Gender studies: women and girls Books

Book SynopsisJoining the ranks of such acclaimed accounts as Manic, Brain on Fire, and Monkey Mind, a deeply personal, funny, and sometimes painful look at anxiety and its impact from writer and commentator Kat Kinsman.Feeling anxious? Can’t sleep because your brain won’t stop recycling thoughts? Unable to make a decision because you''re too afraid you’ll make the wrong one? You’re not alone.In Hi, Anxiety, beloved food writer, editor, and commentator Kat Kinsman expands on the high profile pieces she wrote for CNN.com about depression, and its wicked cousin, anxiety. Taking us back to her adolescence, when she was diagnosed with depression at fourteen, Kat speaks eloquently with pathos and humor about her skin picking, hand flapping, “nervousness” that made her the recipient of many a harsh taunt. With her mother also gripped by depression and health issues throughout her life, Kat came to live in a constant state of u

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Book SynopsisFinalist for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding LiteratureFinalist for a 2018 Southern Book Prize for Biography and HistoryAn absolute must-read - Shondaland“[Rabbit] tells how it went down with brutal honesty and outrageous humor” - New York Times“I know a lot of people think they know what it’s like to grow up in the hood. Like maybe they watched a couple of seasons of The Wire and they got the shit all figured out. But TV doesn’t tell the whole story.” - Ms. PatThey called her Rabbit.Patricia Williams (aka Ms. Pat) was born and raised in Atlanta at the height of the crack epidemic. One of five children, Pat watched as her mother struggled to get by on charity, cons, and petty crimes. At age seven, Pat was taught t

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Yes, All Men (And Everyone Else) Need To Read 'Sex Object'" -- NPR "Powerful...incredibly readable... she wants to take us back to a place of telling stories." -- The Nation "This aching account of attempting to live, date and work while female is a brave admission of vulnerability." -- Washington Post "A bold undertaking... consciousness raising. Valenti is one of America's best-known and often divisive feminists." -- The Guardian "Valenti writes in impressively honest detail." -- Salon "Valenti uses the personal to shed light on a universally female political problem. There is an awakening that happens as a woman reading this book." -- Bust Magazine "[Valenti's] memories are relatable and raise important questions about how society treats and views women." -- Bustle "An entertaining and shocking memoir from a leading feminist writer." -- Booklist "Amazing...a profoundly raw and honest book." -- Ezra Klein, Vox "A powerful literary memoir that expertly makes the case for feminism today." -- Harper's Bazaar "Powerful. more than the sum of its parts... a bold and unflinching road map of Valenti's journey to become the woman she is." -- Publishers Weekly "A zesty, zeitgeisty memoir." -- O Magazine "Jessica Valenti is widely known as a feminist leader- with this stunningly brave and often funny memoir, we get a chance to know her as a human being. This is an incredibly powerful book. I can't recommend it loudly enough." -- Jill Soloway, writer, producer, creator of the Emmy-winning show Transparent "Adrienne Rich wrote, 'When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.' In Sex Object, Jessica Valenti tells her truth with stunning vulnerability and courage, defying easy answers and daring us to look away. You won't forget it." -- Irin Carmon, New York Times bestselling author of Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg "Deeply moving, honest, and unflinching, Sex Object secures Jessica Valenti's place as one of the foremost writers and thinkers of her generation. Her personal story highlights universal truths about being a woman, and makes the case for why feminism today is an unstoppable force." -- Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America "Jessica Valenti's powerful personal story offers unique perspective on how sexism and patriarchy manifest themselves in the daily lives of American women. Sex Object is a necessary read for women and men alike." -- Jamil Smith, Senior National Correspondent, MTV News "I began reading Jessica Valenti's Sex Object before the most recent tape (as of this writing) leaked of a presidential candidate bragging about sexually assaulting women for fun, but there could hardly be a better validation for the subject." -- AV Club

