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Big Girls Don't Cry
Big Girls Don't Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women | Rebecca Traister
68 posts | 10 read | 51 to read
Journalist and Salon writer Rebecca Traister investigates the 2008 presidential election and its impact on American politics, women and cultural feminism. Examining the role of women in the campaign, from Clinton and Palin to Tina Fey and young voters, Traister confronts the tough questions of what it means to be a woman in todays America. The 2008 campaign for the presidency reopened some of the most fraught American conversationsabout gender, race and generational difference, about sexism on the left and feminism on the rightdifficult discussions that had been left unfinished but that are crucial to further perfecting our union. Though the election didnt give us our first woman president or vice president, the exhilarating campaign was nonetheless transformative for American women and for the nation. In Big Girls Dont Cry, her electrifying, incisive and highly entertaining first book, Traister tells a terrific story and makes sense of a moment in American history that changed the countrys narrative in ways that no one anticipated. Throughout the book, Traister weaves in her own experience as a thirtysomething feminist sorting through all the events and media coveragevacillating between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and questioning her own view of feminism, the womens movement, race and the different generational perspectives of women working toward political parity. Electrifying, incisive and highly entertaining, Big Girls Dont Cry offers an enduring portrait of dramatic cultural and political shifts brought about by this most historic of American contests.
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review
Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This book brought me right back to the 2008 election and all of the mess that went down against women in the US election. I would love to see an update. #NFN21

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Bookwormjillk
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I woke up yesterday to dark and miserable rain, and I thought my streak of beautiful weekday podcast walks was over. I put on my rain boots and headed to work with a lot of self talk about making do. No need though as it was bright and sunny again by the time I got home. I‘m enjoying the tagged audiobook, and listened to the pictured podcast on my walk.

Today I learned the concept of a home garden mission statement.

#NFN21

coffees I felt like that the other day when it was rainy, went out anyway and I felt really good I didn't break my streak! Nice progress, also, that podcast sounds interesting 😁 2y
37 likes1 comment
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Bookwormjillk
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Hard to believe #NonFictionNovember is almost halfway over. I need life to slow down so I can just read all the books.

I started the tagged book yesterday and tried the pictured podcast on my walk. A new one to me, and worth listening to others in the series.

Today I learned about citizen scientists and the role they can play in tracking birds and butterflies. I might look into it!

#NFN21

Bookwormjillk PS these are my neighbor‘s trees and he totally caught me taking pictures, but they‘re really pretty trees. 2y
coffees ^😂😂😂 2y
44 likes2 comments
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andreadmw
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November Stats
I avoided political books all year and then went into November diving deep into politics.

4 Audiobooks (3 done, 1 in progress)
2 eBook (1 done, 1 in progress)

5 Non-Fiction
1 Fantasy

2 by Women
2 by People of Color

Currently listening: Obama's A Promised Land. Currently reading: Brandon Sanderson Stormlight Archive trilogy.

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cherinium
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I'm not a big cryer while reading. Yes, a handful of books have brought me to actual tears over the years, but that is pretty rare. Nonetheless, I finished 2 books this month that tugged at my heartstrings enough to probably qualify for this month's #ReadWithMrBook. #tearjerker @MrBook

MrBook Oooh, Things has been on my TBR for awhile now! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
Books88 This is one of my favorite books 💕 4y
27 likes2 comments
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megt
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Last week required some retail therapy. And I've got to #blameitonlitsy for introducing me to Book Outlet. At least this haul wasn't TOO bad on my wallet! I ended up with a super random collection of choices, but I'm so looking forward to diving into these once the semester is over in a few weeks.

stacybmartin What is Book Outlet? 7y
queerbookreader K. Gillibrand, my girl 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 7y
megt @stacybmartin they're a website (and I think physical store) that stocks excess inventory or damaged copies from publishers. Everything is really deeply discounted to reflect that. From what I understand they also periodically run additional sales or deals on top of that. 7y
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megt @lemonlime799 I don't know that much about her, but I'm really looking forward to learning more! 7y
queerbookreader @megt She's one of my state senators. She's rad. The other one (chuck schumer) just got voted to be the democrat leader in the senate! 7y
megt @lemonlime799 nice! I heard the news about Schumer earlier today. 7y
LeahBergen I bought One of Us from Book Outlet, too! 7y
GlitteryOtters Ahh, looks like such a good haul! I love Book Outlet! 💕 7y
104 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

