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Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide | Sheryl WuDunn, Nicholas D Kristof
#1 National Bestseller From two of our most fiercely moral voices, a passionate call to arms against our era's most pervasive human rights violation: the oppression of women and girls in the developing world. With Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn as our guides, we undertake an odyssey through Africa and Asia to meet the extraordinary women struggling there, among them a Cambodian teenager sold into sex slavery and an Ethiopian woman who suffered devastating injuries in childbirth. Drawing on the breadth of their combined reporting experience, Kristof and WuDunn depict our world with anger, sadness, clarity, and, ultimately, hope. They show how a little help can transform the lives of women and girls abroad. That Cambodian girl eventually escaped from her brothel and, with assistance from an aid group, built a thriving retail business that supports her family. The Ethiopian woman had her injuries repaired and in time became a surgeon. A Zimbabwean mother of five, counseled to return to school, earned her doctorate and became an expert on AIDS. Through these stories, Kristof and WuDunn help us see that the key to economic progress lies in unleashing women's potential. They make clear how so many people have helped to do just that, and how we can each do our part. Throughout much of the world, the greatest unexploited economic resource is the female half of the population. Countries such as China have prospered precisely because they emancipated women and brought them into the formal economy. Unleashing that process globally is not only the right thing to do; it's also the best strategy for fighting poverty. Deeply felt, pragmatic, and inspirational, Half the Sky is essential reading for every global citizen.
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Blueberry
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Eggs Perfect choices 🙏🏻📚👏🏻 1y
49 likes1 comment
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Blueberry
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Excellent 💫📚 2y
Eggs Brilliant 📚 2y
43 likes3 stack adds2 comments
review
nanuska_153
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Pickpick

Two NY Times journalists realise that systemic violence against women is so common that it's not considered news,they wrote this to put faces,names and details to the violence.The amount of violence against women in the world is horrible;the fact that it's seen as normal by governments and communities is terrible;but the worst part is the fact that we don't talk or do anything about it because it's common knowledge that women suffer violence.⬇️⬇️

nanuska_153 My boyfriend asked me why do I keep reading this book if it upsets me so much (I'm currently pregnant with a little girl so my hormones definitely didn't help)my answer was "because closing the book will not make it stop happening". The more people that are informed the more chances that things will change; if you want to inform yourself and find ways how you can help, read this book; it won't be easy, but it is necessary. 3y
48 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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nanuska_153
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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In Pakistan, apparently stories like this are normal. Girls sentenced to be gang-raped as a punishment against the family.

In Ethiopia,when a boy wants to marry a woman and can't make a good offer to the family,he rapes her,so her family will accept a lower price.There was a law that said that if you married the man after you couldn't accuse him of rape. ⬇️⬇️

nanuska_153 When a father refused marry her daughter to her rapist,the village turned against them for contradicting tradition. The amount of horrifying examples of systemic abuse to women and how ignorant we are about them is absolutely terrifying 3y
MeganAnn 😞😢🤬 3y
See All 13 Comments
rwmg If the rape of boys is "not uncommon", it seems to be the systemic abuse of anybody with less power 3y
nanuska_153 @rwmg rape of boys is not uncommon,it is indeed an act of violence,but rape of women in Pakistan happens both out of violence and because it is such a stigma that it is used to punish the whole family,the girls usually kill themselves afterwards to not ruin the family.Another example was a young boy that eloped with a girl,to punish his family they sentenced her 16 year old cousin to be gang-raped. 3y
nanuska_153 @rwmg the fact that the rape of men in Pakistan is common is horrible,but you can't use the horrific origin of this example to shift the focus from a global issue against women.Rape and violence is not only suffered by women,but it affects more women than men.It has a social component, because lower classes will always be more targeted for being defenceless,but saying that it is a power issue and not a gender issue is negating root of the problem 3y
nanuska_153 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @MeganAnn the amount of violence and oppression agaist women that exist in so many countries and how far the violence against them goes it's terrible; but the fact that it's considered normal it's terrifying 3y
rwmg We are told Mukhtar was dragged away screaming and pleading, nothing about Shakur's screams and pleading. It's just shrugged aside as not uncommon. As a victim of sexual assault I can assure you that is typical of the way sexual assault of men and boys is trivialised 3y
nanuska_153 @rwmg this book is called "Half the Sky",it was written to discuss a gender global problem,it is not an essay about sexual violence in general, or even exclusively about sexual violence.There has never been a shortage of voices to tell men's stories. As a victim of sexual assault myself too,I can confirm that sexual violence against women is also trivialised and more often than not the victim is put on trial.Again,you 3y
rwmg Well, ok then. I am not familiar with the book 3y
nanuska_153 Again, you can't use the fact that the rape of men is horrible to shift the focus of discussion of a book that you are not reading or to deny that there is a gender problem, or that the principal victims of this type of aggressions are women. 3y
nanuska_153 @rwmg I'm sorry about what happened to you,I know how much you can suffer as a victim,but picking up the only detail about a man in the post to make it the main focus of attention makes it seem like you are denying the existence of a gender issue.If you want to know about the gender problem you can read the whole book,if you are merely interested in the subject of sexual assault and how it affects men,there are other books you can read. 3y
rwmg 👍🤗✌ 3y
34 likes13 comments
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nanuska_153
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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This is the most fucked up thing I've ever read in my life