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Book SynopsisScovell knows what it’s like to put words in the mouths of President Barack Obama, Mark Harmon, Candice Bergen, Bob Newhart, Conan O’Brien, Alyssa Milano, and Kermit the Frog, among many others.Trade Review“This clear-eyed account of 30 years in a profoundly flawed industry is the funniest, most unflinching book I’ve read in a long time. I laughed out loud so many times. If you’ve ever watched TV, you should read this book. And if you’ve ever read a book, you should read this one, too.” -- John Oliver“First things first. Just the Funny Parts is, like Nell Scovell herself, funny as hell. Laugh-out-loud chuckles, eye rolls, embarrassed (for Nell) giggles—it’s all there. But there’s a lot more, too. This is a smart, wise book about growing up, growing old(er), and most of all, what it means to be a woman in a man’s world. That’s no joke. (But it is, as I mentioned, funny.)” -- Jeffrey Toobin, author of American Heiress“Nell Scovell has finally written the book that everyone in the comedy world has been waiting for! Besides being one of the funniest people I know, she has not just survived, but she has thrived. How the hell did she do it?? Crack it open and find out!” -- Bette Midler“This book is soooo good! Nell not only recalls her comedy writing career with wit but also transports us there to sit alongside her as witness. Just the Funny Parts could easily be called Just The Brave Parts.” -- Larry Wilmore“Nell is an incredible writer, and this book is just as amazing as I would expect. I particularly liked page 213.” -- Samantha Bee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee “In Just the Funny Parts, Nell Scovell offers readers an unvarnished look into a writer’s life. Through her unique lens, she bravely confronts some uncomfortable truths, and yet keeps you laughing the whole way through.” -- George Lucas, yeah that George Lucas“I’ve known for a while that Nell is an unusually talented and funny writer, but I had no idea just how much she shaped the TV that I’ve watched for decades—or how much bias she faced along the way. Despite that (and sometimes because of it), this book was a delight to read. It’s full of jokes that made me laugh and sharp analyses that made me think.” -- Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals, and co-author of Option B“In this illuminating memoir, Scovell details her career as a highly successful television writer over the last three decades, during which she was usually the only woman in the room… Scovell has repeatedly felt the sting of toiling in Los Angeles, “where rejection and failure are the bread and butter of this gluten-free, nondairy town,” and in an industry that continually looked for a cheaper, younger version of her. But in working with Sheryl Sandberg as the co-writer on Lean In, she was reminded of a timeless lesson: doing something that is meaningful to oneself might also have an impact on others. Scovell’s memoir is wonderfully entertaining and ultimately uplifting.” -- Publishers Weekly“Scovell minces few words when skewering the toxic atmosphere for female talent in Hollywood….Her fearlessness was clearly evidenced when the David Letterman sex scandal broke and the author made a controversial and risky career move by speaking out about a marked lack of gender diversity in the late-night TV arena….A breezy, affably written amalgam of memoir, advice, and workplace survival guide from the front lines of the entertainment industry.” -- Kirkus Reviews“A smart, energetic, determined woman, someone who is always shooting for greater success and who really hates it when she fails at something. A revealing and timely portrait of a professional writer and the industry in which she works.” -- Booklist“Get ready to laugh out loud as writer, producer, and director Nell Scovell takes you behind the scenes of your favorite comedic shows, including The Simpsons, Murphy Brown, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and more in her hilarious and heartfelt memoir about making it in the male-dominated world of entertainment. Sharp and insightful, Just the Funny Parts is an wild romp through the world of TV that is as entertaining as it is inspiring.” -- Bustle“An honest and demystifying glimpse into the world of men (and some women) behind the comedy curtain. Like Liz Lemon, Scovell is a wry and relatively grounded observer of the soaring self-regard and bottomless neediness that characterizes the professionally funny.” -- Slate“Scovell’s laugh-out-loud account of her struggles in the male-dominated world of TV is a worthy read. […] Scovell’s compelling story of her life, leavened with much good humor, lets readers know the Hollywood world judged her often as a “woman writer” when she was seeking to be known as a writer, yet she never gives up. For all readers interested in Hollywood and how it works.” -- Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Positive, understanding, and uplifting.” -- Booklist“Evocative.” -- The Cut

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A funny and surprisingly inspirational story about a genuine character, Sophia, who truly “leans in” to life in Silicon Valley’s fast lane. You get hooked on the roller coaster ride, watching her fall on her face, and pop back up--several times! Yen’s roman a clef is a delightful, touching tale that is perfect for the tech-generation or anyone fascinated by its culture.” — Larry Kramer, President of USA Today “This laugh out loud inspired tale offers a peek behind the mysterious idiosyncrasies of Silicon Valley geniuses and one woman’s fight to navigate career success while having a life.” — Ellen Pack, founder of women.com “With uncanny parallels to the Silicon Valley narratives we know and love, Anna Yen manages to break the mold with this fresh debut about being a young woman coming up in tech. Told with sharp wit and unforgettable detail, Sophia of Silicon Valley is a remarkably entertaining story and one of my favorite books in years!” — Jon M. Chu, Film Director, Crazy Rich Asians

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Book Synopsis“The Letters of Sylvia Plath underscores Plath’s jaw-dropping output, her rapid growth from merely talented to singular voice. . . . The result is a comprehensive portrait of the artist as a young woman, ardently — unnervingly — committed to literature and relationships.” —Hamilton Cain, Minneapolis Star-TribuneThe first volume in the definitive, complete collection of the letters of Sylvia Plath—most never before seen.One of the most beloved poets of the modern age, Sylvia Plath continues to inspire and fascinate the literary world. While her renown as one of the twentieth century’s most influential poets is beyond dispute, Plath was also one of its most captivating correspondents. The Letters of Sylvia Plath is the breathtaking compendium of this prolific writer’s correspondence with more than 120 people, including family, friends, contemporaries, and colleagues.The Letters of Sylvia Plath includes her correspondence from her years at Smith, her summer editorial internship in New York City, her time at Cambridge, her experiences touring Europe, and the early days of her marriage to Ted Hughes in 1956.Most of the letters are previously unseen, including sixteen letters written by Plath to Hughes when they were apart after their honeymoon. This magnificent compendium also includes twenty-seven of Plath’s own elegant line drawings taken from the letters she sent to her friends and family, as well as twenty-two previously unpublished photographs.This remarkable, collected edition of Plath’s letters is a work of immense scholarship and care, presenting a comprehensive and historically accurate text of the known and extant letters that she wrote. Intimate and revealing, this masterful compilation offers fans and scholars generous and unprecedented insight into the life of one of our most significant poets.

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Book SynopsisFrom the Executive Editor of the Women’s vertical of Huffpost, this gifty guide to activism is the perfect present for young feminists and long-time observers looking to enter the fray.Trade Review“Emma Gray’s smart guide came at the perfect time. Told through a series of interviews, first-person anecdots, calls to action, and how to’s, this is an important, inspiring book, but it’s also really f**king fun to read.” — Jennifer Romolini, Chief Content Officer at Shondaland.com

