So Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat and I am starting to freak out about all the presents I can’t afford.
So baby sis. She is awesome, she’s 17 years old, intelligent, has a fantastic sense of humour and is a budding feminist.
I would love to get her a cool book on feminism. A fun read, but preferably something that sort of covers the basics as well.
I need some suggestions. I was thinking the Caitlin Moran book, but I don’t know that much about it. Anyone read it? Any suggestions at all would be most welcome. Other formats, such as graphic novels, would also be cool.
Try Full Frontal Feminism. The name is slightly risqué but it’s a book aimed at younger women interested in feminism. It sounds like exactly what you are looking for.
ETA: if you google it, or look on Amazon, you should be able to find other similar titles
Thank you, that does look good! Risqué is not a problem at all. My one worry is that it might be slightly too simple and uhm… ditzy for my sister. That it’s sort of trying to bring young girls to feminism by making it sexy and glitzy? Baby sis is a knowledgeable and worldly young lady who is already quite a feminist. What do you think?
Also… any more tips? Anyone?
Thanks so much for the link, she does sound interesting. I’ve read some columns of hers as well and I do like her writing. With her book I’m just worried that it’s mainly about her and having an attitude of “eh, why shave you pubes anyway”, rather than incorporating a history of the movement and problems that women face now.
I only read a third of the book, but that’s pretty much what it was. I was very excited to get it, but honestly, I wasn’t very impressed. It was trying to be funny and it’s not, and once I got to the chapter talking about tasting your own menstrual blood I gave up.
I read it and I loved it. I’m planning on getting my womens-studies cousin a copy for Xmas. It’s not like a history of feminism, though, the feminism is more of a framing device for an autobiography. She’s a very fun writer, like the best girlfriend you wish you had. And it’s decidedly not “don’t shave your pubes,” I don’t think any fourth (fifth?) wave feminism is. It’s more inclusive, like “I don’t get fancy handbags, but girlfriend go buy some yellow pumps because they match everything.”
She’s pretty anti-porn, not in a militant obnoxious Andrea Dworkin way, in a sex-positive way that would be good for a teenage girl to hear, I think.
ETA: Hmm, Athena, I did think it was funny. Maybe because I watch tons of British TV so the tone seemed right to me. I don’t remember the menstrual blood tasting part, I can see where that would be a turn-off. I don’t remember anything gross from the book.
Not about feminism per se, but this book a Question of Choice is an outstanding book about the events surrounding the Roe v Wade decision, by Sarah Weddington, one of the lawyers.
It’s a great story and puts the drive for abortion rights into a historical context, as well as telling the gripping legal story.
Thanks Athena and Zjestika, that really gives me a clearer picture. Although it still sounds like an interesting read, I’m leaning more towards Full Frontal Feminism now.
Would still love a few more suggestions if anyone has any. I only really got into feminism at uni, and most things I read were academic. I would love for my sister to read something in a fun way at an earlier age. Just to help her know that she is right in thinking those things, her feelings are shared by other amazing women. And to help her be vocal on the subject, to have the means to speak up when challenged (not that she doesn’t already).
ETA: Sorry, went to make tea while writing this post and missed the one above, not snubbing you IvoryTowerDenizen! A very interesting suggestion, thank you!
I’m not exactly on the inside here, but surely something by Gloria Steinem would be the best. Maybe not the most reader-friendly, but that’s right from the source, right?
I agree that for a smart girl, a light pop-culture text isn’t going to be satisfying. When I was that age, someone went to the used bookstore and picked up a huge stash of stash of feminist texts, from Angela Davis to Naomi Wolf. Used bookstores tend to have a lot of feminist texts, as people clean out their college-era bookshelves, and I think it’s helpful to see the issue from a variety of view points, especially as there is so much contested ground. I also think it’s helpful to approach feminist literature across genres, incorporating theory, fiction and memoirs.
Another option would be to see if the local community college has an evening introductory women’s studies course she could sign up for.
Whatever you do, I would print up one of the many “Women’s studies reading lists” available online from various university websites, so that she has some structure for further investigation.
Though she is a clever clogs, I think so far her thoughts on feminism are entirely her own. I would like to introduce her to written works with a bit of an overview and lots of food for thought. So not really looking for the original fount of feminism or anything. I’m hoping it will spark an interest and that she will then come and raid my own bookcase
So mid-way between pop-culture and Friedan, I think. Bound by a mighty vow sounds like an interesting read, but really what I’m looking for (and seems very US-centred). Steinem might be a little between the two, but I’d rather have something more recent.
I don’t think I want her to sign up for extra women’s studies classes, she’s in her final year at school and needs to focus on her maths She’s looking to get into Edinburgh, so she needs to do well! And uni tends to be full of these sorts of things. It would be great if she has had the opportunity to back up some of her personal thoughts with reading before that time. (+ :eek: baby sis going to uni!)
(even sven, I was trying to come up a feminist Z for your “Angela Davis to Naomi Wolf” alphabet, but all I came up with was Red Zora, not really a person…)
I’m going to admit I haven’t read it. I’m older than the target audience and further along in my feminism or whatever, so I skipped it. I am basing my reply on having read a lot of the author’s blog.
