By: Michael Kaufman and Michael Kimmel

Feminism is often understood as a women’s topic that only engages ideas that matter to women. In The Guy’s Guide to Feminism, Michael Kaufman and Michael Kimmel turn that assumption on its head and use humour to explain why feminism is not only important, but also an integral part of life for males and females.

Kaufman is a co-founder of one of Canada’s most successful and internationally lauded charities, the White Ribbon Campaign which encourages men to join the cause of ending violence against women. Kimmel is an author and a sociology professor at State University of New York. Together, they have authored this step-by-step guide for guys. Even though the book is titled as a “guy’s guide,” just like feminism, it is not exclusively for one sex as it is interesting and relevant to everyone.

The book is a comedic encyclopedia that addresses a wide range of topics that are important to feminism and explains how these topics impact the lives of men. Issues such as birth control and domestic violence, consent and rape are redefined as issues that are important to men as well as women. At bottom, feminism is about equality. It is about three things:

1. Recognizing that there is discrimination against females in our world (such as women being stoned to death in Iran, girls being prevented from going to school in Pakistan, and the missing and murdered Aboriginal women of Canada).
2. Acknowledging that discrimination based on sex is not right.
3. Taking action against that discrimination and working in big and small ways to make the world safer for everyone.

The strength of Kaufman and Kimmel’s book is that it is a very accessible and funny introduction to many important issues that are an essential part of men’s and women’s lives. They use short stories, comics, and plenty of jokes to get their message across. The book is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about the basics of feminism and equality. It is also a great read for anyone who hopes to make the tenets of feminism more accessible for others.

The Guy’s Guide to Feminism is available through the SADI Resource section of the Pinawa Public Library.

Masterminds and Wingmen: Helping our boys cope with schoolyard power, locker-room tests, girlfriends, and the new rules of boy world

By: Rosalind Wiseman

Masterminds and Wingmen, by Rosalind Wiseman, is a non-fiction book in a similar vein as her previous book, Queen Bees and Wannabees. While Queen Bees discussed the social dynamics of girls and young women, Masterminds and Wingmen tackles the inner thoughts of boys and young men. Wiseman challenges the notion that boys are inherently simpler or have “less drama” than girls and reveals through interviews and scenarios how much is going on in their lives.

Wiseman insightfully explains many common circumstances teenage boys experience and what that means for their friendships, their relationships with their parents, and their life at school. Rather than dismiss or reduce the challenges that boys face in their day to day life, Wiseman is encouraging and uplifting, writing from a place that speaks to young men on their level. This book is not a trite answer key that gives formulas, but offers some guidance for the people around the young men in question: their families, parents, and community.

The strongest aspect of the book is the interviews Wiseman has included with every topic she covers. Alongside each idea she broaches, statements from pre-adolescent to young adult men are presented – the concept in their own words. Not that Wiseman is not a worthy intelligence on her own, but the effort she’s taken to research and stay true to the common experience boys in North America face only makes the book stronger.

This book is aimed at primarily parents and teachers of teen boys, and likely the ones who will benefit most from it. However, it is an interesting read that exposes the environment in which men in North America grow up. Learning about how boys think and feel informs us in how they think and feel as adult men. Wiseman clearly states that this is not a huge secret to be kept from the young men in your life – rather the opposite. Several times she writes to suggest having a teen boy read it, to add to your experience. This is a valuable resource for everyone, for when we understand how young men are growing up, we all have the power to help change it for the better.

Masterminds and Wingmen is available in the SADI Resource section of the Pinawa Public Library.

Book review by Shannon.

Wherever I Wind Up: My quest for truth, authenticity and the perfect knuckleball

By: R.A. Dickey with Wayne Coffey

R.A. Dickey is a knuckleball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays.  R.A. Dickey’s book Wherever I Wind Up is a memoir about life’s obstacles, and the place perseverance and faith play in moving forward.  As you follow R.A.’s story you catch yourself frequently asking, “Does this guy ever get a break?”

R.A. is challenged early by his mother’s alcoholism, his father’s absence, and his own experiences with childhood sexual abuse.  Against all odds, R.A. becomes a number one draft choice for the Texas Rangers.  Unfortunately, multiple issues bog down R.A.’s career until he is pushed to reinvent himself as a knuckleballer.

R.A.’s story is a very personal journey opened up for readers.  After years of struggling, R.A. eventually recognized that sexual abuse as a child severely derailed him and all the hiding and dodging had ruined his marriage and his career.  The conflict associated with needing help but not wanting to talk about the abuse clearly identified the issues most adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse struggle with.

As a baseball fan you will find this book is a stunning look at minor and major league baseball. There is, in fact, a lot of baseball talk and little about the abuse (but a lot about the consequences associated with abuse).  Those of us who aren’t baseball fans get the opportunity to learn a little something about baseball while enjoying the story of a man who approaches life with uncommon passion and drive. All readers, regardless of baseball experience, will recognize the role of faith, friends, and family in R.A.’s struggle to reclaim his dream.

Wherever I Wind Up is available through the Pinawa Public Library in the in SADI Resource section.

Book review by Holly

I Am Malala: The girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban

By: Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

I Am Malala is the memoir of one of the world’s most famous teenagers even though she is not in films and does not have a new album coming out. Malala Yousafzai is one of few young people internationally renowned for her social activism.

I Am Malala was written after Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban on her way home from school. She was targeted because of her participation with her father in advocating for better access to education for girls in Pakistan. She currently lives with her family in Birmingham, UK which is where she was treated for her injuries.

The book provides a glimpse at the history of Pakistan which helps the reader to better understand the political situation in which Malala has lived. It can be easy to forget that there are individual people behind the headlines about the Taliban and drone attacks, but this book reminds the reader of the humans that are involved in the politics of the Middle East.

Pakistan was the world’s first Islamic nation, established in 1947. After years of political unrest and bouncing back and forth between democracy and dictatorship, Pakistan has become known for the presence of Taliban, particularly in the northern regions.

Malala grew up in Swat in northern Pakistan, a region she describes as a natural paradise. When Malala began attending school, she could walk to school freely and proudly. But over ten short years, she has had to change what she wears to school, hide her books, enter the school only through a private entrance, and eventually stop attending altogether.

To hear the story of Pakistan’s experience of the Taliban from this teenaged girl is at times infuriating. The stories of competing with her classmates and watching TV with her brothers show us that Malala is like millions of other children around the world. Why would such a girl seem to be a threat to an international terrorist group? However, Malala’s international blogging at age 11 and meeting with politicians to expand girls’ education also show us how exceptional she is. It also shows us the power of education which is precisely why the Taliban tried to kill Malala.

In Canada, it is easy to take public education for granted. It is not dangerous to promote education or attend school here. In fact, we’re more likely to complain about the systems we have! I Am Malala is a reminder to us all of the power of education and the important role it plays, not only in our country but in every country for every child. Because of the power of education, it is important that we support education for all whenever we get the chance.

I Am Malala appeals to many different readers. There is something here for history buffs, politicos, educators, social activists, teenagers, multi-culturalists, and anyone who enjoys a good memoir. The appeal of the book is broad which is very important because the message is one that all people need to hear and keep in mind. When Malala addressed the UN on her 16^th birthday, July 12, 2013, she said “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” While addressing the need for peace and education, I Am Malala emphasizes that gender equality and the equal empowerment of all women and men, boys and girls is essential for a better world. The solution for many social and political problems begins with education for all. “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.”

I Am Malala is available through the Pinawa Public Library.