#Imwithyou! Time for a new hashtag, if you are feeling down (and so much more today), just remember you are not alone.... you still have friends and confidants, and together we are stronger than we know #ImWithYou

RinaBrahmbhattBarot Wearewithyou 7y
AnnieReads I am sad and angry. So glad to have you Littens who understand. 7y
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Librariana 💙💙💙💙 7y
josie281 You #littens are all the highlight of my morning #imwithyou 7y
Christine 💗 7y
slhbooks Trying to hang on to that! 7y
MatildaBaggins 💜💜 7y
93 likes8 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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My brain keeps going back to this passage as I watch the results. This was a conversation with Gloria Steinem about Clinton's '08 run.

No matter how this turns out, remember that in 8 yrs we've already passed what Steinem thought was possible (Hillary became the first female nominee of a major party), and even if she losses, the fact that we were blindsided is actually progress... because it means we truly believed it was possible. 😭

tpixie I wish my eyes were Goodnuf to read this or that the picture would enlarge. I have to take a screenshot! This is Siri spelling 7y
tpixie Interesting!! 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tpixie sorry about that, were you able to take a screen shot and enlarge it? If not, I'll copy the text here in the comments for you. 7y
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tpixie Yes thanks. It was great!! 7y
tpixie I even referred to it today 7y
Bette Thanks. 💙💙💙 7y
72 likes6 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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#overthis There may be some very #NastyWomen tomorrow. Thanks for the tag idea @lemonlime799 a great book about women and politics.

BookishFeminist Yep, there will be hell to pay regardless. 7y
BookishMarginalia This big girl is crying right now. 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BookishMarginalia I'll cry later if needed..... please don't let it be needed... 7y
69 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Just check your party's site online or stop in at the local offices where they are distributing your candidates signs and they should be able to connect you to the right person. (Mine was in space donated to them by a former bookstore in our area...coincidence?) 7y
43 likes1 comment
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

How long is this debate? I'm having deja vu back to the last debate....🙄😲😵😵😵😕

Kathrin We almost made it!!! 7y
BethFishReads Where is the knife in my forehead icon? 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BethFishReads I don't know, but that's the one I need! 7y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BethFishReads Maybe...🍴😱☠️☠️ 7y
Notafraidofwords Ugh I can't. 😒 7y
tpixie 😳 7y
43 likes8 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Watching the author of this great book discussing the last political debate, the tapes, the body language, the gender components.... priceless! I can't wait to read the book she'll write when this election cycle is finished! #WeNeedDiverseBooks #ManyStoryMonday #DiversityMonday

Kathrin Where? Which program? Is that CNN?? 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I saw her on MSNBC on All In with Chris Hayes, I believe it repeats again overnight if you want to stay up or set it to record, or try their website. 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Kathrin Sorry, forgot the tag you for my post above. 7y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage Oh cool! I'll have to see if I can find it online. 👏🏻👏🏻 7y
KVanRead Oh good! I will look for it online. I've been thinking about her book so much. 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @KVanRead Me too! I just got her All the Single Ladies book in the mail yesterday, so as soon as I finish up some that I'm reading now, I'm diving into that one. 7y
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mollymay

This is about Hillary Clinton's presidential run in 2008, but in discussing the sexism and double standards she faced it remains frustratingly relevant.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I really loved this book when I read it this summer, it was so good and still so relevant! 7y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/28/hillary-clinton-sexism-millennia...