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Creme_de_la_them
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Pickpick

An incredible book about the issues that impact woman globally, why they matter, and what can be done to address them. Things I loved: the focus on women-led initiatives by local women with lived experience, the authors didn‘t write from an office, they were traveling and interviewing and seeing first-hand the consequences of sexism, and their honesty. There are a lot of triggering topics and it focuses on a gender binary but it‘s worth reading.

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Neesay

More girls were killed in the last 50 years, precisely because they were girls, than men killed in all the wars in the 20th century...
The equivalent of 5 jumbo jets worth of women die in labor each day... life time risk of maternal death is 1,000x higher in a poor country than in the west. That should be an international scandal

1 like1 stack add
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Neesay

You educate a boy, and you're educating an individual. You educate a girl, and you're educating a village.

-African Proverb

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DivineDiana
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This book taught me so much about women who are suffering and fighting for acceptance in many parts of the world. I felt a tremendous amount of #sympathy for these women, and I was so happy that the book detailed methods to help. #nofemmeber #nonfiction

Thank you dear fellow #phillycrew members for hosting!

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This is an outstanding book 💙 5y
DivineDiana @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I couldn‘t agree more! 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I liked that they give you realistic ways to help at the end. Usually after reading these types of books, you feel hopeless. Not this one. I've done the Kiva loans, it's an inexpensive way to help, and you can relend over and over. 5y
See All 9 Comments
DivineDiana @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Exactly! Rather than feeling depressed, I felt hopeful. ❤️ 5y
Velvetfur This book sounds fantastic - stacked! 5y
DivineDiana @Velvetfur You won‘t be disappointed! 5y
Billypar Great choice! Thanks for playing this month- yeah #phillycrew pride! 😃 5y
Cinfhen Hell yeah for the #PhillyCrew 🙌🏻❣️💋 5y
DivineDiana @Billypar You‘re welcome! ❤️🥨🔔 @Cinfhen ❤️🥨🔔 5y
70 likes3 stack adds9 comments
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LiteraryHedgehog
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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I love this book. I found it so groundbreaking. Perfect book to honor on International Day of the Girl!

DivineDiana This had a major impact on me! A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read! 5y
72 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BookNerd9906
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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This book was recently recommended to me by a friend. After reading the reviews on #Litsy it just moved way up my #tbr list. #shepersisted

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This book is so good, and inspiring. 5y
BookNerd9906 @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Good. I need some inspiration. Another heartbreaking decision for women in America, I‘m feeling defeated. (edited) 5y
34 likes2 comments
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hwestfall
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Pickpick

This was an intense book to read. It is graphic in the descriptions of violence against women. I don't think they did it in a sensational way though. They are just reporting the facts. The book was informative and made me aware of wonderful organizations doing important work around the world.

