Our Shared Shelf discussion
Miscellaneous
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Introduction
Hi everyone, I'm Garance from Paris. I've always been curious and admirative of Emma Watson's work with the UN and books so I expect this group will open myself to new discoveries. I'm really looking forward exchanging about books and feminism with you. I love reading many kinds of books but my favorites always tend up to be dramas with an historical or cultural background: so I can enjoy the ride while learning new elements along the way. The last great one I read was Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi. As many of you might have heard, it's an amazing story about woman independence, race, immigration and love. I heard her previous books are excellent too. I work in the movie industry in Paris by the way. I have also always been drawn to the book world and would like to open a bookstore one day. Very nice to meet you all. Dalila, in response to your post, I definitely agree with you. Our society still tends to diminish women and insidiously make them think less of themselves than what they truly are. It is our duty to be vigilant and keep fighting stereotypes and discriminations so everyone can have the same opportunities no matter their gender. And it is our great battle to constantly keep confidence in ourselves and in women around the world to fight the psychological bias engendered by History and culture.
Hi Garance and thanks for the hint about "Americanah". I looked up some informations about it, sounds good! And our bibliotheque has it, so I will try and see if I like it, too. Dalila , thanks for reminding me how much we have it even in our heads that success and brightness does not habe to be associated with women.
Hello everyoneMy name is Lydia, I'm 23 and I'm from Cyprus. Currently I live in Czech Republic where I'm studying International Development.
Through my studies and work I came across feminism and gender equality and I'm very interested on other people's view on this topic.
I find Emma Watson's work on the UN women amazing and this book club is very inspiring.
I hope we'll have beautiful conversations and meet a few new friends here
Have a good day everyone:)
I have not heard of Emma Watson. What would you recommend I read first? Thanks
Hi Everyone,my name is Nadine and I live and study in Austria. I never considered myself a feminist when I was younger, but when I started my undergrad. degree I became more aware of the topic.
A few years later, I am now writing my MA Thesis about Feminism and Pop Culture. I joined OSS because I consider the discussion about gender equality very important and I love to see so many different people from all over the world discussing feminist issues.
Dine wrote: "Hi Everyone,my name is Nadine and I live and study in Austria. I never considered myself a feminist when I was younger, but when I started my undergrad. degree I became more aware of the topic.
..."
Hello fellow Austrian;)
MeerderWörter wrote: "Dine wrote: "Hi Everyone,my name is Nadine and I live and study in Austria. I never considered myself a feminist when I was younger, but when I started my undergrad. degree I became more aware of..."
Ja in dem Fall, Hallo zurück :-)
Hi everybody!My Name is Carmela and i was Born and raised in Germany from italian parents.
I am currently living in Germany but lived in spain too.
I am 34 years old and work in the medical field and to tell you what i was hoping for joining this Group i copy a part of my introduction on my Profile: I admire brave women, strong women, women who walk against the stabilized views of Society about Beauty and be perfectly Imperfect theirselves.
It takes Courage to be yourself in this world! It takes bravery to be original and not a copy! It takes women full of love and light to support other women and i want to connect with a lot of my sisters around the world to keep on growing, Keep on learning.
I am so looking Forward to deep conversations and exchanges! Who knows, maybe there will be wonderful friendships too! :D so i am very happy to be here and would love to read from you!
A big hug!
Hi everyone! My name's Gala I'm 16 years old and I'm from Vigo, in Galicia (Spain). I enjoy reading all types of books, but lately I've been wanting to read some novels about feminism and I think joining this group is a great way to make it happen. I'm so happy that I found you!
Hi all! My name is Kirsty and I'm a biology student currently living in Austria. I'm quite passionate about gender equality & feminist issues, but I feel like I know too little, to properly stand my ground in discussions. I look forward to discovering new books with you and gaining new perspectives!
Kirsty wrote: "Hi all! My name is Kirsty and I'm a biology student currently living in Austria. I'm quite passionate about gender equality & feminist issues, but I feel like I know too little, to properly stand m..."Welcome Kirsty! :)
Kirsty wrote: "Hi all! My name is Kirsty and I'm a biology student currently living in Austria. I'm quite passionate about gender equality & feminist issues, but I feel like I know too little, to properly stand m..."Welcome aboard! Yay, another one living in Austria, nice!
