The Feminist Orchestra Bookclub discussion
Book Recommendations
Hey Jean, I also thought maybe 'Unspeakable Things' by Laurie Penny could be a good shout? :)Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution
Vanessa wrote: "Hey Jean, I also thought maybe 'Unspeakable Things' by Laurie Penny could be a good shout? :)Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution"
Ooh yeah that looks awesome, I totally thought I had the first six months books picked but a few new candidates are now in the ring haha.
Just to say, The Thing Around Your Neck isn't about feminism really. Does anyone mind if we remove it from the list? As much as a love the collection, it's bugging me because I think it stands out a bit, haha!
A few books on my radar are:Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More black transwoman Janet Mock's memoir
Reading Lolita in Tehran (self explanatory?)
Willow Weep for Me: A Black Woman's Journey Through Depression about how the idea of the 'strong black woman' can be particularly damaging for black women dealing with depression
But I'd like to find more books about the intersectionality of gender and physical or mental difference (but particularly physical difference, or mental difference that isn't about depression) because I know very little about those things. It seems easier to find books about the intersectionality of gender and sexuality or gender and race.
I'd like to read more feminist fiction too. I find that when I think about reading feminist works it tends to be non-fiction, but I really enjoyed Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and Charlotte Perkins-Gillman's Herland and The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories.
Lauren wrote: "Just to say, The Thing Around Your Neck isn't about feminism really. Does anyone mind if we remove it from the list? As much as a love the collection, it's bugging me because I think it stands out ..."Haha no not at all :')
Nicole wrote: "A few books on my radar are:Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More black transwoman Janet Mock's memoir
Reading Lolita in Tehran (self..."
Oh yes I did mean to add Redefining Realness, I've added it to the list now ^_^ but do feel free to add anything else down the line. I agree I've been trying to get some more intersectional recommendations and like you mentioned those concerning physical differences are a really important addition!
I'm going to recommend Asking For It by Kate Harding again. It focuses on the rise of rape culture and has some very enlightening statistics. It's quite shocking but I don't think anyone could deny rape culture after reading it.
Katie wrote: "I'm going to recommend Asking For It by Kate Harding again. It focuses on the rise of rape culture and has some very enlightening statistics. It's quite shocking but I don't think anyone could deny..."Definitely sounds important, I've popped it on the long list ^_^
Not sure this club is into graphic novels, but Bitch Planet is just about my favorite comic/graphic novel I've read this year, and is feminist as all hell. (Even if it isn't chosen for the group, I highly recommend it to anyone looking to get into comics. It's a more "violent/angry" look at feminism that I think is often disparaged by those on the other side of the argument, but is still very much needed. W
Weatherly wrote: "Not sure this club is into graphic novels, but Bitch Planet is just about my favorite comic/graphic novel I've read this year, and is feminist as all hell. (Even if it isn't chosen for the group, I..."Oh I was just going to mention that (and whether other formats like graphic novels and poetry and so on will be included) because I agree, there's a lot to discuss with Bitch Planet!
And I personally found it way better than other (supposedly) feminist graphic novels like Rat Queens or Sex Criminals (I realise that opinion might be controversial...).
I've just had 'My Life on the Road' by Gloria Steinem arrive at my desk, I'm really excited to start it on my commute home. If anyone's already read it I'd love to know your thoughts?
Weatherly wrote: "Not sure this club is into graphic novels, but Bitch Planet is just about my favorite comic/graphic novel I've read this year, and is feminist as all hell. (Even if it isn't chosen for the group, I..."Graphic novels are definitely included! There are already a few on the goodreads list linked above ^_^ but keep the recommendations coming! I want to include all formats, fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, graphic novels, poetry etc. I think the only thing that isn't on the group's goodreads list yet is a play.
I think it's interesting to see how feminism is showing up in picture books too. These are all too short for a book club read, but I thought some people might be interested in some kidlit recommendations too? (And the illustrations are all lovely):Sir Lilypad:
This follows a little boy frog whose world opens up when he meets a princess who helps him realise that we don't have to all conform to stereotypes. It's in verse and very fun to read.
Wild:
A little wild girl is rescued à la Tarzan and there is an effort to tame her, but she won't be tamed!
