Review: We Were Feminists Once: From Riot Grrrl to CoverGirl, the Buying and Selling of a Political Movement

We Were Feminists Once: From Riot Grrrl to CoverGirl, the Buying and Selling of a Political Movement by Andi Zeisler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice look at feminism's history (like it was once okay to fire a woman for being "too pretty" and a threat someone's marriage). And later branding. Once a dirty word, it was later embraced to sell shit. Written prior to Trump's 2016 election, feminism is once again a dirty,"woke" word among some groups of people. And for others it means what it has always meant.
Feminism: to believe in women and men's equality in economic, social, and political matters.

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Review: Just Add Water: My Swimming Life

Just Add Water: My Swimming Life by Katie Ledecky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Katie Ledecky made history again in Paris. This was interesting; she wasn't the best swimmer when she started, but loved it. She talks about the level of sacrifice someone goes through for elite level training. As a teen, no hanging out with friends, etc. Fun reading about her relationship with her brother (and parents).
She also talks about Title 9 and the opportunities that came from it the woman athletes of yesterday did not have. She also points out the difference in coverage women's sports get vs men's sports. Overall, an interesting book from an interesting person.

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Review: Too Hot to Handle

Too Hot to Handle by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


At 28, Rita is at a crossroads. She has always been compared to her famous chef mother and found lacking. So when her mother's restaurant burns to the ground, she decides it's time to do something else. One of her mother's last wishes was her children to jump in the Ocean in Coney Island NYC on New Year's Day. So Rita and her somewhat estranged sibling go on a road trip to NYC.
Jasper has a reputation as the town bad boy. He is trying to overcome that reputation and has been a respectable bar owner for the last several years. He is also building a restaurant next to his bar. He comes to the Clarksons's aid when they break down just outside his town's limits.
It is instant love for Jasper when he meets Rita. I liked them together, but Rita was a bit annoying. For 28, she read younger. Anyway, they fall in love after 3 days.
I am interested in Aaron's story, maybe Peggy and Belmont too. We shall see.

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Review: One Way Back: A Memoir

One Way Back: A Memoir by Christine Blasey Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Christine Blassey Ford was thrust into the spotlight and judged because she came forward to talk about her assault as a teenager by another teenager.  This teenager we all know was Brett Kavanaugh who was confirmed to the Supreme Court; for life/until he decides to retire.  He got the job.  She had to go into hiding and have 24/hr security for herself, her family was also threatened.  

I have some memories of Anita Hill testifying.  I was 13 and most of it went over my head.  I don't remember it being discussed in school nor did my mom talk about it with me.  The consensus certainly seemed to be, be a "good" girl!  I certainly remember CBF much more since this is more recent.

This is her story, told from her perspective.  I have so much admiration for her.  What she did took an incredible amount of courage.  I had no idea about the amount of threats she got (and continues to get).  And how careful she has to continue to be.  

She brings up the double standard with men and women.  Men are almost seen as telling the truth, given the benefit of the doubt.  Women just aren't.  You shouldn't have worn that.  You shouldn't have had a drink (or two).  You shouldn't (enter your own statement).  

And when it was all said and done, did coming forward make a difference?  I think you could certainly say no.  He got the job.  Just as Clarence Thomas did.  I also think you could say yes.  This is now out there and she gave people the courage to tell their own stories.  Other people know they aren't alone and there is a network of support out there.   

Believe women.

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Review: The Nanny

The Nanny by Lana Ferguson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Cassie is a nanny to a young girl- Sophie. Sophie happens to have a dad who is a chef and is hot 'n sexy & single! Cassie is a poor college student who used to supplement her income on Only Fans (as CiCi). It turns out Aidan was her biggest admirer.
What sounded interesting, was kinda boring. I didn't care too much for Cassie or Aidan. This is a 400 page book that could have used some trimming.

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Review: Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives

Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives by Sami Sage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been on a political book binge.  I'm a little more optimistic about Nov with Harris and Walz as the nominees.  The DNC convention was fun; I think it deserves a mention that lots of groups were represented with a notable exception.  There were no Palestinian American speakers (and one Ruwa Romman did have a short speech prepared).

Anyway, this book is a nice supplement, but is more geared to someone who isn't well versed in the process.  I will be leaving my copy in my neighbor Free Little Library.  