I read this article today and was reminded yet again of this great book as I read about young women shifting one way and their fathers another.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Bookzombie It's great on audiobook too, if you like audiobooks! 7y
Bookzombie Thanks! I do! Although I haven't listened to a lot of non-fiction on audio, except memoirs. 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Bookzombie Me either, until this year. And this one was very good... I ended up buying myself a copy anyway though after I returned it to the library. 7y
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Bookzombie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa You convinced me to try it on audio. I just put it on hold at the library. 😀 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Bookzombie bookish peer pressure! Maybe that should be a hashtag #bookpeerpressure 7y
LauraBeth My dad hasn't spoken to me much since 1992 when he found out I voted for Clinton. True story - he pretty much disowned me and has never met my daughter (who is 12)... 7y
queerbookreader @LauraBeth That's absurd wtf?? 7y
LauraBeth @lemonlime799 that's how much he hates anything to do with Democrats - he was willing to let me go over it 7y
queerbookreader @LauraBeth My dad and I flick off houses with trump signs in their yards. Polar opposite from yours. Wild what people will do to their relationships over politics 7y
LauraBeth @lemonlime799 ?? well if my dad was a Dem we'd be fine! Tonight at sbux my daughter really wanted to discuss trump. She said, "I heard he called a woman the c word. Why? And why did he call that other woman fat and disgusting?" These are real questions that are taking place with young and impressionable girls who are paying attention to what's being said that I wish more people were aware of. 7y
NovelGirl82 That's horrible @LauraBeth but I can actually see something like that happening in my family. The joys of being from the Deep South. I don't even discuss politics with the majority of my family, because I am so different from them in my beliefs. 7y
LauraBeth @NovelGirl82 - yep - I'm in GA so that's the Deep South for you 😀 I hope that I can raise my daughter to understand that just because people have a difference in opinion on politics- it's never worth sacrificing a relationship over 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @LauraBeth I am so sorry to hear that! I have pretty strong differences of opinions with my father, but we (well I) generally just avoid discussing politics with him. And I do find myself avoiding him about every 4 years just to keep the peace. But yes... those discussions you are having with your daughters, I just don't get how more people don't see that as a HUGE problem, and even more that of a problem if he the top figure in our gov't for... 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa ... the next 4 to 8 years. That's a whole generation of girls that will grow up thinking that's the way men act towards women, that will be their main role model of an important men, and public epitome male behavior. That men in authority have the right to treat women that way. That to me is a scary thought for the upcoming generation already dealing with body image issues, and self love issues. 7y
NovelGirl82 @LauraBeth I'm in West TX now, but I'm from Louisiana. Fortunately, I don't have to be around my family when all of the election business is going on, for the most part. You are having such important conversations with your daughter. Hopefully, this generation will have a more open mind and a better understanding of how we can have a difference of opinion on things, but still love and respect each other. 7y
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review
Kathrin
Pickpick

It is so interesting to read this book in the middle of the 2016 election, knowing what was ahead for the protagonists.

When I thought about the 2008 election before, I really just remembered Hillary as the first female contender for a presidential nomination and the kind of sexism she faced. But this book also sheds a light on Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin and what they had to deal with.

ScrappyMags It irks me to no end like the whole "questioning her health" right now. When has a male candidate EVER faced that? 8y
Kathrin @ScrappyMags It irks me too. But McCain's health was very much a topic in 2008. http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/12/media/mccain-gold-standard/ 8y
ScrappyMags See I don't remember that as bad but I admit I was crazy busy then having started a new job and had just moved to NC! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa I loved this book! So excellent! I just bought her next book to read this month. 7y
Kathrin @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I already read All the Single Ladies! It's awesome!!! I have a couple of mid twenties women on my team and I told them they MUST read this book. Especially since their male coworker bug them about not having boyfriends. 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Kathrin hahaha! I can't wait! 7y
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Kathrin
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Nice long walk with the pooches and my audio book! Enjoyed both!

MrBook 😻 8y
MrBook Looks like my neighborhood 😊👍🏻. 8y
Matilda The last time my goat-dog sniffed a turtle it bit her snout lol 8y
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Kathrin @MrBook Unfortunately not my neighborhood. It's a 10 minute drive. 😩 8y
Kathrin @Matilda I was waiting for it, but fortunately Biscuit is pretty easily distracted. 8y
MrBook Awww 8y
Soubhiville How fun! My dog encountered a turtle underwater once. She tried to figure out a way to make it stop swimming, but it had more control in the water than she did 😊. Looks like a nice day. 8y
23 likes7 comments
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Kathrin
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Pictures from my morning walk (a little blurry) while reliving the 2008 election.

