Our Shared Shelf discussion

Hi Everyone,
Now that we know what the new book selections are, I was wondering which of Rebecca Solnit's books you have read before (if any)?

I've just grabbed Cinderella Liberator, it's a beautiful book - perfect for reading with children :)

I have to admit that these are my first. I did some research and Rebecca Solnit seems like a very interesting person with a clear vision, so I'm really looking forward reading some of her books.

I read Mother of All Questions a few months ago and loved it! I really enjoy Solnit's writing style and the modern feminist perspective she shares. Looking forward to reading these books!

I read "men explain things to me" and loved it!

This will be first time reading Solnit, but she has been on my list for some time.

I read "A field guide to getting lost" and didn't really like it - it was too pseudo-philosophical and incoherent for me...but I'm giving Solnit another chance now that Emma's been so full of praise.

One. It’s been awhile since I’ve read this book, but I just joined the group, and I wanted to comment because she is so unique to me. I read A Field Guide to Getting Lost, after reading an excerpt on Brain Pickings, particularly because I am an expat, and I wanted to see her comments on being “lost.’ There’s a level of depth and poetic juxtaposition in her articulation of some of her thoughts that I find inspiring. New Ideas and new information. I Do feel like Ive come in to the middle of a film because of so many references I’ve seen to her previous work about mansplaining and cities, that living outside the day to day of English speaking culture I missed.

Siobhán wrote: "I read "A field guide to getting lost" and didn't really like it - it was too pseudo-philosophical and incoherent for me...."

Ah, that's why the name sounds familiar.
Love the

"When someone doesn't show up, the people who wait sometimes tell stories about what might have happened and come to half believe the desertion, the abduction, the accident. Worry is a way to pretend that you have knowledge or control over what you don't--"

quote. It's so true.

I've read Men explain things to me. I'm really excited to dive into the next books!

I’m a huge fan - I’ve read just about everything of hers I can get my hands on. Men Explain things to me was the first thing I read and went to town after that.

I've read "Men Explain Things to Me," and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next couple!

I've only read Men Explain Things to Me, but I'm keen to read more of her work. Those essays were so powerful!

I have not read any of her books.

I read the german translation of Men Explain Things to Me and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the new books aren't available in German yet so I don't know if I have enough time to read them.

I just received my very first Rebecca Solnit

None! I’m about to start with the Cinderella Liberator!

Emma wrote: "Molly wrote: "I just received my very first Rebecca Solnit"

Which one was it?"

The three of them, just finished Cinderella Liberator, and starting with, "Men explaining things to me "

and can't wait for "Whose Story is This? Old Conflicts, New Chapters" may be tomorow !!
And you did you get them ??

This will be my first book of hers (and first book as a new club member).
Looking forward to both suggested and hoping to pick them up today.

Lawli wrote: "This will be my first book of hers (and first book as a new club member).
Looking forward to both suggested and hoping to pick them up today."

Me too!

Melissa wrote: "Lawli wrote: "This will be my first book of hers (and first book as a new club member).
Me too!"

Ooh! Welcome welcome ladies!

I just finished "Ces hommes qui m'expliquent la vie." (Men explain things to me). It was my first book from Rebecca Solnit. I'm going to read a second one tomorrow in the train.

I’ve read Men Explain Things to Me, The Mother of All Questions, Hope in the Dark, and Call Them By Their True Names. I love her work! I really want to get into her non-essay work as well.

I came to Rebecca Solnit after the 2016 presidential election in the US, you may imagine why. Since then, she has been a beacon of light.

So far I read:

Man Explain Things to Me

The Mother of All Questions

A Field Guide to Getting Lost

Call Them by Their True Names

The Encyclopedia of Trouble and Spaciousness

I am also happy to read whatever she writes for The Guardian and Harper's. So so so glad she got to be on OSS.

I've read "Men Explain Things to Me" and recently added "The Mother of All Questions" to by TBR pile so I'm super excited to read "Whose Story Is This" with OSS!

My favorites are Cinderella Liberator, ( the paragraph on beauty brought tears to my eyes), Wanderlust, Hope in the Dark, and A Field Guide to Getting Lost. I’m just starting Men Explain Things to Me.

look I got nothing to tell for now ...
but not for future .

This is my first one actually. To be frank I had never heard of her previously, but when I posted about it online, I got a ton of people suggesting more of her work - which was lovely! :)

Excited to dive into her books, these are new to me. I am excited by all the positive comments! I plan on giving Cinderella Liberator to my 5 year old niece for Christmas. Of course after quickly reading it first. 😉

I’ve heard of her before because of Men explain things to me but had never read any of her work. After reading some of your comments I really want to read a field guide to getting lost as I think I’ll be able to relate to as a former expat. :)

haven't read any

Laura, that’s got to be one of my favorite books that Ms. Solnit has written, along with Wanderlust, which is a stroll through the history and influences of the walking life.

( Field Guide to Getting Lost).

Debra wrote: "Laura, that’s got to be one of my favorite books that Ms. Solnit has written, along with Wanderlust, which is a stroll through the history and influences of the walking life."

I loved Wanderlust

Wonderful, Sonia. As an activist in my community, focused on community-building direct action, I found Ms. Solnit’s book, Hope in the Dark, to be pragmatic and yet inspiring. I’m imagining, with Emma Watson’s role as a feminist advocate and activist, that I am not the only activist attracted to her book club. So if we are actively exploring all of Ms. Solnit’s books, I highly recommend Hope in the Dark for our community leaders here.