It’s that time of year again. I’m technically done with coursework, but I decided to take Feminist Theory so I can apply for the Women and Gender Studies certificate. It’s a heavy reading class, and these aren’t even all of the books. There are also ones I already owned, bought on Kindle, or am getting out of the library. These were bought from ThriftBooks and Amazon.
Feminist Theory Reader: Local and Global Perspectives edited by Carole R. McCann and Seung-kyung Kim
So I’m a bit salty about this one because I had to buy it twice. I wasn’t paying attention to editions when I bought the physical copy, so I ended up with the 2nd when I needed the 5th. Of course, the 5th edition, which came out last year, is like $70 for a used copy. So I rented it digitally, and now I have this somewhat useless older copy.
Blood, Bread, and Poetry: Selected Prose 1979-1985 by Adrienne Rich
It turns out we’re only reading selections of this. But I don’t really mind because. It was inexpensive, and I’ve found Rich’s work useful in the past.
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
This is actually the book I’m most excited for. It’s one of the only novels were reading in the class, so that’s already a point in it’s favor. But my professor spoke quite highly of it, and based on her description, I think I’ll enjoy it.
Gender Trouble by Judith Butler
This is an important book in the field, but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. I’ve heard that it’s kind of difficult. And I don’t really like theory even when it’s easy, so I’m not thrilled about difficult theory. But I know I need it.
Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene by Dona J. Haraway
Honestly, I have no idea what this deals with. It sounds like it involves ecocriticism, maybe? I don’t know. Probably not my thing, but here we are. The cover is kind of neat though.
Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston
This is another one I’m excited for. This memoir apparently features a lot of Chinese myths that Kingston’s mother told her as a child, which sounds right up my alley. And I just generally like memoirs. It also gets points for not being…well, theory (I say as I take a class on theory).
Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times by Jasbir K. Puar
I don’t really know what this one deals with either. I mean, queer theory and nationalism, obviously based on the title. But other than that, no clue. But I’m interested to find out!
Willful Subjects by Sarah Ahmed
Once again, no clue what it deals with. And reading the summary didn’t particularly help much. Gorgeous cover though.
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
This is a really recent release (February of this year), so I’m pleasantly surprised to find it on a syllabus. It’s rare that I’ve come across a professor including something so new in a course. It sounds like it should be an informative read.
Normal Life: Administrative Violence, Critical Trans Politics, & the Limits of Law by Dean Spade
Once again, I know nothing about this beyond the title. I haven’t worked much with queer theory, and I don’t know anything about critical trans politics. So hopefully this will teach me a lot. (I will say though, the cover gives me a headache.)
A Literary Princess 