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We are in the middle of Feminist Book Fortnight 2018 and are gathering a selection of feminist must-reads for all ages. Here are a few currently on display at the shop, we invite you to add titles to the list for others to discover!
Men Explain Things to Me and Other Essays | Rebecca Solnit
Firstly, from a leading feminist thinker of our time, Men Explain Things to Me is a collection of energetic stories that address issues hidden deep in patriarchal culture. Including the infamous title-giving essay that coined the term 'mansplaining', Rebecca Solnit writes about rape culture, families and colonialism in an accessible and elegant style.
This collection of essays is a fierce and incisive exploration of the issues that a patriarchal culture will not necessarily acknowledge as 'issues' at all. With grace and energy, and in the most exquisite and inviting of prose, Rebecca Solnit proves herself a vital leading figure of the feminist movement and a radical, humane thinker.
Women & Power | Mary Beard
From another notable feminist thinker, Women & Power by Mary Beard is the transcription of two lectures she gave about history's treatment of powerful women. With examples from across the ages and personal reflections, Mary asks the question: “if women aren't perceived to be within the structures of power, isn't it power that we need to redefine?”
With wry wit, Mary Beard revisits the gender agenda and shows how history has treated powerful women. Her examples range from the classical world to the modern day, from Medusa and Athena to Theresa May and Hillary Clinton. Beard explores the cultural underpinnings of misogyny, considering the public voice of women, our cultural assumptions about women's relationship with power, and how powerful women resist being packaged into a male template.
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race | Reni Eddo-Lodge
This next book brings together a discussion about the history and present-day matters of race relations and white prejudices. Reni Eddo-Lodge forms a fascinating and challenging discussion about the 'white-ness' of feminism and its need to change. An incredible book that tests the values of feminism.
Exploring issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race, Reni Eddo-Lodge offers a timely and essential new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism. It is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary exploration of what it is to be a person of colour in Britain today.
The Things I would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write | Sabrina Mahfouz
Taking the discussion about feminism in the global culture further, The Things I Would Tell You is a ground-breaking collection of stories that undermines the narrow image of a 'Muslim Woman'. With both heartwarming moments and stories of honour killings, this anthology brings together voices of female writers who have been shortlisted and longlisted for countless prizes.
Hear from users of Islamic Tinder, a disenchanted Maulana working as a TV chat show host and a plastic surgeon blackmailed by MI6. Follow the career of an actress with Middle-Eastern heritage whose dreams of playing a ghostbuster spiral into repeat castings as a jihadi bride.
From Algiers to Brighton, these stories transcend time and place, revealing just how varied the search for belonging can be.
Your Silence Will Not Protect You | Audre Lorde
Your Silence Will Not Protect You, from the feminist publisher Silver Press, brings together the poetry, speeches and essays of the black lesbian feminist writer and poet, Audre Lorde. Still regularly quoted on social media, Lorde's writing is prophetic and speaks of a change to be initiated everywhere. “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own. And I am not free as long as one person of colour remains chained.”
Audre Lorde (1934-92) described herself as ‘Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet’. Her extraordinary belief in the power of language – of speaking – to articulate selfhood, confront injustice and bring about change in the world remains as transformative today as it was then, and no less urgent. This edition brings Lorde’s essential poetry, speeches and essays together in one volume for the first time.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls | Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Next up is the encyclopaedia of incredible women. Illustrated by sixty female artists from all around the world, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls recounts the stories of one hundred remarkable women and their extraordinary lives, from Ada Lovelace to Malala, Amelia Earhart to Michelle Obama.
In Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls we read about the princess who didn't marry Prince Charming but instead went on to be an astronaut, about the jealous step sisters who were supportive and kind, and the queen in charge of the kingdom. Empowering, moving and inspirational, these are true fairy tales for heroines who definitely don't need rescuing.
Princess Smartypants | Babette Cole
From snippets about lots of inspirational women to the story of one princess who does not want to get married and her fight to keep her independence. This delightful book by Babette Cole, a founding patron of CCB, is wonderfully illustrated, hilarious and demonstrates that finding a prince does not have to be Smartypants’ life's goal.
Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. But being a rich and pretty princess means that all the princes want her to be their Mrs. A perfect book for anyone wanting to be a princess or wanting to play in the mud!
Visit us in store to discover many more of our favourite feminist titles - we'd love to hear what you'd put on your own FBF Round-up. Get in touch on twitter, facebook or by emailing [email protected].
