Malala Yousafzai Starts College

It’s no secret that an education is the doorway to a better life. It is also no secret that many girls have had received either no education or minimal education that leaves them woefully unprepared for the world.

Five years ago Malala Yousafzai, a teenage girl from Pakistan, dared to speak up against the Taliban for denying girls the right to an education. They tried to kill her. She survived and became stronger than they thought she was.

This week, she started college at Oxford University.

For many women and girls, Malala has become an icon of this generation’s feminists. She is the voice in the crowd that will stand up for women’s rights when others remain silent.  She will continue to light the fire not just under the figurative behinds of women who feel like they have no voice or power, but she will continue to inspire men to join their wives, sisters, mothers and daughters in the fight for true equality.

I expect nothing but great things from Malala in the future. But the first step is always an education.

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The Making of Jane Austen Book Review

There are more than enough books, both fiction and non fiction about Jane Austen and her work to fill up multiple libraries. The question is, which book stands out from the pack and which book remain on the shelves?

Devoney Looser recently published her newest book, The Making Of Jane Austen.

When Jane Austen died in 1817, her genius as a writer, satirist and observer of the human experience had yet to be fully appreciated. Writing about the artists, dramatists, activists and academics who spread the word of Jane Austen over the years, Dr. Looser expands upon the legend of her subject and explains how Austen has become this giant of literature and pop culture that we know her to be today.

I loved this book. Dr. Looser was also one of the keynote speaker at this past weekend’s 2017 JASNA AGM, but to me, that is the cherry on top. She writes in a way that speaks to both the newbie Janeite and the Janeite who is thoroughly entangled in everything that is Jane Austen.

I absolutely recommend it.

 

The Last Jedi Trailer

The official trailer for The Last Jedi has come finally been released. I got very excited when I saw the trailer, but as usual, Lucasfilm is not surprisingly cagey with the details.

The only thing I know that I am more that stoked and I will definitely be needing a box of Kleenex for the rumored sendoff for Carrie Fisher.

BTW, the duel between Finn and Captain Phasma looks amazing.

December is coming quickly. 🙂