Oh what a happy Thursday January 7th was! The world held its breath on this happiest of Thursdays as the one and only, Emma Watson, created a book club!!

*slight pause for cheers or any exclamatory reactions and responses*

The UN Women Goodwill Ambassador is an incredible role model for all, but she really outdid herself this time! It all started with a seed, an idea, to expand literary horizons across nations.

The seed was planted on Wednesday, January 6th as a casual twitter post:

Overnight, with a little water and wonderful suggestions from twitter fans, the seed blossomed into a beautiful flower of feministic power:

And just like that… “Our Shared Shelf” was born into this world and it set up shop right on GoodReads!

Emma even included a personal note on the website to members:

“As part of my work with UN Women, I have started reading as many books and essays about equality as I can get my hands on. There is so much amazing stuff out there! Funny, inspiring, sad, thought-provoking, empowering! I’ve been discovering so much that, at times, I’ve felt like my head was about to explode… I decided to start a Feminist book club, as I want to share what I’m learning and hear your thoughts too.”

The all-feminist book club is for anyone and everyone interested in an incredible reading journey. The club already has over 90,000 members! That could lead to tens of thousands of little book clubs! For now,“Our Shared Shelf” is a virtual book club and Watson is hopeful that each month a book will be selected and read. Everyone will have a month or so to read it and the last week of each month will be dedicated to a cyber-discussion all about the work.

It will be what they call, “a good ole-feminist time!” (Everyone is invited!)

A book discussion with Emma Watson? Oh dear, music to your ear(s)?

The first book announced was Gloria Steinem’s My Life on The Road, and even Gloria Steinem herself jumped on the band-wagon! This book is a peek into Gloria Steinem’s life as a traveler, an activist, and a catalyst for change.

Barely a week into it and Emma was already near the halfway mark:

Already at the top of her class--Hermione doesn’t have to join, Emma IS the Hermione of the book club.

Who doesn’t want to read and chat with our girl, Emma? Sign up and join the conversation! And don’t be afraid to start your own book club! Reading and learning is an important part of what being a global citizen means.  

Intersectionality, activism, and women's empowerment!

TopicsFeminismEmma WatsonReadingHarry Pottergirls and women

Editorial

Demand Equity

Would Hermione Granger join Emma Watson’s new book club?

By Gina Darnaud