Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman

I am a long time audiobook fan (I like to read with my ears) but I have never binged listened to any book before this. May Lindy West continue to lead platoons of strong, smart, out spoken women whose armor and weapons are their wit and hilarity.

So, It's my pick for bookclub and I was looking around the Internet for a "beach read". That was the same night Hillary clinched the nomination and when I saw the title "Shrill" I thought how appropriate. I emailed my bookclub ladies and started the book the next day. After about 30 minutes of listening I emailed them back and said, "oops, probably not the book for us" and picked another book. The first 30 minutes were so incredibly personal to me that the thought of having to discuss the book with my bookclub ladies was more then I thought I could bare. The funny thing is I have been in bookclub, every month, with these 5 women for 15 years! They know everything about me. They love me, warts and all, but this book was taking me to a place that I wasn't sure I could tolerate exposing to them.

I can't remember the last time a book has made me challenge my own thoughts, stereotypes, bias, and judgements as this did. I feel simultaneously embarrassed and righteous.

What a gift Lindy has given to all of us women. I only wish I had a fraction of her strength, wisdom, humor, beauty and grit.

Job well done. Must read.

I didn't know this author before this book (not well enough to be excited, at the least), and I am VERY GLAD to have heard it. There are chapters I would like to use in my syllabi in the fall and winter. I would recommend this book as an eye opening approach to life in modern womanhood. She is careful to transact in intersectionality (doesn't pretend white women are the only people on earth). I deeply appreciate that. And she doesn't let any false burdens of "correctness" detract from her story, her life, her experiences. I greatly appreciate that. Worth the listen, for sure.

Lindy West is my hero. Her writings make me feel less alone in being a woman. She humorously and unflinchingly looks at some of the darkest parts of modern womanhood. Reading this felt like the quiet conversations you have with a best friend that you think no one else understands. She is a social justice warrior and speaks on behalf of those who are often silenced. This book makes me feel more courageous about standing up to those who silence me when I speak up about injustice.

I am left forever changed in ways that I didn't know possible. The wind was kicked out of me and at the same time my heart grew larger - articulation of this wonderful woman is so amazing and completely honest! I will forever be in debt to Lindy.

Lindy West's is a voice we need and I'm so happy her book is in the world. If you're a fan, some of these essays will be familiar, but they're enriched a great deal by being presented all together. She's funny and trenchant on the topics she's best known for, but a lot of my favorite moments were the more personal ones. Her account of her father's death and the work she and her now-husband did to build their love and make a family both brought tears to my eyes. Also great to have this on audiobook because her delivery is so great. Put her in a Pixar movie! Wonderful vocal performance. Lindy, we love you.

I learned how to look at things a little differently and I am a part of the changes in this world not a bystander any more. I am a smart fat chick who has decided not to fear...just live well and be kind.

Unapologetically. With humor and sass, she tells us she, and we, are OK.
She narrates which makes it feel like you're out having coffee rather than listening to an audiobook.

This book was phenomenal. Smart, very well written, incisive, funny. West brings her capacious wit, empathy and intelligence to tackle tricky topics like fat-phobia, feminism and rape culture. She's also a great reader (which makes sense given her performance background). This was an accessible, fun, and fast read.

Laugh, cry, rejoice! Lindy West provides biting satire and enormous hope in the greatest memoir of all time period. Thank you, Lindy.