Articles about Books
Good stuff - The Other Half of the Sky
Jolene Tan finds much of interest in this science fiction collection focused on "heroes who happen to be women"
Jolene Tan // 29 May 2013
Categories: Books
Mary Beard critiques the classics
Jess McCabe looks into Mary Beard's critique of biases in the classics
Jess McCabe // 28 May 2013
Categories: Books
Wrecked: a last-ditch prayer
Charlotte Roche's second novel, about psychological collapse, leaves Laura Way in two minds
Laura Way // 28 May 2013
Categories: Books
Everlasting divas
'Rock On': Women, Ageing and Popular Music is an essay collection concerned with developing debates around ageing, both in society and within the music world. Laura Way finds it an interesting (if at times heavy) read that shines a much welcome light on a neglected area of research
Laura Way // 28 April 2013
A quiet scream - Jean Rhys' Quartet
Zoe Apostolides discusses Rhys' unsettling first novel, exploring poverty and dependence
Zoe Apostolides // 9 April 2013
Categories: Books
"But I'm having fun. I like it."
MarinaS argues reading In Her Own Words is more than a debate of for or against sex work. She argues that we should read it because it is a captivating story of an interesting person.
MarinaS // 22 March 2013
Double Bind
Double Bind asks important questions of the cross sections of certain Muslim networks and women's rights argues Jolene Tan
Jolene Tan // 15 March 2013
A cut above the rest
Although wishing at times for a more personal touch, Hayley Foster da Silva is impressed by the breadth of She Bop, the recently revised and updated third edition of Lucy O'Brien's history of women and the music industry, and is pleased to come away from the book with lots of new information
Hayley Foster da Silva // 31 January 2013
Bound to reality
Bound to You follows Nichi Hodgson's journey to become a professional dominatrix, re-writing 50 Shades of Grey with a dose of reality and gender politics, says Josephine Tsui
Josephine Tsui // 9 December 2012
Categories: Books
Life in gasps - Swimming Home
Deborah Levy's Booker-shortlisted novel haunts Zoe Apostolides for months
Zoe Apostolides // 19 November 2012
Categories: Books
Teen fiction: a revolution?
The Carbon Diaries is an unusual Young Adult series with a feminist and revolutionary flavour. Ananya Wilson-Bhattacharya contrasts it favourably with The Hunger Games
Ananya Wilson-Bhattacharya // 16 November 2012
Categories: Books
Making a noise about women's musical history
Hayley Foster da Silva thought she knew a lot about women musicians, but when she read Women Make Noise, a new book edited by Julia Downes, she was pleased to discover that there was still a lot to learn and plenty of all-female musical talent to uncover
Hayley Foster da Silva // 11 November 2012
Bending space-time, gender and minds
Greg Egan's Orthogonal series unites complex physics with alien biology - with surprising feminist resonance for Jolene Tan
Jolene Tan // 25 October 2012
Categories: Books
Back on home turf: Zadie Smith's NW
Zadie Smith returns to North West London in her latest novel. It's not perfect, but Eli Davies is charmed
Eli Davies // 23 October 2012
Categories: Books
'Time to become angry again': Poems for Pussy Riot
This collection of poems and artwork joins a global chorus of support for Pussy Riot. Fran Allfrey is invigorated
Fran Allfrey // 18 October 2012
Categories: Books
The Personal is Political
What You Really Really Want and Outdated: Why Dating Is Ruining Your Love Life are anti-self-help self-help guides. They challenge the clichéd, patronising and, often, offensive advice which is usually trotted out in this genre. Katherine Wootton reviews their alternative advice, discovering it is still possible to be a feminist while navigating the minefields of dating and sex
Katherine Wootton // 4 October 2012
The Song of Achilles
Despite enjoying the novel, Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein has a feminist bone to pick with this year's winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction
Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein // 2 September 2012
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
Published 26 years later, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal reveals the painful truth behind the fabrications Jeanette Winterson used as protection in her highly acclaimed first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. Laura Brightwell considers the importance of Winterson's revelations, particularly as a building-block to mental health
Laura Brightwell // 30 July 2012
The Light Bulb Moment
Bristol based writer Sian Norris asked people to share the light bulb moment they realised they were a feminist: Abigail Rutherford reviews the stories told as a result, examining the diverse experiences and beliefs which lead people to consider themselves feminists
Abigail Rutherford // 5 June 2012
The Sex Myth: Why Everything We're Told is Wrong
Brooke Magnanti wants to expose the truths behind the sex myths which provoke outraged newspaper headlines and panicked public policy. Lindsey Sheehan considers Magnanti's opinions on all things controversial, from lap-dancing to online pornography
Lindsey M Sheehan // 5 May 2012
Iron Butterflies
Carrie Spencer reviews Birute Regine's guide to modern leadership by becoming an Iron Butterfly, which, Regine says, will help women "transform themselves and the world"