Thank you so much for the warm welcome Emma, MeerderWörter, Robert! :-)
Thank you to all that welcomed me and welcome to the dear new ones who found their way to this group!
Hi everyone my name is Lamar and I am a 24 year old painter and Army soldier in the United States. I live in Kansas City Missouri, in the Mid West. Anyway I joined the group because I like Emma Watson and the work that she does with the He for She movement. I saw a couple of interviews with Emma Watson where she explained what feminism is and why gender equality is important. Another reason I joined this group is because I am thinking about going back to school to be an English teacher and I think it would be great to understand how to incorporate gender equality in the classroom. I want girls to feel like they are taken seriously in class and I want softhearted boys that I teach to feel that they are still masculine even though their personalities or interests may not fit with the cultural stereotypes.
I am currently reading the book " I am Malala", the autobiography about the young girl who was shot by the Taliban and survived and now spreads the message of education around the world. Her story is truly inspiring me to do what I can to end ignorance and support gender equality
Carmela wrote: " Thank you to all who welcomed me and welcome dear new ones who found there way to this group".Thank you, I was very happy to join the group!
Hey Lamar! This sounds very good! We need more men to stand up for women and teach other human the importance of the true balance of male and female. Welcome! There are a lot of books and stories that can help you get an insight. If you need a detalles explanation of the psyche of a woman "women who run with the wolves" will be a great help.
Keep on with your dreams so they become actions. All the best!
Welcome in family Lamar ;)
Lamar wrote: "Hi everyone my name is Lamar and I am a 24 year old painter and Army soldier in the United States. I live in Kansas City Missouri, in the Mid West. Anyway I joined the group because I like Emma W..."
Welcome in the family Lamar!
We need people like you. You are the ones who bring change.
Read much, think more, and do your best. You will achieve your dreams.
Hello! I've been following the OSS group for about a month now. I am Hanna from Louisiana, USA. I thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself, (better late than never)! I am a counseling student and I hope to specialize in empowering women to overcome abusive and dysfunctional relationships and to achieve meaningful, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
I live in a very religiously conservative area where, in my opinion, women are still not always allowed to be in full control of their lives. I say this because there are certain cultural norms here that I personally battle against, like the idea that since I don't have children, I am often treated or spoken to like a child.
My feminism means that I want women to be empowered to make any decisions that they want in their lives and should not be held back by society's demands and expectations. My feminism for me meant leaving a psychologically oppressive religion that condescends women as the 'origin of sin.' Now, I want to speak out and help other women.
I loved Emma Watson in Harry Potter, which has left a big impression on me as a girl who thought that I couldn't be as smart or as important as the boys. I came to OSS to learn more about feminism and to connect with others who care about empowering women! I am looking forward to engaging with you all and hopefully learn a lot here!
Hanna wrote: "Hello! I've been following the OSS group for about a month now. I am Hanna from Louisiana, USA. I thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself, (better late than never)! I am a counseling student and..."
Welcome on board! OSS is a port of diversity, so... make yourself at home:)
Everyone doing a tiny bit, we as a whole can bring tremendous change.
Thank you! I've been really enjoying the group so far and am really liking the Hunger book! :)
Hanna wrote: "Hello! I've been following the OSS group for about a month now. I am Hanna from Louisiana, USA. I thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself, (better late than never)! I am a counseling student and..."
Glad to have you Hanna! I'm a psychologist in Texas (next door), and so empathize a bit with your feminism in the Southern US. It can be a bit disquieting at times. If/ as you need anything, want to toss around ideas, etc. do let us know!
Hi! my name is Monika Ghosh, I'm from Bangladesh. I'm a medical student. i love books. Loved them since i could read. i also like to discuss about them, know about new books, get review about books and authors. that's why i joined this group. hope it'll be a great journey.
