I was eaves-twopping on Twitter earlier this week and landed smack in the middle of a conversation between Eva, Care, Aarti and others about the formation of a women’s studies reading challenge for the upcoming year. How exciting! How timely! How “Yes! Great idea!”!
According to the intro post on the Women Unbound blog, the challenge starts with the dictionary definition of women’s studies, which is:
the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender
Eva explains:
For nonfiction, this would include books on feminism, history books focused on women, biographies of women, memoirs (or travelogues) by women, essays by women and cultural books focused on women (body image, motherhood, etc.). … It’s trickier to say what is applicable as fiction. Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to explain in your review why you chose this for the challenge and its connection to women’s studies.
The blog contains continuously updated reading lists; reviews, guest posts, memes, and profiles will be added throughout the year. Like Serena and Anna’s “War Through the Generations” Reading Challenge, I see Women Unbound growing into a solid resource for this discipline.
The Challenge runs November 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010. There are three levels you can choose as a reader (books do not need to be read exclusively for Women Unbound, cross-challenges are allowed):
- Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction
- Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction
- Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction
Isn’t that clever?! I haven’t yet decided which level I’ll commit to; I’d love to say Suffragette, but I need to spend some time working on my book list first. I’ll list my books and link to reviews here:
- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
- book two
- etc.
I took several of women’s studies classes in college, and this is a great litmus test for me and my lifestyle vs. my ideals of twenty-something years ago. I’m very much looking forward to revisiting some of the books I read back then, and seeing my reactions to them years later (with years of SAHM-hood under my belt, and parenting/influencing the next generation). Am I getting too philosophical for an intro post?!?
Oh, and the buttons! I can call myself a feminist and still have pretty things! Check out the many gorgeous buttons/widgets that clever people have created for Women Unbound.
Take a look at the Women Unbound blog and see if this might be a good challenge for you.
Glad to see that you’ve joined the challenge! Can’t wait to read your list. Happy reading!
I have to join this one. I don’t care if it’s the only challenge I join in 2010 but it’s definitely worth it.
This is a great challenge for you. Good luck!
I’m so glad you’re joining in! And thanks for saying such nice things about the blog.
I’m very excited about this challenge! I’m even trying to recruit my sister, who doesn’t have a book blog! =)
Yay! I’m glad you’re joining
Can’t wait to see your list and your meme
I am deciding on my level and then I’ll put up my sign-up post.
Wow! The number of participants is growing and growing! I’ll update this post when I’ve selected my book list … Have fun with this, everyone.
This sounds like a great challenge. If the war challenge wasn’t keeping me so busy, I’d definitely join. Good luck! I’m looking forward to seeing what books you choose.
Isn’t this challenge great? I’m going to be joining too – just need to put my list together
Have fun with the challenge!