Being a Woman

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Caitlin Moran has a chatty, teenager-ishly snippy voice and she made me collapse into a helpless fit of distinctly unflattering, full-blown guffaws more often than what I had foreseen. But still make sure to take this mash-up of pop culture commentary, criticism, and opinions on gender rights issues with a pinch of salt. Better still take this as a memoir and a lengthy, one-sided rant and little else. For example if you are reading this with a pre-supposition of Ms Moran's capacity for empathy, your eyes may glaze over lines like the following in a desperate hurry to get to the funnier or more relevant bits - An experimental feminist book , Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties freely combines elements from sci-fi, magical realism, horror, and queer theory to create refreshing short stories designed to move you and creep you out at the same time. Her Body and Other Parties is the kind of book that leaves you feeling like you’ve really witnessed something astonishing, and need a friend to discuss it with as soon as you put it down. 54. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende George Eliot’s 19th century classic Middlemarch tells the story of several characters in provincial England. It’s a moving and wise narrative documenting a moment in time, but also a timeless tale about human nature. Eliot’s book is brimming with idealism and a belief in people’s power to do and be good; it’s no wonder that many consider Middlemarch the book that changed their lives. Brilliant and optimistic, this admittedly long novel really is worth your time. 45. A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Policemen don't have guns in the UK" Oh, so those armed men standing outside New Scotland Yard that I passed every day on my way to Tube were holding toy assault rifles?

A tale of pregnancy during an epidemic, Sealed by Naomi Booth is a topical and compelling take on eco-horror. Set in Australia, this novel follows pregnant Alice and her partner as they flee urban life, hoping for safety in the countryside, while a terrifying skin disease spreads among the population. A thrilling and captivating novel, Sealed assumes an all the more impressive power at the time of a real global pandemic. 50. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

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But no, according to Moran, the only women who get raped are those who "deserve" it by dressing and acting a certain way. If you told my 22-year-old self that she’d someday be researching the best books to read in your 30s, she probably would have made a little joke about crypts. Of course, 10 years later, I realize just how silly that is. In some ways, I feel younger now than I did at 25. Gathering a little life experience and perspective will do that. Well it turns out she is quite a big deal in the UK, where she wrote a novel at 15, became a music journalist for the weekly Melody Maker at 16 and briefly hosted a Channel 4 pop culture show called Naked City at 18 before embarking on a long career as a TV critic and satirical columnist for The Times. Note: I believe that both men and women have a right to have or not have children and that women without children should not be treated as emotional cripples for it. Although I do actually feel as though Moran short-changed the joy of having children, but maybe that's what you get for being raised by a mother who was, by her own admission, absolutely desperate to have them.) But am I the only one who sees the problem with this quote? She says that "Nothing [in motherhood] is something you couldn't get from...calling your mum." I didn't notice this when I read it (I don't read that closely, dudes), but seriously? Moran has just used evidence of a would-be mother's mother/child relationship (with her own mother) as a reason why you shouldn't have children? My opinion: seriously faulty analysis. If ringing your own mother gives you such happiness, why wouldn't you want to pass that on? (God, now I sound like someone who is advocating the "all women must have babies" stance. I'm just making the point that I don't think Moran is helping her case here. Could I really have all of those things at once? Apparently, with autism, you really can – it makes you much more susceptible to other mental health issues. But I don’t think it’s a given, or permanent.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.Nothing can stop Shonda Rhimes. The creative force behind Grey's Anatomy , Scandal , and How to Get Away with Murder is always charging headfirst into her next project, producing so many series that soon enough she’ll basically own TV. But even Shonda Rhimes isn’t totally fearless. In Year of Yes , Rhimes faces a yearlong challenge from her sister to try to say yes to the unexpected opportunities that come her way. Leaving room for the unplanned, opening up beyond her comfort zone, and simply saying yes to what the world has to offer makes anything seem possible. 4. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown That being said, the basics are so timeless! Time with God helps us grow and impact others exponentially. This Pulitzer-winning short story collection is disarmingly honest and moving in its careful simplicity. Interpreter of Maladies focuses on the lives of Indian-American characters in the USA, as well as Indian characters in Calcutta. Immersive and filled with rich cultural detail, these stories sensitively explore the challenges of romantic relationships, immigration, as well as being away from home in remarkable and lucid prose. If you’ve ever spent time away from your home or family, this masterful collection will make you feel heard. 51. Beloved by Toni Morrison Character/Relationships: This book teaches you how to build relationships with your husband, your children, others, and God. *STAR*