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hwestfall
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This book is so intense that I can only read a chapter at a time.

"It has probably become more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in an armed conflict."

DivineDiana It is. Eye opening for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 6y
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hwestfall
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Now that is a start to a book!

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cariashley
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Pickpick

An excellent book on the global oppression of women. It was written nearly 10 years ago but that‘s not really noticeable (unfortunately, the issues raised are still very current). It‘s a hard read/listen at times - there are unspeakable horrors described in these pages - but there‘s hope too. Photo is a google pull of the authors.

DivineDiana This book had a profound impact on me. Excellent! 6y
55 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Soubhiville Yes! This is a special book! 6y
49 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DivineDiana
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I believe all of my Litsy friends should read this book. It details the lives of women living in parts of Africa and Asia, and the atrocities that are part of their daily existence. I thought I had a general awareness of women‘s issues, but this showed me that I had a lot to learn. Yet, it is a hopeful book that gives specific suggestions that anyone can do to help to make this world a better place. #mustread

Reggie Do you ever listen to the Moth Podcast? They have all kinds of stories but there was this one from a woman who grew up in Afghanistan and she couldn‘t learn to ride a bike growing up because it was forbidden to be outside where boys could see you. I know that comes nowhere near the atrocities in this book but just hearing stories like that make you think. 6y
DivineDiana @Reggie No, I have not heard of the Podcast, but I will look for it! I agree with you. Hearing these stories gives us a worldwide perspective. Thank you for letting me know about it. 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This is a really good read. 6y
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DivineDiana @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I listened to the audio and now I want to own the book for reference. 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @DivineDiana I also liked how they give you hope and ways to help. That's often lacking when you read about these kinds of stories. There is a 2nd book too. 6y
DivineDiana @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Thank you! I did not know about the second book. 6y
JaclynW @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I didn't know there was a second book! I own Half the Sky but haven't read it yet. 6y
cariashley I‘ve had this audiobook forever, need to move it up my list!! 6y
Hooked_on_books This book is incredible. 6y
DivineDiana @JaclynW I‘m glad you own it! It will transform you. 6y
DivineDiana @cariashley I hope you do. 🙂 6y
DivineDiana @Hooked_on_books Agree wholeheartedly! 6y
82 likes18 stack adds12 comments
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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💖 Half The Sky -Nicholas Kristof
❤ Green Rider - Kristen Britain
💛 Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood
💚 Pinterest, Litsy & Friends
💜 The Fifth Season - NK Jeminsin

#recommendationrainbow

66 likes1 stack add
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DivineDiana
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New car read. #booked2018 #feministclassic
From the very beginning, I am being reminded how fortunate I am to live in the United States. Many women in this world are experiencing a very different and difficult existence.

Hooked_on_books This book is so good. Vital. 6y
DivineDiana @Hooked_on_books So glad someone else hear read it! It did not show up when I searched. 6y
Hooked_on_books @DivineDiana I read this one years ago, long before Litsy. I wish everyone would read it. It would help us to better understand the realities of our world. 6y
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DivineDiana @Hooked_on_books I was encouraged to read it by a group of women who devote time to helping women. Looking forward to reading it. 6y
TieDyeDude I remember seeing the PBS documentary and being blown away. I hope the book is good 6y
DivineDiana Thank you! I didn‘t know there was a documentary too! 6y
59 likes6 comments
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SubwayBookReview
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Owen: “I‘m reading this book for my women‘s health concerns class. We‘re working through topics like reproductive health, gender identity, self-esteem, and how to navigate the health care system as a woman. Women thriving around the world is the most important thing we can invest in. If you are radical in your politics and want to eliminate oppression, you have to look at all the intersections. This book is accessible and heart-wrenching.“

79 likes6 stack adds
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ReadingEnvy
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Pickpick

An interesting book that also serves to (somewhat accidentally) drive home that world-wide issues effecting women cannot be magically solved by a white savior corporation with wads of cash. Instead, education and access to resources seems to be key, for women to change their own worlds.

75 likes1 stack add
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ReadingEnvy
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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When your current novel and current non-fiction read have many shared themes...

