Read Women discussion

I finished Dorothy West's The Wedding last evening and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Otherwise, I'm in the middle of the following:

Brother by David Chariandy
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine, and
I'm close to finishing up our group read, Akata Witch

I'm currently reading Claire's Last Secret: A Historical Mystery Featuring Lord Byron by Marty Ambrose who is female. It's a book from the perspective of Claire Claremont. I've always been interested in the Shelley-Byron circle and the summer of 1816 which resulted in Frankenstein.

Jane Doe

I’m reading :

Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug

The Street by Ann Petry

and The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum

I'm currently reading A House of My Own: Stories from My Life by Sandra Cisneros. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with her last month which was incredible. I'm excited to finally read this collection - I absolutely love her writing.

I’m reading a true crime book for one of my F2F book clubs: In Plain Sight: The Kaufman County Prosecutor Murders by Kathryn Casey. I’ve stayed up too late two nights in a row reading it. It’s that good, if you’re open to excellent true crime books. In my experience, very few TC books are well-written and compelling, but this is one of those few. Plus, I’m delighted that it is written by a woman author.

I'm reading On Strike Against God by Joanna Russ. I love it. It's out of print. It reminds me a lot of Grace Paley--wry, true.

(Hi Carol!)

Lark wrote: "I'm reading On Strike Against God by Joanna Russ. I love it. It's out of print. It reminds me a lot of Grace Paley--wry, true.

(Hi Carol!)"

This is a nice surprise!

I’ve never heard of Joanna Russ. Educate me. What led you to this novel?

Carol wrote: "I’ve never heard of Joanna Russ. Educate me. What led you to this novel?
..."

I kept hearing about her vaguely Carol and decided to read one of her books. She was primarily known for her science fiction, at a time when just a few women were writing any, and her science fiction was so women-oriented that she used to be booed at mostly-young-male sci fi conferences. On Strike Against God is not sci fi though.

Here are some links I liked--I'll be reading more of her novels for sure:

The Enduring Anger of Joanna Russ

A Feminist Literary Classic Gets a Timely Reissue, and it’s Still Maddeningly Relevant

Lark, I first heard about Russ a couple of weeks ago in an article that mentioned How to Suppress Women's Writing, her book discussed in the second link. I am glad to see it's being reissued by the University of Texas press. She sounds fascinating and although I am not a sci fi fan, I need to check out whatever of her books I can find.

Lark wrote: "Carol wrote: "I’ve never heard of Joanna Russ. Educate me. What led you to this novel?
..."

I kept hearing about her vaguely Carol and decided to read one of her books. She was primarily known fo..."

Thank you! I can't wait for this webcast to end so I can dive into your links.

At the moment I am listening to The Wolf and the Watchman
by Niklas Natt och Dag and I am reading Since We Fell
by Dennis Lehane.I have a 45 minute ride to work so I get to listen to great books on audio.

I'm reading The Wolf Border by Sarah Hall. Enjoying it so far.

Very enlighting about strong women and their battles in everyday life in Syria but written in such a funny manner that it wasn't depressing but empowering. Great read!

I'm currently reading The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing. It is absolutely chilling!

Jess wrote: "I'm currently reading The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing. It is absolutely chilling!"

Jess, I love that novel. Especially as a mother I loved it. There are a few short and ruthless books written by women that are in a special category for me--The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark is another one.

I am currently reading Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl: And Why You Should, Too
But that's not the only one in my currently reading list.... Lol.

I'm reading Maggie Nelson's memoir, The Red Parts, about the murder of her aunt before Nelson was born. If you're interested in true crime, you might be interested in this book.

I'm reading Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. Shortlisted for the Man Booker last year and been on my Wishlist for a while now. Only about 40% in so far but am enjoying it a lot so far.

Lark wrote: "Jess wrote: "I'm currently reading The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing. It is absolutely chilling!"

Jess, I love that novel. Especially as a mother I loved it. There are a..."

I'm sure I have that somewhere in my huge TBR. I'll have to check it out.

I just finished A Room of One's Own and I absolutely loved it! I was a bit hesitant to pick it up, as I have found Woolf's writing style a bit hard to follow in the past (due to all the stream-of-consciousness), but I'm so so glad I did! (This book is way easier to read than e.g. To the Lighthouse or Mrs. Dalloway)

The lecture/essay reflects upon the topic of women and fiction and performs social criticism through the years while also looking ahead at what may be written and/or socially acceptable in the future (present day?).

I am in love with this little book, and I want to read it again and again and again!

I'm currently reading "Where She Lies" by Michael Scanlon. This is crime fiction set in a small town in Co Galway. It's enjoyable but not overly exciting but I'm only halfway through and it claims to have a twist at the end so we'll see how that turns out.

