Emma Watson, aka Hermione, leads a monthly feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf, which shines a light on books that deal with gender equality. Watson, who has been known to leave her book choices for others to find on various subway lines, credits her role as "UN Women Goodwill Ambassador" as the inspiration for her book club. While reading feminist lit. to prep for this prestigious role, Watson says, "I've been discovering so much that, at times, I've felt like my head was about to explode."
Her recent read: Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot, a powerful, poetic memoir of a woman's coming of age on an Indian Reservation in the Pacific Northwest. Having survived a profoundly dysfunctional upbringing only to find herself hospitalized and facing a dual diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar II disorder, Terese Marie Mailhot is given a notebook and begins to write her way out of trauma. In Heart Berries, Mailhot discovers her own true voice, seizes control of her story, and, in so doing, re-establishes her connection to her family, to her people, and to her place in the world.
Go to goodreads.com to join Our Shared Shelf and join their lively discussion during the last week of each month. And report back to us what you think!
In a similar vein, I have a granddaughter leaving for college who recently decided to minor in Women's Studies--fantastic choice, of course. Now I'm looking for suggestions for the best books to send along with her as an introduction to the feminine principle. Send your suggestions along and we'll do our own "shared shelf." Thanks, Pat
Mary Ellen suggests The Heroine's Journey by Maureen Murdock where the author undertakes a spiritual and psychological journey to become whole, integrating all parts of her nature in her mythic quest to heal the deep wounding of her feminine nature on a personal, cultural and spiritual level. I found it transforming years ago while on my own journey.