Recommended reading
So for the past weeks, I’ve been reading mainly trash, and Harry Potter. I normally get ideas for reading by wandering around Borders, and by reading the review pages of the Guardian, Observer and New Statesman, but none of these sources are inspiring me at the moment. I’d like some suggestions about what to read next from the limited number of other people who read my thoughts.
Despite having left formal education four years ago this month, I’m trying to keep my mind sharp (or if not sharp, at least not entirely dulled by the distance from Dr Miriam Griffin and her politely-concealed but reasonably evident disappointment in the bright female ancient historian who spent her time otherwise than in the Bod.) Working with youth workers, you get used to their cycle of reflective practice; I’m not sure what one looks like for a full-time campaigner and part-time Labour activist, but I guess having a full library of books exploring human ideas and influence must help.
As a guide, I like non-fiction about political figures, movements and ideas; history - but definitely not biographies about “great men”; society, anthropology, women. I may well have missed some great feminist books published in the last few years, particuarly those working from the practical viepoint of trying to find a 2000s feminism. Ditto politics - my rather haphazard political education may have missed vital books. More superficially, I like paperbacks, modern typefaces and striking covers, though I daresay I should attempt to retreat from my prejudice against anything written in a serif font in favour of more considered judgements on content.
Has anyone got any ideas?
You might like all of these:
The doctrine of DNA: biology as ideology, Richard Lewontin.
It Ain’t Necessarily So, Richard Lewontin.
and (the hardest read but well worth it)
The Ontogeny of Information
I would recommend
RIPPED and TORN by Amaranta Wright
ISBN 0-091-90083-2
excellent book about personal journey through Latin America and about arrogance we in West regard developing coutnries has also led to spin off maagaine BULB
I’m currently reading
The Gunpowder Plot - Antonia Fraser
Genghis Khan - John Man
Looking for JJ - Anne Cassidy
You have probably come across these before but for a lesbianism from a historical perspective then two great books are:
Lillian Faderman, ‘Surpassing the Love of Men.’
Or, less famously but I prefer in the light of my research,
Emma Donoghue, Passions Between Women.’
Or for a more contemporary look, I’ve been recently fascniated by:
Marjorie Garber, ‘Bisexuality and the Eroticism of Everyday Life.’
I think you might find this interesting:
‘Dead Heat: Global Justice and Global Warming’
by Tom Athanasiou and Paul Baer
It makes a forceful (and absolutely right, IMO) argument for global equity as the only solution to climate change, and for climate talks as a powerful driver towards international development.
Hope you are well.
Matt