We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Title: We Should All Be Feminists

Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Release Date: 29 July 2014

Rating: 5/5 stars

Cover:

Gender as it functions today is a grace injustice.

I won’t lie: This is probably the first work of non-fiction I’ve ever read. Generally, I’m not the biggest fan of non-fiction, but these books have been on my TBR list for a long time and with the Black Lives Matter movement having such a big impact on the world, I thought that it’s about time I read these books.

I went in with sky-high expectations since I’ve only ever heard good things about this book.

And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

Some people will bring up evolutionary biology and apes, how female apes bow to male apes – that sort of thing. But the point is this: we are not apes. Apes also live in trees and eat earthworms. We do not.

My biggest problem with non-fiction is that there is no action or adventure or magic (maybe it’s a phase, I don’t know) and that generally, I’m not interested enough to keep reading the 200+ page books. We Should All Be Feminists easily solves that problem by being a really short book consisting of 52 pages. It’s actually an essay, but I still loved it.

Her writing style is blunt and honest, but not aggresive or trying to force something on you. That’s why I think that this is a good book to recommend to people who don’t understand feminism or have the wrong perception of it.

The whole message of this book is that feminism isn’t just about women or just putting them in charge of the world or that all men are horrible. Feminism is about equality for everyone. This book shows how we treat both men and women and why exactly feminism is needed.

We stifle the humanity of boys. We define masculinity in a very narrow way. Masculinity is a hard, small cage, and we put boys inside this cage.

If you’re looking for a short, but thought-provoking read on feminism, this is definitely the book for you.

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou:

Title: Phenomenal Woman

Author: Maya Angelou

Release Date: 17 January 1995

Rating: 5/5 stars

I couldn’t find the cover of this book so that I could photograph it and the review is so short, I thought that I would just add in here as well.

When you learn, teach.
When you get, give.
As for me,

I will not be moved.

Just like with non-fiction, I don’t normally read poetry. I’ve read snippets of Maya Angelou’s poetry here and there, but this is the first time I’ve read her poems in their entirety.

These poems are so beautiful.

She said, But my description
cannot
fit your tongue, for
I have a certain way of being in this world.

I’ve read a lot of poetry for school and whatnot, but the tone of these poems are just something else entirely. She talks about hardship and struggles, but somehow, Angelou still infuses her words with beauty. I think the emotions her poems invoke in people, is what all poets strive to do.

I will definitely read more of her poetry in the future.

They accuse me of livin’
from day to day,
But who are they kiddin’?
So are they.

That’s it!

I may not read non-fiction, but I will read more of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s books, and I may not read poetry, but I will read more of Maya Angelou’s books.

Have you done any reading for the Black Lives Matter movement?

Till we meet again!
Xx Alexia