Women Unbound Challenge

I absolutely love this challenge! And not because I am a great feminist or anything, because I actually am not. But I am a woman and that is enough. I decided to join also because I don't read enough fiction or non-fiction written by/for/about women and this challenge will give me a kick in the butt to correct that mistake. There is actually a blog devoted to the challenge only, Women Unbound Blog and I will only steal a little bit from the introductory post written by Eva (this is also the post where you sign up for the challenge) just to explain quickly what the challenge is about to those of you who would like to join but haven't really heard of it and want to know a little more before committing.

Here it goes:

The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010, but you may join in the fun whenever you wish! Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’ (...) For nonfiction, this would include books on feminism, history books focused on women, biographies of women, memoirs (or travelogues) by women, essays by women and cultural books focused on women (body image, motherhood, etc.). (...) It’s trickier to say what is applicable as fiction. Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to explain in your review why you chose this for the challenge and its connection to women’s studies.

Sounds great, doesn't it?!

There are three levels but I will try to shoot for the stars and am picking 'The Suffragette' one. That means I have to read at least eight books, including the minimum if three non-fiction.

I do not have a full list yet but here are the titles that will definitely be included:

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

3. George Eliot, a Life by Rosemary Ashton

4. Color Me Butterfly by L. Y. Marlow

And let me just add a recommendation for all of you who are not sure what to read (it's actually two recommendations):

Lucky by Alice Sebold & Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy. They both are memoirs that are extremely difficult as far as the subjects go (first one is about the authors being raped, the second one about the author living with a ruined face due to a childhood illness) but they both are beautiful and really showcase female strength.