My Body, My Book Club

BODILY AUTONOMY: UNITING THROUGH BOOKS

In collaboration with The Vavengers

About the Book Club

My Body, My Book Club aims to connect people and create communities. We read fiction books (with the odd memoir here and there too) that deal with different aspects of how we understand bodily autonomy and exemplify how we can get involved and support each other.

Issues such as gender-based violence, racism, homelessness, displacement, abortion, obstetric violence, and the rights of marginalised communities, like the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ groups, are just some of the topics we cover.

All opinions expressed during book club meetings are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect those of My Body, My Book Club or the charities it supports.

Book Club Guidelines

How it Works

We know this is heavy stuff, but the book club hopes to foster empathy as well as raise awareness and question established narratives. Our main goal is to connect communities. So, for each session, we partner with a charity working with the subject we will be reading about in the novel, and we invite an expert on the topic to join our chat. (Also, all proceeds from the sale of tickets will be donated to the month’s charity.)

Too Busy to Read the Book?

We understand that people are busy and life happens – so please do join us even if you don’t manage to finish the book in time. We will also always provide other ways in which you can get involved and learn more about the subject in the "Next Book" section, whether it’s through a video or a blog post.

About the Host

Dr Julia Martins is a historian of the body, an activist, and an unapologetic bookworm. She is an Activism Outreach Supporter with The Vavengers, a member of the Charity Committee of the FGM Education Project, and an editor at the Feminist Perspectives Collective.

She writes about gender history and history of medicine, and how history can inform contemporary feminism.

You can check out her YouTube channel Living History and her website, and follow her on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram.

My Body, My Book Club was launched as part of her involvement in the Abortion Rights UK Activist Bootcamp.

Next book

The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante

From the international bestselling author of MY BRILLIANT FRIEND

Leda is devoted to her work as an English teacher and to her two children. When her daughters leave home to be with their father in Canada, Leda anticipates a period of loneliness and longing. Instead, slightly embarrassed by the sensation, she feels liberated, as if her life has become lighter, easier.

She decides to take a holiday by the sea, in a small coastal town in southern Italy. But after a few days of calm and quiet, things begin to take a menacing turn. Leda encounters a family whose brash presence proves unsettling, at times even threatening. When a small, apparently meaningless, event occurs, Leda is overwhelmed by memories of the difficult and unconventional choices she made as a mother and their consequences for herself and her family. The seemingly serene tale of a woman’s pleasant rediscovery of herself soon becomes the story of a ferocious confrontation with an unsettled past.

The Lost Daughter is a compelling and perceptive meditation on womanhood and motherhood, exploring the conflicting emotions that tie us to our children.

We encourage everyone to borrow books from their local library, but if you plan on buying a copy, please do so through here. (All proceeds will go to the charity of the month.)

In December, we're featuring Pregnant Then Screwed, a charity dedicated to supporting and advocating for the rights of mothers and pregnant women, ensuring they are treated fairly in the workplace and beyond.

About our Guest

Hannah Witton is a OG YouTuber and content creator. For over 10 years she made sex and relationships education content and has shared her journey with fertility, pregnancy and parenthood. Now she works behind the scenes with creators mentoring and coaching, while continuing to make lifestyle content about books, slow fashion, soft productivity, parenting, and finding joy and play in adulthood.

Pregnant Then Screwed is a leading charity advocating for the rights and fair treatment of mothers and pregnant women in the UK. Dedicated to combating discrimination, they provide practical support, legal advice, and campaign for policy changes that protect women facing challenges in the workplace. By raising awareness and promoting gender equality, Pregnant Then Screwed helps mothers reclaim their rights and build resilient, empowered lives for themselves and their families. Their work is transforming society's approach to motherhood, creating a fairer and more supportive environment for women across the UK.