Carrie Spencer // 29 April 2012
The Hunger Games: book trilogy
The Hunger Games - the latest fad in the teen fiction market or an incisive examination of our society? Jessica Blunden finds that Suzanne Collins' world offers more than easy escapism
Jessica Blunden // 17 April 2012
The Reinvention of Love
Sian Norris finds herself approving of the subversion of traditional sexual roles in the portrayal of Charles Saint-Beuve - "a man like no other" - in Helen Humphrey's novel The Reinvention of Love
Sian Norris // 8 April 2012
The First Time
Kate Monro set out to ask as wide a selection of people as possible - men and women, old and young, gay, straight, Christian and Muslim - about their personal experiences of virginity. Through her findings, Katherine Dunseath discovered that the definition of virginity, and virginity loss, isn't as straightforward as she'd previously thought
Katherine Dunseath // 9 March 2012
Sylvia's Lovers - Elizabeth Gaskell's anti-romantic novel
LucindaE rereads Elizabeth Gaskell's Sylvia's Lovers not as a sentimental love story, but rather, a merciless tale of flawed love and thwarted ambition
LucindaE // 27 February 2012
Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World
In her first book, Lisa Bloom urges women to disengage their minds from gossip and celebrity trivia and focus on more consequential topics instead. Leonie Taylor reviews this social-critique-cum-recipe-book, which appeals for women to spend more time considering sex trafficking and good literature and less time worrying about getting fat
Leonie Taylor // 15 February 2012
Hey, Shorty!: A Guide to Combating Sexual Harassment and Violence in Schools and on the Streets
Girls for Gender Equity, a not-for-profit organisation based in New York City, work to empower youth, fight sexual harassment and address gender violence. Sara Clarke reviews their guide for young people - and those working with them - on exactly what is sexual harassment, and what needs to be done about it
Sara Clarke // 27 December 2011
Penny Red: Notes from the New Age of Dissent
Laurie Penny's new book brings together a diverse collection of her writing from online content to newspaper columns. Sarah Graham reviews the works of one of the most prominent voices of the new left as she provides analysis, interviews and first-hand accounts of everything from the UK student protests to vajazzling
Sarah Graham // 21 November 2011
The 21st Century Motherhood Movement
Andrea O'Reilly argues that activist mothers are creating an autonomous and distinct social movement. Adele Jones reviews this first anthology of its kind, which profiles organisations who are all fighting for a shift in the value given to the roles and responsibilities of motherhood
Adele Jones // 14 November 2011
In Other Worlds
Katherine Wootton reviews Margaret Atwood's new work of non-fiction which explores the importance and vast potential of science fiction - a much ridiculed and underestimated genre - in the literary canon, and delves into the significance it holds for Atwood as both a reader and writer
Katherine Wootton // 27 October 2011
Falling for Me
Anna David devoted a year of her life to following the advice set down in a classic book from the 1960s, but Diane Shipley questions the self-empowerment message in a book bogged down with regressive ideas and strict gender-roles
Diane Shipley // 13 October 2011
The Future of Feminism
Sylvia Walby's book provides a comprehensive rebuttal of the notion that feminism is dead. Rachel Benson reviews this definitive account of feminism's present and future forms, and the progression of feminism into the mainstream
Rachel Benson // 7 October 2011
The Painted Lady
Sian Norris dissects the problems behind mistress narratives in historial fiction, and explains why Maeve Haran's The Painted Lady doesn't fall into the typical traps
Sian Norris // 13 September 2011
Categories: Books
Choices Women Make: Agency in Domestic Violence, Assisted Reproduction, and Sex Work
Carisa R. Showden argues in her latest book that victim and agent are not mutually exclusive categories. Anna Edman considers her belief that survivors of domestic violence, women using assisted reproduction and women in prostitution are still able to assess their situation and wrest some control
Anna Edman // 6 September 2011
Unhitched
Richard Ganly reviews a book which challenges the notion that a monogamous, heterosexual marriage is truly superior to all others
Richard Ganly // 21 August 2011
Feminist Media History: Suffrage, Periodicals and the Public Sphere
Red Chidgey reviews a book focusing on the feminist periodicals which emerged from the campaign for women's right to vote, highlighting the central role of grassroots publications to engage the wider public
Red Chidgey // 27 July 2011
How To Be a Woman
Ava Jackson reviews Caitlin Moran's book of the moment; a laugh-out-loud, light-hearted look at the day-to-day obstacles which await women in a modern world, from plastic surgery to tiny knickers
Ava Jackson // 13 July 2011
The Wilder Life
Wendy McClure immerses herself in the world of her beloved childhood hero Laura Ingalls Wilder. Diane Shipley follows this journey as McClure separates fact from fiction and is forced to examine why her childhood obsession has only deepened
Diane Shipley // 2 July 2011
Where Has My Little Girl Gone?
Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein questions a book which places the responsibility of counteracting the dangers of sexual imagery firmly on the shoulders of young girls and women
Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein // 9 June 2011
Categories: Books
Granta 115: The F Word
Despite being The F-Word's namesake, Iman Qureshi argues that Granta 115: The F Word misses the mark
Iman Qureshi // 31 May 2011
Under an Emerald Sky
Lukela Aimmado explains why Under an Emerald Sky, a novel by black, queer, feminist activist Olukemi Amala is essential reading for all
Lukela Aimmado // 26 May 2011
Reading Women: How the Great Books of Feminism Changed my Life
Stephanie Staal re-examines some of the central texts of her undergraduate feminist classes, now critiquing them from her position as a wife and mother. LonerGrrrl argues that we should all consider how our relationship to feminism may change over time
LonerGrrrl // 24 May 2011
Categories: Books
Ruth
Katherine Wootton examines how Elizabeth Gaskell's daring novel Ruth, a new edition of which is published this month, challenges our prejudices and suggests how it is still relevent today
Katherine Wootton // 19 May 2011
Is Breast Best?
Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein reviews a book which challenges both the science behind the assertions and the value of breastfeeding campaigns in a "neoliberal risk culture"
Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein // 18 May 2011
Categories: Books
Dreamers of a New Day: Women Who Invented the 20th Century
As the 20th century dawned, visionary women from all backgrounds were imagining new worlds. Kirsty Doole reviews Sheila Rowbotham's history of these movements, groups and individuals
Kirsty Doole // 17 February 2011
Categories: Books
One Dimensional Woman
Feminism risks becoming a meaningless word, co-opted by capitalism and right-wing politicians such as Sarah Palin, according to Nina Power's latest book. Sian Norris has more
Sian Norris // 16 February 2011
Categories: Books
Rose: Love in Violent Times
Inga Muscio's latest book blends anecdotes, history and theory to examine where violence originates from and how to find space for love in a vicious world. The result is in turns naïve, stirring and provocative, says Katherine Wootton
Katherine Wootton // 13 February 2011
Categories: Books
Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation
Social pressures impose binary gender on us all, but resistance is possible: Amelia Bayes reviews the follow-on anthology to a key text in queer theory
Amelia Bayes // 29 January 2011
Categories: Books
How to Become a Scandal: Adventures in Bad Behavior
Laura Kipnis' "theory of scandal" starts an interesting conversation, says Katherine Wootton, but ignores the impact on victims to concentrate on gossip and society's response
Katherine Wootton // 11 January 2011
Categories: Books
Woman's Work: Short Stories
Hayley Foster da Silva reviews this wide-ranging collection of short stories by women
Hayley Foster da Silva // 16 December 2010
Categories: Books
Home Economics: Vintage Advice and Practical Science for the 21st Century Household
This is a collection of excerpts from the text books used to teach early 20th century schoolgirls home economics. The material has been uncritically repackaged and marketed to 21st century women, says Victoria Dutchman-Smith
Victoria Dutchman-Smith // 2 December 2010
Categories: Books
Blue is for boys?