BookishFeminist Pretty! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Looks like a good walk with a great book! 8y
Kathrin @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yes! It's finally cooler here, so walking is fun again. I am also finally getting to this book. 8y
LauraBeth This is gorgeous! 8y
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AmyS
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Difficult day at work so I decided I deserved a treat on the way home. Do all Starbucks have almond milk now? I am lactose intolerant and not a big fan of soy milk so this news cheered me up significantly. (The trip to the library helped, too.) If only my work problems were so easily resolved...

Zelma I'm sorry to hear about your work day but glad you got a nice treat! 👍 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa See Big Girls Don't Cry, you got almond milk and books! Plus that book, Big Girls Don't Cry is awesome. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I second @Riveted_Reader_Melissa - Big Girls Don't Cry is great! 8y
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Laalaleighh They all have coconut milk.. 8y
AmyS @Zelma Thank you! 😊 8y
AmyS @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I think I heard about the book from you. The first twenty pages were great. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it. 8y
52 likes7 comments
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KVanRead
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Just realized 4/5 of my August faves were in whole or in part due to Littens. This happen to anyone else? Which book(s)? #ReadingUnderTheLitfluence #RUL #DamnitLitsy

SoniaC 😂😂😂😂 reading under the litfluence - I am so going to use this! 8y
LeahBergen Ha!! 😂 8y
Hooked_on_books Oh totally. And my TBR and purchased piles are heavily Litsy influenced. Bye-bye money! 8y
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Zelma Love the new hashtag. Litfluence is awesome and so true. 8y
Yournewfriendsams Almost all my August books were because of fellow Littens. I love it, thanks @Litsy ❤️ 8y
BooksForEmpathy Um yes! All the time. My spontaneous midnight purchases are all because of Litsy!! 8y
Carol Pretty much the best books I've read since joining Litsy have been recommended by Littens! 8y
Nebklvr Trying not to buy books right now, but I spend a lot of time drooling over books on the computer.... 8y
41 likes9 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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I really enjoyed all of my Aug reads, but IF I had to pick a favorite, I'd pick this book! I've been trying to read more about politics & social/election year issues this year; THIS book hit on everything! It looks at the race in 2008 & all the sexism & racism that simmered below the surface. So many of the topics & issues it discussed I found VERY relevant to today, with so many parallels to the race in 2016!#septphotochallenge #somethingforsept

BarbaraTheBibliophage 👍🏻👍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍🏻👍🏻 8y
46 likes1 comment
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KVanRead
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#augustphotochallenge A day late with #augustwrapup because, you know, reading. I thought I read so much more than last month but even though I finished 3 books more, I read 19 pages less!! Still, this is quite good for me and thanks to Litsy I'm discovering so many great books and book people! Re: faves, I want everybody to read March, Homegoing, Big Girls Don't Cry, Inside Out and Back Again. And I was really fond of Un Été à No Damn Good.

31 likes2 comments
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KVanRead
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Pickpick

Okay I'm just gonna say it. I swore A LOT while reading this book!😂 It made me me angry and sad and yes, it made me issue forth endless streams of expletives, but it also made me laugh and more importantly it let me hope. Traister's analysis is smart, thorough, and still so relevant. She asks tough questions about changing demographics and attitudes in our politics, political movements and media and doesn't shy away from the answers.

KVanRead Thanks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa and @BarbaraTheBibliophage for the recommendation. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I'm glad you liked it, even if the content was annoying! I already ordered her other book! 😉 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I'm thrilled you liked it too! You captured the essence in your great review. 8y
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KVanRead @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thanks! The content was infuriating at times, but so important. And I learned a lot. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Same here, I have to agree. And yes @BarbaraTheBibliophage great review too. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of her more recent book. 8y
KVanRead @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage I'm interested too. It looks intriguing but my TBR...ack!!😅 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa No, haven't started it yet. Like @KVanRead my TBR is so nuts! 8y
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KVanRead
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Okay this book officially has me apoplectic now! You see that's the whole problem in a nut sack: every citizen, regardless of body hair composition, not to mention race, socio-economic position, orientation should see a president when they look in the mirror if that's their dream.

