womens voices – Cannonball Read 17

Great subject, great writing, but the story did nothing for me

A Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux

April 11, 2024 by carmelpie Leave a Comment

I do not wish to explain my passion—that would imply that it was a mistake or some disorder I need to justify—I just want to describe it. ― Annie Ernaux, Simple Passion Yet it is that surreal, almost non-existent last visit that gives my passion its true meaning, which is precisely to be meaningless, and to have been for two years the most violent and unaccountable reality ever. ― Annie Ernaux, Simple Passion At best, I’m ambivalent about this story. The writing is gorgeous. And […]

Not every story leaves the teller unharmed

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

January 21, 2023 by carmelpie Leave a Comment

“The bards all sing of the bravery of the heroes and the greatness of your deeds: it is one of the few elements on which they all agree. But no one sings of the courage required by those of us who were left behind.” ― Natalie Haynes, A Thousand Ships The more I read, the more I write, and the more I consume all forms of storytelling from films, to TV, to poetry, the more I realize how unfamiliar I am with the bases for […]

“No matter what any woman said, culture could not be escaped. Even if it meant tragedy. Even if it meant death.”

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

February 8, 2022 by RaRaGabor Leave a Comment

Rum’s heartbreaking debut is a generational story about three Palestinian-American women struggling to find their place within their family, balancing their culture with the new pressures and freedom of America. We have three main POV charactersIsra is born and raised in Palestine, and after her arranged marriage at 17, moves to live with her husband’s family to Brooklyn. Isra dreams of finding a love like the one she’s read about in books. Deya is Isra’s oldest daughter, who dreams of going to college instead of […]

“Because, my girl you are sacred, valuable, indispensable, and irreplaceable”

#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy, Mary Beth Leatherdale (editors)

April 2, 2020 by faintingviolet Leave a Comment

I keep doing reading challenges for a couple reasons, but one of them is that it tends to point out areas that my reading habits need to expand. This year the Read Harder Challenge includes tasks for both YA Non-fiction and to read a book in any genre by a Native, First Nations, or Indigenous author. I’ve already read one YA Non-fiction this year, but while I was hunting up titles I came across #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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