Monika wrote: "Hi! my name is Monika Ghosh, I'm from Bangladesh. I'm a medical student. i love books. Loved them since i could read. i also like to discuss about them, know about new books, get review about books..."Welcome. You want to discuss books? Then this is the perfect place for you! Because we do that a lot!
Monika wrote: "Hi! my name is Monika Ghosh, I'm from Bangladesh. I'm a medical student. i love books. Loved them since i could read. i also like to discuss about them, know about new books, get review about books..."Welcome Monika! It's nice that you joined us all! :)
Hi all!My name is Christen, and I am a 20-year-old writer from Guam.
I admit that my idea of feminism was initially misconstrued. I thought that the cause advocated hatred of men... and that was it.
Only after watching Emma's speech to the UN did I realize that feminism was something completely different from what I once thought it was and what much of the media makes it out to be! Feminism is about GENDER QUALITY, and NOT the hatred of men - and I LOVED that. I want to empower women and men at the same time, and not shed hate on either gender - I want to empower humanity, and not degrade anyone based on what they identify as.
Thus, I became a feminist, and a loud one at that. I now write about feminism as much as I can and do my best to get my messages across. I look forward to reading all of the books here on Our Shared Shelf and developing lasting friendships - which I'm sure I will, because we all share love for the same cause!
I have raised David's post with the moderators as a precaution.
Mod
@Garance: I've read "Americanah" and posted a review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list.... It was interesting, but I found it a bit disapointing as a novel.
Hi - I just joined. My name is Marianne and I’m a bit older than you young ladies. I was a child of the 60’s - a teenager of the 70’s and a woman of the 80’s. I grew up when Virginia Slims’s celebrated smoking by saying, “You’ve Come A Long Way Baby”.
The Handmaid’s Take frightened me because I can actually see us, under this current administration, going back to a time which frightens me to my core.
I am a caretaker for my husband’s 86 year old father. My husband gave me a choice and although I could have opted to continue working, this is just a different kind of work.
I look forward to reading with all of u - sometimes I can’t always contribute as my life is a bit hectic at times.
Once again, thank u for letting me join your group.
P.s. - Perks of Being a Wallflower is on my TBR LIST😉
Marianne wrote: "Hi - I just joined. My name is Marianne and I’m a bit older than you young ladies. I was a child of the 60’s - a teenager of the 70’s and a woman of the 80’s. I grew up when Virginia Slims’s cele..."
Welcome in the group!
Ah you know, older folks have knowledge that is important for us youngsters.
And Perks is a really good book;)
I'm up there in years too - born in the 40s, teenager in the 50s (I was around for the beginning of rock and roll!), and young adult in the 60s.I have seen a lot, and experienced a lot - some of which I would have preferred not to have had to cope with.
I really enjoy all the discussions here.
My awakening to feminism came when I read The Feminine Mystique, in the 60s. Now I'm proud that my son, daughter-in-law and both grandsons are all feminists.
Happy reading everyone!
Leslie wrote: "I'm up there in years too - born in the 40s, teenager in the 50s (I was around for the beginning of rock and roll!), and young adult in the 60s.I have seen a lot, and experienced a lot - some of w..."
I'm reading that one right now, and being born in the 90s, it really shocks me to read what I read in there.
MeerderWörter wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I'm up there in years too - born in the 40s, teenager in the 50s (I was around for the beginning of rock and roll!), and young adult in the 60s.I have seen a lot, and experienced a ..."
I would like to re-read it!
Leslie wrote: "MeerderWörter wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I'm up there in years too - born in the 40s, teenager in the 50s (I was around for the beginning of rock and roll!), and young adult in the 60s.I have seen a l..."
Try a university's library - that's where I got mine from!
Thanks! I think my local library may have it, or will be able to find it for me. I live quite far from a university.
Hello everyone. My name is Joe Kabira and I live in Chicago IL, but I'm originally from the city of Tōkyō Japan. I am joining Our Shared Shelf for two reasons: my mother is an outspoken feminist and I genuinely believe in equality and equity for all.Feminism itself is both something I believe that must be held as sacrosanct in any society that professes itself as civilized, and is also an incredibly interesting subject on how it is bound to affect the course of Human History ever since the late 19th century.
