books that changed my life
This is not the first time I have read Public Sex: The Culture of Radical Sex by Pat Califia; the first time was 2 years ago or so, but I skipped around quite a bit, focusing on the bdsm sections. This time I read every word. By now it's got to pretty darn obvious I love Pat Califia and I'm really interested in sex on numerous levels so I'm sure you can surmis that this book rocked my boxers off. I already lent the book to 
imjustme so I have no quotes for you.
The title is pretty explanatory; the book is a collection of essays about radical sex. What makes a person a sex radical. Califia touches a lot of subjects that are likely to offend people (support of NAMBLA (North American Man-Boy Love Association) being the first one that pops into my mind) but the reasoning is always well-thought-out and clearly explained. I think it's good mental exercise to hear articulate arguments defending positions we don't necessarily agree with. And I seriously doubt that every single person reading this will agree unequivocally with every single thing Califia has to say.
Transforming a Rape Culture is a book I've been reading for a few months on and off, skipping around. It's a collection of essays and speeches, and I've only recently just finished it. It's the best book I have ever read on the subject of rape. It's by turns infuriating and inspiring.
Some of the contributers I really do not like. Andrea Dworkin. I really, really do not like Andrea Dworkin. I find her stance on pornography offensive in its absolutism. Read the wikipedia article if you want to know. But, my point is, despite this, I rather like her contribution, a transcript of her speech "I Want a Twenty-Four Hour Truce'' (in which there is no rape) delivered in 1983 to a "men's movement" conference. There's at least a bit of wisdom in every contribution.
The best part about Transforming a Rape Culture is that it offers solutions. It names problems and gives concrete ideas to fix them; discusses strategies that have worked and not worked, such as counseling centers, legislation, artwork; stresses contribution on individual, community, national and global scales. After reading this book, I don't have a much easier time believing that I will see a world in which rape does not exist during my lifetime, but I have more faith in seeing a world working towards that. No quotes, the book's on loan to
imjustme.
I first read Cunt several years ago. I recently re-read it, and it was definitely worth it. This book is pretty popular so far as women's studies books recently published go. I disagree with quite a bit of what Betty Dodson (a sex activist I normally love) says in the introduction. Muscio makes me scowl more than once. She isn't particularly inclusive of those who are trans/intersex/genderqueer/Etc. Publishers Weekly points out that it's rambling and self-indulgent, which I agree with. Despite all this, I urge you to read this book. There's quite a lot that is empowering and, like a good cup of tea, it can always make me feel better when I'm down. "Cunt" is one of my favorite words and body parts. Before reading this book, I felt like varying degrees of freakish for my long-standing dislike of "female sanitary products" (starting with my total rejection at the age of 12 and my mother's angry confrontation which led to her putting pads in underwear I had laid out in the bathroom while I was showering before school-that sounds terribly grammatically). I could digress a lot more. Just go read it yourself.
imjustme so I have no quotes for you.
The title is pretty explanatory; the book is a collection of essays about radical sex. What makes a person a sex radical. Califia touches a lot of subjects that are likely to offend people (support of NAMBLA (North American Man-Boy Love Association) being the first one that pops into my mind) but the reasoning is always well-thought-out and clearly explained. I think it's good mental exercise to hear articulate arguments defending positions we don't necessarily agree with. And I seriously doubt that every single person reading this will agree unequivocally with every single thing Califia has to say.
Transforming a Rape Culture is a book I've been reading for a few months on and off, skipping around. It's a collection of essays and speeches, and I've only recently just finished it. It's the best book I have ever read on the subject of rape. It's by turns infuriating and inspiring.
Some of the contributers I really do not like. Andrea Dworkin. I really, really do not like Andrea Dworkin. I find her stance on pornography offensive in its absolutism. Read the wikipedia article if you want to know. But, my point is, despite this, I rather like her contribution, a transcript of her speech "I Want a Twenty-Four Hour Truce'' (in which there is no rape) delivered in 1983 to a "men's movement" conference. There's at least a bit of wisdom in every contribution.
The best part about Transforming a Rape Culture is that it offers solutions. It names problems and gives concrete ideas to fix them; discusses strategies that have worked and not worked, such as counseling centers, legislation, artwork; stresses contribution on individual, community, national and global scales. After reading this book, I don't have a much easier time believing that I will see a world in which rape does not exist during my lifetime, but I have more faith in seeing a world working towards that. No quotes, the book's on loan to
imjustme.
I first read Cunt several years ago. I recently re-read it, and it was definitely worth it. This book is pretty popular so far as women's studies books recently published go. I disagree with quite a bit of what Betty Dodson (a sex activist I normally love) says in the introduction. Muscio makes me scowl more than once. She isn't particularly inclusive of those who are trans/intersex/genderqueer/Etc. Publishers Weekly points out that it's rambling and self-indulgent, which I agree with. Despite all this, I urge you to read this book. There's quite a lot that is empowering and, like a good cup of tea, it can always make me feel better when I'm down. "Cunt" is one of my favorite words and body parts. Before reading this book, I felt like varying degrees of freakish for my long-standing dislike of "female sanitary products" (starting with my total rejection at the age of 12 and my mother's angry confrontation which led to her putting pads in underwear I had laid out in the bathroom while I was showering before school-that sounds terribly grammatically). I could digress a lot more. Just go read it yourself.