pickNot That Bad is a powerful, unflinching collection of essays on sexual violence and survival. Edited by Roxane Gay, it brings together voices that reveal the heavy, often invisible toll of rape culture. Raw, brave, and essential—this book is a must-read for anyone willing to confront harsh truths and listen deeply.
pickVery, very insightful and enlightening. Addressing ageism, racism, homo/transphobia, and of course sexism powerfully in one fell swoop. It‘s one of those books everyone should read. As enjoyable a book as there can be on such a grim subject.
pickA expertly compiled book of essays on rape culture. This covers several different types of experiences grounded in the same principle.
This will be highly relatable for many women (and some men) and a good portrait of the female experience for men (and/or any non-survivors) interested in reading about it.
Definitely straightforward narration - so read with caution if this is a triggering topic for you
#bookspinbingo free spot
pickSometimes I am amazed that women haven‘t set the world absolutely and totally on fire.
"I know these conversations are uncomfortable and difficult and painful. But they are necessary. Addressing misogyny, toxic masculinity, and rape culture is necessary. Addressing what should and should not be deemed consent is necessary." -Gabrielle Union, Wiping the Stain Clean
pickThis audiobook is as tough to listen to as you would think, but so necessary. I appreciate that each author read their own essay for the audiobook and that they had a range of experiences and came from diverse backgrounds: different races, income levels, and a few from the LGBTQ community.
Now I have to go read something light, fluffy, and life affirming.
pickI‘m late to this book, so I‘m not going to say anything groundbreaking here... this is an important, difficult read. Essays from a diverse group of authors dealing with their very personal stories and feelings about rape, misogyny, abuse, violence, and various other horrors that contribute to the patriarchal rape culture we are living in. The audio is great: each author reads their own story.
It IS that bad, and we should all be angry.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• City of Bones and Serious Moonlight
• I really love art and history, so I go to a lot of museums and galleries
• Not That Bad and How to Be A Woman
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain
pickI am Roxane Gay‘s biggest fan, so I had this anthology on my to-read list for a while. If you enjoyed Bad Feminist or Hunger, you‘ll want to read this too. As anyone may have guessed by the subject material, it was hard to read, but necessary.
pickExcellent and necessary. But not easy.
Audio version of this intense book.
pickSuch a phenomenal anthology! All the essays are very emotional. It opened my mind up to a lot of different perspectives on rape, misogyny, feminism, and society at large. I think this is a pivotal read for anyone who wants to learn more about rape culture.
Another deserving book that was recognized at the Lammys yesterday. 🎉🎉🎉 #LGBTQ
#Violations was probably my first introduction to rape, & I think, at 11, I was too young to understand it.
When I rewatched the series at 25, this was one of the harder episodes for me to watch. I still don‘t watch it often.
I read Missoula a couple of years ago. It was hard also, but no longer shocking. I want to read Not That Bad, but I have to be in the right mindset, & I just haven‘t been there yet.
Curious to see what other Trekkies think
pickI'm going to echo what a lot of reviews have said: absolutely essential reading for anyone who isn't a survivor of rape. There's a haunting similarity in the accounts of how others respond when the authors described sharing their stories. Many reactions are cruel or callous, but others are well-intentioned and it's important to hear why those responses are not the support survivors need.
I started listening to this one while at work and had to turn it off after an hour, the stories told were heartbreaking and made me angry. Angry at the state of the world, angry at our patriarchal society, angry at people who think they can lay claim to our bodies. Just anger.
This book!!! This book is a collection of short stories about the rape culture. It is hauntingly reminiscent of what we women have come to endure. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this is a must read for all young women and men .
...because my angry vagina rendered me mute.
pickI‘m glad I listened to the audio but I think I‘ll be purchasing a copy of the book too. Some essays resonated more than others but every single one is important, heartbreaking and infuriating 😔 Something needs to change and soon. The last essay just says it all.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
so-soListening to women‘s stories is important. Some essays in this collection are both powerful stories and phenomenal writing.
pickThis was a hard read, but incredibly well put together. A series of essays by various contributors who have all been victim to a form of sexual assault.There doesn‘t need to be a lesson or moral in each chapter, these stories don‘t exist for our pity, they are here for these women to tell their stories and for someone to listen. That is all there is to it and that in itself is important.
An hours walk yesterday by the river and 20 mins in town today. The pub is called The Artful Dodger 👍 #animal #nameinabook #litsywalkers
Another hour and a half walk to town and back, and a bit wander around the shops.
This book is just making me angry and sad 😔 #litsywalkers #flag
An hour and a half walk round town today and went to the book sale at the library. Love this little independent bookshop 🍏 #litsywalkers #greenitem
This quote really stood out to me seeing as I went to a college just like this and it is so painfully real.
LOL. A little pointed levity while reading a heavy book.
pickThe audio version of this book is phenomenal, with each poignant essay read by its author. The essays cover rape and rape culture from a wide variety of experiences. It will piss you off and make your heart hurt, but it is an important read. I would recommend, as long as you‘re emotionally ready and willing to check in with yourself throughout to provide self care if triggered. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I didn‘t hit 24 but I finished 2 books and made a big dent in 2 more and had a blast! I do ❤️💕❤️ a Readathon! #24beforeMonday #24in48
pickMade me very sad and very angry. Well done to all the contributors for being able to speak out. Truly f in awful that all this still happens in any society.
Train reading today. Family meet up in York to visit son 😁 This is not light reading!!
Got my list of bookshops that I may be able to persuade people to visit from the lovely @squirrelbrain
pickRoxane sheds light on rape culture by letting others tell their story. She acknowledges that there are so many other books at this time documenting the same subjects, but hopes that as we look back on this time, her writing is part of what is to be sure a bigger movement. 4/5
pickThis was such a hard book go read. A lot of what these writers said resonated with me on a deeply painful level.
They were able to articulate thoughts and feeling I thought I only had. Because of this... I encouraged my husband to read it as well (he starts it tomorrow).
pickIt might be a bit strange, but this concept affected me the most...
First book for my challenge for 2019 is Not That Bad
But I‘ll be reading other books in between and during this challenge.
pickA challenging, confronting, critically important collection. Required reading.
“How is the (un)dead raped child supposed to write, even if she survives?” - So Mayer
pickThanks again @irre for this recommendation. One of the most important books any person can ever read. These essays were so moving and I appreciate their bravery with telling each of their stories. #NewYearWhoDis
pickIf you have any basic understanding of rape culture, you can already guess that this would be a rough one. An amazing of array of personal essays, some exceptionally poetic, from diverse pov on the many varied negative impacts of rape culture. An important read for anyone who feels we can use more empathy, and awareness of the way our culture views consent and sex, which I think is all of us. 5 out of 5 on GR
Have the day off and have a couple of hrs to start this one. Thanks @irre for the recommendation, looking forward to reading this one.
#NewYearWhoDis
Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture | 
