I’ve never really been one for reading challenges. I did start one once, but that was the year I began my Masters and it quickly went out this window. However, I’ve seen a few posts about the Women Unbound challenge over the past few days and I’ve decided to take part. This year I won’t have studying to do (although I am getting married next year, I apparently like to keep myself busy) so that means much more reading time.

About the challenge:

The challenge runs from November 2009-November 2010, but you may join in the fun whenever you wish! Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’ The definition according to Merriam-Webster: “the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.”

There are three levels at which you can enter the challenge:

Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

Since I read a lot of feministy things anyway, I’m going for broke and plumping for Suffragette level. Defining non-fiction books for the challenge is pretty easy, but fiction is a more slippery fish. The challenge website says:

Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to explain in your review why you chose this for the challenge and its connection to women’s studies.

So, this is the preliminary list I have come up with:

• The Equality Illusion by Kat Banyard
• The Women’s Room by Marilyn French
• Letters from a Faint-Hearted Feminist by Jill Tweedie
• Ideala by Sarah Grand
• Singled Out: How two million women survived without men after World War I by Virginia Nicholson
• The Very Salt of Life: Welsh Women’s Political Writings from Chartism to Suffrage edited by Jane Aaron
• Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker

A nice mix of books, I think, ranging from the Victorian to the contemporary (well, 1980s… is there a time limit on the term?), taking in most of the British Isles plus a couple of trips over to the USA. So, wish me luck on my first proper reading challenge… will I be hooked?