Want to Read Wednesday

Feminism Edition!

Continuing strong into the second "Want to Read Wednesday" with a subject that I'm sure is near and dear to most of our hearts: feminism. I decided to go with a mix of fiction and nonfiction, because I feel that essay and be just as powerful as stories; it depends more on the execution than the medium. Happy reading!

5 Books I Cannot Wait to Read:

5. The Vagina Monologues, by Eve Ensler

Why: The Vagina Monologues is a compilation featuring interviews from women talking about their vaginas. What isn't to like about that? I've heard about it from pretty much everywhere; it's an incredibly infamous piece of writing, and I'm curious to find out why. I've read some more negative reviews about it recently, so I'm also interested it reading it on my own to form my own sort of opinion on it from start to finish. I feel safe to say that it's considered to be a classic of feminist literature, so regardless of the current consensus, I'd like to add it to my "read" list, more than anything else. Plus, it seems at least mildly entertaining.

4. The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

Why: Once you've known me for about five minutes, you'll know that I love dystopian fiction. A world where a women's only real purpose is reproduction sounds horrifying, and like something that may have noticeable parallels to a society from not so long ago. The Handmaid's Tale is on virtually every "Read Before You Die" list, and based on premise alone, I'm inclined to agree. Plus, I'm a bit of a purist, and so I really want to read the book before I see the movie (which looks incredible, by the way). 

3. Beauty Queens, by Libba Bray

Why: This book has everything. Girls, beauty contestants, LGBT character(s), dance numbers (?), and, I'm sure, plenty of talk about societal expectations and roles. And it's funny! I'm a little split on my opinion of books with a ton of relevant characters, and even more split of books with multiple POV's, but I've heard so many great reviews of this Beauty Queens that I know I need to give it a try. 

2. Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions & Heretics, by Jason Porath

Why: First, I know what you might be thinking if you read above- "why is a male author on a list about feminist books?". Rather than beginning the argument over whether or not men should be in the feminism movement (they should), or whether they have any right to write about it (Jury's still out), there is no possible way that this book couldn't be classified as pro-women. Based on historical accounts of women's accomplishments in the past centuries, (the earliest one is from 1500 BCE), based on the Table of Contents), what Porath has done is collect dozens of women who deserved to be in history textbooks but were left out. When it first came in the mail, I couldn't help but to read the first few stories, and my God, are they interesting. He added some fairy tales in there that have since been largely forgotten, and I'm happy at the representation I'm seeing. Probably far from exhaustive, the list still contains histories and stories from all around the world, and will surely please the little historian inside me. 

1. Milk and Honey, by Rupi Kaur

Why: This has been on my to-read list for almost a year. I have no excuse as to why I haven't read it yet. I've reblogged countless photos of it on Tumblr, read select poems posts by other bloggers, and even read The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace (otherwise it would be on this list), which was noticeably inspired by Milk and Honey. So why the hell haven't I read it yet? I think maybe I feel unprepared for it. It's no doubt going to be incredible, but it also feels like the book of poems will be a journey, one that I'm unsure if I'm in the right head space for at the moment. Every line is so powerful, that I know I'm going to want to take my time and not breeze through it, and that takes both willpower and patience, neither of which I possess at the moment. So, until that time comes, Milk and Honey will be left at the top of my "must read" list, until I am ready for that impact on my life. 

Extremely Honorable Mention Goes Out To:

1. We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
2. Bad Feminist, by Roxane Gay
3. The Purity Myth, by Jessica Valenti
4. Only Ever Yours, by Louise O'Neill
5. Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights, by Katha Pollitt

Have you read any of these books? What would be on your "Want to Read" List, with feminist characters/subjects? Put any books that I should check out in the comments below!