Women's History Facts & Fictions

Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York's Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist by Jennifer Wright
non-fiction biography, sociopolitical history
Hachette Books, February 2023

A prologue, thirty-eight chapters, an epilogue, acknowledgments, notes, and an index lay out the compelling real-life saga of Ann Trow, who transformed herself into Madame Restell. This unapologetically pro-choice champion battled poverty, ignorance, misogyny, and anti-choice zealot Anthony Comstock. The details of her ordeal, triumphs, and criminalization, and the author's narrative tone and pace are compelling.

This passage from the epilogue summarizes the ongoing battle for women's bodily sovereignty in the United States:
The same sentiments that motivated Comstockery are alive and well today...

[note: Reading this nudged me to add a biography of Margaret Sanger to my TBR list.]

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story edited by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Caitlin Roper, Ilena Silverman, Jake Silverstein
non-fiction with fiction and poetry
One World, November 2021

Like the quilts used by enslaved people who self-liberated en route to freedom in the northern U.S. and Canada, this text stitches together official accounts of historical records with autobiographical reflections and artistic expressions that together frame multi-tiered images and ideas about the origins of the United States of America. Its informational density demands conscientious focus and a measured reading pace in order to absorb and process the preface and each of the eighteen chapters. Acknowledgments, notes, contributors, credits, and an index also offer additional topics to pursue in-depth.

A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn
fiction, 19th-c. historical mystery
Berkley, March 2023

The pragmatic-grumpy-reserved trio of Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius reunite to solve a mystery rooted in the past. Misdirection, deadly grudges, and mayhem combined with humor entertain in the most recent installment of this irresistible series.

Some of Them Will Carry Me by Giada Scodellaro
fiction
Dorothy Project, October 2022

The cover art of "Two Women" by Tschabalala Self is a multi-media work as is Some of Them Will Carry Me. Poems, very short stories, footnotes and more offer a string of vignettes, mostly in English--"La Genovese" also in Italian--all contemplating and confessing to inhabiting womanhood while moving through a world that too often ignores, dismisses or distorts women's existence. In this collection women assert their voices and points of view and dynamic presence in a multitude of powerful ways that demand recognition.

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Tapping into Your Power

The following two books celebrate powerful characters who overcome their fears to manifest their greatness for the benefit of themselves, their loved ones and communities. So satisfying. [2 books from left to right: A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff] A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna contemporary speculative romance Berkeley, July 2025 Sera's story of navigating otherness was worth the wait. The advantages, responsibilities, and consequences of being powerful are explored with nuanced observations, humor, and compassion. Themes on distinctions between family by blood, choice, and intention weave throughout this poignant tale about paying attention and recognizing personal details as fundamental to the evolution of one's perspective on who and what are valuable. One of my favorite passages from the end of chapter nineteen: Like this was a thing that had, somehow, become...

Beach Reads That Sizzle (in Many Ways)

It's a miracle that so many actual and imagined human young survive into adulthood, and then on to old age. The following books offer entertaining and provocative tales of challenges, misadventures, and triumphs. [a collage of 4 images: upper left - It Had to Be You hardcover Thorndike Press large print edition set on the edge of a small table between 2 chairs; upper right - a "BEACH" tote bag in a striped beach chair along with a paperback ARC of Up in Smoke; lower left - a paperback copy of An Evening at the Hotel on a wood table next to a beach umbrella; lower right - a paperback copy of All Super-Heroes Need PR] All Super-Heroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens contemporary speculative romance Amazon Publishing, May 2025 Vanessa's story delivers a riveting aliens-among-us origin story, a fake romance with unexpected twists, and nuanced workplace interpersonal dynamics that offer drama, humor, razor sharp social commentary, and visceral memories of past chi...

TWWBF Grand Finale Gratitude & More Books

The 6th and grand finale The Write Women Book Fest 2025 event last weekend was phenomenal! It exceeded our most ambitious hopes during these very challenging times. Many, many heartfelt thanks to the each of the featured authors, tabling authors & their assistants, TWWBF Poet Laureate Aressa V. Williams, performing poets, storytime readers in the children's area, narrators, author and publishing services professionals... Special thanks to the 2/3 of the TBR Trio who attended, a dynamic IG influencer, and each and every attendee who engaged with participants and bought books and merch. And to the volunteers, Bowie Comfort Inn staff, the team at South Bowie Branch Library, and as always, our conscientious, tireless team of dedicated TWWBF voluntolders, expressions of gratitude beyond words! [a "The Write Women Book Fest" journal, a tote bag with "Maria Secoy Romantic Suspense" and a smaller "Thank you" tote bag] [a collage of 3 images: left - pla...

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