I'm a Girl!:
I haven't read this one yet, but it looks fun; countering stereotypes about what it means to be a girl which isn't just a rejection of femininity (like Wild). It's about how you can like flowers and mud pies, and about not using "girl" as an insult.
And for other really short stories, I like Leigh Bardugo's Tor.com shorts.. In particular Little Knife.
Elizabeth wrote: "I added Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment by Patricia Hill Collins because it is an amazing and accessible book of theory that blew my ..."Blew your mind is a pretty compelling recommendation ;)
Nicole wrote: "I think it's interesting to see how feminism is showing up in picture books too. These are all too short for a book club read, but I thought some people might be interested in some kidlit recommend..."Thanks for the recs! That is a really interesting re-occuring theme, also yay. Maybe down the line we could do a kidslit month and read and recommend picture books for adults a small children alike.
That'd be really cool, Jean! I guess I'm also particularly interested in (and delighted by) picture books because I'm an illustrator (and considering an MA in that area), but I've generally found that the really good ones will naturally appeal to adults too.Elizabeth, that book kept popping up in my recommendations! Sounds like I'll have to pick it up some time.
I completely agree, especially since its adults that buy and read them up until the child is of a certain age.
I recently read How to Suppress Women's Writing by Joanna Russ and I'd highly recommend it. It's about how women writers have historically been put down and written off in, and the different ways in which people discredit them. In a similar vain I'd suggest The Madwoman in the Attic by Sandra M. Gilbert and Professor Susan Gubar which explores woman writers in the 19th century- I read it quite sometime ago when I was going through a big victorian literature phase and really enjoyed it. It's a much thicker book though so you may have to set aside a bit of time to read it.
Nicole wrote: "A few books on my radar are:Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More black transwoman Janet Mock's memoir
Reading Lolita in Tehran (self..."
I've been really wanting to pick up the WisCon Chronicles volume 7: The Wiscon Chronicles Vol 7: Shattering Ableist Narratives - essays on fandom and media, mostly looks like. (WisCon is a feminist science fiction convention.)
So so so very excited for this group/project! Already loving the huge list of books I've never read and seeing so many suggestions. I'd add a go-to list of women's nation separatist fiction - Daughters of the North by Sarah Hall, or The Shore of Women by Pamela Sargent, or The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper. (All great reads if you loved Fury Road, ecofeminist science fiction.)
Intersex examines femininity and womanhood from an "othered" position. Castle Waiting, Vol. 1 is called a feminist graphic novel, both for story and for form. The biography of Alice B. Sheldon, James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon, looked at writing and science fiction and the army and CIA and marriage while grappling with themes of feminism (it's a complicated narrative, at times convoluted, not with any one straightforward solution for discrimination against women). Domestic Work: Poems and The Kingdom of Ordinary Time: Poems are poetry. For theory, the best book I've found for explaining the multiplicity of feminisms is What Is Feminism?: An Introduction to Feminist Theory by Chris Beasley, it's what the professor used in my first course on women's studies. But mostly excited to pick up these I haven't heard of before!
Tana wrote: "Nicole wrote: "A few books on my radar are:Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More black transwoman Janet Mock's memoir
[book:Reading Lolita in Teh..."
I had never heard of so many of these, especially the fiction works, they sound amazing, thank you for the recs ^_^ and for being excited for the group!
So many books on the reading list that I want to read anyway so this seems like an excellent way of finally getting around to them! I added a couple of poetry collections, 'When I Grow Up I Want to be Mary Beard' and 'Hallelujah for 50ft Women' (the latter I think would be absolutely perfect for this group, plus it's just an all-round underrated book), as well as 'Fishnet' for the benefit of those who haven't read it yet because hey, sex work positive feminism, yo!
I'd like to recommend Gloria Anzaldúa's Borderlands/La Frontera, for a chicano/a point of view - it also has super interesting views on colonialism and border theory and the work itself is great being a mix of poetry, essays, autobiography, etc. Also Mary Brave Bird/Mary Crow Dog's two autobiographical accounts - Lakota Woman and Ohitika Woman which are both great accounts of what it means to be a Native American woman during the Red Power movement.
