A moving classic on identity, love, and independence. Through the journey of captivating protagonist Janie Crawford, we see the struggle to escape conA moving classic on identity, love, and independence. Through the journey of captivating protagonist Janie Crawford, we see the struggle to escape convention, oppression, restrictions, to live authentically in a world who would go to any length to prevent it. Touching, nuanced, and an ode to freedom of the body and the soul, Their Eyes Were Watching God is a timeless story that commands the heart to lead, to venture into the world on one’s own terms. A love story dedicated not just to accepting oneself, to healing from hurt, but also to the indescribable strength of feeling truly alive. ...more
A raw and honest novel that looks into the many faces of motherhood and friendship. With candid, sharp prose, Still Born follows two women as they makA raw and honest novel that looks into the many faces of motherhood and friendship. With candid, sharp prose, Still Born follows two women as they make choices which alter their futures, and as they reevaluate their own expectations of life and grief. This novel fearlessly explores the nuances of what it means to be a mother, a caretaker, a provider, and effortlessly dissects the roles in which women have been typecasted, and the ways in which women now must balance what they want to be, and what they are still expected to be. Short in length but powerful in message, Still Born is a riveting journey into the ways that life carves away our plans, and how our own paths intertwine in the most unexpected ways. ...more
A beautiful poetry collection that honors the people and culture of Yemen. Fluid, elegant, and pulsing with love, each poem explores the winding pathwA beautiful poetry collection that honors the people and culture of Yemen. Fluid, elegant, and pulsing with love, each poem explores the winding pathways of language, memory, discussing the immigrant experience, the joy and pain passed through generations, the dancing flames of the spirit and the beautifully turbulent waters of the heart. Vibrant, a collection of threads weaving together a unique identity, and a compelling voice. ...more
An interesting exploration of the ways in which ancient rules and archetypes still continue to influence women’s behaviors and personas. With cultural, historical, and religious insight, On Our Best Behavior examines the long lasting gender roles enforced by the Seven Deadly Sins and other culturally backed societal guidelines, forcing women to strive for “goodness”, a centuries old struggle that continues to subtly morph in order to keep women feeling guilty about breaking convention. With the authors own experiences listed throughout, this is a book that most women can relate to, the constant back and forth between patriarchal and personal morality, and our own definitions on how and what we should be doing to lead a “good” life; society so often urges us to be smaller, more docile, less loud, completely nurturing to everyone over ourselves, and that our own desires, shortcomings, resentments, are inherently sinful. Frustrating, real, and timely, this is a book that makes compelling parallels between the past and present, and urges us to take a closer look at who exactly gets to decide what makes us good, bad, and powerful....more
An inspiring and informative exploration of the historical and contemporary barriers to women in the political realm of the United States. Citing her An inspiring and informative exploration of the historical and contemporary barriers to women in the political realm of the United States. Citing her own experiences as a Korean immigrant defying social expectations and integrating into American society and politics, Mary Chung Hayashi gives a compelling dissection of the ways in which women are still expected to behave, and how historical patterns, religion, culture, and tradition still play a massive role in a woman’s ability to break into male dominated fields, especially the cutthroat environment of politics. The inclusion of Hayashi’s own experiences is a compelling aspect of the breaking apart of the “good girl” persona, and how ambition is seen so differently through a gendered perspective. Succinct and effective nonfiction. ...more
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