rest of the episodes, though. So far it does seem to be more feminist and inclusive! Though I'm a bit early in the series to make a more accurate observation.
I've been making my way through DS9 and Voyager on Netflix recently, and there's a lot to like on those series as well. I watched them a lot as a kid, but there are so many subjects and themes that just went right over my head! It's nice to really enjoy them now as an adult.
Hi everyone, I’m Martha and I’m very keen to be apart of this group. I’ll keep this short and tell you the basic things you gotta know about me. 1) I am in love with the punk and riot grrl movement;it’s just full of girls supporting girls and feeling free with themselves, which isn’t really depicted a lot now in media. :(
2) I have a deep passion for politics and music, and one day in the future I hope to combine My two passions into some sort of career
3) I am 15 years old
4) I am currently reading « The Man Who Was Thursday « it’s not a feminist book unfortunately, but it’s pretty abstract and weird - just how I like it
Hello all. I'm new here.
I'm a male feminist. I tend to get very grumpy at misogynists. Sadly these days I'm very busy being grumpy.
I do respect a range of views. I can respect christian perspectives even though I'm not christian. I can respect conservatives even though I tend to lean a little to the left. What I can't respect is wilful stupidity...that is folks who believe something despite it being conclusively proved to be wrong.
Why I'm a feminist? I guess from my perspective that should be the default position. I mean the core of feminism is that women deserve the same rights as men...they have the right to live their lives, feel safe and respected, and be given the same opportunities as men. There's nothing all that controversial about that.
The Books I Read As a rule I read books about women or written by women...usually both. That's not anything to do with feminism, I'm hyper sensitive to some depictions of violence...I had something like a nervous breakdown just under 20 years ago, and for a few years I struggled. I found romance novels were pretty much all I could read. Now I've expanded my reading to other genres and my depression / anxiety is more or less under control but I still tend to only read books written by or about women.
Anyway, hopefully I can talk about the books I'm reading here, and find some books to add to my reading list.
Hello! My name is Sofia.I'm a teenage latina girl who has been a feminist for some time now since I was about 12 or 13. The equality of gender is something that has been growing in my mind since I was young when the different treatment boys and girls were getting confused me.
Now, I'm an avid feminist and defend my beliefs almost every day against people that think 'it won't affect them' or that they don't care. I started writing a book that illustrates the responsibilities that come with being a woman in the 21st century narrated by a teenage girl, and openly discusses real issues that will hopefully change somebody's mind someday.
Always looking for some new books to read, especially feminist ones.
Mod
1) I am in love with the punk and riot grrl movemen..."
Welcome, Martha! I'm sorry, not sure how I missed your post from almost a month ago!
I'm also interested in the punk and riot grrrl movements. If you haven't read it already, I strongly suggest Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution.
Mod
I'm new here.
I'm a male feminist. I tend to get very grumpy at misogynists. Sadly these days I'm very busy being grumpy.
I do respect a range of views. I can respect christian pers..."
Welcome, Ian! Thanks for jumping right in to some of the discussions! (I was out of town this weekend, so am getting caught up now.)
Interesting that you tend to read women authors for lack of violence. Maybe I'm reading the wrong things; a lot of the books by women I've read have been violent. (I definitely recommend you avoid Leslie Marmon Silko's Almanac of the Dead. I think it's an amazing book, but it is a wickedly difficult book to read in terms of subject matter.
Good to have you with us!
Mod
I'm a teenage latina girl who has been a feminist for some time now since I was about 12 or 13. The equality of gender is something that has been growing in my mind since ..."
Welcome, Sofia! Love to see women your age reminding others how matters of equality (or lack thereof) affects everyone. Keep up the good work! Look forward to one day seeing your book on the shelf.
I hope you can join us in some of our book discussions. Feel free to jump in wherever and whenever!
Thanks for the welcome. El wrote: "Interesting that you tend to read women authors for lack of violence. Maybe I'm reading the wrong things; a lot of the books by women I've read have been violent."
It's not violence in general terms so much as some depictions of violence. Things I would describe as reflections of reality. Most writers have a Hollywood concept of violence and I don't have a problem with that. But some writers get it right and when they do, I see, hear and smell it. It's not a good place for me to be.
And that's why my shelves are stacked high with contemporary romance, fantasy and paranormal romance.
Mod
Also, I think it's great that you know this about yourself. You know what does and does not work for you, which I don't think many people (specifically, readers) do. It's important to know the places that aren't good for us so we can manage our time safely.
Hi all - I'm Nicole and glad I got the advice to look on GoodReads for a group like this. I'm a feminist therapist so feminism and reading are two of my big loves! Can't wait to read along with all of you.
