December 2004 Reading List
Books:
(completed)
1. Midnight Robber: Nalo Hopkinson (this link is to an excerpt of the book, not a review/summary)
2. Nonviolent Communication: Marshall Rosenberg
(still reading)
3. Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry & Controlling Men : Lundy Bancroft
4. Man's Search for Meaning: Viktor Frankl
Notes on readings:
1. I highly recommend. There are so few women of color sci-fi authors who "make it" (by which I mean, get picked up by publishers that have wide distribution... in other words, women of color whose works I might possibly find in a good library or bookstore). Nalo Hopkinson is one, I really look forward to reading her other works. I enjoyed that the book was written in Caribbean dialect -- linguistically reminding me that this speculative fiction isn't just about Euro-white people colonizing the world (some books make shallow attempts at diversity, such as mentioning characters diverse backgrounds or non-European sounding names, or by mentioning non-Euro physical features, but then failing to add any substantive aspects of cultural difference throughout the book, leading me to often forget that they're not all "white" or N. American/European). I also liked how character-centered this book was, the evolution of a girl named Tan-Tan. I have some minor critiques of it, but don't have the hand/arm-stamina to type it now.
2. A classic I guess? Overall very helpful, step-by-step guide to one particular model of communication. A lot of it is just basic, sensible information about communicating and listening... but as many of us have experienced, in times of tension, anger, or difficulty it's so damn hard to remember the basics of good communication! Also, it reminds me in some ways of the brand of Buddhism that has become popular in America (is there a name for it) by folks like Pema Chodron. I'll be trying to practice it in some of my more challenging relationships. I have some critiques, most of which I imagine have been outlined thoroughly elsewhere... perhaps I'll detail another day.
3. Excellent primer on how batterer's think and operate. Written largely for women in abusive relationships but extremely useful/accessible to others (friends, family, 'professionals', etc.). Fantastic at dispelling common myths/misperceptions about abusive men & abused women/people. I've been doing domestic violence work for 4 years now and I was suprised to some misconceptions of my own dispelled. Overall I think Bancroft's fundamental explanation of why and how abusers act the way they do is right on. Although he makes efforts to be culturally aware, the book does seem fundamentally written to/for white N. American women; however, I still think it is extremely relevant to many women who have been in or are in abusive relationships with men and plan on reccommending parts or all of it to some of my clients (almost all of whom are immigrant women).
4. Just started -- recommended by a good friend many years ago.
(completed)
1. Midnight Robber: Nalo Hopkinson (this link is to an excerpt of the book, not a review/summary)
2. Nonviolent Communication: Marshall Rosenberg
(still reading)
3. Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry & Controlling Men : Lundy Bancroft
4. Man's Search for Meaning: Viktor Frankl
Notes on readings:
1. I highly recommend. There are so few women of color sci-fi authors who "make it" (by which I mean, get picked up by publishers that have wide distribution... in other words, women of color whose works I might possibly find in a good library or bookstore). Nalo Hopkinson is one, I really look forward to reading her other works. I enjoyed that the book was written in Caribbean dialect -- linguistically reminding me that this speculative fiction isn't just about Euro-white people colonizing the world (some books make shallow attempts at diversity, such as mentioning characters diverse backgrounds or non-European sounding names, or by mentioning non-Euro physical features, but then failing to add any substantive aspects of cultural difference throughout the book, leading me to often forget that they're not all "white" or N. American/European). I also liked how character-centered this book was, the evolution of a girl named Tan-Tan. I have some minor critiques of it, but don't have the hand/arm-stamina to type it now.
2. A classic I guess? Overall very helpful, step-by-step guide to one particular model of communication. A lot of it is just basic, sensible information about communicating and listening... but as many of us have experienced, in times of tension, anger, or difficulty it's so damn hard to remember the basics of good communication! Also, it reminds me in some ways of the brand of Buddhism that has become popular in America (is there a name for it) by folks like Pema Chodron. I'll be trying to practice it in some of my more challenging relationships. I have some critiques, most of which I imagine have been outlined thoroughly elsewhere... perhaps I'll detail another day.
3. Excellent primer on how batterer's think and operate. Written largely for women in abusive relationships but extremely useful/accessible to others (friends, family, 'professionals', etc.). Fantastic at dispelling common myths/misperceptions about abusive men & abused women/people. I've been doing domestic violence work for 4 years now and I was suprised to some misconceptions of my own dispelled. Overall I think Bancroft's fundamental explanation of why and how abusers act the way they do is right on. Although he makes efforts to be culturally aware, the book does seem fundamentally written to/for white N. American women; however, I still think it is extremely relevant to many women who have been in or are in abusive relationships with men and plan on reccommending parts or all of it to some of my clients (almost all of whom are immigrant women).
4. Just started -- recommended by a good friend many years ago.