She Writers, what are you reading? We are introducing a new feature on She Writes (well, new-ish), an invitation to ALL She Writers to tell us what you are reading now. We have had the wonderful luck to have several of you contribute columns to our "What She's Reading Now" series (if you want to pitch us on one, check out the submission guidelines here), but we'd like to add a component to this that's a little more fast and loose: take a snapshot of the book (or books) on your bedside table, and give us a line or two about what you are reading now. In case it isn't obvious, I am a complete and total book-aholic, and am always reading something. (Just finished Tess of the D'Ubervilles last night, lest you think I only read books written by women -- far from it!) In addition, I always have a stack of books on my Ikea-nightstand, cued for launch, my version of an "on-deck" circle. I wanted to share them all with you, with a special shout-out to those written by She Writers I adore. BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY: The Election That Changed Everything for American Women by Rebecca Traister I have been wanting to read this book ever since I got hooked on Rebecca Traister's brilliant reporting -- and political commentary -- during the 2008 election on Salon.com. If you like your critics smart, deep, and fearless, you will love it too. THE FOREST FOR THE TREES: An Editor's Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner If you want to know why I'm going to (re)read this, read Erin Hosier's post about this seminal book, now in a revised edition, from last week on She Writes. It pretty much says it all. GREAT HOUSE: A Novel By Nicole Krauss (who is not a member of She Writes -- somebody, please invite her!) I was intrigued by the NY Times Book Review cover story on this book, and particularly keen to read a young woman writer frequently mentioned as one of the best American fiction writers working today. (See, NYTBR does matter, which is why we have to stay ON THEIR CASE about reviewing and featuring books by women!) The History of Love is also on my list. BUNNY LAKE IS MISSING (Femme Fatales: Women Write Pulp) By Evelyn Piper I love this series from the Feminist Press (thank you Jean Casella!) "In this fraught and at times freakish tale of suspense, Evelyn Piper takes us deep into the psyche of the 1950s to explore American fetishes, fallacies, and fears around motherhood and sexuality. " Need I say more? DO IT ANYWAY: The New Generation of Activists by Courtney E. Martin I am lucky to count the inimitable Courtney Martin as a friend, but even if I didn't, I would have been drawn to this book. In these trying times, stories of activism, featuring young people with strong beliefs and the will to risk everything in the service of their mission -- feels like just the thing I need to inspire me and restore my hope. THE MUDDY CUP: A Dominican Family Comes of Age in a New America by Barbara Fischkin I love literary nonfiction and stories generated by cultural analysis and reportage, and this title and its subject spoke to me. One of my closest friends (who also happens to be the woman who cares for my children while I am at work) immigrated here from the Dominican Republic, and I am eager to read this book to deepen my understanding of her experience. SEARCHING FOR TAMSEN DONNER By Gabrielle Burton On a recent trip to California, I had the great pleasure of meeting Gabrielle Burton (who joined Hope Edelman, Carley Knobloch and me for lunch), and we agreed to do a book swap -- I sent her mine, and she sent me hers. I am really looking forward to reading it -- Gabrielle's reputation as a novelist was enough to hook me, but the Booklist description sealed the deal: "Burton was first drawn to the story of Tamsen Donner in the 1970s, just as she was becoming enmeshed in the women’s movement...The result is a thoughtful and engaging blend of history and memoir that inspires the reader to delve further into the Donner party’s fate, while at the same time enjoying Burton’s struggle to be both a full-time mother and successful writer." Mother writers -- I think this one should move up fast on your "to-read" lists. So...what are you reading now? Take a pic of your bedside table, and share a few lines about the books you are reading, or plan to read soon. If you tweet, give those authors some Twitter love with the hashtag #WSRN. And don't think you have to be reading books (almost) all written by She Writers. But I think it should be obvious (by now) that I will never miss a chance to shout a She Writer out -- or read her latest book.