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Book SynopsisA gripping, flawlessly researched, and overdue portrait of America''s trailblazing female journalists. Kim Todd has restored these long-forgotten mavericks to their rightful place in American history.'' Abbott Kahler, author (as Karen Abbott) ofThe Ghosts of Eden Park and Liar, Temptress, Soldier, SpyA vivid social history that brings to light the ''girl stunt reporters'' of the Gilded Age who went undercover to expose corruption and abuse in America, and redefined what it meant to be a woman and a journalist''pioneers whose influence continues to be felt today.In the waning years of the nineteenth century, women journalists across the United States risked reputation and their own safety to expose the hazardous conditions under which many Americans lived and worked. In various disguises, they stole into sewing factories to report on child labor, fainted in the streets to test public hospital treatment, posed as lobbyists to reveal corrupt politicians. Inventive writers whose in-depth narratives made headlines for weeks at a stretch, these ''girl stunt reporters'' changed laws, helped launch a labor movement, championed women''s rights, and redefined journalism for the modern age. The 1880s and 1890s witnessed a revolution in journalism as publisher titans like Hearst and Pulitzer used weapons of innovation and scandal to battle it out for market share. As they sought new ways to draw readers in, they found their answer in young women flooding into cities to seek their fortunes. When Nellie Bly went undercover into Blackwell''s Insane Asylum for Women and emerged with a scathing indictment of what she found there, the resulting sensation created opportunity for a whole new wave of writers. In a time of few jobs and few rights for women, here was a path to lives of excitement and meaning. After only a decade of headlines and fame, though, these trailblazers faced a vicious public backlash. Accused of practicing ''yellow journalism, their popularity waned until ''stunt reporter'' became a badge of shame. But their influence on the field of journalism would arc across a century, from the Progressive Era ''muckraking'' of the 1900s to the personal ''New Journalism'' of the 1960s and ''70s, to the ''immersion journalism'' and ''creative nonfiction'' of today. Bold and unconventional, these writers changed how people would tell stories forever.

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Book SynopsisGabrielle Hamilton meets April Bloomfield in a raw and rollicking memoir that pulls back the curtain on life as a female butcher.When 16-year-old Jessica Wragg applied for a job at the local farm shop in her hometown of Chesterfield, England, she never expected to land a position behind the all-male butchery counter.Trade Review“This debut memoir offers a solid behind-the-scenes look at the meat industry […] Foodies will appreciate Wragg’s honest take on the evolving world of butchery.” — Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Ginny Hogan understands that just because women want to be taken seriously in the workplace doesn’t mean we have to be serious. While reading Toxic Feminity, you will laugh, you will nod, and you will learn.” — Nell Scovell, author of Just the Funny Parts: And a Few hard Truths about Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys’ Club “Ginny Hogan takes the daily sexist indignities of being a woman with a job and makes them funny slash bearable.” — Blythe Roberson, author of How to Date Men When You Hate Men “This book is for anyone who’s ever cringed when a coworker said, “Women get maternity rooms, why don’t men get masturbation rooms?” It’s so funny and so smart.” — Sarah Cooper, author of How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men’s Feelings

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This is an eye-opening book. Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s compelling new data shows the scope and — Tiger Tyagarajan, CEO, Genpact “Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s powerful new book explains how and why the #MeToo movement is challenging corporate America. Compelling, compassionate - and hard to put down - it makes the case that combating sexual misconduct and striving for inclusion are not only the just things to do, they are essential if organizations are to survive and thrive. Particularly valuable are Hewlett’s concrete action steps for individuals and corporations. This book will shape how leaders think about and deal with sexual misconduct for years to come.” — Hon. Barbara Jones, former judge in the US District Court for the Southern District and special counsel to the archdiocese of NY with regard to accusations of sexual abuse "A bold and urgent call to action for individuals, leaders, and corporations on one of the most significant movements of our time. Hewlett presents a compelling business imperative and a range of solutions to ensure that meritocracy, equality, diversity, and inclusion are rigorously embedded within an institution’s culture." — Jyoti Chopra, senior vice president and chief diversity and sustainability officer, MGM Resorts International “With this incredible addition to her oeuvre, Hewlett proves— again—that she belongs in the pantheon of thought leaders that drive transformational change, helping companies tackle the toughest challenges. She digs into the hardest layers of #MeToo to undercover hidden pockets of pain that don’t make the front pages.” — Todd Sears, CEO and founder, Out Leadership “This is a brave and important book, filled with personal stories and rich data. Hewlett reveals that junior, white, straight women are far from being the only victims of sexual misconduct, and that power—not sexual desire—is at the root of the problem. Once you start reading this book, you won’t stop.” — Victoria Bateman, the Iain Macpherson Lecturer in Economics at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge University “#MeToo in the Corporate World adds a critical dimension to conversations about sexual misconduct and gender equity. Hewlett documents how widespread the abuse of power is, the growing costs to employers, and the imperative for change. Now is the moment for corporations to take action.” — Lorraine Hariton, CEO and president, Catalyst “Brave and powerful. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, the ‘mother’ of modern leadership theory, offers practical ways of dismantling the privilege that has kept diverse talent on the periphery. Her analysis of the objectification and sexual harassment of black men in the workplace, and the resulting shame and emasculation they suffer, is particularly prescient.” — India Gary-Martin, principal, Leadership for Life, and former managing director, JPMorgan Chase

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Book SynopsisCalling BS, Karbo blows the lid off of this age-old trend and asks women to start embracing their awesomely imperfect selves.There is no one more dangerous than a woman who doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her.Trade Review“If you’ve ever risen at dawn to make a kale smoothie before rushing off to exercise class, I recommend you turn off your alarm, go back to sleep, and reach for this book when you wake up. Yeah, No. Not Happening is part personal story, part historical record, and part cheery, chiding manifesto for all the women who find the siren call of self improvement too strong to resist. But resist we must, and Karbo has shown us how.” — Kristin Van Ogtrop, author of Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom “Yeah, No. Not Happening rallies all women to turn away from commodified self-improvement and toward our own imaginations, intelligence, creativity, and agency. What if radicalizing self-worth means we already know who we are and that we’re ready to do something about it, with the flex of our minds rather than our money? Karbo is the only beauty or bath bomb we need right now. I’m in.” — Lidia Yuknavitch, author of The Misfit’s Manifesto and Verge “Free yourselves! This book is a hilarious and refreshing look at the absurd things we do in the name of self-improvement and personal growth. And for what?! Read this, let go of the bullsh*t, and come as you are.” — Caroline Dooner, author of The F*ck It Diet “I love this book so much I want to eat it. It is spit-your-coffee-out funny, spot-on in its truthfulness and witty observations, and as empowering as anything I’ve ever read. This book made me exhale, which conversely made me realize how long I’d been holding my breath waiting for it. Folks, it’s here.” — Jennifer Pastiloff, author of On Being Human: A Memoir of Waking Up, Living Real, and Listening Hard “It’s always a happy day when another Karen Karbo book comes my way. This one, which says thanks but no thanks to self improvement with the help of entertaining history, fun facts, and cheeky yet smart advice, is best read (devoured) while mainlining hot fudge and sporting a bitch T-shirt and sweats, with dishes piled in the sink and the Fitbit tossed in the trash. Read it and let it work its magic.” — Cathi Hanauer, author of Gone and editor of The Bitch Is Back and The Bitch in the House “Yeah, No. Not Happening is warm, witty, effortlessly sophisticated—reading it is like having champagne with your most engaging friend. But under the delicious prose is a heartening lesson: chasing after impossible-to-achieve standards of beauty and being never makes us happy. In turning our backs on the nonstop pressure to improve ourselves, we discover our true selves and step into our power.” — Sheila Weller, author of Girls Like Us and Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“I always thought I was drawn to Sunny because of our similar backgrounds. But through her book I realize it’s because we’re both chameleons who are just trying to fit in. Thank you Sunny for writing a book that can teach even a know it all like me something new and invaluable.” — Don Lemon, CNN News Anchor “Sunny Hostin is an inspiring person, and her story is rich with insights into the different worlds and identities she has navigated. There is much to learn from I Am These Truths—for anyone seeking to understand those worlds, and anyone looking to translate life’s challenges and complexities into a fierce commitment to justice.” — Ronan Farrow, author of Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

