Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression by Ida Lichter
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Publication date: May 2009
ISBN: 9781591027164
Source: Review copy provided by publicist
This book was quite different from nearly everything I usually read. Not just because it's nonfiction, but because of the format. It doesn't really lend itself to a summary, because it doesn't really have a plot. Because of these differences, I won't be doing a regularly structured review for this book.
This book reads very much like a reference book for Muslim women reformers, with numerous details about their lives, their work, their political and social beliefs, and the countries they come from. You can find hundreds of different women, women's organizations, and even male activists, from Afghanistan to Yemen. The book is complete and thorough in its research and information. But, what I really found compelling were the individuals who told personal stories. Those women who were not afraid to detail their tragic and terrifying pasts truly understand what fighting for women's rights can mean.
I found it interesting that so many of the reformers discussed (not all, but certainly the majority) were educated and grew up in families that understood how important education was for their daughters as well as their sons. Reading these summaries of how women struggle in many countries and to various degrees emphasized the importance of education to me. Ignorance really can be a stumbling block, both for men and women, in progressing towards more rights for women.
And I have to admit to being completely shocked by the brutality and fear that many women experience every day. I really think I was, if not ignorant, at least unaware of the normality and acceptability of domestic violence in many of these countries and cultures. It is rampant and it just makes you feel sick. I think domestic violence is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a person, because it comes from people who should take care of you and love you, but who obviously don't. It can be so psychologically and emotionally, not to mention physically damaging. The numerous stories and statistics on these types of violence just broke my heart over and over.
Entirely inspiring, this book can be used for research on Muslim women reformers, organizations, and the countries they come from. By reading small portions at a time, one can gain a better understanding of what is done and what still needs to be done. (I admit I didn't read it straight through, cover to cover.) It's amazing how diverse and yet how similar these reformers are. Many of them don't agree on different points, especially relating to Muslim doctrine, but they all fight for a similar cause and they are all inspiring in their courage and convictions. Some good quotes:
"They will kill me but they will not kill my voice, because it is the voice of all Afghan women. You can cut the flower, but you cannot stop the coming of spring." p 42
"I believe that women's rights are human rights, and everyone believes that. But this is, in a way, put aside...because they try to say that we must respect the traditions and culture and religion in the country. But we do not have to respect traditions that oppress women and violate human rights." p 59
Pick this one up when you feel the need to stop wallowing in your own puny problems!
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The Shadows by Jacqueline West
Publisher: Dial
Publication date:
ISBN: 9780803734401
Source: Library (read for Cybils)
Things I Liked:
As I mentioned yesterday in my Cybils celebration post, this was the Cybils winner in the MG SF/Fantasy panel I was on this year. I was quite happy it won, since it was my first choice almost from the beginning (though in pretty close competition with Fever Crumb, which I read last year). But this book felt so unique to me! I loved the intriguing, spooky atmosphere that West's writing created. For such a short and rather simplistic book, it had a remarkably complex plot. The writing was fantastic, with some great metaphors throughout that really brought it to life. I was quite pleased that the story didn't turn out to be totally predictable as well, since I sometimes find (as an adult) that I know exactly what will happen in a kids book. The ending also managed to be not quite happy and not entirely complete, but still somewhat satisfying. A lovely, complex, and creepy story for younger Neil Gaiman fans. Some favorite parts:
It was a muggy afternoon, but the old stone house was dark and cool inside. Trailing along behind the rest of the group, Olive could feel the little hairs on her bare arms standing up. Mr. Hambert, on the other hand, was sweating like a mug of root beer in the sun. His cheeks were pushed up into two red lumps by his wide smile. He could smell a sale, and it smelled as good as a fresh bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. p 4
The basement of the old house was made mostly of stone, with some patches of packed dirk poking through, and other patches of crumbling cement trying to hide the dirt. The effect was like an ancient, stale birthday cake frosted by a blindfolded five-year-old. p 21
Mrs. Nivens and Mrs. Dewey both smiled at her sweetly. Mrs. Dewey looked as if she had been made of round parts stacked on top of each other, like a snowman. Mrs. Nivens was thin and blond, and looked like she had been carved out of a stick of butter. Both of them looked like they would melt on a hot day. p 102
And, in a secret, selfish way, Olive was glad that Morton was stuck in one spot. He couldn't leave or change or hide, like Horatio, when she needed him. He was a bit like your favorite page in a book, one that you go back to and read to yourself over and over again, knowing that it will always be the same. p 137
Things I Didn't Like:
At times I was a little bit bored. There wasn't non-stop action in the book, so it seemed to go slower in places. There were some parts of the plot that seemed a bit manipulative as well, but I don't think it will bother kids much. And Morton's ending seemed just a little bit too sad and incomplete for me, but there will be sequels to hopefully take care of that!
Read-alikes:
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->
some scary stuff
Overall rating: ****
Are you clamoring to read Cybils winners or do you tend to avoid award winners?
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Listless Monday was inspired by both Amanda at A Bookshelf Monstrosity's feature Books by Theme and Court at Once Upon a Bookshelf's Listed feature. Be sure to check out their lists!
Whether or not you're in a relationship this V-Day, this display idea is just perfect to share today:
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Any additions?
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Yeah, the day has arrived! Today I'm celebrating Cybils Day, since the Cybils winners were announced. Hooray! Go check out all the winners, but a gotta give a shout out to my panel's choice:
Just a fantastic MG fantasy book that is reminiscent of Chronicles of Narnia and is just so great. I'll post my review tomorrow :)
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I'm playing along again with this meme, and the question this week is about our favorite trip ever.
