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It’s been a while since I’ve updated you on my reading progress for the year. I’ve now read 41/52 books for this year’s Goodreads Challenge and the last six have been pretty eclectic – three feminist non-fiction, two young adults, and a Harry Potter. I’m anything but predictable. If you’re looking for some recommendations, I’ve included mini reviews below. Spoiler alert: they’re all worth a read.
Feminists Don’t Wear Pink and Other Lies by Scarlett Curtis
This is an entertaining collection of essays by women who explore what the word ‘feminism’ means to them, Contributors include the likes of actress and former presenter Jameela Jamil, Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza, writer Dolly Alderton, actress and feminist book club founder Emma Watson, and actress Keira Knightley. It’s a great starting point for anyone wanting to know more about feminism in contemporary society, how it affects them, and steps they can take to learn/do more.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Angie Thomas’ debut, The Hate U Give, was not only one of my favourite books of last year but it is also one of my favourite contemporary books. I can’t recommend it enough, so it was a tough title to follow up. She did an admirable job with On the Come Up, a story about a teenage girl whose rap video goes viral just as her family faces eviction. There’s a lot here about family, media representation, and the struggle of trying to make ends meet. Another insightful book from Thomas and I’m looking forward to seeing what she does next.
Finale by Stephanie Garber
The third and final instalment of the Caraval trilogy, with a satisfying conclusion. I used to avoid young adult fantasy but won a copy of Caraval in a giveaway and was pleasantly surprised when I gave it a go. I was intrigued to see that there was more to come but was somewhat disappointed by the follow-up, Legendary. I have a habit of getting emotionally invested in characters, though, and have a compulsion to find out how things end, so reserved the final instalment at the library. For the first time, the story narrative alternated between the two heroines (they previously had a book each) and I felt Tella’s story was more interesting than Scarlett’s.
It’s worth noting that, considering how strong these two young women are meant to be, most of the trilogy boils down to their romantic relationships and the fight for love rather than their independence or family. It irks me somewhat, especially as, as far as I can tell, they’re meant to be around 16 and 18. A fun read regardless but the first book was the strongest.
We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai
Another of my favourite releases of last year was The Displaced, a collection of essays by refugee writers. It’s a hugely important book, given that there are an estimated 65.6 million people displaced worldwide, including 22.5 million refugees, an estimated 40.3 million ‘internally displaced people’ (those who have left their home but have not crossed an international border) and 2.8 million asylum seekers.
While the book gives a much needed insight into the lives of the displaced around the world, there isn’t much on the 51% of refugees who are under the age of 18. Malala Yousafzai’s book features accounts from young women who she’s met through her charity and activism work, as well as an overview of her own experience. I really need to get round to reading her autobiography.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
You may remember that until recently I had never read a Harry Potter book. I was a bit of a book snob when they were first released 20+ years ago but my brother was a fan, so I went along for the cinema releases. Since then, I became a big HP film fan, and Hufflepuff, and just never got round to reading the books. When the house anniversary editions were released I decided to start reading at the same pace as the initial releases.
The Prisoner of Azkaban is probably my favourite film of the series and my favourite book in the series so far. It’s where everything starts to get a bit darker, a bit more grown up, and you’re really starting to get emotionally invested. I can’t wait for Goblet of Fire.
Yes She Can: Why Women Own the Future by Ruth Davidson
This was one of the most empowering books I’ve read for a while. Something of a big sister to Feminists Don’t Wear Pink, Yes She Can takes a closer look at the lives of 17 pretty effin’ incredible women, including an Olympic athlete, the Prime Minister (at the time of writing), a footballer, and a millionaire. Ruth Davidson is no wallflower, with her own fascinating life and career weaved in throughout, including working for the BBC and becoming both the youngest leader of a major political party anywhere in the UK and the first openly gay leader in UK history.
I learned so much reading this book and have added some new names to my list of heroines. Sandi Toksvig has become one of my favourite people and I really need to pre-order her new book. If you only check out one book from this post, make it this one.
What have you been reading lately? Any recommendations?
This was a really interesting post. I’m definitely going to put Yes She Can and The Displaced in my wish list. B x
Yay 🙂 Let me know what you think when you get a chance to read them.