BookishFeminist "In a nut sack" ? (agreed though ????) 8y
KVanRead @BookishFeminist Yup. I'm all fired up 😂 8y
Zelma It is Glen Beck. I can't get too worked up because he is a complete nut job. Same with a Rush Limbaugh. 8y
GinaAnderson @Zelma Sadly those nut jobs reach a lot of people with their nonsense. 8y
KVanRead @GinaAnderson @Zelma Yes, sadly they do, but happily I had just about forgotten about Glen Beck, who even the right has abandoned as a nut job. Then again there's Trump😂 8y
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KVanRead
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The Shakesville Hillary Sexism Watch is sadly still needed and fortunately alive and well:http://www.shakesville.com/2016/02/hillary-sexism-watch-part-wev-in.html?m=1

BookishFeminist ?? these infuriate me so much. Also there's a company making knock off cards against humanity based on this campaign. They have a trump & HRC set. Guess which ones way out of line & really sexist. They have an "ultimate bitch card" and not satirical but actual slanderous things on them. Infuriating. I hope they have to pay CAH loads of money for the lawsuit they filed against them. 8y
KVanRead @BookishFeminist 😡 The CAH guy will no doubt plot a good revenge - he sent a 55 gallon drum of lube to the Oregon militia 😂😂😂 8y
BookishFeminist @KVanRead they already did! They're suing the pants off that company, made a card set expansion of their own for the campaign & are donating the proceeds to HRC's campaign. 😂😂 8y
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KVanRead @BookishFeminist Love it!😍 8y
brendanmleonard Those effing cards are still there, btw. 8y
brendanmleonard There = strand books. Five points from Hufflepuff for reading comprehension, Mr Leonard 8y
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KVanRead
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Okay. First thought: urinal targets?!!!...a long chain of expletives. Second thought: Wonder if they have Trump ones ...Googling ... yup...kinda want one. Third thought: Ugh. Politics is dirty. Need to shower. 😂 #Litsyafterdark

Hooked_on_books Politics is dirty, though a friend sent me a fun picture of a sandwich board outside a restaurant for a Trump sandwich: White Bread, Lots of Baloney, Russian Dressing, and a small pickle. 😂 8y
Zelma Ack, urinal targets? Nasty. Although my thought process brought me to urinal cakes, then the joke on Frasier about urial cakes, then how much I miss Frasier. So now I'm thinking about my happy show instead of urinal targets. 😋 8y
BookishFeminist 😡😡 people are disgusting. 8y
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BookishFeminist @Hooked_on_books 😂😂😂 that's amazing! 8y
KVanRead @Hooked__on__books 😍😂😍 Well you know what they about small hands, small sandwiches, ya, that's it! 8y
KVanRead @Zelma ❤️Frasier, a much better thought place to be in 8y
moranadatter People are terrible. I still haven't gotten over all of the nasty stuff the press said about Chelsea Clinton when she was a teenager. Children should be off limits. 8y
Hooked_on_books @KVanRead And small pickles! 8y
KVanRead @BookishFeminist Yes and they bring out the 😈 in me. 8y
KVanRead @kmdartist Agree! And the sexism is definitely not limited to one side- I'm still fuming at Chris Matthews for his Melania ogling and all at the mysogynist commentary about her online. 8y
BookishFeminist @kmdartist I haven't gotten over that either. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in such a public eye and still keep getting up there. It's inspiring. 8y
moranadatter @KVanRead I didn't see that one, thankfully. But, yeah, sexism is spread relatively liberally throughout political discourse. 8y
BookishFeminist @KVanRead I'm fuming at that too! What's even more disgusting is the things people have posted comparing Michelle Obama & Melania Trump's appearances. Sexism AND racism. 😡 8y
moranadatter @BookishFeminist I've seen some really gross stuff directed at her recently too, but journalists picking on the physical appearance of a teenage girl is so far out of line that I can barely process it. 8y
KVanRead @BookishFeminist 😡😡😡 Yahoos online are distressing and depressing but it really irks me what professional commentators like Matthews can get sea with without getting fired. 8y
BookishFeminist @kmdartist Completely agree. That is just beyond. I don't understand why you'd even want to do that. 8y
BookishFeminist @KVanRead Matthews is such a trollbag. And Bill O'Reilly also has a special place in hell for his sexism and racism he spews on the regular. So infuriating. They are getting paid to say discriminatory, hurtful things like that and fave no consequences. 8y
Ais @KVanRead we have a Donald Trump urinal target in a small pub in Dublin (the Adelphi!) 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa How did I miss this post before! I'll blame reading, LOL! 7y
25 likes20 comments
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KVanRead
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#augustphotochallenge #augustbookhaul So far I've completed 3 of them. #damnitlitsy!

