April Roundup: Recommendations from the Badass Women's Book Club

Check out what your fellow Badass Women’s Book Club members were reading, watching, doing and listening to in April!

What We Were Reading

Are you a Meg, Jo, Beth or Amy?  I loved Little Women when I was growing up (Team Jo!) and I was so excited to check out “Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: The Story of Women and Why It Still Matters” by Anne Boyd Rioux.  This book argues that Louisa May Alcott was a feminist way ahead of her time – and it has me wanting to read the original again!  I’m also intrigued by this graphic novel that’s a modern retelling of the story (because there is no faster way to get my thirteen year old uninterested in a book than to suggest I loved it when I was her age!)

All about POWER – starting with this article about millennials and how growing up seeing powerful women impacted their lives and careers. It’s a great prelude to a new book by Lydia Fenet, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You: Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to Success.  Fenet, Managing Director of Christie’s and a seasoned auctioneer, shares the secrets of success and the strategies behind her revolutionary sales approach to show you how to embrace and channel your own power in any room. It’s a fascinating book full of profiles and tips from some of the most powerful and successful women in business, fashion, journalism and sports.  The Most Powerful Women in the Room is one of nine recently-released books I recommended as best books for personal development. Check out the full list here.

Speaking of millennials, our July Badass Women’s Book Club author, Anne Helen Peterson, has a new book deal!  The book – CAN’T EVEN – is based on this Buzzfeed article she wrote about how millennials became the burnout generation.

And speaking of Anne Helen Peterson – she was the author of our July 2018 book, Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman. I have shared before how outraged I was to read the chapter (Too Loud) about “chick lit” author, Jennifer Weiner and her battle with  Jonathan Franzen.  The battle still rages on – but here’s a way we can fight the power by telling publishers we want more books by women.  Bonus: Weiner has a new book coming out in June – Mrs. Everything – it’s a loose biography of her mother’s life and it’s great!  Maybe a future Badass Women’s Book Club pick?

 What We Were Watching

Rachael Ray!  Her OG series – 30 Minute Meals – is back on Food Network and updated for a whole new generation of aspiring home chefs!  When she debuted on Food Network in  2001 the channel was dominated by male chefs. Her fun and relaxed personality made her an instant fan favorite. Dorie Clark featured Ray in her book, Stand Out, and also in this article from Entrepreneur magazine on how to separate yourself from your competition (hint: be your badass self!).

Last month I suggested both the podcast, The Dropout, and the book, Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, about Theranos founder, Elizabeth Holmes. Seems the public can’t get enough of this story!  Hulu has just ordered a limited run series featuring SNL star Kate McKinnon in the lead role.

Beyonce’s Homecoming on Netflix.  If you love it and want more, then I recommend the recently released Queen Bey: A Celebration of the Power and Creativity of Beyonce Knowles-Carter by Veronica Chambers.

Avengers: End Game . Maybe.  (Three hours is a long time!)  But, I did enjoy this article about the most feminist movies in the Marvel universe. Is your favorite on the list?

 What We Were Doing

Celebrating Independent Bookstore Day (it’s today!) Do you #bookstagram?  If so, then congratulate yourself for doing your part to support books and indie bookstores!  (and if you do #bookstagram then follow us @badasswomensbookclub!)

Admiring our Ta-Da List!  The perfect remedy to the never-ending To Do List, the Ta-Da List helps you celebrate what you DO accomplish – allowing you to end your day/week/month/year on positive note.  

You can move “gift buying” from your To Do List to your Ta-Da List with our Badass Women’s Book Club Shopping Guides for Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week and Graduation! 

 What We Were Listening to

NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour’s discussion of Shrill, the new Hulu show starring SNL’s Aidy Bryant, that’s based on the book of the same name by Lindy West. 

A new podcast by Bad Feminist author, Roxane Gay (#TBT to our August 2018 book!).  Much like her books and essays she’s promising “Hear to Slay” will merge the “high brow, the low brow and everything in between.”  The first episode dropped this week on Luminary.

Until Next Time

I’m always interested in what you’re reading, watching, doing and listening to! You can drop me a line at hello@badasswomensbookclub.com