Get In Our Good Books – July
Posted by Laura Gooch | Jul 3, 2019 | Things to See & Do | 1 |
This July, our librarian Rachel has created a delicious blend of book choices. Take a dollop of feminism, a squeeze of sexuality and a slice of serial killer. Mix together with families torn apart by war, throw in a dash of artificial intelligence and you're done! A fresh batch of perfectly baked book reviews. Enjoy!
Top non-fiction: The Guilty Feminist – From Our Noble Goals To Our Worst Hypocrisies by Deborah Frances-White
"I'm a feminist, but sometimes my life doesn't pass the bechdel test".
From the success of the Guilty Feminist Podcast, now comes the brilliant book by Deborah Frances-White. This is an eloquent, funny, honest and accessible take on feminism in the modern world. Deborah provides the absolute beginner on the history of feminism and how we got to where we are today. She also tackles the issues women from across the world are still battling with. However, this book also recognises and celebrates the hypocrisies that co-exist alongside it.
Ever felt like you believe in equal rights for women but you're not a good enough feminist because you like to wear makeup and shave your legs? Deborah shows us feminism is not a rigid set of rules but a collective voice for meaningful change.
Find the Pbook of The Guilty Feminist here
Top fiction: The Bee Keeper Of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
Recently featured on BBC Radio 2 as part of Jo Whiley's Book Club, The Beekeeper Of Aleppo tells the story of a Syrian family torn apart by war. After witnessing horrendous atrocities and suffering terrible illness, they must make a perilous journey to seek refuge in Britain.
The book, written by Christy Lefteri, was inspired by the author's time volunteering at a Unicef-supported refugee centre in Athens. Lefteri said that she wanted to give a voice and a story to the people she met, to illustrate to the world the families behind the photographs.
A thought-provoking, moving and vital book which humanises the suffering and despair of refugees featured too frequently in the news.
Find the Pbook of The Bee Keeper Of Aleppo here
Find the audio book of The Bee Keeper Of Aleppo here
Top audio book: My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Shortlisted for the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction this dark comic novel, set in Lagos, tells the tale of two sisters. Korede is quiet and efficient, while Ayoola is free-spirited and impulsive. What makes this relationship challenging is the number of murdered boyfriends Korede has had to clear up for her sister. Family comes first for Korede, that is until Ayoola takes a special interest in a man Korede has long been in love with.
A funny, clever, satirical novel brought to life by the fantastic narration from Weruche Opia, whose wonderful telling of this story brings the heart of Nigeria into your home.
Find the Pbook of My Sister, The Serial Killer here
Read the Ebook of My Sister, The Serial Killer here
Listen to the E-audio of My Sister, The Serial Killer here
Top children's book: My Brother's Name Is Jessica by John Boyne
John Boyne's ability to add humour to controversial and sensitive topics does not disappoint in his recent book for teens. Told through the eyes of the younger brother, the story of a boy who believes he is a girl is current, honest and witty. The confusion the 10-year-old brother feels is believable, as is the denial and anger from the parents. To add to the complexity of the situation, Jessica's mother is running for Prime Minister and having a trans child does not sit well with her public image.
From comparing her son's confession to a confession of murder, to brilliantly scripted conversations with local constituents about Brexit, the humour in this book does not take away from the seriousness and sensitivity of transgender. Instead, it normalises and contextualises the fluidity of gender in modern society, whilst highlighting its conflict with traditional values, especially in our politics.
A laugh-out-load, beautiful and important book to be enjoyed by adults and teens alike.
Find the Pbook of My Brother's Name Is Jessica here
Librarian's choice: Frankissstein: A Love Story by Jeanette Winterson
After seeing Jeanette Winterson talk about this book at Charleston Literature Festival, I was keen to read the whole story. Her novel, a retelling of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, warns us of the future we are leaping into with advances in technology and Artificial Intelligence.
What happens to women in a world coded mainly by men? What happens to humans when artificial intelligence surpasses our own? Or if we're no longer needed to create life? The interweaving of the past and the future reminds us of the lessons and monsters created in history, which are quick to be forgotten.
If you weren't worried about AI before, this brilliant novel will soon have you reading up on the subject with a new-found urgency.
Find the Pbook of Frankissstein here
Have you read any of the books featured this month? We'd love to hear what you thought! Leave your reviews in the comments below. Missed last month's top five? Catch up on them here.
You can find out more about libraries in East Sussex by visiting the East Sussex County Council website.
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Laura Gooch
Crafty book geek who enjoys savage banter, can usually be found with a cup of tea and helpful advice. If you need a top-notch poem or pun, she's your gal.
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EVELYN FOSTER	on 29th October 2021 at 12:02 pm
GREAT SUGGESTIONS, LOVELY LIBRARIAN, THANK YOU ! CAN I ALSO RECOMMEND
FROZEN FAIRYTALES FOR ALL AGES, BY SUSSEX AUTHOR , EVELYN FOSTER, PUBLISHED BY COUNTRY BOOKS.
WRITTEN TO RAISE SPIRITS IN WINTER AND TO RAISE SOME MONEY
FOR LOCAL CHARITIES.
AUTHOR IS A LOCAL STORYTELLER AND PERFORMER, HAS DONE DRAMA WITH CHILDREN IN
BRIGHTON AND HAYWARDS HEATH … AND PLAYED AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF
FAIRY GODMOTHERS !