Rules for Ruin

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews, 400 pages

At the request of her patron, Effie Flite has returned to England following a few years as a lady's companion in Paris. As an orphan trained in the Crinoline Academy, Effie has the ability to blend in seamlessly in London's society while also holding her own in less savory situations (that's where the sharp hairpins and steel-pointed parasol come in handy), both of which will be needed in her next assignment: take down Lord Compton, a seemingly upstanding member of Parliament who holds enough sway to prevent the married women's property act from coming to a vote. Unfortunately, Effie's assignment has her at odds with formidable betting shop owner Gabriel Royce, who needs Compton's influence to help secure funding to rehabilitate the slums of St. Giles. Too bad that Effie and Gabriel can't deny the attraction between them.

This is an intriguing historical romance, with plenty of meaty historical elements and compelling side plots and backstories for the characters, making it an enjoyable read. (It's also somewhat inspired by Miss Havisham's story in Great Expectations, so no, you're not imagining that.) However, something about the way the romantic elements come together in the end feels a bit disingenuous to Effie's character, which keeps this from getting an enthusiastic recommendation from me.

Stories from Suffragette City

Stories from Suffragette City edited by M.J. Rose and Fiona Davis, 252 pages

On October 23, 1915, thousands of women gathered in New York City for a parade down Fifth Avenue to fight for women's right to vote in New York and across the country. Released in honor of the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, this collection of short stories centers on that momentous autumn day, telling the stories of the young, old, rich, and poor women that came together that day, as well as the stories of the men who supported them. It's an inspiring collection, full of the hopes and dreams of those women, as well as the fears and problems that seeped into the event (including everything from concerns about angry husbands to the segregated nature of the movement). Well worth reading, especially for those needing a boost for modern protests. (Though a warning that you'll probably get the Bowie song stuck in your head, if you're anything like me.)

My Own Words

My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg  371 pp.

This is a collection of writings, text of speeches, and biographical materials by and about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The writings are from throughout her career and provide a fascinating look into what makes her a great asset to the judiciary. There is much about her work as a lawyer in the cause of equal rights as well as anecdotes about her family and beloved husband, Marty. Despite her usually stern appearance, Justice Ginsburg has a marvelous sense of humor and fun. In addition to her work as a lawyer and judge she tells of her great friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia in spite of their almost constant opposition on the bench showing that it is possible for adversaries to be civil and have a loving and respectful relationship. This friendship sparked the creation of a comic opera, "Scalia / Ginsburg". Ginsburg also writes of her fellow Justices with honesty and respect. This is a wonderful insight into what makes this particular judge tick.

The secret history of Wonder Woman

The secret history of Wonder Woman / Jill Lepore 416 pgs.

Suffrage, women's rights, feminism and Wonder Woman are all featured in this book about the creator of Wonder Woman, William Moulton Marsden.  Marsden was an interesting character with a family life that deserves to be chronicled in a book.  Marsden was highly educated but had problems holding a steady job.  His number one occupation often seemed to be self promotion.  He developed an early version of a lie detector test but in addition to monitoring some physical phenomenon, it required Marsden to interpret answers from the subject.  He was a psychologist and a lawyer, a professor and a writer...none of which supported his family.  He was a smart man who was supported financially and emotionally by the women in his life, I found the story very interesting.

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Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World

Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda Hirshman, 390 pages.

Informative, interesting, and convincing in showing how important both justices have been. A really good book about an important topic in the shaping of the legal landscape of modern America.
O"Connor always told the story of how, after graduating from Stanford Law school, where she had served as editor of the law review, the only job she was offered was as a legal secretary at a large California firm. She politely declined.
Likewise, Ruth Bader Ginsburg liked to tell the story of how as a student at Harvard Law she and the other woman students had to attend a dinner with faculty and justify taking the place of a man who could have enrolled in the school.
O'Connor found a place in Arizona politics, first as an assistant States Attorney, then as a State Senator, and then Majority Leader in the State Senate. In 1981, Ronald Reagan appointed Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Supreme Court Justice.
Ginsburg taught law at Rutgers, then became the head of the ACLU's Women's Rights Project. As the lead attorney for the WRP, she argued several pivotal cases before the Supreme court, and was then appointed to the federal bench in 1981. Bill Clinton, after considering other candidates, appointed Ginsburg to the Supreme Court in 1993. Hirshman makes all this and more compelling and readable.
A great read for those who like legal history, women's issues, civil rights, or just good biographies.

How to be a woman

How to be a woman by Caitlin Moran 305 pgs.

Thank God for books like this one.  Like so many other things, I learned that I've been doing the woman thing all wrong.  Now that Caitlin Moran has tutored me, I'm sure things will be better.  Caitlin herself started out a friendless teen with the nickname "fatso". She has built herself into a very successful woman, wife, and mother.  That in itself is impressive and that is before you figure out just how damned funny she is.  I like the way she does not apologize for who she is or how she thinks.  Well stated Caitlin!


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Clara and Mr. Tiffany

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland  405 pp.

I enjoy Vreeland's novels about artists but I didn't think this was one of her better ones. Clara Driscoll was the artist who created most of the famous "Tiffany" lamps. This book is a fictionalized account of her life and working relationship with Louis Comfort Tiffany. It also chronicles the unequal treatment of women in the work force at the turn of the twentieth century. Clara's frequent battles with the Tiffany Studios executives and the men's union over the work her all woman staff are portrayed throughout the story. In addition to her work life, Clara's relationships with the men in her life were also problematic. Because of Tiffany's strict rule against married women on his staff, Clara once quit her job to get married. Upon the death of her husband she was rehired at Tiffany Studios. The no-marriage rule was a serious problem the entire time she worked there and led to unfortunate situations in her personal life and the lives of her staff. She remains devoted to Tiffany even though he gets all the credit for her work. Many of the best known "Tiffany" lamps should be known as Driscoll lamps.

Vreeland does an admirable job of portraying the lives of artists and the artistic process. However, in this case, the repetitive descriptions of the ins and outs of the stained glass artistic process gets a bit tedious. At one point I thought if I read any more about cutting patterns and glass, I would just close the book and not finish. However, she pulls no punches when showing the dark side of L.C. Tiffany. I guess my love of the "Tiffany" dragonfly lamp (which I do not own--even in copy form) kept me going.

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide/Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn 294 pg.

I follow up the last depressing book I read (Columbine) with this treasure of horrifying stories and statistics about sex slavery, gang rape, murder, and starvation...oh yea, all in the context of the treatment of women and girls. The book is carefully crafted to end on a high note and that is a good thing since the details of the horror make you wonder about all of humanity. This is a real eye opener that makes you wonder what it will take to make it better. There is a list of particularly effective charities and aid organizations listed at the end. - Christa