Interesting topic. Hard to choose 5.
But, choose 5 I must. So here I go.
1.) Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia by Jean Sasson
I had to read this book for either a psychology class or a women in literature class; I don't remember which. Maybe it was for a philosophy class. It was for college; I do remember that much at least. (It appears I had better start taking a multi-vitamin and some omega 3 pills, because lately I feel like my mind has been going.)
Anyway. This book was a very interesting look into a culture completely different than my own. Some have speculated that it is not completely nonfiction (the princess divulging secrets could face death if her identity was discovered), but nonetheless it is a compelling look into what life is like for some women.
2.) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A classic. Pure and simple. And I love that this version is annotated. I love me a good annotated book, dorky as that may be. My favorite copy of Alice in Wonderland is the annotated version I bought at the Huntington Library years ago.
I have an older version of this, but I should buy the updated version- they've added some more of Parker's work and a mini biography, apparently. Why should women read this? Because Dorothy Parker was clever and funny and honest.
Another classic. I don't think this should just be a book every woman should read; I think it should be a book that every person should read. But I don't think today's kids should read it when they are in the 8th or 9th grade; I think a lot of them are too young to appreciate what a fantastic character Atticus Finch is.
Maybe this title belongs more to "books every young woman" should read, but I love these books. The protagonist, who may be a bit of a brat sometimes, is a strong, smart, clever girl. Quite a lot of my favorite young adult novels (I read a lot of them, being a 5th grade teacher) happen to be about young men, but this book centers on Lyra and her adventures. I love that it is a girl who is setting out to save the world.
So, there's 5 of my top choices. I could add to the list, maybe a little Virginia Woolf or Kate Chopin, but 5 is 5 and I am done.
What books do you think every woman should read at least once?
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," my all time favorite book! Will have th check out some of these titles this summer.
ReplyDeleteNora
Nora, I'm ashamed to admit that I have never read that book; I will have to put it on my list!
DeleteLori
I love Pride & Prejudice! I would add The Hunger Games--I adore Katniss.
ReplyDeleteMartha, I love The Hunger Games (and Katniss!) too. Have you read Suzanne Collins' other series?
DeleteLori
I read To Kill A Mockingbird in high school, but I feel like I should read it again to appreciate it more. And this might sound like a stupid question, but what does it mean when a book is "annotated"? I've never read Pride and Prejudice, but think it's a classic must read! xoxo- Kristen
ReplyDeleteNot a stupid question at all, Kristen! I know about annotated bibliographies and books because of my background as an English major; I had teachers who required us to make our own versions. Really all it means is notes. If you have ever read a book and marked up the pages with definitions or information, that is an annotation.
DeleteYou know how sometimes when you are reading you come across something unfamiliar or interesting, and you look it up to find out more information? An annotated version has basically already done that for you, with notes and interesting facts written in at the bottom and/or sides of the novel.
I just think they are fun; you learn about the author, the story, and the choices that were made, and you find out fun little tidbits concerning the literature.
(Hope my little novella here helped; I think the teacher in me just showed up for a little while!)
Oh, and have you seen the movie of To Kill a Mockingbird? It is fantastic as well!
Lori
I was going to pick "To Kill a Mockingbird" but then didn't. Glad you did. Also, love the Dorothy Parker and while you didn't put it on your list, but did mention it, "Through the Looking Glass" would have been great too.
ReplyDeletehttp://wellreadfish.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-womans-worth.html
Great books on this list! I've wanted to read His Dark Materials for a long time. I need to just buy it. I have a cart open on Amazon right now actually... ha :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely recommend them. And then I recommend Once Upon A Time in the North.
DeleteLove. Planning on re-reading these books this summer!
Lori
Hope to read To Kill a Mockingbird with my son, I'm not sure it is on his school's reading list.
ReplyDeletePride and Prejudice is on my bookshelf. Hopefully, a read for this summer.
re
Ooh, To Kill a Mockingbird would be a great book to read with your son!
DeleteLori
I love, love, love The Golden Compass. I haven't read the rest of the series - I should do that soon.
ReplyDeleteMaria, they are really, really good! There are a couple of little side books that came out later too, that are definitely worth reading!
DeleteLori
I read Princess in high school and it's stayed with me forever. I can't believe it slipped my mind when I was making my list!
ReplyDeleteIt's a powerful book, isn't it?!
DeletePrincess sounds interesting! I will be adding it to my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think!
Delete(My to-read list will take me years to get through, so I understand if I don't hear back for awhile!)
Lori