LeahBergen Oh man! I want that Rifles for Watie!!! 8y
KVanRead @LeahBergen it's actually from the library and is on my TBR thanks to you 😳 8y
LeahBergen Ha!! 👍🏼 8y
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KVanRead
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#augustphotochallenge I was inspired to make this #impulsebuy after reading @Riveted_Reader_Melissa 's many amazing posts on it. #damnitlitsy! Excited to be starting it today.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I can't wait to see what you think! I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. And shout out to @BarbaraTheBibliophage who recommended it on Litsy where I first saw it! 8y
KVanRead @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Well then, double damnit Litsy!! 😂 I think it's going to be a great read for me👍 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @KVanRead @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I'm reading so differently this year all because of Litsy! Hope you enjoy the #feminist #politics of the Traister book. ❤️📚 8y
KVanRead @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yes, Litsy is leading me to so many great and more diverse books. And yes, ❤️ #feminist #politics! 8y
35 likes4 comments
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AmyS
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When I got the email saying my library hold had come in, I thought, "Hmm... Not sure I'll have time to read this right now." So naturally I not only checked that book out but three others as well. I guess this is my #TBR list for the next three weeks. And it gave me a chance to try out my new photo collage app.

[DELETED] 2232195534 Nice! And the coloring of all the books meshes very well. 😉 8y
AmyS @kaysreadinglife Thanks! The Judd Apatow book is actually white. Don't know how it turned that color in the picture but the books do all look nice together, don't they? 8y
47 likes2 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Yesterday was the anniversary, posted today for #diversityfriday
Hard to believe but it was less than 100 years ago....

Mayread Not too hard to believe. 😏 8y
MrBook Damn shame it took so long too. Frederick Douglass put it best, (paraphrasing) the amendments providing for pushed-aside groups only repeat what is already guaranteed by the Constitution. 8y
64 likes2 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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#WWW AND #Recommendsday It's about politics, the media, & gender in the 2008 political race! I honestly can't wait to see what she writes after this 2016 race. I loved this because it gave a name to some of the odd feelings I had regarding comments that were made in that race, & reading it I could see some huge parallels between the coverage and comments this season, as well as how much has changed in expectations in those 8 years. Read this!

AmyS Requested it from my library because of all the quotes you've been posting here. Can't wait to start it! 8y
34 likes1 comment
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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#TBT Working my way through my pile! Next up for me has to be Betrayals that recently came out, White Trash which recently came in at the library, and after reading some comments by Jessica Valenti in Big Girls Don't Cry, I have to push Sex Object up on the list!

Kathrin All those books that reference other books and the ever growing TBR pile... 8y
alisahar This is such a great TBR list 8y
57 likes2 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Pickpick

The intersection of politics, media, & gender has never been so interesting! Critically looking at the role gender politics played in the 2008 race, with discussion about the effects on the future of feminism going forward. The author follows the 4 leading ladies of this story through the political storm & beyond, includes discussions with Gloria Steinem, Jessica Valenti, Melissa Harris-Lacewell (now -Perry), Rachel Maddow, Katie Couric, etc. 👍

