The good news is that this is the last “challenge not met” post on my list (for this year!).
The bad news is that it’s for a reading challenge that I was especially excited about.
I had committed to reading 8 books, at least 3 of which were non-fiction; instead, I read 5 (but included 3 non-fiction!):
- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
- Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi
- Woman Made of Sand by Joann Kobin
- Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
- Don’t Sing at the Table by Adriana Trigiani
That’s OK, even though we’ve turned the page on the calendar, I can still read books that relate to women’s studies … loosely defined by Eva as:
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.
I appreciate Eva’s encompassing definition of women’s studies, and hope to include more of these books in my reading for 2011. If you’re interested in broadening your reading with both fiction and non-fiction involving women’s studies, check out the numerous reading lists and reviews at the Women Unbound page.
This does sound like a good challenge, I still think you did well. I’m trying to read more non-fiction this year so I’ll have to check out the list.
You did pretty well even though you didn’t meet your original goal. I say give yourself a pat on the back anyway
I think you are awesome! But you know that already — challenge or not!
I was SO excited about this challenge, but I totally tanked it. I signed up at the 5-book level (2 nonfiction) – I read the two nonfiction books, but that was it. Nice to know I’m in good company, though!
Non Fiction Recommendation for 2011: A Pictorial biography about the life of Alice Liddell the greatest inspiration of all time behind a children’s book which recently received a rave review on NPR. It is also the most enduring controversy in the History of Children’s Literature that has inspired numerous books and films on the story behind the greatest children’s story of all time — Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Now C.M.Rubin and Gabriella Rubin, authors and descendants of the Real Alice In Wonderland (Alice Pleasance Liddell), speak out for the first time on the controversy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmqpRbQkXmo
This is one of the few challenges I actually completed. And this year there’s a group reading the feminist classics…you could always join that.
You still did great! And I’m glad my definition was useful; it was so difficult trying to come up with one.
Last year saw me get completely addicted to ‘women studies’ books, and I expect I’ll read even more of them this year as well. There’s just something so lovely and affirming about them! Even the ones that make me angry, lol.
You did great! Thanks for participating. And you’ve reminded me that I failed to include the link to the challenge site (doh!) in my challenge wrap up post.
Sounds like success to me. I have Persepolis on my shelf at home but haven’t picked it up yet.