Books by Women, For Women.

 So, it has been a while since I graced this blog. Honestly, I don't even remember the last time I wrote on this place. Possibly in 2023. I was a freshman at my undergrad, still filled with life and hopes and dreams of changing the world one review, one literary piece at a time.

Currently, I'm a freshman at a grad school, and sadly, I am no longer filled with the dreams that I used to. It's not that they are dead, it's simply that I'm twenty-one, and life has thrown me unexpected curveballs that I never would have seen coming. Plus adulting duties. Some of those teenage hopes and aspirations have taken a backseat, and I dearly wish that maybe someday, I would return to the things I used to love.

Anyways, enough chit chat on my end. Here's some of my recommendations for International Women's Day. Books by Women, For Women, About Women.

1. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Lia's Rating: 5/5 

I got this book on my Kindle actually. I had run out of money at the book fair, and I did have a Kindle Unlimited Subscription so I thought, why not. I don't usually read comics, or memoirs, but I had seen it all over Instagram a lot lately. I don't usually rate books 5 stars, but the ones I do, are the ones that left an impression on me forever, and believe me, this one does.

2. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Lia's Rating: 5/5

I know I said I don't give books 5/5 stars usually, but believe me this one really does it. Iron Widow is a science fiction dystopian reimagining/retelling of the story of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor of China and her rise to the Chinese monarchy. Iron Widow is a perfect example of feminine rage and supporting women's 'wrongs' in a world run by men; a world with a system that is so decidedly against them, that they have to die on the frontlines to live. Ironic, really.

3. The Poppy War Trilogy by R. F. Kuang.

Lia's rating: 4.8/5.

While the series as a whole does not compute to a 5/5 for me, it is no less of a great novel. The Poppy War trilogy is roughly set in a fictionalized time period which can roughly be assumed to the opium war in China and the Second Sino-Japanese war. While the novel is similar to the Iron Widow in terms of feminine rage and women's wrongs, it is also a war novel, that goes into the horrors of war in depth and also depicts the spectrum of what women go through in war. Tear jerking. Amazing. Masterpiece.

4. Circe by Madeline Miller

Lia's rating: 4.3/5

While the story does feel redundant in the first two to three chapters, it really picks up the moment Circe is exiled to her island Aeaea (or Aiaia). Personally, my favourite part was where she turned men into pigs after what they did to her when she only extender her hospitality to them. I recommend this to an especially younger [16-17 ish] audience considering while it does have heavy themes, it's pretty easy to get by, and none of it is graphically scarring on paper. Plus it provides a lot of perspective.

5. The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed

Lia's rating: 4.8/5

Hard Trigger: Rape. Because rape is the consistent theme in the entire of the storyline. 

If Moxie met Laruie Halse Anderson's Speak, this would be the novel. It tackles serious topics including rape culture, sexism and sexual harassment to name a few. This is what feminism is. Not man hating, not women thinking they are better than men, but simply the equality of the sexes. When women live in constant fear, there is a problem and this problem must be addressed. I also majorly loved the fact that the protagonist is a plus sized character, yet their figure is not made their entire personality.

6. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Lia's rating: 4.5/5

While I do realize that stating the book here might spark a controversy, I do think women should read this book. I do not agree with everything Evelyn Hugo has done, but what is a good character if not flawed by their desires to come out to the top and survive in a world of hounds? Also most of bad decisions are made because Evelyn Hugo was in love with a woman. And she did everything she could to protect that bond, even if they didn't lead to good results.  That, my dear friends, is an excellent slay point.

7. Descendant of The Crane by Joan He

Lia's rating: 4.9/5

The only reason this book doesn't get a full star is because I do not like how the loose ends weren't tied up at the end. But otherwise, this book is flawless for me. Badass female protagonist? Check. Spine chilling mystery? Check. Plot twists? Check. One could say it's a lot like the Iron Widow, except this person is actually monarchy trying to navigate the court while trying to find out the reason behind her father's death.

Well, these are all the books that I can think up for now. I have an exam tomorrow, and I still need to cover a major part of the syllabus in 1.5 hours. See y'all next time.