My favorite genres to read are scientific journals, and my favorite author is Dr. Michio Kaku. I'm also a huge fan of Emma Watson both on an offscreen, as she is truly an amazing role model and an excellent representative for Modern Feminism.
My name is Ayesha and I live in Pakistan.
Hi, My name is Mégane and i'm a french student.
I discovered this group after the Emma's speech to the UN, i didn't took the time to read the books of this club before but i recently stared to read the handmaid's tale and i will try to catch up .
I'm looking forward to getting more involved
Hello ! My name is Francine, I'm a French non binary book lover, intersectionnal feminist and I'm very happy to have a discussion with people with the same interest than me !
Loving this group! My name is Emma Mildon, a feminist author and spiritual scribe from New Zealand. I really resonate with books that get equality, inclusion, and empowerment on point. Great book picks so far Our Shared Shelf team. Well done.
Hey everyone. I'm Robert from Armenia. I am a human rights activist and an avid book reader, Joined this group because the topics and books discussed here are to my heart.
Would love to make new friends and connections.
Mod
Hi all!So I'm not exactly new, I've been part of OSS for a year but haven't actually gotten into the discussion, or the books themselves for that matter. I'm going to chalk it up to being easily distracted and the fact that I decided to slowly re-read the entire HP series like...four times in 2017.
My name is Bre and I'm from Texas. I'd give the town I live in, but I don't call this place home. The permanent roommate and I have yet to find our town, but we're getting there. I'm 26, and I work in international marketing which sounds a lot cooler than it really is. My mom says I should have gone into politics because I've always got an opinion on current affairs, and I'm not afraid to voice them.
I have a degree in public relations from Baylor University and I've been a journalist since I was 16.
I joined the club because I have always been a huge fan of Emma's and when I heard "books" and "Emma" in the same sentence I jumped. I've always loved reading. When I was little my mom would fall asleep reading to me at night so I just learned how to read to myself. In elementary school, library days were my favorite. My family have never been big readers so when I came home with a copy of Little Women at 8-years-old I'm pretty sure they thought I was weird. I'm really excited to finally dive in to the discussion and the texts for OSS. I can tell this is going to be a good year.
Hi! I am Emma, sixteen years old and from Germany.
I love writing and reading.
I joined this group some months ago, but I never really took part in book discussions, something I want to change.
I joined in since I found out that there is a book club about feminism organized by Emma Watson. I have to admit I am a huge Emma Watson fan!
Hope to learn a lot from the book club and read great books!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!
I love writing and reading.
I joined this group some months ago, but I never really took part in book discussions, something I want to change.
I joined in since I found out that there is a book club about feminism organized by Emma Watson. I have to admit I am a huge Emma Watson fan!
Hope to learn a lot from the book club and read great books!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!
Our Shared Shelf
Books mentioned in this topic
The House of the Spirits (other topics)You Can Live Happily Married for a Lifetime: Modern Applications of Proven, Timeless Wisdom to Create a Lasting, Successful Relationship (other topics)
Dancing With Ghosts (other topics)
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (other topics)
Women's Work (other topics)
More...
I'm Dalila, 24 from Italy!
I knew about this group because I am an Emma follower. I really admire her and the work that she's doing, and I finally decided to join you all!
I love reading, my favorite genres are Fantasy, Italian and British Narrative, and Poetry, but usually it takes me just the first pages of a book to know if I will like it, whatever the theme. I am romantic and a dreamer, I am a woman proud of being a woman. I live in a society in which most of the girls are seen as less important, less stronger, and most of the times they let me feel weaker and incapable of reaching my objectives. Or, worst of all, when a woman gets better results than men, that could be in politics, at University, we are continuously criticized because we should't deserve it.
I admit that this prejudice lives also inside me, and brings me to see women on work, and so also my work, less reliable than men, and I want to change this, because I know, in my heart, that this is not true! That we are strong and capable to do amazing things, and reading these books and being part of your community will help me to change, and I will give my little contribution to make a greater world.
Thank you!