book reviews
Must-read books for and about women, including thought-provoking novels, business books, memoirs and feminist histories.
Diary of a Strong Black Woman with Nothing to Hide
"This kind of feels like the first date...."- Gabrielle Union. Actress, author, and activist, Gabrielle Union, is an open book. In Union's brilliant and well-written book of short stories, We're Going to Need More Wine, she is unapologetic throughout each chapter and dives into her relationships, casual flings, marriages, traumas, fears, and even losing her virginity.
By Ali McPherson8 years ago in Viva
Feminism in 'The Great Gatsby'
After reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, I am left a bit surprised by the female characters. Half of them seem to be independent and embracing their opportunities to be something more than a wife, whereas the others seem to be depend solely on the men in their lives and don’t seem to fully grasp their own free will.
By Maya Conroy8 years ago in Viva
In the Eyes of the Beholder
In the Eyes of the Beholder: Classification, labels, branding: we have all been sorted into groups whether through our income, gender, religious beliefs, or even the most simple of things; your shirt, your shoes, the way we look at each other. According to Linguist Benjamin Whorf, “the words we use to describe things aren't just idle placeholders-they actually determine what we see" (Psychology Today). Adam Alter wrote about the physiological classification of everything we surround ourselves with. It is human nature to label, it makes a complex idea more simple for us to process. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne is labeled as a sinner and branded with the letter A, which is embroidered on all of her garments. This is the town's way of deeming her “the other” and stripping away her power and morality as an individual. Hawthorne unveils where power truly lies and how we can use that power through Hester Prynne.
By Clare Woodford8 years ago in Viva
All Heterosexual Sex Is Rape
At first, I misunderstood the premise of Andrea Dworkin’s book, Intercourse, to mean heterosexual sex is rape. I fell into the trap of believing her critics without reading the book myself, but when I finally did read it, I was angry how reviewers misled the public into thinking she insisted all intercourse between a man and a woman is rape.
By Nancy Fingerhood8 years ago in Viva
Explaining Away Mansplaining
When writing a personal piece, an author tries to make connections to their audience through their own experiences. This can be done in order to teach a moral lesson, or to give a perspective on an aspect of life that can referred to as taboo. The most prominent would be the oppression of power of women. “Men Explain Things to Me,” an essay by Rebecca Solnit, reflects on Solnit’s experiences of being constrained by a man at a party. Solnit’s essay will be examined alongside Roland Barthes’ “Death of the Author,” which examines the relationships between the author and the reader. This essay will explore Solnit’s style of writing, and how well her written experiences can connect with her audience.
By Stephanie Moscone8 years ago in Viva
The Lost Art of Being a Gentlewoman
There is a book that I have taken with me though every move in the past 20 years. It’s dog-eared and a bit battered, but it’s the one thing I always have with me. Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach is one of those ”thought for every day of the year” books. The purpose is stated as giving the reader a blueprint to live a simple yet fruitful life. However, I believe another intent is to show women how to live as a gentlewoman.
By Beth Gross8 years ago in Viva
Have You Read This Yet? 'Milk and Honey' by Rupi Kaur (Pt. 2)
In the first article of this series, I introduced the book Milk and Honey, a book mixed of poetry and an autobiography. The stark truths were hard to swallow as they came relentlessly and without embellishment. Plain, concise, and simple the truths were hard hits that compelled me to continue reading. Now, for the readers, the next section will be reviewed and hopefully give even more reasons to go and pick up that book from the shelves. We continue, with the loving.
By Delise Fantome8 years ago in Viva
Pride and Prejudice
Marriage has yet to be perfected as it is constantly evolving. This very progression has brought about the digression of how we compare to the 18th century world of Pride and Prejudice inhabits. As this infamous novel makes its way back into societies hearts, it stirs discussion of ideology and cultural differences as they contrast with today. A satirical work, Jane Austen managed to craft a story that evidently stands the test of time. Reaching the masses through movies and shows and plays, Pride and Prejudice has become, yet again, an advocate to the young of today as inspiration to shape your own lifestyle, redefine relationships, and stand for, or against, social issues.
By Kayla Starr8 years ago in Viva