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Book SynopsisA thrilling biography of Edda Mussolini—Benito Mussolini’s favorite daughter, one of the most influential women in 1930s Europe—and a heart-stopping account of the unraveling of the Fascist dream in Italy, from award-winning historian and author of the acclaimed Resistance Quartet, Caroline Moorehead “Reads like a page-turning thriller.”—BookPageEdda Mussolini was the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s oldest and favorite child. At 19, she was married to Count Galleazzo Ciano, Il Duce’s Minister for Foreign Affairs during the 1930s, the most turbulent decade in Italy’s fascist history. In the years preceding World War II, Edda ruled over Italy’s aristocratic families and the cultured and middle classes while selling Fascism on the international stage. How a young woman wielded such control is the heart of Moorehead’s fascinating history. The issues that emerge

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Book SynopsisA People Book of the Week & a Kirkus Best Nonfiction of the YearAn exquisite and inspiring memoir about one mother’s unimaginable choice in the face of oppression and abuse in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.In the days before Homeira Qaderi gave birth to her son, Siawash, the road to the hospital in Kabul would often be barricaded because of the frequent suicide explosions. With the city and the military on edge, it was not uncommon for an armed soldier to point his gun at the pregnant woman’s bulging stomach, terrified that she was hiding a bomb. Frightened and in pain, she was once forced to make her way on foot. Propelled by the love she held for her soon-to-be-born child, Homeira walked through blood and wreckage to reach the hospital doors. But the joy of her beautiful son’s birth was soon overshadowed by other dangers that would threaten her life.No ordinary Afghan woman, Homeira refused to cower under the strictures of a misogynistic social order. Defying the law, she risked her freedom to teach children reading and writing and fought for women’s rights in her theocratic and patriarchal society.Devastating in its power, Dancing in the Mosque is a mother’s searing letter to a son she was forced to leave behind. In telling her story—and that of Afghan women—Homeira challenges you to reconsider the meaning of motherhood, sacrifice, and survival. Her story asks you to consider the lengths you would go to protect yourself, your family, and your dignity.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Armstrong's depth of knowledge and easy command of the material make her subjects compelling from the first beat. Her writing—propulsive, and neatly scene-oriented—can feel almost like watching television....In prose as charming as the women she writes about, she makes her subjects feel knowable....makes you feel their genius and charisma, almost like you were there when they invented television." — Boston Globe "Armstrong uses her impressive analytic and research skills to unearth some much less-explored ground....Armstrong also makes strong statements about the fact that women were marking these accomplishments during a time when they were expected to stay home and care for their families....a definite step in the right direction toward giving just some of these forgotten women their due.” — AV Club "Catnip for TV fans and a welcome addition to the literature of television history." — Minneapolis Star Tribune "Keishin Armstrong always finds fresh relevance and excitement in pop culture, and she has really outdone herself here. Armstrong uncovers the hidden heroines of the TV world, and shows us how Betty White became one of TV's first female multi-hyphenate moguls; how Hazel Scott became the first Black person to host a primetime, network show before she stood up to McCarthyites; how Irna Phillips raised two children while creating the soap opera; and how Gertrude Berg ruled her production empire with precision and righteous ambition. An essential contribution toward a more complete, inclusive, and true history of television." — Sheila Weller, New York Times bestselling author of Girls Like Us “When Women Invented Television turns a pivotal moment in history into a page-turner, with a depiction of four powerhouse talents that is so vivid and detailed, you feel like you’re riding their career ups and downs along with them. The kinescopes of their groundbreaking earliest work may be gone, but thanks to Armstrong’s clearly painstaking research, the world now has this wonderful, preserved record of the days when visionary women brought forth the medium which so influences our world today.” — Jim Colucci, New York Times bestselling author of Golden Girls Forever: An Unauthorized Look Behind the Lanai “Armstrong's look into the powerhouses who shaped an industry reflects a respect and reverence for her subjects as much as her dedication to calling out the social norms that worked tirelessly to keep these pioneers down. Armstrong's research is thorough, her arguments thoughtful, and her responsibility to history unparalleled. Frankly, we're lucky to have Armstrong, an author who so eloquently constructs a picture we might otherwise have overlooked.” — Anne T. Donahue, author of Nobody Cares "These profiles in creativity and courage amount to a feminist revelation, a pre-history of television that is as brightly written as the pioneers might wish--a prize of a book, intelligent, sobering, and a delight to read." — Patrick McGilligan, author of Funny Man: Mel Brooks “These women not only ruled television -- their vision, skill, and talent shaped how the world's most influential contemporary form of media would function for the next century. They understood TV as a vector where creativity and entertainment could also inspire empathy and social change. Jennifer Keishin Armstrong has meticulously written these women back into TV history as the genre-defining, medium-morphing titans they were.” — Jennifer Pozner, author of Breaking (the) News and Reality Bites Back, and founder of Women In Media & News “Just as they did in the early moving picture industry, women played key roles in the earliest days of television, although their roles as pioneers have largely been forgotten. Armstrong corrects the record to reclaim these women’s stories and document their influence. When Women Invented Television is rediscovered history at its finest." — William J. Mann, author of Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood and The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando “This book leaps at the throat of television history and takes down the patriarchy with its fervent, inspired prose. Armstrong reveals that while men may dominate TV today, they do so on the backs of women who invented and perfected the formats we love. With heart wrenching detail, When Women Invented Television offers proof that what we watch is a reflection of who we are as a people, a medium whose founders deserve our respect.” — Nathalia Holt, New York Times bestselling author of The Queens of Animation and Rise of the Rocket Girls "With crisp, electrifying prose, Armstrong recounts the hard work and struggles of four women trailblazers who shaped the dawn of television....Armstrong deftly illustrates how this quartet of women battled skepticism, sexism, and even the infamous Cold War blacklist to become vital players in the burgeoning days of the small screen." — Booklist (starred review) "....fresh and welcome.....Engaging and well-documented recognition of four women’s significant impact on the emerging TV medium." — Kirkus Reviews "Television cultural critic Armstrong (Sex and the City and Us) reclaims in this enthusiastic outing the forgotten history of four women who shook up the staid ranks of mid-century television and set it on a course to become the medium it is today....This fast-paced and fascinating group biography will enthrall pop culture, television, and women’s history buffs." — Publishers Weekly "In this compelling, well-researched work, Armstrong (Seinfeldia) uncovers the role women played in developing television, fighting for airtime as they launched sitcoms, soap operas, variety shows, and more....Armstrong preserves an important part of television’s—and women’s—history in this engaging book." — Library Journal "You might not realize it, but women made television what it is today. From writing to producing to hosting, this well-researched book explores a forgotten chapter in pop culture history. These are the stories of how Irna Phillips, Gertrude Berg, Hazel Scott, and Betty White (yes, that Betty White!) changed TV forever." — HelloGiggles "Will the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences please create an honorary Emmy Award for Jennifer Keishin Armstrong already? With When Women Invented Television: The Untold Story of the Female Powerhouses Who Pioneered the Way We Watch Today, Armstrong offers a group biography of four TV iconoclasts that doubles as a captivating record of behind-the-scenes goings-on during the medium's infancy....[a] sterling group biography." — Shelf Awareness "Keishin Armstrong does the exhaustive research it takes to unearth compelling, and often untold, stories about our collective pop-culture obsessions and weaves them into narratives that resonate with fans." — Shondaland.com "Keishin Armstrong adds another important book to her growing library of pop cultural criticism....This is an exciting book—ambitious women shaping the birth of an industry, FTW! But it’s also enraging, like when Armstrong reveals that today, even with hundreds of scripts in production, only about 25 percent of TV creators are women—only about 1 percent higher than the figure was in 1950." — Bust Magazine