Here is the speech that Ruwa Romman could not give:

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/08/dnc-speech-uncommitted-movement-harris-walz-ruwan-romman/

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Review: Democracy or Else: How to Save America in 10 Easy Steps

Democracy or Else: How to Save America in 10 Easy Steps by Jon Favreau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the dudes at Pod Save America, a recent podcast that I discovered and enjoy. This is written by them. All have experiences in politics- both on presidential campaigns and on White House staff. I listened to the audio which the authors read (with guest stars like Jon Stewart, AOC).
Not a lot of new information, but incredibly entertaining to listen to. Each with a unique perspective based on their past experience(s).

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Review: Midnight Rescue

Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Abby is an assassin and blows up her current mission when her target (who deals with arms and sex trafficking) plans to sell some people. Abby gets herself caught (yes on purpose!) with the plan on rescuing the girls. Enter Kane, he is part of a group of mercenaries who are sent in to get Abby out.
Both characters have Traumatic Pasts that serve as a barrier to forming any type of long term relationship. They both do move past their TP in this, Abby (understandably) takes the whole book to do so.
Abby was kickass and extremely stupid- which I found frustrating. The secondary characters are likeable enough. Not sure if I'm interested in reading more.

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Review: Hidden Bodies

Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This opens up with Joe in a relationship with Amy.  He does the same stalkey things to her, except it's a bit harder since she isn't all that into social media.  It was funny what Amy did and Joe did not see that coming.  So of course, he decides he needs a change of scenery and follows her to LA.

He murders some more people that get in the way and falls for a girl named Love.  Yes, that's really her name!  She seems to be the perfect person for him; he confuses some of his past deeds and she seems to be okay with it.  She even helped him recover some evidence he left behind.

And I have to wonder what is wrong with me that I am so entertained about a psychopath and his life.  It's fitting what happens at the end and will be interesting what happens next.  

Prior to book 1 body count: 1 (Candice)

Book 1 body count: 3 (Peach, Benji, Beck).

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Book 2 body count: 3 (Robin Fincher, Henderson, Delilah).  Attempted and failed: 1 (Forty)    

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Review: I Curse You with Joy

I Curse You with Joy by Tiffany Haddish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook which was also narrated by Tiffany Haddish.  

Hilarious!  More stories about her life; childhood to adulthood.  Learn more about her dad.  Some serious moments too where she talks about racial profiling and the Black Lives Matter movement.  Excellent and told in only the way she can tell it.  

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Review: The Gunslinger's Vow

The Gunslinger's Vow by Amy Sandas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alexandra has lived in Boston with her aunt for the last 5 years.  After she is proposed to, by a gentleman who sees her helping his political ambitions, she flees back home to her father's in Montana.  Malcolm is a bounty hunter who is hunting the individual who murdered his brother.  He is a successful bounty hunter.  After an unfortunate event, he agrees to escot Alexandra (Alex) to Montana.

Both characters were interesting.  Alex for sure was more than she seemed.  The reason why she was sent to live in Boston with her aunt was interesting and unexpected.  I liked that Malcolm and Alex had more in common than they first realized.  

An epilogue would have been nice, I thought her reunion with her dad and the events after that were a little rushed.  An epilogue would have smoothed that over.  (I think).  

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Review: Who's Afraid of Gender?

Who's Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent read that touches on gender and how gender can be viewed negatively if one is different.  Those that fall out of the (narrow) scope of what a woman is of what a man is, can be, and are viewed by some as pedophiles, abnormal, and/or disgusting, etc.  There is a lot of fear and anger when one discusses gender.  It's one of many things in life that isn't black and white (for some), but rather various shades of gray (for some).  

The big thing that kept coming up and I noticed was the elephant in the room is Patriarchy.  A man is a man who is head of the household.  A woman is a woman who happily takes care of the children, home, takes direction, and guidance from her husband.  A marriage can only be between a man and a woman.  Simply thinking of gender as anything but threatens the patriarchy and puts certain ideas of masculinity at risk.  And, quite simply, they can't have that.

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Review: Rebel Rising

Rebel Rising by Rebel Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Rebel Wilson in the Pitch Perfect movies (they are the perfect movies to rewatch!) and Bridesmaids. I listened to the audiobook (narrated by the author).
It was interesting learning about her childhood. I would have never guessed she was an awkward child who ate her lunch in the school bathroom or lost her virginity at 35. She does come full circle; to fully being herself, accepting herself, and finding someone to spend life with.
I didn't know that about Sasha Baron Cohen (it's sad since he does have daughters) and I've lost some respect for him.

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