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noelleandherbooks's reviews
43 reviews
As a Woman: What I Learned about Power, Sex, and Patriarchy After I Transitioned by Paula Stone Williams
informative
slow-paced
3.0
I picked this one up during Barnes & Noble's 50% off hardcovers sale. After realizing I was too late to buy any hardcover fiction, I decided to go on a nonfiction reading/buying spree. I got this book, a book on eugenics during the Great Depression, and a book about women's healthcare.
The back cover puts it perfectly: "As a father of three, married to a wonderful woman, and holding several prominent jobs within the Christian community, Dr. Paula Stone Williams made the life-changing decision to physically transition from male to female at the age of sixty." Williams tells her story in a very detailed way and you can tell she recognizes her identity is unique. A good portion of the book is spent discussing her faith journey and outlook on the Christian church, which I really enjoyed. I do think it's worthy to note that the book seemed to target cis men, as many of the conversations on male privilege were bluntly obvious to me; that's something I wish I had known before reading it. But besides this, I really enjoyed it! It gave me a perspective I haven't had before and because of that, I learned a lot.
The back cover puts it perfectly: "As a father of three, married to a wonderful woman, and holding several prominent jobs within the Christian community, Dr. Paula Stone Williams made the life-changing decision to physically transition from male to female at the age of sixty." Williams tells her story in a very detailed way and you can tell she recognizes her identity is unique. A good portion of the book is spent discussing her faith journey and outlook on the Christian church, which I really enjoyed. I do think it's worthy to note that the book seemed to target cis men, as many of the conversations on male privilege were bluntly obvious to me; that's something I wish I had known before reading it. But besides this, I really enjoyed it! It gave me a perspective I haven't had before and because of that, I learned a lot.
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. I signed up for an LGBTQ+ literature class this semester despite friends (and my academic advisor) telling me to drop it for multiple reasons. However, I wanted to see it through and I'm so glad I did. This was our first read.
Published in 1973, Rubyfruit Jungle follows lesbian Molly Bolt from childhood to college graduation. It's a beautiful book that'll make you laugh and cry at the same time. Molly has a way of being so honest that I couldn't help but fall in love with her.
My professor also had us read Brown's essay entitled "Take a Lesbian to Lunch" which made it clear that Rubyfruit Jungle is about as autobiographical as fiction can get. Brown writes in the essay:
"There were always a number of women who questioned the system and found it destructive to themselves. Those women became self-identified. The male culture's word for this is lesbian."
I'm obsessed. Reading and discussing this book has been the highlight of my classes this week. As Gloria Steinem herself wrote:
"Because its heroine dares to be her unique and spirited self, despite society's biases about class and sexuality, she has helped generations of readers to do the same."
Gloria, I agree wholeheartedly.
Published in 1973, Rubyfruit Jungle follows lesbian Molly Bolt from childhood to college graduation. It's a beautiful book that'll make you laugh and cry at the same time. Molly has a way of being so honest that I couldn't help but fall in love with her.
My professor also had us read Brown's essay entitled "Take a Lesbian to Lunch" which made it clear that Rubyfruit Jungle is about as autobiographical as fiction can get. Brown writes in the essay:
"There were always a number of women who questioned the system and found it destructive to themselves. Those women became self-identified. The male culture's word for this is lesbian."
I'm obsessed. Reading and discussing this book has been the highlight of my classes this week. As Gloria Steinem herself wrote:
"Because its heroine dares to be her unique and spirited self, despite society's biases about class and sexuality, she has helped generations of readers to do the same."
Gloria, I agree wholeheartedly.
Reading and Writing About Literature: A Portable Guide by Janet E. Gardner
informative
super informative! as someone who just became an english major, the information about analyzing literature is v helpful. solid used bookstore find!
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 70%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 70%.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
yeah okay this was pretty good. didn't love the writing style, but otherwise enjoyed it!