Hi everyone!

Hope everyone’s enjoying their summer so far. I know I have. I’ve stayed committed to reading at least one chapter per day, so I guess you could say I’m pretty stoked about that. Here are some of my top favs!

Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi

I read this book when I was a freshman in college, and to this day, this book remains at the top of my list. You know I’m all about social activism, so this one really did it for me. Based in Egypt, the author follows the main character Firdaus in her prison cell and seeks to capture her truth. Firdaus speaks on her lifetime abuse: her abusive father, her violent ex-husband to her boyfriend-turned-pimp,  From rape to gender equity and female genital mutilation (if you know me, you KNOW I’m very passionate about this topic), this book is a MUST-READ for anyone interested in feminist novel.

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

This book stood out to me after reading Luckiest Girl Alive. If you’re into some good suspense like I am, I highly recommend! Megan Miranda is also one of my favorite authors, so that’s a plus for me. This book illustrates the disappearance of two women… ten years apart. The decade-old investigation is told backwards—Day 15 to Day 1—from the time Annaleise goes missing. Nic works to unravel the truth about her younger neighbor’s disappearance, revealing shocking truths about her friends, her family, and what really happened to Corinne that night ten years ago. (dramatic music here)

How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell

I always love me a good memoir. Cat Marnell talks about her addiction since the age of 15, hence the title “how to murder your life.” After a privileged yet emotionally-starved childhood in Washington, she became hooked on ADHD medication provided by her psychiatrist father. She describes her dependence on Xanax and other prescription drugs at boarding school in addition to experimenting with cocaine/ecstasy. By 26, she was a talented ‘doctor shopper’ manipulating Upper East Side psychiatrists for prescriptions, spent most of her time at parties and popped pills at night, all while trying to hold down a high profile job at Condé Naste during the day. Definitely an eye-opener in the life of a female addict.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

I received this book as my graduation gift (thank you Nickalee!), and let me tell you – it changed my life. For those who don’t know, Sheryl Sandberg is Facebook’s current Chief Operating Officer. She shares her personal stories, uses research to shine a light on gender differences, and offers practical advice to help women achieve their goals. This also inspires us to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what we CAN do in hopes of promoting gender equity. (ding ding, do we have a theme here?) Time for us women to sit at the table!

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

When I first read this book in high school, I immediately KNEW I wanted to analyze this book for my senior project that was required for graduation. I’ve always been huge on futuristic-type novels, so when this book also addressed social unrest, gender inequality, and monotheocracy, I immediately felt intrigued. The story is told through the eyes of a Handmaid named Offred under the new social order where she reveals to us the dark side of this establishment’s new order as birth rates continue to decline and Handmaids were strictly used to bear children. It’s also a Hulu series now, but I highly recommend reading the book prior to engaging in the show!

Alright lovelies, let me know your thoughts if you decide to read any of these books! What book are you currently reading? I’m always looking for recommendations! Anyway, I’m off to scope out some scholarship applications bc you know, ya girl needs to survive in grad school somehow. LOL. Wishing you all well until next time!

Anyway, I’m off to scope out some scholarship applications bc you know, ya girl needs to survive in grad school somehow 🙂 Wishing you all well ’til next time!