I've read some more really interesting non fiction books in recent months, so thought I'd share a couple with you today. As ever, imperfectly expressed thoughts are my own!
Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Other Lies by Scarlett Curtis (ed)
I picked this one up from my local bookshop on International Women Day, and I'm really glad I did. An easy access essay collection, diverse in style, tone and subject matter, this hears from so many different collaborators across the worlds of media, activism, and business. This one is eye opening, empowering and fascinating. If you want to dip your toe in the waters of writing on feminism in the now, this is a good place to start.
Get this book here.
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold
If you haven't heard of this one, you've been living under a rock and possibly not into a bookshop in the last 18 months. This bestselling, award-winning examination has been lauded by so many people, and rightly so. In line with the progression of the #MeToo movement, Rubenhold resurrects the lives of these women, who have been completely marginalised in the story of their own brutal murders.
This book is a fascinating collection of stories, piecing together the lives of the five 'official' victims - Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane. Whilst this book makes some leaps in logic where documentary evidence is scarce, it also provides some really important conclusions; firstly, that at least 3 of the victims were never prostitutes; secondly, and most importantly, that they were real women, with small but important lives full of love, sorrow, folly and everything else.
Get this book here.
The Victorian House by Judith Flanders
Compared to the others, this is a slightly older style tome, dedicated to the Victorian domestic life. With chapters named after each room of the house but using these rooms as springboards for different topics, we move easily from the dangers of lead paint and gas lighting, to the dubious opinions of male doctors about the female psyche.
This one is dense but very enjoyable if you are invested in the topic. Flanders has written a number of books about the Victorian period, including 'The Making of Home', 'Consuming Passions', 'Christmas: A History' and the frankly superb 'The Invention of Murder'.
Get this book here.
What Non Fiction have you been reading?
Until next time.
Disclaimer: All opinions my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
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