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Book SynopsisBut the world has also shown us that we have a lot we still have to fight for—as women, as black women, as mothers, as aging women, as human beings, as friends. In You Got Anything Stronger?, I show you how this ever-changing life presents challenges, even as it gives me moments of pure joy.Trade Review“However revealing Union is on her feed, she’s even more so on the page. Blurring the line between public and private, many chapters in You Got Anything Stronger? hinge on the very act of disclosure, the moments where Union relatably brings social media more in line with real life” — New York Times “You Got Anything Stronger? continues the project of unshackling. It’s soul-baring work.” — Washington Post "Heartfelt, vulnerable, witty, and sincere." — CNN “Union deftly writes about the life-changing diagnosis that led her to surrogacy as a path to moth­erhood; the impact of cracking open her family’s life for all to see; and how she discovered who she is beyond others’ projections. . . She makes you wish she were your best friend, her number saved in your favorites—a kindred spirit always ready to share real talk over a round of shots.” — Essence “In so many ways, You Got Anything Stronger? is about digging deeper into the genre of celebrity memoir—literally giving us something more potent—because Union is honest without crossing her own boundaries of privacy, passionate about social issues without being condescending, and owns up to her own mistakes and struggles while maintaining a really radiant and admirable self-love throughout the book.” — Shondaland "In her follow-up to her debut memoir, We’re Going to Need More Wine, actor and writer Gabrielle Union picks up where she left off, delving deep into her journey to conceive daughter Kaavia, her experience as a stepmom, and the rest — ugly, beautiful, and in-between. Break out the liquor, folks, because you’re going to want a stiff drink to go with this dish." — Bustle “You Got Anything Stronger? is a boundary-pushing, self-discovery inducing lesson on vulnerability” — Parade Even more open and relatable than her first. This time around the actor and author is opening up about her surrogacy journey, fighting against racial inequality in Hollywood, and her iconic Bring It On character, Isis. Grab a glass of your drink of choice and settle in, because reading Union's essays is every bit as satisfying as a nice, long chat with your best friend. — Popsugar Funny, tender, and so good. — Mindy Kaling, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Why Not Me? These essays are brimming with veracity, humor, and daring sincerity that becomes contagious. In depictions of motherhood, Hollywood, and even the most devastating realities, Union keeps a remarkably steady hand; she speaks with the warmth of a late night phone call. — Kiley Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Such a Fun Age This is an absolute must-read. Gabrielle doesn’t just open up—she opens up conversations we need to be having. — Sunny Hostin, New York Times bestselling author of Summer on the Bluffs and I Am These Truths Here is that rare book that will not only touch your heart, but also send you back out there to stand up for yourself and others. — Meena Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ambitious Girl This book is a masterclass in authenticity and vulnerability, and I loved it! I drank up the words on the pages because this is Gabby’s heart wide open in print. It is a stunning read that is deeply humanizing and I’m inspired by the courage and humor in it. It’s just so DAMB GOOD! — Luvvie Ajayi Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual Gabrielle Union has written another wonderful book that pulls no punches. The searing honesty of You Got Anything Stronger? is a gift to readers. Union faces head-on the different ways women become mothers and partners in an emotionally resonant and universal way. Her voice is relatable, warm, and sharp. You owe it to yourself to curl up with this book and to pass it along to a friend. — Tressie McMillan Cottom, Professor and MacArthur Fellow Gabrielle Union is serving us another stellar memoir. . . She gets even deeper in this series of essays that detail what her life is like now, including her experience with surrogacy and racism in the entertainment industry. — Cosmopolitan, "15 Compelling Fall 2021 Books to Add to Your Reading List" The star actor and producer demonstrates her dedication to empowering young Black women and other marginalized people. As these essays ably show, Union is a dynamic role model for young Black women in all walks of life. — Kirkus Reviews Union returns with more wise, intimate personal stories. . . The respect with which she writes about the people in her life is a true testament to her character. Always smart, inviting, and generous with emotion, Union's second exquisite memoir reads like a conversation with your most enlightened, thoughtful friend. — Booklist (starred review)

