most influential book #1- The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf

In the spirit of 2 of my favorite things: reading and lists, I will compile the most influential books of my life. In my efforts to avoid form in this blog, they will be listed at random in no particular order.

#1- The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf

Sure, I know this is a cliched Feminism 101 book, but I can honestly separate my life into 2 parts; before The Beauty Myth and after.

I got my hands on a copy when I was about 20 years old, although the damage had already been done by then and it would take years (or maybe even a lifetime) to undo. I was a month away from moving overseas and staying at my best friends apartment. She was going to university at the time and had a copy on her shelf. I picked it up and gave it a chance. It ripped the wool right off of my eyes. Forever.

Oh how I wish for this book to be required reading in grade 9 classes! If you haven't read this book you should. Especially if you're a woman. Especially if you're a man. I hope my unborn daughter will read it before she starts to hate herself and starts believing her worth is measured by how beautiful the world thinks she is.