Cordelia Fine unpicks the science (and pseudoscience) of sex difference in her latest book. Jessica Smith found the result a revelation
Jessica Smith // 9 November 2010
Categories: Books
Click!
Did you have a 'click' moment, a sudden realisation that "I am a feminist"? Or was it more gradual? Sian Norris reviews an anthology of stories about coming into a feminist identity
Sian Norris // 17 October 2010
Categories: Books
Adventures in Kate Bush and Theory
Deborah Withers' book is not a biography of Kate Bush. Instead, says Sian Norris, it is a treasure map to the theories underpinning the cultural icon's work
Sian Norris // 10 October 2010
Categories: Books
Beyond the Circle
Jane Fae Ozimek's book takes a refreshing and inspiring look at questions of taboo, sex and the law - but does not quite have the answers, argues Victoria Dutchman-Smith
Victoria Dutchman-Smith // 28 September 2010
Categories: Books
Men at the centre of the story
Barbara Kingsolver has finally won the Orange Prize. Sarah Bryne wonders, is it a coincidence that she has been recognised for The Lacuna, her first novel with a male protagonist?
Sarah Byrne // 15 August 2010
Categories: Books
Girl With a One Track Mind: Exposed
Sex blogger Abby Lee saw her anonymity stripped away by the media. Her latest book explores the personal consequences in a society that has yet to come to terms with female sexual desire, says Abby O'Reilly
Abby O'Reilly // 9 August 2010
Categories: Books
In the Loop
This collection of essays goes well beyond glossy photos and patterns, weaving together a serious assessment of knitting, its role in activism, art and more, says Kaite Welsh
Kaite Welsh // 8 August 2010
Categories: Books
Theodora
Stella Duffy's first historical novel tells the story of Theodora's rise from the stage to co-ruler of Constantinople, says Bidisha, without glossing over her restricted agency
Bidisha // 30 July 2010
Categories: Books
Our Tragic Universe
Scarlett Thomas' latest novel delves into the nature of narrative, says Katherine Wootton
Katherine Wootton // 24 July 2010
Categories: Books
Never Kiss a Man in a Canoe
Advice dished out by agony aunts and uncles from the 1850s to 1960s demonstrates how much has changed - and how much has stayed the same, argues Sian Norris
Sian Norris // 24 July 2010
Categories: Books
My Animal Life
Novelist Maggie Gee deals with the familiar subject-matter of family life and struggling artist, but Bidisha finds the results far from ordinary
Bidisha // 27 June 2010
Categories: Books
One book - three reviews
Annika Spalding, Jamillah Knowles and LonerGrrrl offer three different and independent takes on Reclaiming the F Word: The New Feminist Movement by Catherine Redfern, founder of our site, and Kristin Aune
Various Authors // 4 June 2010
Categories: Books
Honour and the Sword
A L Berridge's swashbuckler is a challenge to this male-dominated branch of historical fiction, says Sian Norris
Sian Norris // 22 May 2010
Categories: Books
Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression
Who are the Muslim reformers striving for women's liberation? Jillian Krane reviews a book which seeks to amplify the voices of some of these women and men
Jillian Krane // 4 May 2010
Categories: Books
Daughters of Earth: Feminist Science Fiction in the Twentieth Century
Jess McCabe reviews Justine Larbalestier's collection of 11 stories and accessible essays, which provide an engaging introduction to feminist scifi
Jess McCabe // 17 March 2010
Categories: Books
The Equality Illusion
Do you think feminism's job is done? Kat Banyard's book will remove your rose-tinted glasses, says Jess McCabe
Jess McCabe // 27 February 2010
Categories: Books
Lighting a fire
Christiane Inmann's history of women's reading and writing is a delicious read, says Jessica Gjergji
Jessica Gjergji // 22 February 2010
Categories: Books
Hello Kitty Must Die
The protagonist of Angela S. Choi's comic debut novel channels the anger of every woman who has been belittled or demeaned, says Kaite Welsh
Kaite Welsh // 21 February 2010
Categories: Books
The Fossil Hunter
Kaite Welsh reviews a fictionalised biography of early paleontologist Mary Anning
Kaite Welsh // 4 February 2010
Categories: Books
Girldrive: Criss-Crossing America, Redefining Feminism