I doubt it’s ditzy. I think it deals with sex from a feminist perspective, but not in a “oh sexy fun!!” way. I don’t think it’s trying to make feminism sexy or glitzy; I think it’s trying to make it relatable for younger women who maybe don’t know (or can’t fully understand) the history of why feminism was and still is important. Women who haven’t dealt with a lot of overt misogyny, and are told constantly by society that feminism is no longer necessary. Now, maybe she’s past all that, but I think it’s still a good idea to start with stuff that directly relates to her life, and the things she actually deals with than to skip ahead to The Feminine Mystique, which is awesome, but all theory for her.
If you think she is particularly precocious, I would get another book to go with it that’s a little more advanced. As I said, googling or looking up Full Frontal Feminism will give you lots of selections for books that are more modern and conversational, rather than a lot of SERIOUS FEMINIST STUDY!!! I mean, maybe you have a budding even svenon your hands who will love that sort of thing, but most people don’t pleasure read textbooks. You know better than me what kind of woman she is. But, in my opinion, she’ll appreciate a book that deals with subjects she’s actually grappling with, and helps her see it (and respond) through a feminist lens.
Also, think about buying her The Gift of Fear. Every young woman should read that book. The chapter on domestic violence is victim-blamey and kind of awful, but overall it’s a terrific book. I wish I’d read it at her age. Would have saved me a lot of heartache…
I went to read the first chapter on Amazon, and it did seem quite breezy and perhaps a bit condescending. It uses a lot of that faux-chatty lightweight “_____ For Dummies” or “A Teen’s Guide to _______” talk that instinctively makes me bristle (YMMV). I basically never want an author to call me “girlfriend” or say “So, here’s the thing…”.
It does seem to provide a broad overview of the major issues, and from the table of contents, it seems to tie them into action, which is a nice addition. But it doesn’t go too deep into any of the issues, and the surface level analysis may be a little obvious (“It’s like totally not fair that there is a sexual double standard, amiright?”)
It doesn’t seem like a bad choice, but it seems aimed a towards people a little younger and perhaps a bit unwelcoming to the idea of feminism. I could see this as a great book to give to a stereotypical boy crazy cheerleader type who could use a little conscious raising.
The book that really got my attention at that age was the Beauty Myth, which will probably seem pretty dated and not appropriate at this point. When I read it, it was relevant to my life, digestible to a pop-audience, but meaty and backed up with some more substantial studies and references. It also presented me with some new ideas (“Plastic surgery is violence? I can see that”) while also challenging me to think critically by giving some positions I wasn’t 100% on board with. It was good fodder for many freshman year rap sessions, and it made me interested in reading some of the other works she referenced.
Anyway, thanks for starting this thread, OP. You’ve brought up a lot of good memories and some good contemplation on the formation of my own consciousness!
Thanks! You both actually summarised my thoughts. I like that FFF seems to help vocalise feelings that you might have that go against the current discourse of feminism being over. Then again, reading the first few pages it also has that tone that even sven describes and I do find it patronising.
It’s not too easy to know exactly where to jump in with her. I know her well, but at the same time she is a teenager who has been living in a different country for the last few years. She does this fantastic thing with raising her eyebrows at me across the table when she hears something questionable, and can slip in these hilariously dry comments that make clear how well she can read into the implications of (to some people) seemingly innocuous things that are being said.* On the other hand, I don’t think she has read any actual feminist texts. On the third hand, there is the internet and who knows what she reads on there…
I think The Beauty Myth is still very relevant actually, and something she should definitely read. She knows a little about the area, I think I helped her with an essay on the male gaze at some point. It’s also very readable, which helps. But I’d still like to start her off with something more general.
Which brings me back to Full Frontal Feminism. Come to think of it, there is nothing wrong with being critical of the style of a book. She’d probably devour it in a day and maybe it is slightly patronising in it’s tone, but I think the general message is great and it forms a solid base.
My first thought when I looked at The Gift of Fear was “I should give that to people who come into contact with her”. Then I thought how that is exactly what my papa always says about me, and my own fierce & outspoken nature hasn’t always protected me. I got there in the end: there is currently a guy in prison for groping me. I’m not convinced that it’s a book that gets you there though. I imagine that I had something of an understanding of what that book teaches already, but that doesn’t make you prepared for real life. So I dunno, it’s food for thought certainly…
*Dammit, why can’t I come up with an example? Stoopid brain. I know one time she said: “oh yes, because that is a totally acceptable thing to say” and it was so funny, but I can’t remember apropos of what…
I quite enjoyed The Ascent of Women; A History of the Suffragette Movement. It begins with early Feminist thinkers & continues through women getting the vote in the UK. You learn about suffragettes & suffragists, different factions within the movement & how other feminist issues were handled during those years. Not excessively scholarly–you also learn about the lives of these women (& some men)…
Oh–that link goes to Amazon.UK. Why the Black Friday deals?
Thanks everyone! I really enjoyed looking at all your tips and there are certainly a few in there that I will get for myself too
I think I’ll go with Full Frontal Feminism, and take it from there.
:eek: I am on Amazon.co.uk too and I am NOT getting any Black Friday deals! Harrumpf. Not fair, I need deals even if they are entirely unrelated to our culture.
I’ve no idea where to start with feminist non-fiction, but if she fancies some feminist fiction reading material, how about something by Sheri Tepper, or the Handmaid’s Tale?
I’m guessing from the Edinburgh comment that you and she are both UK-ers - does she read the F-wordblog? If not, she might like it, and the review section might help you find some better books!
She’s looking to get into Edinburgh, so she needs to do well! And uni tends to be full of these sorts of things. It would be great if she has had the opportunity to back up some of her personal thoughts with reading before that time. (+ :eek: baby sis going to uni!)