I finished So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ, winner of the 1980 Noma Award. It's one of our group reads for this month.

I really enjoyed Ramatoulaye's voice, strength, and stoicism. And I loved the supportive sisterhood relationship she had with her friend.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I started an arc of Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson last evening and am loving it.

Also I finished Michelle Obama’s Becoming. Yes, 5 stars.

Am continuing to read our group read novels, Island of a Thousand Mirrors and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.

I'm currently reading 3 books, The Artists Way, The Secret and Magical Women.

Fnished "Educated" today, and loved it! starting "Gentleman in Moscow". Has anyone read it?

I'm finally reading Milkman by Anna Burns! It's been quite difficult for me to get into this style of writing. Perhaps it's because English is not my native language. The theme is fascinating and I'd love to read more literature set during the times of The Troubles (If anyone has reccomendations, I'd love to know!).

Alona wrote: "I'm finally reading Milkman by Anna Burns! It's been quite difficult for me to get into this style of writing. Perhaps it's because English is not my native language. The theme is f..."

I got half way through The Milkman and had to return my audio version. That was a month ago and I'm still on the waiting list so I can finish! I was thinking the book was really good and was enjoying it very much.

Alona wrote: "I'm finally reading Milkman by Anna Burns! It's been quite difficult for me to get into this style of writing. Perhaps it's because English is not my native language. The theme is f..."

I don't have personal recommendations because Milkman may be the first book about The Troubles I have ever read. But like you, I am interested in reading further. Below is a list from The Guardian which may help. Apologies that almost all are books by men. I want to assure you that Milkman is also difficult for those of us whose native language is English but definitely worth persevering through.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

I definitely will! Hard to put this book down.
Thank you so much for the list! much appreciated :)

Contagion

When She Woke

I am reading: The Photograph by Penelope Lively, The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri and Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson.

I'm totally loving Blood Sisters by Korean author Kim Yideum. It's an amazing book and one of the most female-oriented books I've read. To spark your interest here is a review from the Korean Literature website:

https://koreanliteraturenow.com/ficti...

I started Speaking of Summer by Kalisha Buckhanon.

Lark wrote: "I'm totally loving Blood Sisters by Korean author Kim Yideum. It's an amazing book and one of the most female-oriented books I've read. To spark your interest here is a review from ..."

thanks for sharing this link, Lark!

I am reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. There was such enthusiasm for this book and the waiting list at the library was quite long so I thought I would get on board. So far it is fine and a quick read.

I'm reading an ARC of Mudlark: In Search of London's Past Along the River Thames by Lara Maiklem and so far it's fascinating.

I just started listening to Mary Poppins Comes Back for my commute. At home, I'm reading the new Ann Patchett (ARC), The Dutch House.

Just started reading “February” by Lisa Moore for my book club and “Rad Girls Can” recommenced on the podcast Nerdette.

I'm reading Twins by Marcy Dermansky. It's her first novel, and I've already read her later three. She always hits them out of the park for me :)

I've started re-reading Flights in preparation for our Oct. discussion and am enjoying it even more the 2nd time around.

I also have Olga Tokarczuk's Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead waiting for me at the library. What a treat!

I'm currently reading The Moral Basis of Democracy by Eleanor Roosevelt

It was published in 1940, but it reads like it's timely. I saw it mentioned recently by someone who writes for Book Riot and thought I'd check it out. It's only 80 pages and very worthwhile.

I'm currently reading Girl by Edna O'Brien. It takes place in Nigeria and the protagonist was kidnapped by Boko Haram.
It's well written but I keep on thinking that I ought to read non-fiction on this subject.

Shomeret wrote: "I'm currently reading Girl by Edna O'Brien. It takes place in Nigeria and the protagonist was kidnapped by Boko Haram.
It's well written but I keep on thinking that I ought to read n..."

This one intrigues and terrifies me. I look forward to reading your thoughts on it.

by Helen Phillips

unsettling!

I'm almost finished the very good Please Read This Leaflet Carefully: Keep This Leaflet. You May Need to Read It Again., which will be my 100th book by a woman author for 2019!

I'm currently reading The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa. I put it on hold a while back because Carol thought so highly of it. It finally came in at the library and I've read 54 pages.

I am very favorably impressed. Most of the time, literary fiction writers don't understand the science fiction genre enough to write it well. Yoko Ogawa is very effective.

Shomeret wrote: "I'm currently reading The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa. I put it on hold a while back because Carol thought so highly of it. It finally came in at the library and I've read 54 pages...."

I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, shomeret. It’s a good one to end the year on :)

Story❤ wrote: "I'm almost finished the very good Please Read This Leaflet Carefully: Keep This Leaflet. You May Need to Read It Again., which will be my 100th book by a woman author for 2019!"

Seriously impressive, story.