If you have no respect for yourself as a woman, you'll love this book
351843
This book was not only an insult to my intelligence, but also an assault on my education in psychology.  This book is nothing but gender role enforcement.  It truly breaks my heart to know that a single woman out there could think so little of herself that she would buy into this nonsense.
745506
Great book that everyone (especially females should read)
2507692
OMG! It is about time! So many women in the workplace have had to face the hurtful, degrading title of Bitch and now this author turns it into a badge of courage and honor! I love it. This book is meant for every woman who has made her way through the everyday obstacles of family, work and self. Insightful, humorous and at times a wonderfully different perspective on life.
2174926
If you think you know what a feminist is, you will likely question your understanding after you read much of Roxane Gay's 2014 book of individually-published essays called Bad Feminist. She's a first generation child of well-off Haitian American immigrants who boldly speaks for being a woman first, a real (but not 'essential') feminist second. As she tells it, she's only able to express her feminism and humanity by considering herself as a bad feminist.

Gay's the kind of feminist I admire and relate to best. She admits she's full of contradictions, saying one thing and doing the other, and enjoys men and feminine things. While she may not be the mythical  idea of a feminist, she's totally committed to a woman's fight for equality and against our rape culture.

I don't find her a bad feminist. I don't know what a good feminist might look like or say. It seems silly to me that a feminist is judged and judges herself. Yet it's a very engaging book. It provoked thought for a while, slowing my progress through the several hundred pages and tempting me to read some passages twice. I daresay it's not a book a militant, man-hating feminist would ever write, but it is one that a compassionate, easy-going woman like Gay would. Like I would from an observant white woman's perspective.

Gay absolutely idolizes books as her best friend and counselor. Much of her book comprises her thoughts, positive and negative, on lots of books and some movies she usually loves, but has many disappointments with them. Growing up as a minority, she still went crazy for the white, privileged life  of Sweet Valley and has recently in her thirties laughed over Fifty Shades of Grey. Hmm.

Many essays build on each other, such as when she calls out male celebrities who joke about raping women and why this angers her so much, why it's personal. She helps us to really understand where she's coming from as well as her nuanced opinions on what's supposed to be entertaining.

I don't watch that many black films, but I've seen The Help and 12 Years A Slave. Most of her opinions were of media I hadn't seen, but they certainly resonated with me.

Bad Feminist inspires me to be a real feminist! To me she's a person not limited by gender identity, who may express herself as feminine, masculine, or both. A person who transcends caricatures of feminists by being just who she is and envisions who she may become. A person who will only feel free, with inalienable rights, when the female body is no longer legislatured, controlled somehow by congressmen who use anti-abortion stances to distract the public from other, chronic issues.

It's a heartfelt, compelling voice that I am glad I could listen to. Gay is a  high school teacher, I think, who has lived and worked in Nebraska. Being from that state I naturally appreciate her humor and plain speaking, but you'll be fine. Enjoy it like spending time with a chatty, concerned best friend.
724996
It doesn't matter if you're a working mom, stay-at-home mom, newly starting your career as a young woman or advanced in your carrer as a mature woman - this book is for you.  Sheryl talks to all the roles we women play in our lives and how we have sometimes mentally, physically, or emotionally "leaned out" when we should really "lean in".  She addresses the fears we think or the words said to us and how we respond accordingly (or not). I found this book to be empowering, insightful, fulfilling and exciting.  For the first time I don't feel alone or crazy in my male dominated company.  I would encourage all women to read this book so they too can feel empowered, intelligent and worthy of a happy and full life.
1332441
Love Your Naked Ass is a thought-provoking, paradigm-shifting guide that will inspire you to take the actions that will transform the way you think and feel about yourself and your life.

Kimberly's compassionate, down-to-earth style makes this an easy, enjoyable read that leaves you feeling as though you've made a new friend. It's the next best thing to having her right there, across the kitchen table, enjoying a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine and chocolate ;) with you.

A must-read for any woman who is ready and willing to go after the self-love and pleasure she knows are her birthright.
4584799
This is the most empowering book i've ever read.  As a feminist, lesbian, and avid reader/student of women's studies, i have to say that this is the best book i've read all year.  Inga Muscio talks about female anatomy, rape, abortion, orgasms, menstruation, and prostitution.  While i didn't agree with EVERY point she made, i was shown an itelligent point of view that made me think of things i had never thought of before.  She made me feel even PROUDER to be a woman.  I have purchased copies of this book for my girlfriend and another female friend, and i intend on buying a copy for my mother.  I wish i could give this books to everyone that has ever meant anything to me, male and female, to share her  beautiful points of view.  She embraces life, praises women, and entertains all at the same time.  I recommend this book to everyone for an education and a new appreciation for women and for life.  I recommend this book HIGHLY, and you'll want 3 copies (one for yourself, one for your best friend, and one for your mother/sister!)  ENJOY!
2062936
Have your tissue ready for this one. She will have you laughing until you cry.