Nona Willis Aronowitz and Emma Bee Bernstein's book reclaims the road trip and tells a story about what young women across the US think about feminism and the issues facing them as women, says LonerGrrrl
LonerGrrrl // 4 February 2010
Categories: Books
Living Dolls: The Return of Sexism
Natasha Walter's latest book reflects her change of heart since The New Feminism, but Melanie Newman argues the result is a mixed bag
Melanie Newman // 3 February 2010
Categories: Books
The Wisdom of Whores
Elizabeth Pisani's book breaks down the facts on HIV/AIDS, but loses points for offensive language and playing too cool to care, says Charlotte Cooper
Charlotte Cooper // 7 December 2009
Categories: Books
Daphne Du Maurier's feminist fairy tales
Sian Norris reconsiders Daphne du Maurier's novels
Sian Norris // 5 December 2009
Categories: Books
Picking Bones from Ash
Christina McDermott reviews Marie Mutsuki Mockett's deft debut novel, which follows two sequential mother-daughter stories
Christina McDermott // 5 October 2009
Categories: Books
The Hour Past Midnight
Salma's debut novel is a moving and beautifully-written must-read, says Sian Norris
Sian Norris // 4 October 2009
Categories: Books
How to survive and thrive as a creative professional for hire
Red Chidgey reviews a step-by-step guide to going freelance
Red Chidgey // 1 October 2009
Categories: Books
Dirt: Quirks, Habits and Passions of Keeping House
Sian Norris reviews an anthology which explores our feelings about dirt (and cleaning it up)
Sian Norris // 9 September 2009
Categories: Books
Feminist or misogynist?
Stieg Larsson's thrillers have been described as feminist, but Melanie Newman argues they are just the latest in a line of novels which aim to titillate readers with graphic depictions of men raping and murdering women
Melanie Newman // 4 September 2009
Categories: Books
Bluestockings
England's first college accepting female undergraduates was established in 1869. In 1948, Cambridge became the last university in the country to grant degrees to its female students. Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein reviews a book which charts the years in between
Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein // 4 September 2009
Categories: Books
Beyond Noughtie Girls
Ellie Levenson's guide to feminism for the "noughtie girl" apologises too much and asks for too little change, says Laurie Penny
Laurie Penny // 2 August 2009
Categories: Books
The Noughtie Girl's Guide to Feminism
Although Ellie Levenson's feminist primer makes some sensible points, this is undermined by a raft of offensive statements, a defence of rape jokes and a desire to speak only to the young, white, able-bodied, straight, educated and middle-class, argues Amity Reed
Amity Reed // 2 August 2009
Categories: Books
The Politics of Breastfeeding
Karen Gregory reviews the 20th anniversary edition of The Politics of Breastfeeding by Gabrielle Palmer
Karen Gregory // 14 July 2009
Categories: Books
Raising boys? Help yourself to some gender stereotypes
Steve Biddulph's bestseller on bringing up boys takes us on a trip back to 19th century, says Clare Gould
Clare Gould // 25 May 2009
Categories: Books
Feminism and Peter Pan
JM Barrie's creation Peter Pan has an enduring popularity. Allison McCarthy digs into the sexist and racist history of the play and novel, and how this has been addressed in modern adaptations
Allison McCarthy // 19 April 2009
'The Trouble with Islam Today'
Sabre reviews Irshad Manji's controversial book which challenges some of the ways Islam is practiced
Sabre // 18 March 2009
Categories: Books
Hellions: Pop Culture's Rebel Women
Why are white, young, male 'rebels' celebrated and revered in pop culture, while women who push against society's sexist and racist norms are marginalised and dismissed? Michelle Wright reviews a book which brings to light stories of the female rebel
Michelle Wright // 13 March 2009
Categories: Books
Intersex (For Lack of a Better Word)
debi withers reviews Thea Hillman's memoir outlining her own experience as an intersex person, as well as offering a critique of 'normal' and a vision for a queer intersex feminism
debi withers // 18 February 2009
Categories: Books
The First Person and Other Stories
Ali Smith's latest short story collection teases the reader and plays with the conventions of literature, says Kirsty McHugh
Kirsty Doole // 11 February 2009
Categories: Books
On the herstory of feminist coalitions