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Magnificently researched, brilliantly written, Lethal Tides is immensely entertaining and reads like an action novel. Catherine Musemeche has brought to life the incredible work of the scientists and researchers who made such a remarkable contribution to America’s war effort in the Pacific theater during WWII.” — Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy, Ret.), #1 New York Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed and The Hero Code "[An] impressive and inspiring portrait....The result is a rousing account of talent, intelligence, and commitment overcoming prejudice." — Publishers Weekly "Musemeche fully illuminates the critical yet rarely recognized work of ocean scientists during WWII. The science is compelling and artfully explained, while Musemeche's revelations about the sexism Sears dealt with is particularly stunning. Engaging, intriguing, and surprising, this is a title women's studies and history fans will love." — Booklist "An engaging, thorough story about a worthwhile subject. This biography beautifully captures the energy, sacrifice, and commitment of military personnel working in the U.S. in the 1940s and makes clear the importance of their scientific contributions to the outcome of World War II." — Library Journal “Lethal Tides reveals yet another hidden figure of science. In the 1930s, the remarkable Mary Sears made a career in oceanography despite being barred from research vessels because of her sex. During World War II, her knowledge helped turn the tide of war in the vast Pacific Ocean, where submarines lurked, torpedoes stalked, and amphibious landings presented a perilous challenge to a US Navy coping with unfamiliar tides and treacherous coral reefs. Under extraordinary pressure and the highest stakes imaginable, Sears, and the team of mostly women scientists she supervised, charted the way to safety. This full telling of her story is long overdue.” — Liza Mundy, New York Times bestselling author of Code Girls “This compelling story of the US Navy's groundbreaking first female oceanographer and the team she assembled illuminates how they weaponized their understanding of maritime environments to save the lives of innumerable WWII sailors and Marines. Lethal Tides is dramatic proof of how the best amongst us can have a profound impact in the most unexpected ways.” — Richard Danzig, 71st Secretary of the Navy

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Book Synopsis“A wild, rollicking ride into the heart of horse country—these essays get at what it means to love horses, in all that love''s complexity.” —Anton DiSclafani, author of The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for GirlsA compelling and provocative essay collection that smashes stereotypes and redefines the meaning of the term “horse girl,” broadening it for women of all cultural backgrounds.As a child, horses consumed Halimah Marcus’ imagination. When she wasn’t around horses she was pretending to be one, cantering on two legs, hands poised to hold invisible reins. To her classmates, girls like Halimah were known as “horse girls,” weird and overzealous, absent from the social worlds of their peers. Decades later, when memes about “horse girl energy,” began appearing across social media—Halimah reluctantly recognized herself. The jokes imagine girls as blinkered as carriage ponies, oblivious to the mockery behind their backs. The stereotypical horse girl is also white, thin, rich, and straight, a daughter of privilege. Yet so many riders don’t fit this narrow, damaging ideal, and relate to horses in profound ways that include ambivalence and regret, as well as unbridled passion and devotion.Featuring some of the most striking voices in contemporary literature—including Carmen Maria Machado, Pulitzer-prize winner Jane Smiley, T Kira Madden, Maggie Shipstead, and Courtney Maum—Horse Girls reframes the iconic bond between girls and horses with the complexity and nuance it deserves. And it showcases powerful emerging voices like Braudie Blais-Billie, on the connection between her Seminole and Quebecois heritage; Sarah Enelow-Snyder, on growing up as a Black barrel racer in central Texas; and Nur Nasreen Ibrahim, on the colonialist influence on horse culture in Pakistan.By turns thought-provoking and personal, Horse Girls reclaims its titular stereotype to ask bold questions about autonomy and desire, privilege and ambition, identity and freedom, and the competing forces of domestication and wildness.