Sherri Shepherd declares, in Permission Slips, that no matter what a woman does, or how well she does it, she can't make everyone happy. So why not give ourselves permission to be ourselves, and make some waves, or at least, some ripples in our lives! She shares with the reader some of her own permission slips and how she celebrates life. Some chapters in the book are: Doing Everything Wrong; Permission to Date, Love, Marry, and Divorce the Wrong Guy; Permission to Pursue Your Dreams; Permission to Get Better as I Get Older; Permission to Be Less Than Perfect; and much, much more.

Her book is sensitive, honest, inspirational, spiritual, and one of the funniest books I've EVER read. Several times I laughed out loud until I cried!!! It is such a good read. I highly recommend it!!
2981748
Sometimes we get so caught up planning our busy schedules and managing the many responsibilities of our fast-paced lives that we forget who we are. We become so disconnected, even from ourselves, that we turn into control freaks--trying desperately to avoid the questions we are too afraid to ask. Then, the strangest things can snap us back into our lives. (Even in the form of an ice princess named Elsa.)

UNFROZEN is a story about author Andrea Wenburg's journey, one that will undoubtedly ring familiar to women all over the country.  Guided by her desire to please God and live out her Christian values, Wenburg shares her hidden fears of being "too much," along with her struggle to control her circumstances and emotions.  She writes candidly about the sensitive subjects of dating, marriage, and motherhood, as well as her battles with anxiety and depression. Through it all, we see her walk through an unraveling of toxic thoughts/behaviors and discover how she came to develop a healthy sense of self-worth and appreciation for who she is and what she has to offer.

This book will be of great value to anyone who feels afraid to be honest about who they are and struggles to love the imperfect parts of themselves. Readers will find a sense of camaraderie and encouragement in Wenburg's words and a hope for their future. Great for women of all ages...so get yourself a copy and then get a few extra for your girlfriends!
2057044
This book is not only imformational, but truly a book to make you laugh your butt off!!! It's as like you were talking to your best friends in your most private social group. Every women needs this even if not expecting yet, as myself!
1556436
This book slayed me. It is so damn funny, and it's also worth checking out as a refreshing voice on dating - the author is clearly a woman who wants the right guy, not just any guy for the sake of having one. There are plenty of us out there, but we tend not to be the ones to write about dating - the market is saturated with silly Cinderellas looking for their prince charming and offering advice on how to compromise yourself to get a guy at any costs. These women tell us that a woman is defined by her marital status, no matter what kind of a jerk, idiot or moron their guy may be. Judy McGuire reminds us all that no one should put up with an idiot, meanie, psycho, moper, whatever, and it's better to commiserate with friends than to settle. But this is not a feminist book - no way. Judy gives just as much space to the crazy and stupid chicks out there. By sharing these entertaining and sometimes frightening tales, she reminds us all that we deserve the best, we should behave ourselves, and that men and women may well be from different planets, but we're united by our unpleasant dating experiences. It also reminds us why "sense of humor" is one of the most important thinsg to look for in any date.
2632854
I stumbled upon Nannettes book uh Im not sure whylol, and loved it.  As a guy, I found it both redeeming and rewarding, feeling like a lifelong weight had been lifted from my shoulders.  I was finally allowed to be what I/we are as menwhich is sadly disregarded, ridiculed, compromised and disrespected in society today.

Dont think so ladies?  Well, thats my point.  Mainstream society is SO crowded with you go grrrl, you deserve to be happy, and you're entitled to do/be what you want, for women, that no matter how random, obtuse or even self-serving that may be we seem to have lost our way to community, respect and even enjoyment of the male.

While the book tends to oversimplify us, it doesnt follow the usual path of doing so to poke or put us down!  Rather, it rejoices in the simplicity of what we are, clearing a path for celebration together and encouraging (often through scolding) women to let goand learn to enjoy the incredible ride were capable of givingif you just stop holding us over the barrel for sex and attitude.

Written as a guide for women, few will get itand fewer who ought to read it and get it willwhich is sad.  Like some of the reviews herein, the mainstream female is more likely to get caught on the notion that letting go and doing what he wants and needs, in his male termsis somehow a step in the wrong direction, feminism wise!  I can assure you, nothing could be further from the truth.  Having such a woman myself, who gets it and has let goshe has me forever, so close and dear that there just aren't words!

And for men?  Creative Screwing is their 50 Shades of Grey not only because it makes it okay to have a penis, but rejoices in everything that comes with it.  Raw, hot, theatrical, boiling lust rises out of the groin and dives deep into the heart and soul, where its not only acceptable to be malebut in everyones best interests to join in and celebrate.  Nannette makes no bones about using the language of men as it applies to sex and love; dirty, guttural, and crude as it comes.  In so doing, she not only shatters the barriers, taboos, and predispositions that keep women at arms length from their men, but affirms every mans path to the deepest kind of love that most women (and men) only dream about.