Michelle Wright reviews a book which sketches the history of coalition building between second-wave feminists and other social justice activists
Michelle Wright // 2 February 2009
Categories: Books
The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet
Vandana Singh argues that speculative fiction has revolutionary potential. Jess McCabe reviews her latest collection of short stories
Jess McCabe // 4 January 2009
Categories: Books
Out of Place: Interrogating Silences in Queerness / Raciality
debi withers reviews a collection on the intersection of race and queer politics, which slips between first-person narratives, manifestos and academic tracts
debi withers // 14 December 2008
Categories: Books
Femmes of Power: Exploding Queer Femininities
What does femme mean, and how does it differ from the 'traditional' femininity which feminism so often puts under the microscope? Milly Shaw reviews a book of photographs of and interviews with femmes from around the world
Milly Shaw // 8 September 2008
Categories: Books
Janes In Love
Janes In Love is an oddly bloodless story of friendship, boys and 'art attacks', says Sarah C L
Sarah C L // 7 September 2008
Categories: Books
Loving outside the line of monogamy: Tristan Taormino's new guide to open relationships
Two-person relationships are the default in our culture, but why? Red Chidgey reviews a book which lays open the potential for different kinds of relationships
Red Chidgey // 4 September 2008
Categories: Books
Uglies
Uglies opens in a world where every teenager undergos extreme surgery on their 16th birthday to mould them into hypnotic and hypnotised 'Pretties'. Cazz Blase reviews a four-part 'trilogy' with plenty to say about body image, cosmetic surgery, citizen journalism, celebrity, the environment and, of course, growing up
Cazz Blase // 3 September 2008
Categories: Books
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
What happened to the women in The Diving-bell and the Butterfly in its transition from memoir to film, asks Melanie Newman?
Melanie Newman // 18 July 2008
Categories: Books
Fragments from the Dark
Debi Withers reviews a book of writing by and interviews with female refugees and asylum seekers in Wales
debi withers // 15 June 2008
Categories: Books
Rape: an unfinished revolution
Joanna Bourke's history of rape turns a steady and necessary gaze on an unsettling subject, concludes Louise Livesey
Louise Livesey // 4 June 2008
Categories: Books
He's a stud, she's a slut?
Men get angry; women get PMS. Single men are bachelors; single women are spinsters. Jess McCabe wonders how Jessica Valenti limited herself to 49 examples of the double standard
Jess McCabe // 7 May 2008
Categories: Books
A modern maiden?
Louise Livesey reviews another guide to life as a modern woman which blithely ignores everyone who isn't white, middle class and straight
Louise Livesey // 13 April 2008
Categories: Books
Tales of low-paid work
Monica Dickens worked as a cook, servant, nurse, in an aircraft factory and as a junior reporter. Cazz Blase reviews her unsentimental portraits of working life in the first half of the 20th century
Cazz Blase // 4 April 2008
Categories: Books
Live Alone and Like It
Does advice for the single women of 1936 have any bearing today? Cazz Blase reviews Marjorie Hillis' guide to independent living
Cazz Blase // 12 March 2008
Categories: Books
An interrupted life
Etty Hillesum was an 'impassioned, erotically volatile, restless' woman, who was murdered during the Holocaust. Cazz Blase reviews her diaries
Cazz Blase // 8 February 2008
Categories: Books
It's So You
Love clothes, but not in a 'Vogue' way? This collection of essays on expressing identity through fashion could be for you, says Jess McCabe
Jess McCabe // 2 January 2008
Categories: Books
Revolution Girl Style Now!
Jess McCabe reviews a book which documents the powerful girl-centric political and cultural movement that was riot grrrl
Jess McCabe // 7 December 2007
Categories: Books
Get your toe bypass here
Mikhaela Reid is angry. And funny. And she draws. Jess McCabe reviews her first book of cartoons
Jess McCabe // 4 September 2007
Categories: Books
One Hundred Strokes of the Brush Before Bed
Melissa Panarello's teenage sex diary shocked the adult world for all the wrong reasons, argues Irina Lester
Irina Lester // 29 August 2007
Categories: Books
Men!
