Our Top 10 Books
Some must read books for the modern woman There are 3 sections here, the first recommended reading is for things everyone should know in order to be informed in our society these books are our top choices we are sure there are others we missed or forgotten so we will be adding to them, although as we have said on the home page please feel free to let us know if you can recommend any books and we'll check them out. The second section is for books through history that have made a real difference to women.
Brief Encounter (1945)
A few good womens fiction books we highly recommend there are several classics here as well as some classics to be Our TOP 10 for Fiction Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin Emma, Jane Austen Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier Little Women, Louisa May Alcott Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding Notes From A Small Island, Bill Bryson The Color Purple, Alice Walker
All About Eve (1950)
Recommended Self Help books ... What women need to know in business Nice Girls Don't get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel 101 unconscious mistakes women make that sabotage their careers. Very interesting how2 book lets you know what women do wrong in the workplace and how to be taken seriously Relationship help Women who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood Really well written and helpful guide on his how to recognise and break the patten of destructive relationships. How to Cope with and Reduce Stress The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook by Martha Davis, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, Matthew Mkay and Patrick Fanning This is a comprehensive workbook on how to not only reduce stress in your life but give you the tools to cope. Highly recommended by the professionals How to acknowledge and reduce your anger The Danger of Anger by Hariet Lerner P.Hd This is a comprehensive workbook on how to not only reduce stress in your life but give you the tools to cope.
Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961)
Nominated for 5, won 2 Oscars Adaptation of Truman Capote's Novella, Audrey Hepburn is a flighty street savvy New-Yorker getting by from living of the gifts her gentleman admires bestow. Hepburn befriends George Peppard (her upstairs neighbour), a kept man trying to become a writer. Their relationship soon turns to love and threatens the to compromise their off beat lives. Hepburn’s chic designer dresses are wonderful. Vulnerable but uplifting tale
The Color Purple (1962)
Nominated for 11 Oscars This Stephen Spielberg adaptation of Alice Walkers novel is a tour de force of triumph through adversity Alice Walker's novel. And became popular hit, Spielberg really knows how to show emotion and you get a big dose of it here. This is simply a great movie that all women should see. Whoopi Goldberg, made her screen debut in this movie and proves her real acting talent
Terms of Endearment (1983)
5 Oscars Inspired by Larry McMurtry's book. This is a true time of the month film (definitely get you’re tissues ready). A complex mix of a combative mother daughter relationship that hold together through various ups and downs in love and loss, and most especially through a terminal illness. Played by Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger with Jack Nicholson winning an Oscar for his supporting role. The true delight of this film is with real entirely believable charters and that you feel truly engrossed in their world.
Working Girl (1988)
Working Girl (1988) - Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best picture Witty, romcom looking at corporate life for women who haven’t attended the right school. Life in the corporate jungle stars Melanie Griffith as Tess McGill, an ambitious secretary who takes over her classy bosses office, apartment and wardrobe (Sigourneey Weaver) after a skiing accident. Uplifting film with Harrison Ford.
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Driving Miss Daisy (1989) - 4 Oscars including Best picture This moving film records a 25 years of an ageing Southern widow (Jessica Tandy) and her loyal chauffeur (Morgan Freeman). This initially difficult relationship blooms into a true bond and they develop a deep mutual respect and admiration. This is a funny bitter sweet film deservedly in our “must see list”.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Nominated for 6 and won 1 Oscar This modern classic road movie is a smart and funny gender reversal of the standard Hollywood buddy formula. Although this film was recognised at the time, it was highly underestimated as it took on more of a feminist charge, with characters that became instant cultural icons. The story is about two best friends (Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis) who embark on an adventure that turns into an interstate police chase after a traumatic incident makes both women into fugitives this film is said to be the one that launched Brad Pitt.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (1991)
Nominated for 2 Oscars Adapted from the book Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe Kathy Bates stars as a 40 something wife struggling with her husbands disinterest, she befriends Jessica Tandy a old woman and listens to her story of a lifelong friendship of two women in the 30’s which encourages Bates to take a more commanding role in her life. Filmed with dignity and grace this film inspires us to listen more and judge less.
Titanic (1997)
11 Oscars This film is a phenomenon on par with all the great love stories keep your tissues handy but if you haven’t seen it yet you must have been living under a rock, global box-office receipts of over $1 billion and winner of 11 Academy Awards including best picture and director, produce the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time, this movie has it all, romance, passion, luxury, epic scale, a nasty villain, and a tragic life-threatening event, it is beautifully filmed and really gripping. What more could any woman want from a film!