Lindy 👍👍 6y
mrozzz That‘s amazing! 6y
85 likes2 comments
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Jensol77
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Megara
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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“What would men be without women? Scarce, sir, mighty scarce.” — Mark Twain

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riversong153
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
Pickpick

Finished this last night. This was a REALLY tough read. It‘s about oppression of women in developing countries. The stories of trafficking, rape, prostitution and devaluing of women and girls made me want to puke. I had to take so many breaks reading this. I‘m sad that I wont get to have the book club discussion after suffering through reading this. Of course my problem is a #firstworldproblem and nothing like what these women go through.

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riversong153
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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No_One What a great quote! 😃 6y
AmyG You think? 😳 6y
27 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Jensol77
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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First book for my Book Club. I'm having a hard time 'enjoying' this read. It will defiantly spark a lot of debate. Has any other book club discussed this?

riversong153 I‘m reading this now. I‘ve only gotten through the intro And chapter 1. This is a tough but important read. My bookclub is discussing in 2 weeks! 6y
Jensol77 We discussed the first three chapters. The next part about maternal mortality is just shocking. Many discussions to come. Let me know your thoughts. 6y
8 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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It continues to be very important that we read books and understand struggles for human rights for all people all around the world. Then, we need to speak up and act. We cannot let progress be undone.

#SaveTheWorld #AndItsAugust

Bklover ❤️ 7y
Cinfhen Well done 🙌🏻💕 7y
See All 13 Comments
Lmstraubie Yes 7y
UwannaPublishme Right on! 👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻👍🏻👍🏻 7y
mrp27 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 7y
DrexEdit Elie wiesel has been on my #TBR for too long. And the March boxed set is just sitting on my coffee table. Must get on these! 7y
Debiw781 Oh this is a good pic for the prompt!! 7y
JaclynW I completely agree!! I'm doing my best to teach this to the next generation. 😊 One of my daughter's favorite books is I Am Malala. She even follows Malala on social media and keeps up with stories in the news about her. She is obviously inspiring my daughter. 7y
sprainedbrain @JaclynW that's great! I have 3 daughters and 2 sons, and I'm doing my best to raise them well! 7y
JaclynW @sprainedbrain Awesome! There IS hope for the future! 7y
144 likes13 comments
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SconsinBookyBadger
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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"You educate a boy, and you're educating an individual. You educate a girl, and you're educating a village."
African proverb

11 likes2 comments
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drokka
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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This is one of my favourite non-fictions about women. Not only is about women, but it's about women helping women.

queerbookreader Fun fact! I worked as a work study student at my college's civic engagement office, and once I was allowed to sit in on a conference call interview with Wudunn!! She's a brilliant woman 7y
queerbookreader *WuDunn, whoops. That was what originally put this book on my radar, but I haven't read it yet! 7y
58 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Born.A.Reader
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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I actually started this yesterday, appropriately, and it's such a sad, though informative, eye-opening read. It was on Emma Watson's recommended books list.
#LitsyAtoZ #LetterH @BookishMarginalia

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BamBamSushi
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
Pickpick

I ran across a review about this book and it reminded me of the impact this book had on me. It was one of those life changing books. I was sheltered and uneducated at the time I read it and it sent me on a journey to learn about inequality and injustice. I read it many years ago (or so it seems) but it has stuck with me for years. It even pushed me to get my Masters Degree in Social Work. Such a great eye opening yet heart wrenching book.

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literarymermaid
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Today is International Day to End Violence Against Women. These are some great books if you wanna get spun up on the history and some things that are being done about it. There are things that anyone can do in these books for people who want to be a part of ending VAW.