Men! is more intelligent than other dating books, but still assumes that women are incomplete as single individuals. Diane Shipley reports
Diane Shipley // 11 August 2007
Categories: Books
The Great Big Glorious (Sexist) Book for Girls
While boys are instructed on the art of the catapult, girls are presented with ponies and pom-poms. Paul Brown is unimpressed
Paul Brown // 8 August 2007
Categories: Books
Sexism and the System
Judith Orr's pamphlet puts the backlash against feminism into a wider context, says Ben Drake
Ben Drake // 7 July 2007
Categories: Books
Big Sister
In an alternate universe, the most popular reality show on TV is Big Sister, and it is populated by some feminists you might recognise. They are all discussing Jessica Valenti's new book Full Frontal Feminism. But, Kate Smurthwaite argues, they are missing the point
Kate Smurthwaite // 6 June 2007
Categories: Books
The Feminine Mistake
When Leslie Bennetts urged women to stay in the workplace after starting a family, she outraged millions of Americans. JC Sutcliffe reviews the lessons we can take away from her book - and its limitations
JC Sutcliffe // 2 May 2007
Female Chauvinist Pigs
Six F Word readers discuss Ariel Levy's influential book on 'raunch culture' and the women who support it. Discussion by Marianne Lemond, Abby O'Reilly, Sheryl Plant, Holly Combe, Jessica Bateman and Catherine Redfern.
Various Authors // 3 February 2007
Categories: Books
Girl With a One Track Mind - Abby Lee
Abby Lee's diary has become a best seller due to the frank, humorous, and explicit descriptions of her sex life in London. Catherine Redfern considers some of the feminist implications of this popular blogger's book.
Catherine Redfern // 6 January 2007
Categories: Books
Trickster's Choice / Trickster's Queen - Tamora Pierce
Cazz Blase introduces Tamora Pierce's latest fantasy series for young adults, which feature strong heroines and touch on issues of colonialism and race.
Cazz Blase // 4 December 2006
Categories: Books
Like Mother, Like Daughter?
Clare Burgess reviews this collection of short stories for children. Collected by Bel Mooney, the stories all focus on the concept of the mother-daughter relationship. But can this really be seen as a generic experience?
Clare Burgess // 4 December 2006
Categories: Books
Roger Fishbite
Cazz Blase reviews Emily Prager's story about a thirteen year old girl which raises interesting questions about childhood and abuse.
Cazz Blase // 2 July 2006
Categories: Books
Strangeland
Alexandra Kokoli reviews Tracey Emin's Strangeland, which contains autobiographical writings touching on rape, abortion and marginalization.
Alexandra M Kokoli // 4 June 2006
Categories: Books
How Opal Mehta Got Kissed Got Wild And Got A Life
Clare Burgess reviews Kaavya Viswanathan's 'coming of age' story. Purporting to be about a teenage character finding herself, it is in fact is a rather predictable tale where the happy ending involves - guess what? - finding a boyfriend.
Clare Burgess // 29 May 2006
Categories: Books
Sex and The Married Girl
Mandi Norwood claims to have discovered a new type of woman: The Married Girl, an empowered, assertive specimen who is revolutionising marriage on her own terms and insisting on being treated as an equal parter. Sounds like a feminist dream come true; so why does Catherine Redfern find this book so annoying?
Catherine Redfern // 1 April 2006
Categories: Books
Feminism: A Very Short Introduction
Ealasaid Gilfillan recommends 'Feminism: A Very Short Introduction' by Margaret Walters as a clear, useful introduction to the history of English feminism.
Ealasaid Gilfillan // 9 January 2006
Categories: Books
Nell
Mary Ellen Flynn reviews Nell by Nell McCafferty, in which a Catholic lesbian feminist recounts her experiences growing up and living in Northern Ireland. Flynn finds inspiration in McCafferty's mantra: "When women rise up, giving authority to their children to do likewise, the revolution is unstoppable"
Mary Ellen Flynn // 28 November 2005
Categories: Books
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Janet Phillips reviews the book by Lionel Shriver which won the Orange Prize for Fiction 2005. As she explains, the book paints a picture of motherhood and parenting that is far from mainstream.