Bravo, Nannette.  Get the book gang!  I bought three, for myself and male friends.  The ONLY downside?  Trying to share this with women will surely have the air that you are trying to sell them on it!  But, if you have, or can find one that can put that on hold long enough to absorb the contents  AND try it outyou will have no need for anything else in your life, ever!  Well, other than food, sports, and beer, ha ha!
2422453
This book is so inspiring and funny with a twist of thrill! Mindy really put herself out there the way any of us could even imagine... and in a middle of all this she helped women to be recognized and be equal with all human kind.  I'm deeply ashamed for those of you who didn't get the point of it all and starting to wright offensive comments about this girl. Perhaps you never traveled out of the country or experienced other cultures? Btw I loved her nail polish ;) great job Ms Mindy Budgor!
720124
This is a book for every woman. I read similar books by Melissa Ambrosini, Gabrielle Bernstein and the like but they all sounded disingenuous and cliched. I didn't - couldn't - relate to them at all. The only feeling I was left with after putting them down was nausea.

Gala is none of this.

I note that a lot of people in Goodreads have put her down. To be honest, given the lack of weight in their complaints, I view this whinging as backhanded compliments. Shots of jealousy if you will. After all, she's written a damn fine book that is easily digestible, offers some good advice and allows you to consider what I find to be a valuable perspective. She's not trying to get anything into schools, she's not fashioning herself as a guru, not telling you to do this or do that and, most importantly, unlike the Bernsteins and Ambrosinis of this world, she is not in your face.

I don't have the benefit of having followed her blog for years so I can appreciate the book on its own. And it stands up well on its own. Most bloggers find this transition difficult and their efforts bomb. Not so with Gala who manages to saddle both spheres with dexterity and aplomb. Sure, some of what she has to say might strike you as rewrapped wisdom but her voice is her own.

And it is for that very reason I need to look at why I was easily sucked in by her.

Gala Darling's representation of her alleged eating disorder and depression are quite damning as is her promotion of 'tapping' which absolutely has no evidence based reasoning attached to it at all. Her repeated assertions that her eating disorder disappeared overnight are worrying. Tapping does not fix psychiatric problems. And eating disorders have nothing to do with food. They are psychiatric disorders requiring serious, professional intervention. That she flips so blithely through this sets off more than a few red flags.

She also talks about radical self love as being a feminist issue, espousing the ideal that we all just be ourselves, that we don't need any materialistic things to make us happy within ourselves and yet when I look at Gala, I see her surgically altered face, breast implants, couture clothing, expensive handbags and all the trappings that come with money and I start to see the shallow cracks emerge in the whole radical self love facade.

This book is an entertaining read. Gala Darling is an excellent confidence woman. She crafts her writing carefully and her message is beautifully sculpted bulls***. But it's what we all long to hear. So we buy it. And we drown in it and lift her out of it with our collective worship.

This is a book for every woman. As a stark warning to them that there are some seriously deranged people out there who want you to believe their own rubbish so they can make money out of you. If radical self love means anything to you it must mean that you keep away from maniacs like Gala Darling.
2776109
A magnificant book, which worth more then a college degree.

 I loved reading this book. It tells you that you as a pretty woman can rule the universe. But it also tells you that don't expect that things happen by luck or by accident. You got to know how and where to use your beauty and you got to APPLY the strategies revealed in the book. Some parts are cruel and some parts are funny and some parts are seriously cruel and incredibly funny at the same time. I read this book about six weeks ago and applying the knowledge already brought wonderful things in my life.

  Girls, don't forget the key is to TAKE ACTION. Without ACTION the book itself won't change your life. Without dressing feminine and going out to the right parties and the right places you are not going to meet the men of your dream. And don't forget, it's not all about the money. Is about being a wife of a man who is confident, smart and is in iron grip control. Those men have charisma and character. They will pamper you and create abundance in your life.

 I strongly recommend this book for every woman who does not want to live her life working in a 9-5 job, having financial difficulties, doing housework and being mistreated by the "wrong" men and then finaly at age  50 realize: "I made a terrible mistake. If I can undo what I did and be 20 again I would do it completely differently. I would marry a millionaire and have a wonderful life."

 No, you girls don't want to end up like that, do you?

 I don't think so. I worn you, if you don't read the book and apply it it will happen to you. Just look around and examine 90 percent of the female population and talk to them, especialy those in their 40s or 50s. Its a free study, examine your neighbours, your relatives and your acquintances.

 If you do what most of them did 30 years ago, you'll end up getting what ther have now: Nothing, but 30 extra pounds and problems. And look the 10 percent who did the right thing:Ivana Trump, Zsazsa Gabor(she is old already but she managed to have 8 or 9 rich husband one after the other),

Melania Trump etc. Those women are radiating from happiness.

  Girls, Take action today
1697369
I loved this book so much. Every woman who loves women should read this. I listened to it while I was at work and was smiling like and idiot and sighing lovingly for much of the book. It has many heartbreaks, but also a sense of hope that pervades. I fell hard for Sarah, she was such a beautiful, robust but delicate character.
3563063
Absolutely loved this book. It goes in my list of books that all women should read (which I really should write out someday). If you're struggling with religion and identity like me, this will surely get you facing the right direction.

The writing was fantastic, the story was beautiful, and the dialogue was amazing. So many comedic moments, and so many deep emotions. Sue Monk Kidd is a very talented writer.