Anything by Audré Lorde - particularly Sister Outsider
poetry by Suheir Hammad
Theory: Elaine Showalter is a fun place to start when combining literature and feminism.
(How do you do the magic linky thing?!)
Christie wrote: "(How do you do the magic linky thing?!)"Click "add book/author", then you can make it a link or a cover image.
I really enjoyed Beauty Queens by Libba Bray! It's not the most deep, complicated take on feminism and it does have some problems but it's very amusing and still has some great points, as well as a focus on intersectionalism!Also, if y'all are open to the idea of trying a manga I also think Nana by Yazawa Ai would be a great pick! Focuses on a strong female friendship, deals with female sexuality, economic and emotional indepence, celebrity culture, and mental illness! Most of the greatness does happen later on in the series though, so perhaps better as a recommendation than for the actual book club.
Christie wrote: "So many books on the reading list that I want to read anyway so this seems like an excellent way of finally getting around to them! I added a couple of poetry collections, 'When I Grow Up I Want to..."I saw When I Grow Up I Want to Be Mary Beard, thank you so much for adding it, I had no idea it existed and now I desperately want to read it! I do think Fishnet would be an interesting one to read but I think if we did it would be great for those that aren't familiar with sex work in various different countries to include a book that balances Fishnet out. Fishnet is a great book I agree but definitely only shows one side of sex work and there is a much less positive side to it which needs to be discussed without dehumanising sex workers, which was a point in Fishnet I really valued :) .
Christie wrote: "(How do you do the magic linky thing?!)"I was wondering this too haha.
Paid for by Rachel Moran. Heard her speak at a feminist conference, now reading the book and I think it's super a important read
I'm going to suggest a few books, but I want to be sure that they are feminist enough. What are we trying to define or promote? Are strong pro-women novels enough? What about gender and religion? I guess I'll suggest some and I'll see your feedback!
I added some recs to the list:The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt
The Wall by Marleen Haushofer
How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran and
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin
Dominique wrote: "I'm going to suggest a few books, but I want to be sure that they are feminist enough. What are we trying to define or promote? Are strong pro-women novels enough? What about gender and religion? ..."
Definitely just recommend anything you think is feminist :). Even if it doesn't become a bookclub book down the line there might be someone in the group who ends up falling in love with it!
Jean wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Hey Jean, I also thought maybe 'Unspeakable Things' by Laurie Penny could be a good shout? :)Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution"
Ooh yeah that looks aweso..."
This book is really really good!
Hmm I was wondering if I could suggest 'Feminism Is For Everybody' by Bell Hooks? Or 'Ain't I a Woman' ;0 x
I would like to suggest 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini! x
I'm not sure if it's already mentioned here, but what about A Vindication of The Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft ? :)
I'd recommend
, Audre Lorde is mindblowing.
I want to recommend Dirty Magic and really the full series. The heroine in it was rather refreshing, for me at least. The second book in the series had an interesting scene that caused quite a bit of debate in it.
Ooh and I have to recommend The Siren . It came out during the Fifty Shades of Grey boom, but the lead female was a character I found who was highly feminine. Its complex and deals with things like sexuality and oh! I just loved it
I'm a philosophy student and I was recommended Judith Butler's Gender Trouble many times, but I hadn't got around to reading it yet. It seems like a fitting read, as it's all about feminism, sexuality, gender studies and queer theory, which I believe to be very important to feminist studies, especially transgender acceptance etc. And it's widely discussed, I heard good things about it. I'd love to read it with some of you guys some time :)Same goes for Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference, which treats the myths and facts that surround gender distinction in neuroscience. It's still popular science though so it should be enjoyable :D
Nicole wrote: "A few books on my radar are:Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More black transwoman Janet Mock's memoir
Reading Lolita in Tehran (self..."
Hey Nicole!
I love your list and I agree that the list needs more intersectional reads. To your Reading Lolita in Tehran rec, I suggest we also add Jasmine and Stars: Reading More Than Lolita in Tehran as it explicitly tackles the western saviour-ness of Reading Lolita in Tehran. I still like Nazar Afisi's discussions of all the classics they read, and it has my favourite decision of ever on Invitation To A Beheading, but her reliance on shock narratives gets a bit tiring.
