Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it (some I‘ve had so long I don‘t even remember why!). Feel free to join in!

#ABookADay2024

An intriguing collection of Gay‘s personal essays ranging in topics across feminism, talking about race, sexuality, reproductive rights, sexual violence, & police brutality.

Such an intense read, that I had to take in small chunks, especially the section Gender & Sexuality. I found myself highlighting a lot. It‘s fascinating to see how feminism has evolved in the last 10 years, & yet how we are still fighting the same goddamned fights. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

What a great exploration of feminism, intersectionality, and pop culture. At times, I wish she would have explored some topics just a little deeper, but overall this was both entertaining and informative. If you're just beginning your anti-racism journey, this is a good start.

I really thought I had posted this already, but I guess I was about as good at posting in October as I was at reading. Since I finished a big, fat zero books during my favorite month (and because I‘m feeling super into sugar skulls right now - check out my Paint & Sip creation from last Saturday!), I‘m sticking with a spooky/Dia de los Muertos theme for November. Thanksgiving is just gonna have to wait. #Roll100

One of my current reads. #schoolspirit #essays

Obsessed 🤩 with this metallic pink 10th anniversary edition that we got at the library today!

I've been meaning to read this book for so long and finally managed to. And to say it is a must read, would be an understatement. Although I didn't like a few chapters and it got deviated a lot from the actual topic. I would pick a book on Black history if I wanted to read so much of that.
Keeping that aside, it's a great book. Roxane did a wonderful job and I would definitely be picking more from her.
4/5🌟

Went to see Barbie yesterday. Absolutely loved it. Has me thinking about books, pink(ish) books about feminism and the patriarchy.
A nonfiction list:
Shrill by Lindy West
Bad Feminist Roxane Gay
Make Trouble Cecile Richards
Eloquent Rage Brittney Cooper
Feminasty Erin Gibson
All About Love bell hooks
Difficult Women Roxane Gay

#WomensHistoryMonth
#Recommendations 1of31

There was an article in The Guardian this week about Gay "I'll always be a bad feminist". Just in time for Women's History Month!
When this first came out I think I did not understand intersectionality as well as I should have and it took me a few readings of the essays to really understand. Gay's writing is immaculate so rereading over and over is a pleasure.
A great book for struggling feminists!

More heartbroken than angry at the moment.
Awed by how few pages this writer needs to make a well reasoned argument. I appreciate Gay's perspective, her candor, her incisive way of getting to the heart of the issues, often encapsulating uncomfortable truths and navigating trauma.
That being said, big, BIG warnings for SA, and some internalized fatphobia.
Reminder that this was published in 2014, watch out for gender binary and Cosby references.

A welcome reminder to save the struggle to categorize for the library shelf.

👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

📢

Int👏🏻er👏🏼sec👏🏽tion👏🏾al👏🏿.
Got a feeling I'm going to be doing a LOOOOT of highlighting...

#pridebookrec #nonfiction week

Not just one book but any book by Roxane Gay. Amazing writing with common sense criticism and powerful stories. Here are some of her nonfiction reads

*please check TW first, which is ironic as she discusses trigger warnings as helpful but also not to assume what people need protecting from*

“I believe feminism is grounded in supporting the choices of women even if we wouldn‘t make certain choices for ourselves.”

“I would rather be a bad feminist than no feminist at all”

“It‘s hard to be told to lighten up because if you lighten up any more, you‘re going to float the fuck away.”

I like her. And this collection of essays gave me things to think about. 100% would debate her over wine and a game of scrabble on if I really WAS too hard on Sheryl Sandberg. The media criticisms were among my favorite topics.

a major complaint tho, in the comment w/
⚠️Trigger Warning: rape/sexual assault of a minor -

I‘m putting this TW because Gay “doesn‘t believe in them” “life doesn‘t have TW” “a TW will not keep you safe”

So, I haven‘t been enthralled by this book, chapters about scrabble, reality TV, Sweet Valley High. but this chapter is talking about how we judge women in books. People will review an unlikable female protag negatively as, “someone that I wouldn‘t want to be friends with” while no one says that of iconic male “antiheroes”… it‘s interesting.

Do you feel you have to “be friends” with the narrator? I love to hate some of these bitches. Honestly.

#Roll100 selections for March!

Book #64: 🎧 Aubiobook. Aside from the really long essay on Scrabble (lol), I found this an interesting, educational and mostly entertaining audiobook. It kept me company on a few long car rides and long days at the office. My favorite essay was on the Hunger Games.

I love Roxane Gay. This book is a little out of date but only in the sense that the author's situation has changed. One weird thing about the #audiobook is that it's read by Bahni Turpin instead of the author. Which is maybe only weird when she's talking about having an accent. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

#BookSpinBingo square 10
@TheAromaofBooks

Some essays were loosely related to feminism. Overall a great collection of essays.

I‘ll be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed by this collection of essays. Maybe it was a matter of being overhyped for so long, but I was looking forward to reading this, and was kind of disappointed in the end. The premise is spot on - Gay examines her complicated relationship with feminism through the lens of being a “bad feminist,” something I can definitely relate to. When Gay focuses on her personal experiences the book works really well 👇🏼

Though there were some essays I skimmed through, overall, I enjoyed Gay's input for feminism and what feminism means to her. I particularly liked her last few essays about being a "bad" feminist and what that means for her. Thought provoking and engaging, I am glad I heard Gay's essays over the last few days.

I really wish she‘d release another essay collection (like, today! right now!), so that I could get her thoughts fresh out the kitchen. As it stands, Bad Feminist is one of the very few back-list titles I‘ve encountered that I wish I‘d read as soon as it was released. It‘s still worth a read, but it would‘ve been better at the time. My full review here: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/bad-feminist-roxane-gay/

"Pink is my favourite colour. I used to say my favourite colour was black to be cool, but it is pink - all shades of pink. If I have an accessory, it is probably #pink." #QuotsyFeb21

Started on this and really enjoying!!! 😍😎😍😎😍