Thursday, February 16, 2012

Books


Funny thing I discovered about myself:  When I had a simpler life I liked complicated books, like those of Friedrich Nietzsche, Erich Maria Remarque and a lot of psychology literature. But now, when after busy day I feel like my brain is ready to explode I need some really easy read :) … to let my brain relax a little. So, young adults’ and fantasy literature it is! :)

In this kind of literature like in most of the other, there are not so many strong female characters. They often follow the path which was predetermined for them by society. For example, I have a big problem with “Twilight” series by Stephenie Meyer even though at first I liked it. But what does it teach? To find some handsome guy and no matter what but to give birth to his child and nothing about some personal development. There were moments which really terrified me from the point of view how it can influence brains of young ladies. But I would rather not talk about it anymore…

I was recently surprised when reading fantasy series “Inheritance” by Christopher Paolini. There I encountered three very strong female characters, even though the series were written by a guy and the main character was a guy too. These three characters were: 1. elf-warior-ambassador (who eventually became a queen without a king); 2. human political and military leader who also became a queen without a king; 3. a fierce female dragon :) . I never sow so many and so strong female characters in one book/series and I felt a bit sad when finishing it. But then I found very interesting list of books:

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/147.Best_Kick_Ass_Fantasy_Female_Characters_From_YA_and_Childrens

I really enjoyed checking out this list and chose some books I’d like to read, for example, “Protector of the small” series by Tamora Pierce.