Hello everyone! A little late to the party but here are my recommendations:
Feminism without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity: This is an academic text that talks about the eurocentrism of women's studies courses across North America as well as point out how we can turn that narrative on its head, how to engage with the global south etc. One of the biggest strengths of this book is how accessible it is for anyone to read, because Mohanty is so thorough when analysing the books/theories that she does.
Making Face, Making Soul/Haciendo Caras: Creative and Critical Perspectives by Feminists of Color: An extremely creative and interesting anthology of radical women of colour writings and texts.
The House on Mango Street: A wonderful novella narrated by a young Chicana woman about the longing for a "room of one's own", as it were.
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces and The Cure for Dreaming: Both of these books can essentially be read as YA coming-into-feminism stories.
Anything Elena Ferrante has written, particularly her Neapolitan Quartet, which in many ways are feminist *and* post-feminist novels (in the sense that, we've tried emancipating ourselves, we've tried transcending and it doesn't work, so here are the sticky negotiations we'll make to navigate patriarchy) and are one of the best contemporary analyses of female friendships in literary fiction.
And finally, A God in Every Stone/Broken Verses/Salt and Saffron: These novels deal with explicit feminist themes within the context of family/community/nation entered around Pakistan at the turn of the century and onwards.
Battameez wrote: "Hey Nicole! I love your list and I agree that the list needs more intersectional reads. To your Reading Lolita in Tehran rec, I suggest we also add..."
Ooh! I'll check that out when I get around to RLiT; thanks!! And all your other recommendations sound super interesting too; the first two especially.
Tana wrote: "I've been really wanting to pick up the WisCon Chronicles volume 7: The Wiscon Chronicles Vol 7: Shattering Ableist Narratives - essays on fandom and media, mostly..."I've never heard of any of these, but one or two of them sound a little bit like either Handmaid's Tale dystopia or Herland utopia so that'll be interesting! :)
Jean wrote: "Definitely just recommend anything you think is feminist :). Even if it doesn't become a bookclub book down the line there might be someone in the group who ends up falling in love with it!" Ok great! I suggested Prisoner of Tehran, which was an amazing story of the fight for women's rights within Tehran, and in general, and Infidel, which has a similar premise of self discovery due to religious pressures. I also really loved The Just City, with the sub plot being a pro-feminist regime once the older male regime dies off.
But, I've voted for a variety of books, most that I've heard a lot about and haven't read yet. I feel like part of this is the synthesis of thought and discussion while discovering new books, not just the ones we've been banging on about forever (like my beloved A Handmaid's Tale).
Not sure, as I have not yet read them, but perhaps The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte, as I have heard it has feminist themes throughout. And The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer, which I believe is based off/inspired by Lysistrata.Will we be reading more on the non-fiction side or fiction? I definitely need to read more non-fiction, in general.
Bekah wrote: "Not sure, as I have not yet read them, but perhaps The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte, as I have heard it has feminist themes throughout. And The Uncoupling by ..."I second The Tenant of Wildfell Hall! It's been years since I read it but it definitely has a feminist slant. It's actually really interesting because Anne Bronte kind of subverts her two sister's love interests (Heathcliff and Rochester) by showing what a real Byronic lover trope would have actually been like in real life. It's a fascinating read, especially when you think about the time it was written in. Charlotte Bronte actually thought the book was written in poor taste and disparaged the text. She prevented it's rerelease for a second printing which was why it's probably not as well known as the other Bronte novels.
Sorry if this is long winded. Just wanted to add my two cents. I think Anne was a lot more progressive then her two sisters and I wish she got the recognition she deserved.
The Feminist Orchestra Bookclub
Books mentioned in this topic
What is Feminism?: An Introduction to Feminist Theory (other topics)Regretting Motherhood (other topics)
Ahe'ey (other topics)
The Joy Luck Club (other topics)
Rape: A South African Nightmare (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Amy Tan (other topics)Virginia Woolf (other topics)
Virginia Woolf (other topics)
Virginia Woolf (other topics)
EDIT: All genres and formats welcome. Fiction to non-fiction; graphic novels to poetry and everything in-between.