BamBamSushi Half The Sky changed my life. Love that book. 7y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Linsy
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Decided to show some lady love for #novemberland today. #bluebooks #www #wonderwomanwednesday

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RebeccasReading
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Well, it's come to the point of my moving in process where (most of) my books have been found. The problem is, I currently own one book shelf. I do not think it is up to the task. 😂

CoffeeBooksRepeat Been there! 7y
RebeccasReading I'm definitely going to ask for a bookshelf for Christmas :) 7y
19 likes2 comments
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literarymermaid
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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I know the book spends a good deal of time talking about oppression but it was also #inspiring to me, as was how simple it could be to help a woman across the world get help by promoting little known organizations like Kiva and the Fistula Foundation. Both are easy ways to help people, which inspired me to do just that.
#photoadaynov16

WOCreads This sounds so good!😊📚 Enjoy! 7y
Linsy I agree! I was really inspired by this book. 7y
15 likes2 comments
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the_hibernator
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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My year in nonfiction since last #NonfictionNovember. Half the Sky is my favorite.

Cinfhen I love non fiction! I'm gonna check out your titles😊thanks for sharing💗 7y
Laura317 I've read Quiet and I Am Malala. Both were excellent. I'll check into some of your others. 7y
the_hibernator @Cinfhen I love nonfiction too, and usually don't read enough of it. I did well this year. 7y
the_hibernator @Laura317 both of those were fantastic, though I feel she overstated her case in Quiet. 7y
Kathrin 💜💜💜💜 Its one of my favorites too!! 7y
46 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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sprainedbrain
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Pickpick

Very powerful accounts of oppression of women and girls around the world. So many of these stories are difficult to read, but ultimately inspirational and eye-opening. I read this for #oursharedshelf and I am glad that I did.

Also, my first book finished for #readathon 👍

UwannaPublishme 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
91 likes7 stack adds1 comment
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sprainedbrain
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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I made some oatmeal fudgies for the kids last night, so they will have some #readingsnacks after school. However, I'm sick, and can't taste anything, so I will just have some tea and orange juice with my book... after work. 😷🙁

#booktober

Tanner Those look deelish! Feel better soon! 7y
Cinfhen Feel better🤒😷 7y
Bibliogeekery Feel better 7y
See All 13 Comments
BibliophileMomma Get well soon! 7y
melbeautyandbooks Feel better soon! 7y
Scurvygirl Feel better!💚 7y
Mindyrecycles Wish you could take a sick day. 🙁 7y
Robinsroute Get well soon! 7y
kylienoele I hope you feel better soon! 7y
sprainedbrain @TheCanuckReader I second that motion! 7y
sprainedbrain @Mindyrecycles Me too, but I have too darn much to do... it's almost over though! 7y
89 likes2 stack adds13 comments
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sprainedbrain
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Dinner! Hoping to read a few more chapters of this book before the debate. 😱

Megabooks Yum!! 7y
Mamashep Such an eye-opening book! 7y
MarticaMustRead Powerful book! 7y
109 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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desertbibliophile
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Pickpick

Simultaneously cried, got angry, sympathized, and felt motivated to get off my lazy, privileged ass and do something. Loved this book.

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Suelizbeth
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Pickpick

This book is the September/October pick for Emma Watson's Goodreads book club. It is my favorite selection of all of the books that we have read. It is particularly relevant given the current political climate. The title is taken from a Chinese proverb: "Women hold up half the sky."

8 likes2 stack adds
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AGirlAndHerBooks
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Today is International Day of the Girl Child. I can only urge everyone to read this! It was a game changer of the mind and heart for me. It should be required reading of both women and men. #dayofthegirl #changetheworld

13 likes4 stack adds
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WellReadCatLady
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Suelizbeth
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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This is such a good book.

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Eralon
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
Pickpick

This book goes really well with Poor Economics, which explains a lot of he research referenced in this book. I think it's excellent.

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desertbibliophile
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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This just happened. I am a super hero. It's official.

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Kathrin
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
Pickpick

One is moved by the personal accounts and once a cause is attached to a name and a story, it has a much bigger impact in people's minds and I think this is what the authors wanted to achieve and what I feel they achieved.

To me, this book sounded well researched and not only focused on the positive, but also mentioned the pitfalls of international help. I also like that they were talking about cost efficiency of the different initiatives.

MrBook Great review! 8y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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desertbibliophile
Half the Sky | Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn
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Women hold up half the sky. -Chinese proverb #oursharedshelf

10 likes1 stack add