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Book Synopsis“The Officer’s Daughter is a powerful dissertation on the legacy of violence; a telling journey to the place in the heart where forgiveness is found. Elle Johnson’s words are beautiful, poignant, and painful; and always deeply resonant with truth. This book has an echo that stays with you well after you have turned the last page.”—Michael Connelly, New York Times bestselling author“A beautiful and emotional memoir of a family tragedy. . . . This searing story deserves a wide readership.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)“When I was sixteen, my sixteen-year-old cousin, Karen, had her face blown off at pointblank range by a sawed-off shotgun . . .”?In 1981, Elle Johnson and her cousin, Karen, were both daughters of Black law enforcement officers. Elle’s father was a highly protective, at times overbearing, parole officer

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Brooke Baldwin has always been a fierce promoter of women. Her first book, Huddle, is an exemplification of what happens when women have one another’s backs. If you want to understand the power that can be achieved when women come together to support one another, this is your book. If you want to be inspired by the ambition and tenacity of women, this is your book. If you want to experience the infectious enthusiasm of a woman delighting in her efforts to tell these remarkable stories, this is definitely your book." — Lisa Ling, executive producer and host of CNN's This Is Life with Lisa Ling "Like Brooke herself, Huddle uplifts women, encouraging them to believe in their collective power. A fun and inspiring read!" — Diane Von Furstenberg, fashion designer, philanthropist, and bestselling author "It’s a man’s world, but not for long if we tap into the power of Huddle. Women can be our own worst enemies or our greatest resource; Brooke has inspired me to keep fighting for women to shatter ceilings and set the menu at any table at which we find ourselves. What I love most about this book is that it reminds us that solidarity can indeed be contagious—and collaboration, especially among those who have been left out and left behind, can be transformative." — Alicia Garza, principal of the Black Futures Lab and cofounder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network "I have spent much of my life in a huddle on the soccer field, planning a winning strategy with other badass women. I know firsthand that Brooke Baldwin is right: magic happens after the huddle. I just finished Huddle, and I’m on fire. Brooke is the coach we need in precisely this moment. She reminds us that if we take the power of the huddle off the field and into the world, we will be unstoppable!" — Abby Wambach, Olympian, activist, and #1 bestselling author of Wolfpack "I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today if not for my beautiful, powerful, badass huddle. And if you want to know why it’s the most important thing in life—that’s right, I said in life—do yourself and your huddle a favor and pick up this book." — Bozoma Saint John, CMO of Netflix, entrepreneur, and badass

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Book Synopsis“Passionate, personal, insightful, testy, and unique.” —Kirkus (starred review)Verdelle offers us testimony in praise and consideration of life as a literary citizen and Black woman alongside the guiding light of Toni Morrison. This is a holy testimony, indeed, one that deserves to be amen''d forever.” —Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times Bestselling AuthorVerdelle gives us the greatest gift—our beloved ancestor returned to us—generous and alive, remembered and revered. So grateful for this book in the world.” —Jacqueline Woodson, author of Another BrooklynIf you let a black girl loose in a library, you may not recognize the woman who emerges.—from Miss ChloeToni Morrison, born Chloe A Wofford, was a towering figure in the world of literature when she entered A.J. Verdelle

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Book SynopsisNamed a Best Book of the Year by: Time * New Yorker * Sunday Times (UK)From New York Times bestselling author Jami Attenberg comes a dazzling memoir about unlocking and embracing her creativity—and how it saved her life. In this brilliant, fierce, and funny memoir of transformation, Jami Attenberg—described as a “master of modern fiction” (Entertainment Weekly) and the “poet laureate of difficult families” (Kirkus Reviews)—reveals the defining moments that pushed her to create a life, and voice, she could claim for herself. What does it take to devote oneself to art? What does it mean to own one’s ideas? What does the world look like for a woman moving solo through it?As the daughter of a traveling salesman in the Midwest, Attenberg was drawn to a life on the road. Frustrated by quotidian jobs and hungry for inspiration and fresh experiences, her wanderlust led her across the country and eventually on travels around the globe. Through it all she grapples with questions of mortality, otherworldliness, and what we leave behind.It is during these adventures that she begins to reflect on the experiences of her youth—the trauma, the challenges, the risks she has taken. Driving across America on self-funded book tours, sometimes crashing on couches when she was broke, she keeps writing: in researching articles for magazines, jotting down ideas for novels, and refining her craft, she grows as an artist and increasingly learns to trust her gut and, ultimately, herself.Exploring themes of friendship, independence, class, and drive, I Came All This Way to Meet You is an inspiring story of finding one’s way home—emotionally, artistically, and physically—and an examination of art and individuality that will resonate with anyone determined to listen to their own creative calling. 

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Book SynopsisA unique tribute to often overlooked women who have left an indelible mark on Gospel Music—powerful talents who overcame racism and sexism to define the genre, establish its sound, and set the standard for good sangin’ for generations.Nothing in the world soothes the soul better than Gospel music.Trade ReviewIsn't Her Graze Amazing! is an affectionate yet clear-eyed view of gospel’s brightest voices. — Library Journal

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Book SynopsisThe sharp and surprising true story of a woman who finally sets out to understand her past, and the mother she had one day hoped to forget. Full of unexpected twists and unbelievable revelations, American Daughter is an immersive memoir that will have you on the edge of your seat to the very last page.For years, Stephanie Plymale, successful CEO and interior designer, kept her past a fiercely guarded secret. Only her husband knew that her childhood was fraught with every imaginable hardship: neglect, hunger, poverty, homelessness, truancy, foster homes, a harrowing lack of medical care, and worse. Stephanie, in turn, knew very little about the past of her mother, who was in and out of jails and psych wards for most of Stephanie''s formative years. All this changed when a series of shocking revelations forced Stephanie to revisit her tortured past and revise the meaning of every aspect of her compromised childhood. American Daughter is the extraordinary true story of a young girl growing up on the wrong side of the American Dream. Stephanie has slept in blankets on the floor of crowded apartments, lived in the back seat of a car with her siblings, and spent decades looking over her shoulder at a mother who might just as easily hug or harm her. American Daughter is at once a moving account of a troubled mother-daughter relationship and a meditation on resilience, transcendence, and ultimately, redemption.  

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Book SynopsisAn instant New York Times bestseller from Kelly Ripa—a sharp, funny, and honest collection of real-life stories showing the many dimensions and crackling wit of the beloved daytime talk show host.In Live Wire, her first book, Kelly shows what really makes her tick. As a professional, as a wife, as a daughter and as a mother, she brings a hard-earned wisdom and an eye for the absurdity of life to every minute of every day. It is her relatability in all of these roles that has earned her fans worldwide and millions of followers on social media. Whether recounting how she and Mark really met, the level of chauvinism she experienced on set, how Jersey Pride follows her wherever she goes, and many, many moments of utter mortification (whence she proves that you cannot, in fact, die of embarrassment) Kelly always tells it like it is. Ms. Ripa takes no prisoners.Surprising, at times savage, a little shameless and always with humor… Live Wire shows Kelly as she really is offscreen—a very wise woman who has something to say. 