Mod
Welcome, Nicole! Jump into any of the discussions. I'll be posting a nomination thread for January-June 2018 group reads at some point this weekend, so keep an eye out for that and feel free to nominate some feminist lit you've been wanting to read!
Hello, my name is Jann from Adelaide, Australia. This is certainly one of the more interesting groups on Goodreads and it feels great to be here. Feminism is something close to my heart and has been for so long I can't remember when I first considered myself a feminist.
I love reading books that are character-driven with complex, interesting women in the lead. I'm reluctant to use the term 'strong female character'...just give me real women and real women's stories.
It's lovely to be here.
Hi everyone, my name is Justyna and I just found this group today through a friend. I'm so glad to find intersectionality in the group tags too <3 . I'll be happy to read books with you and discuss them with like-minded folks. :)
Mod
Welcome, Justyna (and others whom I have missed!!). Glad you found us.
hi,Dee is my name here, I'm a 37 yo. french queer-identifying still-cis-behaving het white guy, so apologies if English gets butchered now and then.
I'm very sensitive - at least I like to think I am - to the expression of all sorts of relations of domination, especially those that are gender/sex based (horrible to order them, isn't it ?).
I'm sure gonna leech shamelessly on your great recommandations, and I hope i'll be able to bring a few things to the table from time to time, since I'm not (yet) a big reader on the "subject", be it fictional or more theoretical.
Regards,
DD.
-------------------------------
If I may, I have a few questions about opinions on anonymity.
I didn't dare to create a topic, so please feel free to create it or to tell me to do it or not, or whatever you deem adequate.
Here we go :
- do you and/or people think it rude when someone enters a forums and doesn't introduce oneself ?
- do you and/or people think it rude when someone does it but remains somewhat anonymous (gender, name, age, ...) ?
- do you and/or oppressed people (gender, race, sexual orientation, ...) think it rude or oppressive when that's the case ?
Because there is not much context to go with, I know it may be hard to answer. But these are honnest questions. On one hand I usually prefer to remain anonymous on the existing Net, especially when the sites are owned by big companie$ (this one, for example). On the other hand I can totally imagine it can make "real" people uncomfortable, regarding potential incivilities, harrassment, etc..., hence my asking explicitly.
Mod
To answer your questions:
-As the current moderator of this group, I prefer if people introduce themselves, but can understand that not everyone feels comfortable with that. The reason I prefer it is only because I want to create an open space for discussion, and it can be equally difficult for someone to want to open up if they don't know who they are talking to. I see the comfort/discomfort factor on both sides.
-I don't find it rude if someone prefers to stay somewhat anonymous. How someone identifies is up to them. Again, speaking as a moderator, I would rather people only share what they feel comfortable sharing, though age should rarely need to factor into that (unless it's for context in some way, and by that poster's choice, not because someone asked them).
Not sure if that answers any of your questions or not.
Thanks and nice to meet you,El wrote: "Not sure if that answers any of your questions or not. "
Yes, and doubly so, answering as yourself and as a mod.
El wrote: "...though age should rarely need to factor into that..."
Oops. Sorry about the extensive disclosure, looking back it makes my eyes bleed (can be edited out into oblivion if you so wish).
Mod
Welcome, Kyndal! Frankenstein is also one of my favorites. I re-read it this past fall and fell in love again all over.
Hi everyone,My name is Zach and I whole heartedly consider myself a feminist, but I also acknowledge that I have a lot to learn and unlearn in order to fully understand what that means. Truthfully I am hear to learn, read, and interact with other like minded people. I am an English major (soon to graduate) and some of my favorite works from classes have been feminist or early feminist writings. I find myself drawn to early 20th century women writers as they exemplified this major turning point in literature that encompasses what was going on in the real world. In considering that I see how far we as society have come, and yet how much farther we need to go. With that being said I am beginning to understand that for women to truly be equal I must move out of the way and listen and learn.
All the best and happy reading.
Mod
El wrote: "Welcome, Zachary. We look forward to you joining our discussions!"Thank you for the welcome, I'm excited to join in.
The F-word
Books mentioned in this topic
A Room of One’s Own (other topics)The Epic of Gilgamesh (other topics)
Elena Knows (other topics)
Girl, Woman, Other (other topics)
Time of the Flies (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Elinor Lipman (other topics)Allison Moon (other topics)
I'm Meenakshi. I'm from India. Currently pursuing my Masters in English Literature and hoping to pursue a PhD in Body Politics in Women's writing and Literature.
Would someone please be kind enough to help me navigate around the group? What activities do you pursue? Which books are you reading? How do I nominate books for group reading?
and what else are you guys upto?
I might not be very active until the end of May due to my exams but I promise I'll make up for it soon after.
The book that I plan to finish after my exams is Book II of The Second Sexe by Simone de Beauvoir. (I hope I don't jinx it by mentioning it here).