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

We've Been Put Through Fire & Come Out Divine: Stories of Hope & Survival edited by Mary Simmerling

“A testament to the courage and strength of survivors of sexual violence and abuse. These writers take us through their healing process to the reclamation of their lives—and their joy!—offering inspiration for us all.” — Ellen Bass, author of The Courage to Heal

We’ve Been Put Through Fire and Come Out Divine: Stories of Hope & Survival is a raw and powerful anthology that documents the harrowing experiences of survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The collection explores the loss of identity, agency, and voice that often accompanies trauma, painting a stark picture of its damaging effects.

The pieces take us on an internal journey, where we witness the writers engage in writing as both craft and healing, weaving together words from their memories and experiences to narrate and shape their stories. The narrative arc of this anthology moves from documenting the terror of traumatic events towards the reclamation of self. The early pieces carry a heavy weight that reflects the enduring shadow of trauma. Yet, these are not just stories of pain and loss. These writers have chosen to respond with agency and creativity, transforming their experiences into an unflinching testimony of the damage done by abusers, but also a testament to the strength, vitality, courage, and resilience of survivors. In the final pages, the women articulate their own manifestos, outlining how they will live going forward.

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 January, we're featuring The Vavengers, a charity dedicated to ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls

About our Guests

Mary Simmerling is a poet, scholar, and activist dedicated to advancing social justice, ending violence, and healing trauma. She leads writing workshops with survivors of sexual violence and trauma and is committed to listening to, nurturing, and freeing silenced voices, as well as amplifying voices of rebellion, reclamation, and resistance

Ginger T Rex is a SAG/Aftra actor and a writer. She has worked with Paul Greengrass, Margot Robbie, and Matthew McConaughey, and she was honoured to play Mother Mary in a film to be released next Easter. Ginger writes stories and textbooks for struggling readers at storyshares.org and is trained to lead writing workshops using the Amherst Writers & Artists method. She shares the power of her own story through short stories and poetry in books published by Write Where We Belong Press.

The Vavengers is a UK-based, survivor-led charity dedicated to ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). They focus on raising awareness, providing direct support to survivors, and advocating for social change. Their initiatives include educational campaigns, pop-up support hubs, and training for health professionals, all aimed at creating a world free from gender-based violence