Mid-July Book Recap

The books I’ve read so far this month have inspired me in one way or another. All of these books were either borrowed or bought from my local library. Here’s the list:

1. Fat: The Owner’s Manual – Navigating a Thin-Obsessed World with Your Health, Happiness, and Sense of Humor Intact by Brittany Gibbons. I have been trying to read as many women’s stories as I can. This was a book that came in on my library holds, no doubt something I read about one night scrolling through the internet and put on my library list. I didn’t really enjoy the read until I got to the adult years of the author, but I appreciated the entire story, still. She has a message for us, and that is to accept your body. I think the more we read and see about body acceptance, the better. She has a website and an instagram, if you want to check out her message without reading the book just yet.
2. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor: I read this spectacular science fiction novella in one sitting. I am going to recommend it to all students looking for an engrossing read. There are two more books listed in the series on Goodreads, so I am headed to the library website to find them now.
3. Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran by Roxana Saberi: I found this for a toonie at the library book sale. As I read Saberi’s story in this engrossing memoir I had to remind myself that her experiences in Iran as a prisoner were indeed real, because it read like a horror novel. I learned so much from this book.
4. Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon: Okay, this book is so spectacular. I hadn’t read fantasy in a long time, and this reminded me of the sci fi/fantasy reads I’d devoured in my early twenties after taking a few courses on the genres. The protagonist is a 70 year old woman and following along with her thoughts was the most enjoyable part of the book. It’s feminist. It’s a mother’s story. And it should be a classic. Some parts were a bit descriptive, so I admittedly skimmed and scanned until I got to the bits where Ofelia had lots to say and think about her fellow humans. Adore is the best word I can think of to describe my love for this book. I adore it!
   
5. Dietland by Sarai Walker: I decided to read this book after watching the TV series. Again, I am reading everything I can find about body acceptance in order to retrain my brain and accept my body. Both the series and book are exceptional. I enjoy both. This unapologetically feminist story should be moved to the very top of your to-read pile. In fact, pause the book on your nightstand and start this one, and then watch the series!