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you @BarbaraTheBibliophage for bring this book to my attention! Yay for another great Litsy recommendation, thank you So much! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Seriously I loved this one, if you couldn't tell from my posting frenzy, and I could have easily posted 3x more. Great audiobook and ebook! Lots of parallels to this election year! 8y
bookishkai I think I found my next audible listen! Thx for the recommend! 8y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage I've loved reading the quotes since I read the audiobook. Thanks! 8y
Kathrin I really got to squeeze this one in between by audio book holds that are lined up! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @bookishkris I really enjoyed the audio, which I got from the library, but I enjoyed it so much I bought my own copy so I could highlight it up. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage I know I could have posted tons more, so many quotable parts! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Kathrin Yes you do! Some of the parallel's to this election are so interesting and telling. I already reserved her other book at the library, I want to get them both in before Election Day. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @bookishkris @Kathrin This book is beyond great. I spent equal times angry and sad, but everything discussed needs to see the light of day! 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Oh yes it is eminently quotable! 8y
moranadatter I enjoyed your quote posts on this one. Sad there won't be more. Guess I have to read the book. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @kmdartist you should, I could have quoted for days and not posted everything I wanted too, plus I had to leave some great stuff for you! Great feminist read though! 8y
KVanRead Super psyched to read this now! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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wears a not-so-great tie, how much e-mail do you think he gets?” Brown said. There has been plenty of talk and plenty written about Sarah Palin‘s jackets, her hair, her looks.… There was plenty of talk and plenty written about Hillary Clinton‘s looks, hair, pantsuits. Compare that to the attention given to Barack Obama‘s fifteen-hundred-dollar suits or John McCain‘s five-hundred-twenty-dollar Ferragamo shoes.""

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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AmyS Keith Olbermann was the worst. I was so happy when he left MSNBC and I no longer had to hear him (my dad loved his show). Now I'm waiting for Chris Matthews to leave. 8y
Megabooks Ridiculous! How can he say there was no sexism!? 😡😡 8y
KVanRead @AmyS I was so mad at Matthews suffering no consequences for his live ogling of Melania that I tried to find a change.org petition calling for him to get fired, but they were all ultra-right wing ones wanting to fire him for other stuff!! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @KVanRead You can start a change.org petition yourself. 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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-ing my kids, I want her laying next to me in bed.""
"What Palin so beguilingly represented, not only to Deutsch but to the general public, was a form of female power that was utterly digestible to those who had no intellectual or political use for actual women: feminism without the feminists."

-ok, yuk, just yucky quote. I'm feeling sympathetic to Sarah Palin now as I'm annoyed at her.

razmanda Gross. 8y
Bookzombie So gross. 8y
coffeenebula 💩💩💩 8y
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prowlix Eww I didn't realize "put on a skirt" could become demeaning ? 8y
moranadatter 😳😡 That about covers it. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Someone needs to create A misogyny-free media outlet. These men make me want to barf. 8y
KVanRead Ick! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage Yes! Maybe there needs to be a new media outlet! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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This book about gender roles in the 2008 election is so interesting, it's amazing what you can see in retrospect.

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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This reminds me of some of the Bernie Bro stuff I heard this election cycle. For two politicians with pretty similar overarching plans/policies, it's amazing how many say they'd never vote for her if they can't have Bernie.

KrisConstantReader Wow, that looks like a great book. 8y
becausetrains Can this be required viewing, serialized a soundbite at a time on every evening news program and Twitter feed? 8y
BookishFeminist Sigh, sexism. 😡 8y
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moranadatter This is so different from what I remember happening back then. 8y
KVanRead Yup, so true. Arghh. And sadly it's not just men. 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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"was rooted in daunting truths about the avenues open to ambitious women in the wake of the second wave: understanding that being popular wasn‘t going to get a girl taken seriously, women had spent years toiling to prove their professional mettle, only to get passed over for guys whose masculinity allowed them to take a more relaxed, and thus more appealing approach to achievement."

zembla There it is. 8y
ultrabookgeek I have to read this book now! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @sharimichele It is so good! And the audiobook is great too! 8y
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ultrabookgeek @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I rarely read non fiction but sometimes illumination on a particular moment in history is really important! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @sharimichele I usually don't either, I made it a goal this year though for the election to read a bunch about politics, race, feminism, and other social issues I thought would be very important this election cycle. I never would have guessed the political dialogue would descend into middle school name calling on one side, and not discussions about issues...but either way I've learned so much this past year and learned to love non-fiction too! 8y
moranadatter The election between Adams and Jefferson descended into a vicious round of name-calling too. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @kmdartist It's not the name calling by itself, it's the lack of a lot of policy discussion prior to the name calling. I started this year, reading about the conflicts we are involved in worldwide, global warming, etc, because I thought there would be discussions about issues & policies debated & I wanted some info on these topics before then so I could make informed decisions about their 'plans' This year I feel like we skipped that part. 8y
moranadatter @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yeah, it was disappointing. Definitely don't read up on the Adams/Jefferson election. It will remind you of this one. It was vicious and lacking in substance (if I remember my history correctly). 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @kmdartist I'm sure I'll get to it eventually, I've already decided to hit Lincoln's time next year with 8y
moranadatter That sounds good - an aspect of his career we don't often hear about 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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How quickly the views shift into familiar stereotypes.

