5 Summer Reads - Written By Women
Who else has been reading up a storm over the past four months? Raise your hands — and glasses!
I wanted to share with the Hussey community some great reads I had the pleasure of diving into during this decade of 2020, (see what I did there?) and narrow down the list to all books written by women. Each one of these novels resonated with me in unique ways and are important stories told from a woman’s perspective. Have a look and tell me what you think! Would love to find out who else has read any from this list - and of course hear any recommendations! At the time of writing this I am reading another book; “Meet Me In The Bathroom” by Lizzie Goodman, there will most likely be an addition next week!
The Woman Who Says NO
My mother bought me this book last year and I only just finished reading it last month. But I really regret not having read it earlier! Françoise Gilot is the mother of Pablo Picasso’s children, (his partner of ten years) and muse that is behind some of his most recognized paintings. This is written from the perspective of a writer who interviewed Françoise over the course of what must have been two to three years, (I can’t find the facts online) while it starts out as formal “interview” structure, the writer morphs into a student of Gilot’s. While one would seemingly purchase this book to read juicy stories about her life, (and yes there are a few) instead is found with these pure, profound and important lessons as an artist, woman and human. As an artist this was a wonderful read because I find an artists journey so fascinating, and Françoise has such a distinct way of painting, to learn how she grew into that as a young woman pre and post WWII is enlightening. The relationship she had with Picasso was very controlling, for her to break free from his chains took much courage and she reminisces with poise and humility. On a near empty page before the first chapter, there is a small paragraph written, which struck such a chord and explains why this book reminds us humans to be… human!
“No matter how old you are, you must behave
like the ocean. Watch the movement of the
waves, the coming and going of the tides.
All life has movement, rhythm, a momentum
you must seize like a dancer, and if you allow
this movement to flow through you, then
you become one with the rhythm of life.”
If You Have To Cry, Go Outside
Again… My mother bought this for me. Ten years ago - I first read this when I was 19, then read again this summer. Kelly Cutrone is now recognized as a former judge on ANTM, but before that she wrote this book in 2010 as a “no-nonsense guide for women who want to start their own businesses”. She shared very vulnerably her struggles with addiction, depression and self discovery. As well as hilarious and unique stories as to how she found herself from one job to the other and lessons learned. This is an easier read, finished-before-you-know-it and keeps you engaged the whole time. A whirlwind life with hard hitting wisdom.
City Of Girls
OK… I know everyone was and is talking about this book - but it is for very, very good reason. This novel is so much fun, I didn’t even know what I was getting myself into. Set in the 1940’s, our heroine is an elitist nineteen year old from the south, who escapes her parents to stay at her aunties house in Manhattan for the summer, making costumes for her run down yet buzzing theatre. What unfolds is a story that is wildly fun, glittery, provocative and daring. It is a true glimpse into the times and what it must have been like as a woman in that era. What was expected of you! Today it would be brushed off as harmless behaviour, but in the forties young women were condemned and punished! Elizabeth Gilbert really brings sexual promiscuity to the forefront as a running theme, weaving it throughout the story from many different perspectives and experiences. A marvelous read!
Cease to Blush
Circa 2009, Vancouver, at the bottom of a 99¢ bin in a small book store, I dig up this book. Since - I’ve read it twice! We follow the protagonist, (who narrates) she is a 30-something woman living an unfulfilled life, dealing with the after math of her mothers death, with whom she had an unstable relationship. As we live her day to day, she takes the readers back to her childhood, with memories of difficult situations they shared and what has shaped her into this volatile woman today. As she is searching through her mothers old trunk, she comes across photographs and letters that don’t quite fit her storyline, curiosity peaks and leads us down a windy road to Las Vegas in the 50’s — turns out mama was a teenage runaway... Also bonus for this book: the author is from Vancouver so the entire book is written in Vancouver making it very personal for the Vancouverites!
The Female Eunuch
My best friend aka wife gave me her copy of this book last year. Specifically, inside the front cover she scrawled, “Every bad-bitch needs a grungy copy of some cult classic feminist literature. XX” . Damn is she ever right! Written in 1970 by Germaine Greer, an Australian writer and academic. The legacy of this book is stated as creating a generation of women labelled, “BG” and “AG” - before and after Greer. This novel is heavy in literature, (I read this with my dictionary-app on my phone open) and point blank facts. Which is equally both a relief and a comfort. Sometimes reading too many “opinions” about feminism can be confusing. Because the facts are laid out — from back in 1970 when women were seriously lesser-than — it builds the foundation of knowing that a lot of what we put up with or think is “normal” - is 100% bollox. If you really want to learn about the beginning of the feminist movement, this book is a necessity for your bedside table.
