As someone who identifies as a feminist, I felt like I wasn’t reading enough books written by women. However, looking at my year of reading, around 80% of what I’ve read so far is written by women. I’m doing okay but in my soul, it doesn’t feel like enough.
In order to combat this feeling, I am going to commit the whole month of November to read only books written by women. Partly because it’s a great way to promote and hype female writers, but mostly because it’s a great hashtag #nomennovember.
Gender has never impacted my reading much; I read what I feel like and am drawn to what I’m drawn too. It could be said that I’m not a conscientious reader, and I won’t be ashamed of that. Everyone reads for different reasons and for me, it is mostly to go on a fun imaginative adventure.
After a little bit of research (aka one google search and reading the first article that looked legit), it seems that in 2016, the percentage of best selling books written by women were 48% to the male 52%. This means men and women are roughly 1 to 1 on best seller lists, which in my opinion is pretty stellar.
Despite these numbers, the New York Times best seller list fluctuates and there is never a steady balance. The list for the 27th October 2019 has six books written by women within the top ten. But the following week for the 3rd of November, it only has four.
I think ultimately every reader can make their own decision on this balance but as someone who has worked in a bookshop and as a reader, I don’t find there to be a huge difference.
So with all that said, I just think this will be a fun way to shake up my reading and steer myself towards some big women writers that have been on my shelf for a long time.
This month I plan to read the following:
Circe by Madeline Miller
Circe, daughter of Helios God of The Sun and Mightests of the Titans, is not a daughter fit for a God. Finding no love or friendship in the gods she turns to mortals for comfort. This leads Circe to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft. When love drives her to cast a dark spell she is banished to exile. Will isolation lead to her demise or will it be the opportunity she needs to harness her power to it’s full potential?
Buy it here.
Paris Savages by Katherine Johnson (yay for Aussie authors)
Fraser Island, 1882. The population of the Badtjala people is in sharp decline following a run of brutal massacres. When German scientist Louis Müller offers to sail three Badtjala people – Bonny, Jurano and Dorondera – to Europe to perform to huge crowds, the proud and headstrong Bonny agrees, hoping to bring his people’s plight to the Queen of England. Crowds are enthusiatic in Europe but the attention is relentless and the scientists are intrusive. But when disaster strikes, Bonny must find a way to return home. Will the Badtjala people survive or perish?
Buy it here.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
One year after 9/11 times are turbulent for everyone, especially 16 year old Shirin, who is a Muslim girl tired of being stereotyped. People are horrible to her, but Shirin is never surprised. What surprises her is Ocean James, the first person in a long time who has wanted to genuinely get to know Shirin.
Will Shirin let her guard down that’s been up forever for this boy?
Or try and protect herself in a world that feels like everyone is attacking her?
Buy it here.
Six of Crow by Leigh Bardugo
Ketterdam is a hub of international trade, you can get anything for the right price. No one knows this better than Kaz Brekker. When Kaz is offered a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his dreams he can hardly resist. But he cannot do it alone. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and its destruction - if they don’t kill each other first.
Buy it here.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
In New England, at an eccentric college, a group of misfits discover a new way of thinking and living that is a world away from the minds of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal mortality their lives are changed profoundly, and forever.
Buy it here.
I urge everyone to join in this little reading challenge for the month and LET ME KNOW what you are reading in #NOMENNOVEMBER
However, stay tuned everyone and don't be disheartened, men will have their time. We have BIG things in store for December #DICKSINDECEMBER
#NOMENOVEMBER BOOK SLUTS <3