Thoroughly modern millennial

Author: Ria

  • Non-Fiction For A New Year

    Non-Fiction For A New Year

    Just a over halfway through January fam! Still feeling inspired? Or are you flagging a bit? Never fear, here’s my quick fix recommendation. Pick up one of these four non-fiction books to help give you a boot up the backside and get that ‘New Year, New Me’ feeling back again.

    Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert

    This was my 2017 ‘get your head in the game’ January read, so the inspiration it’s given me is very much fresh in my head. Elizabeth Gilbert, likely most famous to most as the author Eat Pray Love, tackles creativity in her latest dive into self-help. The book is mostly about harnessing and embracing creativity, with a spiritual and mindful approach. To be honest some of it does get a bit too spiritual for my liking, but some of the ideas presented about creativity being more of a sentient being than a personal characteristic is definitely interesting.

    Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own by Kate Bolick

    You may remember my review/follow up post on this one last year, but if you’re perhaps struggling with your single status this one is for you. It provided me with a nice reminder that our self worth should not be measure in romantic entanglements and that plenty of women have flown whilst in and out of relationships. The of the point being we should embrace our wonderful, individual lives.

    Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain

    Classified under one under one of the books that changed my life. I reviewed this one eons ago, and even though I identify more as an extroverted introvert nowadays it’s a nice one to flick back to every so often. Useful for both introverts and extroverts alike, Quiet so eloquently restores faith in the idea that introversion is your biggest strength, not a crutch.

    The Good Immigrant (edited by Nikesh Shukla)

    I love a good essay collection and The Good Immigrant is certainly one of the most thought provoking I’ve read in a while. The stories and personal essays are all written by BAME authors, artists, and actors on race and diversity. Some are serious, some humourous, but they’re all insightful and wonderfully written. It’s particularly great to hear experiences from minorities living in the UK, as often conversations about race tend to focus more on the US narrative.

    — — —

    Have any of these pick already inspired you? Are there any that I have missed off the list that you think I should read?

    Ria Xx

  • Ways To Support The Women’s March (if you can’t attend in person)

    Ways To Support The Women’s March (if you can’t attend in person)

    We may be only a few days away from the inauguration of President Trump (vomits), but there’s a much more significant event happening in DC just a day after.

    The Women’s March on Washington is due to take place next Saturday (21st January), with many sister solidarity marches happening all over the USA, and in the UK, Australia, Canada, and many other countries. After a fraught and divided 2016 the mission for the march is to bring forth a global conversation about women’s rights, diversity and equality. It’s affirmative, non-violent action in the face of a year that has both physically and vocally threatened the lives of women and minority groups. More importantly it’s an opportunity for people around the world to stand united in the face of corrupt, misogynistic governments, institutions and people.

    “…We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.”

    – Women’s March Mission Statement

    Whilst attending marches and protests is a powerful tool, I know there are many passionate activists who cannot attend for financial or logistical reasons, are not physically or mentally able to attend. But there are many other ways in which you can participate, some of which don’t even involve getting off the sofa.

    Financially support protesters

    Protesting is costly. There’s travel expenses, accommodation fees, and food bills to consider, all before you even pick up a placard. Even if you can’t make it to a march, there may be someone who is dying to go, so why not help them out. If you are financially able donate to the Women’s March fund, sponsor transport, or have a look on their Facebook group or individuals on GoFundMe. Even the smallest donations make all the difference – think bottles of water, the cost of a return bus ticket or even printing costs for posters and banners.

    Educate yourself on the issues and organisations the march is trying to protect

    People aren’t marching for the sake of marching. The issues that underpin a protester’s motivation to march is just as important as showing up on the day, so swot up on what’s at stake. There’s a heavy focus in the US on protecting reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood – who’s federal funding is likely due to stop once Trump’s Administration in office. In the UK the Women’s Equality Party, Amnesty International, Verve, The Equality Trust & Unite are all key sponsors for the London March, and there are countless other charities around the world that are aligning their values with the protesters this weekend. One easy way to support these organisations is to learn about them and what they do. The next step, support them financially, volunteer, or educate others.

    Get loud online

    Linked with the last point, once you know what rights and issues are at stake, shout as loud as you can about them. Scour hashtags, promote the march on social media, repost articles, or encourage others who are based in nearby cities to attend in your place. Tweet media outlets and journalists urging them to cover the marches and the issues they are raising. Share articles and correct facts to stop the spread of fake news. And don’t limit yourself to your Twitter feeds. Get the message out on Instagram, Snapchat, your blogs (wink wink nudge nudge) and Facebook. Engage everyone you can, as vocally as you can.

