I didn’t have a good title for this post, but I’ve tried 3 times to write something similar and it hasn’t worked yet, so we’re going with this title for the time being and maybe someday I can come up with something better (I’m open to ideas!)
The thing is, I’ve been reading books lately by male authors and I’m surprised by how much I am liking the female characters. I’m reading a Brandon Sanderson book right now and damn if he doesn’t write females that I like. And variety. They aren’t all simpering male-hunters or just background or evil hags or… pick any of the stereotypes that plague female characters.
I also can’t help but see elements of discussions of race and equality in books lately. I’m seeing political discussions that I’m not sure whether the author meant them or not. Authoritarianism vs. independence, responsibilities of leaders to those they lead – I can’t tell if the art is reflecting my own thoughts or if the authors I’m reading are also picking up on the political climate of our world.
They say “art reflects life” but could my life be reflecting in art? I don’t know. But sometimes when I get hit by something that makes me go “did they reference Kapernick kneeling or am I imposing my own experience there?” There have been multiple times in reading books that have come out in the last year or two I feel that way and it’s getting freaky. I can’t decide if my brain is twisting or if society is filtering into these authors’ words.
Dream by Day 