Sociology in Books

I am a book lover through and through, these are some of the books I feel give us an interesting insight into society, be that ours or another version of it.

Please leave your recommendations too 💜

When everyone is watching you can run, but you can’t hide…

2051.

Marlow and her mother, Floss, have been handpicked to live their lives on camera, in the closed community of Constellation.

Unlike her mother, who adores the spotlight, Marlow hates having her every move judged by a national audience.

But she isn’t brave enough to escape until she discovers a shattering secret about her birth.

Now she must unravel the truth around her own history in a terrifying race against time…

This book explores influencer culture and the desperation some people have to be in the public eye regardless of the consequences or sacrifices. It follows two timelines but these are easily distinguishable from each other, one is set before 'The Spill' and feels more like the society we live in now whereas post 'The Spill' it is dystopian and reminiscent of The Truman Show or Big Brother. The characters are well developed and hateable all at the same time.

Sociological Links: Citizen Journalism (Bivens), Cult of Femininity (Ferguson), Dramaturgical Model (Goffman), Life Course Analysis (Haveren), Beauty Myth (Wolf).

As an ex con artist, Nora has always got herself out of tricky situations. But the ultimate test lies in wait when she's taken hostage in a bank heist. And this time, Nora doesn't have an escape plan ...

Meet Nora. Also known as Rebecca, Samantha, Haley, Katie and Ashley - the girls she's been.

Nora didn't choose a life of deception - she was born into it. As the daughter of a con artist who targeted criminal men, Nora always had to play a part. But when her mother fell for one of the men instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con herself: escape.

For five years Nora's been playing at normal - but things are far from it when she finds herself held at gunpoint in the middle of a bank heist, along with Wes (her ex-boyfriend) and Iris (her secret new girlfriend and mutual friend of Wes ... awkward). Now it will take all of Nora's con artistry skills to get them out alive.

Because the gunmen have no idea who she really is - that girl has been in hiding for far too long

The book 'The Girls I've Been' was thoughtfully written and truly explored the idea of identity formation, you understand that Nora has a past but you don't know what it is and therefore you don't feel the need to judge, however as time unfolds and the story develops you begin to find out who she really was and why she was that way. From a Sociological viewpoint this is a fascinating exploration of socialisation, identity and nature vs. nurture. Highly recommend.

Sociological Links: Dramaturgical Model (Goffman), Impression Management (Goffman), Impression Motivation and Construction (Leary and Kowalski), Socialisation (Parsons, Durkheim), Pick and Mix Identities/Plastic Identities (Baudrillard), Labelling (Becker), Self Fulfilling Prophecy (Rosenthal and Jacobson).

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

I love this book. I cannot express how much I love this book. It is old school glamour, desperation for wealth and fame with a sprinkle of sexuality and coming out. This book should be read by everyone regardless of age, gender or position in society. Evelyn is powerful and cutting in her stories, she does not take fools and knows what she wants. The twist is unexpected and will leave you reeling. Monique is less so, Evelyn steals the show which I think is the right thing. This is currently being made into a TV show/film. Keep an eye out for the mention of Stonewall and the beautiful relationships that are explored.

Sociological Links: Dramaturgical Model (Goffman), Impression Management (Goffman), Impression Motivation and Construction (Leary and Kowalski), Beauty Myth (Wolf), Backlash of Feminism (Faludi), Representations of women (Wolf and Tebbel), Representations of masculinity and sexuality (Connell, Whannel, Easthope, Gilmore, Gill, Batchelor).