When history starts to become current events again, you might be surprised at how the “old books” became “new” and recommended reading. Two books I happened to find (when browsing for something else) that were on the current event theme of feminism are League of Super Feminist (published 2020) and Feminism: A Graphic Guide (published 2019). I am assuming due to the way they were set up and presented, not too much needs to be updated, but while I haven’t finished the second, I did skip to the end to see how they finished and noticed that it does end in 2018-2019.
With the The League of Super Feminists by Mirion Malle, it is an introduction to the subject, and a book which you can judge the inside illustrations by the cover illustration. Things lean a bit to the not bawdy-humor, but towards things as not completely serious either. (Such as there is a fart joke; hence the title), so it does take on a lighter tone at times. This makes it work for at least a (strong) aged 10 to 15 reader (know your reader) and adults as well. While you cannot get everything in a book, especially one as short as this, I would have liked to see a few more issues included and/or points covered. It covers from consent to gender and more contemporary themes. It raised some questions for me, but I’m not sure it would in other readers the same way. But I do think that might be the point: for you to ask questions, look at the overall situation and educate yourself further. It is not WOW, but did get the job done. Also, it wasn’t until after I was getting ready to post this review I realized that I have read two of four of Malle’s work. All are books that may or may not be hits, but like The League, all are ones we probably should read.
After finishing The League of Super Feminists I started Feminism: A Graphic Guide by Cathia Jenainati and illustrated by Judy Groves and Jem Milton. I have been reading Jem Milton books recently (or books they have illustrated) and that was how I found this book. However, I did not see Milton’s signature style, which can be alive, colorful and expressive. Everything about this book is flat, technical (but readable for the non academic) and no colors. It is serious and the first few sections have been dealing with the history of the subject and less about practical uses of what it is or how to deal with situations that are anti-feminist. This book is less to introduce you to the overall ideas, but to get down to the start of it and then who knows what could happen. I haven’t finished it yet, but am enjoying it, even if it is not an easy read. This is meant for higher end teen readers and adults because of the presentation and with my skip ahead, I noticed a section on (presumably) sexuality and there is a woman in a fetish outfit, breasts exposed and in an extremely submissive position. However, that was the only one I did see with my browsing, so it feels as if it will be more “tame” but will not necessarily shy from adult images and/or themes.
I definitely recommend Feminism to be read in a quiet and cozy spot, but even League needs to have time spent with it; do not rush your reading.