Michelle Wright // 2 August 2005
Categories: Books
He's Just Not That Into You
Remember ladies, it's all about You, You, YOU! says latest self-help guru Greg Behrendt, author of yet another book claiming men should always initiate relationships and women never should. Holly Combe rips this latest publishing phenomenon to shreds.
Holly Combe // 1 August 2005
Categories: Books
365 Days of Sensational Sex
Will Lorraine Smith have 365 days of "sensational sex" by following sexpert Lou Paget's suggestions? (It's a tough job being a reviewer for The F-Word, ain't it?)
Lorraine Smith // 11 August 2004
Categories: Books
The Sexual Life of Catherine M
The Guardian referred to 'the double life of Catherine M' in their interview on her controversial sexual memoir, but it seems more likely that Catherine Millet's sexual memoir hoped to reconcile the duality between 'normal life' and sex. Tamlyn Monson tries to unwind some of the issues the book raises.
Tamlyn Monson // 1 August 2004
Categories: Books
Taking Charge of Your Fertility
'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' contains empowering practical information for every woman, whether avoiding pregnancy or seeking it. It is the logical follow-on from the classic 'Our Bodies, Ourselves' and is just as ground-breaking, says Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 1 June 2004
Categories: Books
Refusing to Be a Man
Why is 'girl' a terrible insult, why can't boys wear pink, and why are there boxes of tissues labelled 'for men'? Catherine Redfern explains how 'Refusing to be a Man' by John Stoltenberg may hold the answer.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2004
Categories: Books
The Boy
Until recently, girls have always been the ones looked at rather than the ones looking. Is this a right, a freedom, or a burden? Should boys be able to enjoy - or suffer - the same fate? Is Germaine Greer right when she claims boys lose out by not being considered beautiful? With these questions in mind, Holly Combe reviews Greer's 'The Boy.'
Holly Combe // 16 January 2004
Categories: Books
Searching For Sense And Reason
Cazz Blase sympathises with novelist Jenny Colgan's criticisms of the derogatory term "Chick Lit" - but insists the problem is more complex, and also not as new as is commonly thought.
Cazz Blase // 16 October 2003
Categories: Books
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Harry Potter series is incredibly popular with children and adults alike. Beth Anderson is also a fan, but she wonders what messages the most recent book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is sending about the role of boys and girls (and men and women). Is the magical world created by J.K Rowling as limited by stereotypes as ours?
Beth Anderson // 16 August 2003
Categories: Books
Lady Roxana
Anna Fioravanti explains why Lady Roxanna by Daniel Defoe will always be a special book for her.
Anna Fioravanti // 16 April 2003
Categories: Books
Interview with Lucy O'Brien
Cazz Blase interviews the author of She Bop II
Cazz Blase // 16 December 2002
Feminist Must-Reads
In September we asked the readers of The F-Word to send us their lists of recommended feminist books: what are their favourite feminist must reads? Here's the results. The most recommended book? Germaine Greer's The Whole Woman.
Various Authors // 16 October 2002
Categories: Books
Inappropriate Behaviour: Prada Sucks! and other Demented Descants
Catherine Redfern asks whether this eyebrow-raising new book is really feminist.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2002
Categories: Books
Bitch
"I really wanted to like this book, but even a few pages in, I knew I wasn't going to enjoy it... " Catherine Redfern forces herself to read...
Catherine Redfern // 16 November 2001
Categories: Books
Pinch these off your mum's bookshelf!
Janet Evans introduces two feminst classics: 'Woman on the Edge of Time' and 'The Bell Jar'
Janet Evans // 16 October 2001
Categories: Books
The First Fifty: Munro-Bagging Without a Beard
Catherine Redfern goes munro-bagging.
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Books
The British Woman Today: a qualitative survey of the images in women's magazines
Catherine Redfern was not impressed...
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Books
In Our Time: Memoir of a Revolution
Reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Books
Misogynies
Catherine Redfern reviews Joan Smith's book.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Books
The Gilrlfrenzy Millenial
The Gilrlfrenzy Millenial, reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Books
The Curse
Catherine Redfern reviews the The Curse by Karen Houppert
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Books
Overloaded : Popular culture and the future of feminism
Imelda Whelehan's critique of British popular culture, reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Books
Where The Girls Are
Catherine Redfern reviews Susan J. Douglas's book.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Books