    Keep talking

    Long after the protesters will leave DC, New York or London, the issues they have marched for will still (unfortunately) exist. The DC organisers have already noted aiming their rhetoric at Trump himself is not effective. Take Trump out the equation and we still have a divided world filled with racism, sexism, and homophobia. They have instead insisted the Women’s March’s priority is to raise awareness of pro-women issues. And we need to be consistently vocal about that fact. Hate does not dissipate over night. Which is why these important conversations need to be kept alive. The march is step one, it’s up to us to follow through.

    — — —

    I’ll be making the most of these tips myself (as I’m unable to attend the London march *sad times*), but I hope you guys take these on board too!

    Ria Xx

  • Favourite Films Directed by Women

    Favourite Films Directed by Women

    It’s awards show season!

    Once again many of this years’ nominees are looking overwhelmingly white and male. Even with Golden Globe wins this past weekend for films like Moonlight and actors like Viola Davis and Donald Glover, it’s equally important for women to be given chances to shine behind the camera as well.

    It’s high time we shone a light on some seriously talented female individuals who’ve directed movies across a huge cross-section of genres. Here’s my top 10 films

    Virgin Suicides

    Directed by: Sofia Coppola

    Based on the 1993 best selling debut novel of the same name by American author Jeffrey Eugenides, the film tells of the brief lives of five teenage sisters in a middle class suburb near the outskirts of Detroit during the 1970s. After the youngest sister makes an initial attempt at suicide, her sisters are put under close scrutiny by their parents, eventually being confined to the household, which leads to their increasingly depressive and isolated behaviour.

    13th

    Directed by: Ava Duvernay

    A 2016 American documentary by director Ava DuVernay. Centered on race in the United States criminal justice system, the film is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which outlawed slavery (unless as punishment for a crime). DuVernay’s documentary argues that slavery is being effectively perpetuated through mass incarceration.

    Whip It

    Directed by: Drew Barrymore

    American sports comedy-drama film based on the novel Derby Girl. Tells the story of teenager from the fictional town of Bodeen, Texas, who joins an all-female roller derby team.

    Clueless

    Directed by: Amy Heckerling

    A coming-of-age comedy film loosely based on Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’. Cher, a high school student in Beverly Hills, must survive the ups and downs of adolescent life. Her external demeanor at first seems superficial, but rather it hides her wit, charm, and intelligence which help her to deal with relationships, friends, family, school, and the all-important teenage social life.

    You’ve Got Mail

    Directed by: Nora Ephron

    Two business rivals who despise each other in real life unwittingly fall in love over the Internet.

    Bend It Like Beckham

    Directed by: Gurinder Chadha

    A comedy about bending the rules to reach your goal. Set in Hounslow, West London and Hamburg, the film follows two 18 year olds with their hearts set on a future in professional soccer.

    Bridget Jones Diary

    Director by: Sharon Maguire

    Bridget Jones is an average woman struggling against her age, her weight, her job, her lack of a man, and her many imperfections. As a New Year’s Resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth. The fireworks begin when her charming though disreputable boss takes an interest in the quirky Miss Jones. Thrown into the mix are Bridget’s band of slightly eccentric friends and a rather disagreeable acquaintance who Bridget cannot seem to stop running into or help finding quietly attractive.

    Wayne’s World

    Directed by: Penelope Spheeris

    Adapted from a sketch of the same name on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Wayne’s World is a wacky, irreverent pop-culture comedy about the adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne and Garth. From Wayne’s basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called “Wayne’s World” on local public access television. 

    The Matrix

    Directed by: Lana and Lilly Wachowski

    In the near future, a computer hacker named Neo discovers that all life on Earth may be nothing more than an elaborate facade created by a malevolent cyber-intelligence, for the purpose of placating us while our life essence is “farmed” to fuel the Matrix’s campaign of domination in the “real” world. He joins like-minded Rebel warriors Morpheus and Trinity in their struggle to overthrow the Matrix.

    American Psycho

    Directed by: Mary Harron

    A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.

    — — —

    My list is just the smallest slither of talent that’s been festering around Hollywood for decades and as you can tell the range of stories being told is incredible. In my top 10 we have ‘fluffy’ rom-coms, comedy, sci-fi, documentary, satire and thriller; we have women from both the US and UK; trans women and women of colour. You have women directing men and women telling female narratives, both serious topics and feel good tones.

    And this list doesn’t even count the women in foreign cinema particularly in South East Asia or South America, up and coming directors like Mira Nair (Queen of Katwe), So Yong Kim (Lovesong), and Amma Asante (Belle), and the hordes of independent artists online making short films for YouTube or Vimeo.

    There’s more work to be done but there’s already great advocates for women via the Geena Davis Institute and the recently launched Alice Initiative. The future seems bright for women behind the camera, I only hope Hollywood gives them the recognition one day too.

    — — —

    This was my top 10 but I’d love to hear what some of your own favourites are too. So, shout of some badass women in the comments!

    Ria Xx