Actually, I'm not sure I could say that there is one trip I've taken that was 100% the best ever. I've had many fabulous trips in my life, some fabulous because of the location, and some because of the people I was with.
In the first category, I have my trip to Paris with my high school friends, my trip to Japan with my mom, and my trip to the Czech Republic with my hubby to visit my parents. In the second category are all the fantastic camping trips I've had with my family (beautiful place with my favorite people), my first trip to Disneyland with my college roommates (so much fun), my second trip to Disneyland with my hubby (his first trip), and so many many other family vacations.
I wish I had digital photos from all of these trips, so I could share some of these memories, but I'll just show you a very small portion of what I do have, from my trip to the Czech Republic.
Loved this clock tower:
Me and my lion friend:
One of many very cool castles!
Mr. Darcy wishes he lived here!
One of many beautiful cathedrals
Little renaissance village:
Sweet little castle:
I love castles :)
And cathedrals on a hill:
Loved how these windows were replaced with abstract images (during communist rule), but are surrounded by religious panels that weren't broken during WWII
And there happen to be beautiful outdoor locations as well!
Plus, I really enjoyed the libraries and other bookish places that we were able to visit while there. Check out these beautiful libraries and book museum.
What is (one of) your favorite trips?
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Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication date: July 2010
ISBN: 9780545123280
Source: Library
Sam is trying to adjust to life as a human in the winter, to his feelings of loss for that part of himself. He is also struggling to understand the new wolf recruits, particularly Cole, who seems bent on being a wolf as long as possible. Grace is trying to deal with some unexpected effects from her wolf bit from years ago. Meanwhile, Isabel can't seem to accept that her brother is dead while Sam managed to survive. She feels an interesting attraction to Cole and his bad-boy persona. Relationships change and humanity is questioned in this sequel to Stiefvater's Shiver.
Things I Liked:
Oh, how I loved the writing. Stiefvater could write about toilet paper and I would read and enjoy it. Cole and Isabel I just loved as well. I always wanted to skip ahead to more story about them. They were interesting, dynamic characters that I enjoyed getting to know. The story became very exciting closer to the end and I found I couldn't put it down for the last 1/4 of the book. And really, can I say again how much I love Stiefvater's writing? I love it. I also love how soft-core the paranormal aspect seems to me. It's almost scientific and gentle enough for me to believe. It doesn't seem too sequel-ish either. Well done. Some favorite parts:
"Why am I telling you this when you don't care?"
This question, at least, I knew the answer to. "But that's why you're telling me." I knew it was true. If we'd had the opportunity to deliver our confessions to anyone who actually cared about their contents, there was no way either of us would've opened our mouths. Sharing revelations is easier when it doesn't matter. p 135-136
There's no meaning to life as a wolf. If you don't have memories, it's like you never existed. You can't leave anything behind. I mean - how can I defend humanity? It's all that matters. p 201
He looked like he'd been put together by a swank designer who knew what he was doing - his distinctive features were brutal and purposeful, sharp enough to hurt yourself on. The booth seemed soft and faded around him, almost comically old-fashioned and country in comparison, like someone had dropped him here for a tongue-in-cheek photo shoot. p 252
Things I Didn't Like:
I had a hard time getting into the story for over half of the book. It dragged for me, with nothing really "happening" except Grace's parents showing up. I remember loathing her parents in Shiver and this book confirmed their idiocy. I also got really tired of hearing about Sam and Grace. Oh, yes, they are in love. Oh, no, they can't be separated, etc, etc. I was more pleased closer to the end, but I really cared almost exclusively about Isabel and Cole. They were unique and vibrant characters that I wanted to know more about.
Read-alikes:
Read Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater first
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@#
regularly, but not strong language
mrg-factor: XX
a lot of innuendo and a few "near misses"
v-factor: ->
most of it relating more to wolves than humans
Overall rating: ****
Do you have authors you'll read just for the sake of their writing?
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And I'm amazed that this is the first review I've posted without changing the year to 2011. I figured I'd have done it at least three times by now :)
Everything Is Fine. by Ann Dee Ellis
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date: March 2009
ISBN: 9780316013642
Source: Library
Mazzy's family is far from normal. Her father is gone and her mother won't get out of bed. But, Mazzy is determined to keep everyone at bay, but telling them everything is fine. She is also determined to have a regular life - flirting with the boy next door and worrying about why she is so flat-chested. But, these worries will be interrupted by real life all too often. Will she ever be able to really mean it when she tells people everything is fine?
Things I Liked:
It was a heartbreaking and painfully real look at one girl's difficult life. I love how Ellis has managed to make the book not wholly depressing, despite the subject, with hopeful parts and glimmers of good things. Also, it was nice to have some "normal" experiences where Mazzy does some of those things all tweens do. Mazzy was such a tough character, unwilling to give up on her family and fighting hard to save her mother, all while dealing with adolescence essentially alone. A difficult but important book.
Things I Didn't Like:
It was very episodic, though I don't know that this is a bad thing necessarily. I also had a hard time believing (and maybe this makes me look naive) that things got that bad for her and no one did anything. Admittedly, the social worker kept coming, but there should have been more concern from neighbors (I hope).
Read-alikes:
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a few
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->
not violent necessarily, but fairly disturbing sometimes
Overall rating: ****
Difficult but important books - what are your favorites?
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