Imagine my delight when a friend sent me a video of a woman espousing feminist rage in iambic pentameter with a broad Scottish accent. That, was how I was introduced to the work of Len Pennie. Originally shared with me in part due to the aforementioned feminist rage but also because of our shared Scottish […] The post A Review of Poyums by Len Pennie appeared first on Feminist Book Club ..read more

After trying – and failing – to lean in and girlboss our way to success, what comes next? Ashley and Sally chat with Samhita Mukhopadhyay (former executive editor for Teen Vogue) about what we can take away from those movements, how community is key to a workplace revolution, and insights from her book The Myth of Making It. Books and Resources Mentioned: The Myth of Making It: A Workplace Reckoning by Samhita Mukhopadhyay Having It All by Helen Gurley Brown Phillip Cardi’s interview with Samhita on Unholier Than Thou Support this episode’s hosts and guests: Follow Samhita: Instagram // Subst ..read more

My curiosity into Beverly Jenkins’ work In Beverly Jenkins’ novels, dozens written over three decades, Black women come first in their work, personal life, and pleasure. Jenkins’ mostly historical romances are typically set during periods of American history which tend to exclude the perspective and voice of Black people. Her novels provide deeper complexities and triumph in a time when women were deemed only good for marriage and childbearing. In an NPR profile from 2015, NPR shadows Jenkins at the Romance Writers of America (who recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy citing years of d ..read more

It’s a room-mance for the books in this tender, steamy story about unexpectedly finding love and being brave enough to let it revise life’s narrative in the final book, Only and Forever, of the beloved Bergman Brothers series. Viggo Bergman, hopeless romantic, is thoroughly weary of waiting for his happily ever after. But between opening a romance bookstore, running a romance book club, coaching kids’ soccer, and adopting a household of pets—just maybe, he’s overcommitted himself?—Viggo’s chaotic life has made finding his forever love seem downright improbable. Enter Tallulah Clarke, chilly ..read more

This post may include affiliate links, which means we make a small commission on any sales. This commission helps Feminist Book Club pay our contributors, so thanks for supporting small, independent media! I’m the mother of a 9-year-old. I love her to bits. We are thisclose. She is my everything. Except maybe not… everything? Because I’m also a book nerd. And an embroidery artist. And a yoga practitioner. I’m a student of the ukulele and of my very imposing sewing machine. And most important of all, I’m a writer. Sometimes, making time for all of it in the face of my child’s boundless need fee ..read more

This post contains affiliate links, contributing a small commission to Feminist Book Club for any sales. This support enables us to compensate our contributors, fostering independent media! Urban gardening is the practice of plant and food cultivation and distribution in an “urban environment”: an area with a high population density. Why might you want to do it? Urban gardening can be good for local biodiversity, encouraging and supporting beneficial insect populations and local wildlife. It can also reduce overall temperatures, help combat food scarcity, and have a positive impact o ..read more

We love supporting women’s righteous anger… and let’s be real, it feels really good to be angry from time to time. In this episode, join Kenesma as she speaks with Defne Suman about her new book Summer Heat and the themes of anger, reconciliation, and family during Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. Then stay tuned to hear Ashley and Rah thoughtfully discuss their experience watching the new film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Summer Heat: An Interview with Defne Sumner (1:03) One of our book club moderators Kenesma sat down with Defne Suman to discuss her latest novel Summer Heat, recently translated fr ..read more

This post contains affiliate links, contributing a small commission to Feminist Book Club for any sales. This support enables us to compensate our contributors, fostering independent media! Muddy People initially seized my attention with its title. Being Middle Eastern with Muslim family members, I reacted viscerally: “MUDDY People??! Excuse me?!” However, upon noticing its subtitle, Memoir, my understanding deepened. Iiii see. That makes sense. That’s actually kind of funny. Despite my initial shock at the title, I found Sara El Sayed’s memoir endlessly engaging, thanks to its descripti ..read more

Pride Month is here and we’ve got our queerly beloveds on our minds. In this double header, you’ll first hear Rah and Jordy discuss their favorite sapphic romances and why they love a good WLW love story. Then, Ashley and Mhairie tackle the question of whether we can ever separate a piece of art (such as a certain nostalgic magical series) from the artist when they actively harm the people we love. Queerly Beloved – Sapphic Stories to Light Up Your Pride Month (1:47) Happy Pride Month! We don’t need an excuse to read sapphic romances, but if you’re looking for one, this is the perfect month t ..read more

We’re truly in the golden age of book adaptations but move over, Reese Witherspoon, Patricia Highsmith is the reigning queen. Tune in to listen to Renee, Ashley, and Mariquita thoughtfully and hilariously discuss the 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, as well as the 1999 film, and the new Netflix series. They compare and contrast the three texts, dive into the enduring themes of queerness in each, why the book withstands the test of time, Matt Damon vs. Andrew Scott, and all the aspects they loved in the latest series. Finally, they attempt to answer the question, “What ..read more