Looking for a book to give my niece. She has liked John Green's novels. (He writes very well.)
And, while I'm not trying to brainwash anyone, I would like to expose her to the idea that women have gotten a kind of raw deal and should demand more — both because I think it's true and because I think this is a world where women often have to be more demanding to get their needs met.
by phantomofdimitrios
7 Comments
Not sure if it’s exactly what you’re looking for, but I’d definitely recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns. Woman focused, but it is extremely heartbreaking.
What books have you read that you liked? Ones that have meaning for you, that helped you get the idea?
“The Wife” by Meg Wolitzer. The book is mainly set during a couple’s twilight years, but the most pivotal points in the story take place during their youth. Wolitzer highlights the pain inherent when a woman reduces her worth for the sake of her husband.
This is a great read for college-aged girls who are getting ready to embark on a career and settle down with a partner. It gets readers thinking about the decades of consequences that can stem from one single decision. A supportive partner is so important, and “The Wife” depicts what happens when a partner isn’t supportive.
For nonfiction, I recommend “Sex Object” by Jessica Valenti. Valenti is a very approachable writer who puts into words many of the microaggressions girls and women face. If your niece is in her teens, I’m sure she has been exposed to bad male behavior, whether online or at school. This book will validate those icky experiences, give her the language to express male violence, and really hammer home that no amount of abuse is ever okay.
Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E. K. Johnstone might be a good pick – it’s about a young woman who’s date raped by a stranger at a party, the fallout from it, and the way she and the people (especially women) around her rebuild in the aftermath.
{{ The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank }}
{{ A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle }}
{{ The Grace Year by Kim Liggett }}
{{ Girls with Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young }}
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. For something a little lighter, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E Lockhart
“Beauty Queens” by Libba Bray – YA, feminist, satirical, fun!
“The Purity Myth” by Jessica Valenti – nonfiction, but I read it in high school and found it helpful
“Graceling”, “Fire”, and “Bitterblue” by Kristen Cashore – fantasy YA with a variety of different female protagonists, deals with sexism and expectations for women
The Lioness Quartet and Protector of the Small Series by Tamora Pierce – fun YA with strong female protagonists that also deals heavily with themes around sexism