Books for International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day. The celebration of this day dates back more than one hundred years. Today we celebrate the economic, political, and social achievements of women, and we hope to raise awareness of the struggles of women world wide.

In yesterday's blog post, I suggested three books by women from three different walks of life with three very different sort of struggles. Today, I'm celebrating the diversity of women writers by suggesting three of my absolute favorite books ever, all of which address issues of immigration and change.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

9. Americanah [2013] by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie [Available on Kindle and in other formats on Amazon and elsewhere - currently cheapest as an audiobook from Audible].

Americanah is colorful and tempestuous story about race, culture, immigration, family ties, finding oneself, and love, not necessarily in that order. The author paints with a kaleidoscope of words the feelings, thoughts, and actions of two young Nigerians and their families and friends, over many years. At once breathtaking, funny, extraordinary, and ordinary, it draws the reader/listener into a whole world, a whole culture, and then pulls through to the clash of cultures, and more.

It is a splendid book full of pulsing emotions and words of wisdom. The author reminds us that life is messy, decisions are unclear, and our paths never seem to go the way we expect.

I listened to the audiobook on Audible (Recorded Books company). The narrator, Adjoa Andoh, is lovely and talented, using a variety of accents and voices to convey the characters across three different countries and continents. In this instance I highly recommend the audiobook, which is under $5 at Audible right now.

If you haven't read this book, or listened to this audiobook, start now.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

10. Interpreter of Maladies [2007] by Jhumpa Lahiri [Available on Kindle and other formats on Amazon and elsewhere including Audible].

I cannot describe this book with too many superlatives... Splendid. Superb. Subtle. Serious. Silly. Sonorous. Significant. Sublime. Sensual. Sensible.

Without a doubt this is the most enjoyable collection of short stories I've read in ages. The beautiful writing describes places and persons I have yet to see, but still feel I know their thoughts intimately now. The glimpses of Indian and Indian-American culture are priceless and thought-provoking.

I listened to this book on Audible. My only complaint is the chapters of the audiobook do not correspond in any way to the short stories. Each ends in the middle of a chapter and the next begins. Nonsensical, that.  The narrator, Matilda Novak, is quite good, though, and I have not a single critical word to add.

This book is simply awesome.

Out of Africa by Karen Blixen as Isak Dinesen

11. Out of Africa [1937] by Isak Dinesen (Pen name of Karen Blixen) [Available on Kindle and in other formats at Amazon and elsewhere].

This is one of my favorite books. I have read it many times. The author is able to paint a landscape and a diversity of persons with beautiful words. She is a consummate storyteller. She lived in a time of upheaval and change that was extreme, requiring her to marry for convenience, move to another continent, learn new languages and cultures, and work just to survive the changes around her she could not have foreseen and could not control.

It is beautifully written and a wonderful chronicle of a time both harsh and amazing.  It is a reminder that even money couldn't not assure equality.

Go Forth and Read

So go forth and read some women's history books, or books my women historians, or just books by women, period! If you want to friend me on GoodReads, you'll find me here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/25156813-amelia