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Book SynopsisNow, in Screaming on the Inside, Grose weaves together her personal journey with scientific, historical, and contemporary reporting to be the voice for American parents she wishes she’d had a decade ago.The truth is that parenting cannot follow a recipe;Trade Review"Fierce, timely, unflinching." — New York Times Book Review "If this book feels like it’s sounding the alarm on the state of American motherhood, well, that’s because it is." — San Francisco Chronicle "Journalist Grose weaves together history, memoir and interviews with hundreds of women to persuasively propose a saner future for all." — People "In the all-too-timely Screaming on the Inside, Jessica Grose is direct and bracing in her assessment of how horrifically the United States serves its mothers and, in turn, its children. Enraging and elucidating, it's also a pleasure to read." — Rebecca Traister, author of Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger and writer-at-large for New York Magazine and The Cut "Like every mom, I, too, have screamed on the inside (and sometimes on the outside) while raising my four kids. I just want to do a good job—but that can feel like the impossible dream at times. Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood helps us understand how mothers got to this place of outsized expectations from society and from ourselves. Jessica Grose has spent a career talking with experts and parents and has now mined her wealth of knowledge to write a book that is long overdue." — Soledad O'Brien “Eminently readable…It takes a succinct and accessible book to open a conversation with people who may not otherwise read a book ‘about motherhood’…. Vindicates the frustration of American mothers, but is as crucial a read for those who have never changed a diaper in their lives.” — Boston Globe "This is the rare book that is both important for how we think about policy solutions to serious social problems, and also incredibly relatable and hard to put down." — Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet and The Family Firm “This is the book I've been waiting for on contemporary motherhood: historically rooted, incisive, empathic, furious, while always asking how we actually move forward. If you think Screaming on the Inside is just a book for moms, you're very wrong.” — Anne Helen Petersen, author of Out of the Office and Can’t Even and writer of Culture Study "Grose’s fiery compassion is matched by her profoundly complex understanding of the material and her trenchant, witty prose.... A deeply researched and highly relatable analysis of American motherhood, past and present." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Stirring. …Mothers struggling to keep their heads above water will find camaraderie in this empathetic outing.” — Publishers Weekly “It's hard to imagine a mother (or other) who won't feel seen somewhere in Grose's accessible, empathetic, data-driven report.” — Booklist “Melding personal narrative with clear-eyes reportage from the front lines, [Grose] works to redefine what exactly a ‘mother’ is, or should be, in a society that demands so much more from its childbearing women than it has to offer.” — Los Angeles Times “[Grose] breaks down all the expectations and leaves behind an analysis that will surely free any mother of the burden of doing it all.” — Shondaland “Compelling, razor-sharp, and deeply personal." — Christian Science Monitor

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“The rare book that can simultaneously make professionals of colour feel seen and give white male colleagues a comprehensive education.” — Financial Times "Empowering . . . A fresh, worthy addition to the growing body of work on diversity in the workplace.” — Publishers Weekly "A thorough analysis of the struggles faced by women of color in the workplace. . . . This is an inherently fraught topic, but [Purushothaman] addresses it with sensitivity and nuance. . . . The book is well written and would be a solid addition to any career collection in an academic or public library." — Booklist "Deepa’s firsthand experience as a senior executive, combined with the stories of the influential women she spoke with, has yielded a powerful collective narrative that business leaders would be wise to study closely in their quest not only to recruit and retain the top talent, but also to lead with empathy and understanding." — Indra Nooyi, former chairperson and CEO, PepsiCo, and author of My Life in Full "The First, the Few, the Only is a deeply personal call to action, encouraging readers to learn and feel seen from its stories and messages. This important and engaging book will help build bridges, dismantle barriers, and change how we lead in the workplace." — Billie Jean King, social justice champion and founder, Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative "We need more books by women of color for women of color—books that highlight our unique experiences and challenges in the workplace—so we can feel seen and reclaim our whole, unfiltered identities. Deepa does an amazing job of sharing her own story while also highlighting the journey of hundreds of other women of color navigating corporate spaces. You will walk away seeing yourself in the pages, experiencing a rush of validation, and feeling emboldened to find success on your own terms." — Minda Harts, speaker and author of The Memo and Right Within "A category-defining book for white colleagues, managers, and leaders at all levels of the corporate world. Deepa examines the limiting ideas that businesses often still carry about what power and leadership look like, and how that definition leaves many behind. In a world where success is often presented as a singular path, we need books like this to show us all that leadership takes many forms and has many voices." — Daniel H. Pink, number one New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human "For too long, women of color have been the ‘first, few, or only.’ The time is now for us to hear their stories, learn from their resilience, and evolve our vision of leadership. Deepa serves as a courageous and honest resource, empowering women of color to boldly venture into their full power." — Reshma Saujani, founder, Girls Who Code and Marshall Plan for Moms "A must-have resource for women of color struggling to overcome established power structures in corporate America. Deeply inspiring and uplifting, The First, the Few, the Only highlights the power of community, encourages women of color to be unapologetically themselves in a white male-dominated environment, and provides the necessary tools to help women thrive in an environment not designed for them." — Brooke Baldwin, journalist and bestselling author of Huddle "The First, the Few, the Only is full of eye-opening stories and empathetic advice that will benefit anyone who wants the inside scoop on power in today’s companies. This insightful book is a rallying cry for women of color to find their leadership pathway and blaze the trail toward more inclusive organizations that are more appealing to everyone. A must-read for managers too." — Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business School professor and bestselling author of Men and Women of the Corporation and Confidence

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