Calendar Girl is a monthly meme now hosted by Katie@nevernotreading and Adrienne @darquedreamer
The Calendar Girls is a monthly blog event that was created by Melanie at MNBernard Books, and Flavia at Flavia the Bibliophile. It was inspired by the 1961 classic song by Neil Sedaka and created to ignite fun bookish discussions among readers and bloggers.
Each month we get a new theme and choose our favorite book for the theme. The participants get to vote for their favorite.
Strong female leads – I’ve read my share, and there are loads out there to choose from. Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games is an obvious choice, and so is Starr from The Hate U Give (my Calendar Girls selection from last month), but for different reasons. Nemesis from S.J. Kincaid’s Diabolic series is the epitome of a strong female lead, physically, emotionally, and mentally. The things she’s had to deal with would break most people. The cliffhanger at the end of the second book in that series nearly broke me.
But I decided to go with a character from a book I recently finished – Rhen Tellur from To Best The Boys. She lives in a world where girls are taught how to make good wives, rather given a traditional education and encouragement to pursue their own dreams. Being exceptionally intelligent and gifted in science, Rhen’s says, ‘Screw that’, and makes different plans for her future. She poses as a boy, enters an all male competition to win a scholarship, and throws society’s expectations of her right back at their faces. Rhen doesn’t allow anyone else to dictate who she is, what her dreams should be, or how she can achieve them. Girl power!
Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port receive a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. Every year, the poorer residents look to see that their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.
In the province of Caldon, where women are trained in wifely duties and men are encouraged into collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her Mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.
With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone’s ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the maze.
Chyna from Koontz’ Intensity is a strong female character I’ll never forget. Dang, she was brave and determined and compassionate. Good post!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh – I read that book, Priscilla! But it’s been so long, I don’t remember anything about it. It’s on my shelf downstairs – I should take another look.
LikeLike
Pingback: Calendar Girls March: Favorite Book with a Strong Female Lead | Never Not Reading
I thought about picking Katniss too! I’ve never heard of this book before, interesting choice! Seems like it’s similar to The Hunger Gams.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It actually comes out tomorrow – and it’s such an amazing book. There’s probably a splash of The Hunger Games, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That book really seemed to make an impression on you. The author must be thrilled. I know I’d love to have the same impact on my readers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I wrote this post, I didn’t realize the review would be posted just a few days before this one. But yes – I’m definitely a fan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great theme for the month! I know you really enjoyed To Best the Boys.
Of the books I’ve read recently, the character Darby Thorne from No Exit, made a lasting impression on me. She would get my vote!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really did, Mae. I tried to choose someone who wasn’t so well know – give the newbie strong females a chance, lol.
Is No Exit the one you recently reviewed on your blog?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, No Exit was in my January reviews. Darby was the girl trapped at a snowbound rest area. She got caught up protecting a young kidnap victim from a killer. Sooo good!
And I love your reason for picking the book you did! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Rhen doesn’t allow anyone else to dictate who she is, what her dreams should be, or how she can achieve them.” THIS!! YES!!! I love your choice and now I really need to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d definitely enjoy this one, Adrienne – it’s released tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Calendar Girls: Women’s History Month (Favorite Book With a Strong Female Lead) – Mermaid Reading
Teri I love your choice! I have read and loved your review. This book gets so many praises right now that I just have to order it 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe you and Adrienne, just above you, could have a group read, Sophie!
LikeLike
I love strong female leads, particularly ones who defy stereotypes no matter the cost. The book sounds good, Teri. I can feel your enthusiasm. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And this female lead was so charming and likable, Diana – very easy to root for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the sound of this! Great pick!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lucinda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many characters I could choose but mine are not very original and not all are MCs. (And it’s late and I’m tired so…)
Katniss is a fav. Hermione. Jo from Little Women. Blue from The Raven Boys series.
This book sounds awesome, Teri.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. All of them. Someone else participating in Calendar Girls chose Hermione – an excellent choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This book almost sounds similar to Brave, the Disney movie. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Leanne! That’s one of the Disney movies I haven’t seen. I’m really behind – probably one of the only people who still hasn’t seen Frozen.
LikeLike
Pingback: Calendar Girls March Wrap-Up | Never Not Reading
Pingback: Calendar Girls March Wrap Up