It’s a reading challenge that was born on Twitter, in a comment
Eva made after finishing a book last week: someone should start a “women’s studies” reading challenge. As tends to happen, book bloggers jumped in and out of the discussion, and within a few hours, a name, a hashtag, and a challenge blog were launched:
Women Unbound!
Full disclosure, as mentioned in the “Community Credit” item on the blog’s sidebar – I was part of the original Twitter conversation:
While Aarti, Care, and Eva are your three co-hosts, this whole challenge has been a real group creation. Thanks to all of the following bloggers who joined in the brainstorming session: Beth F (who also gave us our marvelous name), S. Krishna, Florinda, Chris of Book-a-Rama, Nymeth, Heidenkind, Vasilly, and Dawn.
I’ve been invested in this one from the beginning, even if I’m a little late in signing up!
What does a “women’s studies” reading challenge mean, exactly? Again, from the challenge blog:
Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’ The definition according to Merriam-Webster:
the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.
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.). The topics listed aren’t mean to be exhaustive; if you come across a nonfiction book whose subject is female-related, it counts! Of course, if you’re not sure you can always ask about it in a comment.
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.
There’s a “Reading Lists” page on the challenge blog where you can find plenty of book suggestions.
The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010 (slightly more than a year, which should be plenty of time), and readers can join in any time. Participants do not have to be bloggers. There are three levels of participation, and you can count books for other reading challenges as well:
- Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
- Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
- Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.
I’m signing on as a Bluestocking. The challenge doesn’t require committing to a specific reading list – just a number of books – but I’ve made some preliminary selections from my “To Read” collection that fit the challenge parameters:
I realize this tentative listing is more than enough to complete the Suffragette level, but I don’t want to over-commit, and I may drop a few from the list over the course of the challenge year.
Challenge co-host
Aarti has posted a short, optional
Start of Challenge Meme for participants to answer:
1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?
To me, feminism is about how you act, but even more, it’s about how you think, and how consistent your actions are with your beliefs. It’s supporting the efforts and development of women, and speaking out in favor of equal rights, responsibilities, protections, and privileges for them within society.
What feminism is NOT is equally important, though. It’s not about women undermining one another. It’s not about exalting one way of life over another. And tempting though it is at times, it’s not about bashing men.
2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?
Oh, yes. My awareness was formed in the 1970’s, the peak of second-wave feminism and efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, although I was too young to participate in those activities then…and by the time I was old enough, “feminist,” like “liberal,” had become a bad word. But I still believe in the ideals I learned about in those formative years, and I still try to act with them in mind.
3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?
I can’t narrow it down to one single thing, and I think it varies based on where in the world women live and their socioeconomic circumstances, but if I had to sum it up, it probably comes down to “respect” – or more accurately, the lack of it. Women are held back by not being respected and valued – by their employers, their families, their governments, and sometimes by one another (and themselves). Unless that changes, not much else can either.
Are you on board for Women Unbound?
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I know! I swore I wasn't going to do a single challenge this year and I'm doing 4. Good luck with this one.
Kathy (Bermudaonion) – Thanks! I'm actually glad to have an excuse to pull a few of these out of TBR-land. Good luck with your challenges too!
Great list! Sisterhood, Interrupted sounds excellent, I think. And I really like your responses. I agree- man bashing is not part of feminism
Great answers to the meme! Glad you are participating.
Great answers! I think I'll join in, but I haven't had time to sign up and do the meme yet. It's a great idea!
Aarti – I've had that one in TBR for far too long, so I'm glad this challenge is nudging me to take it out!
Care – I'm glad you're hosting :-).
Amy RGB – I hope you get the chance to sign up soon; this is a good one!
I'm really excited about this challenge, although you can't tell, since I have yet to write my post.
Great answer to #3, because I agree it does depend where you live. I always think of the African cultures that practice female circumcision, and how the women who are faced with that have such a different struggle than anything I've faced. Not that that lessens anyone's obstacle, but people are definitely in different places when it comes to feminism.
I love this idea – I'm not going to sign on, but the schtick of women-centered books is cool.
Just read Olive Kitteridge, by the way – liked it a lot.
Jill (Softdrink) – I don't think there's a single biggest obstacle for women just in this country, so it would be impossible to name just one for the whole world.
Now, go get that post written and sign up :-)!
Magpie – I don't do very many of these reading challenges, but there have been a few lately that I couldn't pass up. This has a great theme.
I have Olive Kitteridge already, so I hope this gives me the push to read it! I know a lot of people who have liked it.
This is a really interesting and wonderful challenge. I'm not sure if I'm going to sign up for it or not but I'm thinking about it. Your answer to number 3 hits the nail on the head. That's what everything comes down to:respect.
Great post!
I'm really excited about this challenge! Yes, I jumped in on that twitter convo, too, but you notice I didn't volunteer for a big part in it
It was fun to volley about some name ideas, and brainstorm titles together.
Your reading list looks great! I just listened to Susan Jane Gilman's UNDRESS ME IN THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN and would like to read more from her; I may join you with HYPOCRITE for a fiction pick.
Amy – It runs for a year, so I'm sure you can join any time. Glad you're thinking about it, and I hope you'll decide to jump in!
Dawn – I didn't volunteer for much either, but I did feel like I had a stake in participating :-).
I think HYPOCRITE is essay/memoir, actually. I've had it in TBR for awhile, but all the favorable comments I've seen about UNDRESS keep making me think I should pull it out – so now, combined with the challenge, I actually might do it!
When my post goes live (Friday), you'll laugh at how similar our answers are to the third question! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's reviews. It's going to be a great challenge and a great conversation.
When my post goes live (Friday), you'll laugh at how similar our answers are to the third question! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's reviews. It's going to be a great challenge and a great conversation.
Beth F – I'll be interested in seeing how much we think alike :-). I'm looking forward to the discussions too!
Great list of books! I am looking forward to starting to read for this challenge. Hopefully some of the books on my list come in for me at the library today! I am also enjoying reading the answers that people have for the meme.
Kailana – I'm not sure how soon I'll start reading – soon enough to get some momentum, I hope, but I want to get through some other reading first. I'm glad this challenge will run for a year :-).
I especially like that you included what feminism is NOT, and I completely agree – I think it's important to say that, over and over again. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the books you choose!
Elizabeth – It amazes – and depresses – me to see how many misunderstandings about feminism are still out there, and that's why I felt like I had to address them in that way.
It's great to see all the enthusiasm about this challenge!
This really does sound like it will be a worthwhile challenge. I am glad you are going to participate, Florinda!
Wendy (Literary Feline) – It's definitely one of my areas of interest anyway – judging from what's already in my TBR – so why not jump in :-)?
I'm still intending to limit my involvement in reading challenges, but I think I'll be glad I signed on for this one.