 So, I got a new Twitter follower, a book blogger, and noticed she had a recent tweet with #unbound. That hashtag is Twitter speak; it denotes a topic of conversation. Of course, I got nosy and checked it out. Whaddaya know, it's a reading challenge focused on women's studies texts. Well, of course I'm in. I've got quite a few that I have yet to read- fiction and nonfiction. This will put a nice dent into the tons of books I already own but haven't read yet. There are several titles that I have read and would have been perfect for this challenge. Who knows, they might get a re-read. Anyway, on to the most fun part of reading challenges: the book list. I'm going for the third level reader, suffragette, which calls for reading at least eight books and three should be nonfiction. Again, so not a problem with what's already on my shelves. Here we go, so far: Fiction Big Breasts & Wide Hips by Mo Yan Me Dying Trial by Patricia Powell Brown Girl, Brownstones by Paule Marshall Iola Leroy by Frances E.W. Harper The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga Woman At Point Zero by Nawal El Saddawi Nonfiction Migrations of the Heart by Marita Golden In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens by Alice Walker Theorizing Black Feminisms ed. Stanlie M. James & Abena P.A. Busia Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde A Voice From the South by Anna Julia Cooper These are three levels of participation:
1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act? Feminism, for me, is about women not being marginalized. It's freedom to not be forced into male WASPs ideal of the feminine. However, I subscribe to Womanism which focuses on the intersection of race, class, and gender. 2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not? Yes, but I think all women are to a degree. Most of us make conscious decisions to be our true selves and that's different for every woman. Most of us choose to not be pigeonholed into one feminine identity. 3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same? Labeling. Men label us and we label ourselves.We can't seem to get away from the need to zoom in instead of allowing ourselves to be broad and multifaceted. But then, I guess this isn't just a woman problem, but I think it's more prevalent for women.  CommentsTerri, 11/02/2009 4:02am
I have a book by Nawal El Saadawi on my list, too, God Dies by the Nile. I've never read her before and I'm excited to. 11/02/2009 7:09am
I totally agree with you about the labels. That's sort of what I was getting at in my answer though you said it much better. Wuhu so excited you're joining and what a fab list (I have heard of none of them so I'm looking forward to enlightening reviews very much). Labels are just ugh, they depress me - I always say labels are the reason I'll always order a pint first if I'm out wearing a really pretty dress, confound those expectations! Maleka 12/02/2009 8:58am
Just found your blog. Love your book reviews! Just wanted to chime in and say that The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta is my favorite book of all time. Comments are closed. | Authors and publishers feel free to check out my review policy and contact me regarding review requests.
    ArchivesDecember 2010 CategoriesAll  Read 17/12
 Read 5/54
 Read 5/8
Read 2/5
 Read 1/4
 Read 0/12
 Read 1/7
 Read 26/25
Book Blogs
A Striped Armchair
Authors In Color Black Eyed Susans Book Blab Book On the Train Brown Paper Color Online For the Love of Books In Spring It Is The Dawn Kinna Reads Lotus Reads Love of Literature Notorious Spinks Talks Page247 Reading In Color Reads4Pleasure Rhapsody In Books The Brown Bookshelf The Feminist Texican [Reads] The Happy Nappy Bookseller With Extra Pulp Worducopia AuthorsChimamanda Adichie
Carleen Brice Fledgling Junot Diaz Jude Dibia Petina Gappah Tayari Jones Jhumpa Lahiri Bernice McFadden Nnedi's Wahala Zone Sonia Sanchez Lori L. Tharps Alice Walker White Readers Meet Black Authors Saul Williams Jacqueline Woodson  Literary Reviews
Culture Awards, Gotta Love 'Em!
          |