BarbaraTheBibliophage It's so interesting to take these observations and compare or overlay them with this year's election cycle. Much to ponder. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage Yes it is, some of them honestly could just substitute Bernie for Edwards in places and not change anything else. Others are striking so far in what has changed and what hasn't changed one bit in 8 years. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Yes for sure. I can't wait to read the analyses that are done of this year! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage Agreed, I already reserved her other book at the library, and if she writes one after this election I will read that too! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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"On a night when Iowans old and young had come out in droves, (...) three strong Democratic candidates had carved up an unprecedented number of votes fairly evenly..."
"By the next morning, (...) Matthews proclaimed, “For Clinton, what was once considered inevitable is now barely likely.”"
"Chuck Todd described (...) “It‘s weird out here.…Everybody‘s already speaking in the past tense…about Senator Clinton‘s attempts to win the first two states.”"

Megabooks Imagine that...a three-way race and each candidate got ⅓? Wow! I never would've thought. Can I go punch Chris Matthews? I never much liked Hardball anyway. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Ebooksandcooks Yes, yes you can! 👍 8y
Megabooks Great! *books flight* 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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"In the months leading to the primaries, the question of whether he could follow through seemed less pressing than the question Michelle Obama was asking as she too dove into the breach of American history and prejudice on behalf of her history-making partner: Were the rest of us ready to follow their leads?"

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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No pressure there! Just do it all or you're letting everyone down!

brendanmleonard My wife is a big fan of Michelle for this same reason...she's a brilliant woman who faced an impossible situation and handled it brilliantly. 8y
moranadatter My feminist fury is directed at that Salon columnist. Not cool. 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @becausetrains @brendanmleonard I saw a meme on Facebook already that read Michelle 2024, Chelsea 2032, and on to Sasha and Malia... 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @kmdartist Oh my, this book is for you and your feminist fury will get a full workout! 8y
becausetrains The people in the car just held up a Hillary lawn sign in their windshield in response to our bumper sticker 👌😎😂 8y
moranadatter @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I look forward to it. 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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..."But I thought to the extent that someone was really going to be the superstar, it would be Michelle, and Barack would be her competent partner. She was fabulous."
*Side note here...Harris-Lacewell here above is now known as Melissa Harris-Perry

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Some of the reflections in this book of people looking back at the 2008 race, are so interesting. I went with the team "that still had the dude on it".

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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🔼On watching the John & Elizabeth Edwards press conference where they released that her cancer had returned, but they were not dropping out of the race.

GinaAnderson Elizabeth Edwards was an incredible woman. 8y
ValerieAndBooks The quotes you have been sharing are so interesting. I'm adding this to my stack! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @ValerieAndBooks I checked the audiobook out of the library, which is excellent, but I had to cave and buy the ebook so I could highlight and share. 8y
Megabooks I've always admired Elizabeth Edwards. 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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“I took my son‘s name; I didn‘t take my husband‘s name.” In many respects the distancing of herself from Clinton was more performance than authentic self-expression. As dismaying as her Donna Reed feint was, it demonstrated that she understood something about the upcoming election: that in part it was going to hinge on women, and how they felt about other women."
*Another dynamic woman who would have made a better candidate than her husband, IMO.

BarbaraTheBibliophage This was such a good book. I listened to it, and wonder if I should also have the ebook or paperback. 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage You're the one that inspired me to get this one. I got the audiobook from the library, listened about 1/2 through and then caved and had to by the ebook to highlight and mark up! Great stuff and thank you so much for bringing this book to my attention! 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Oh that's so cool! I'm so glad you like it enough to - gasp! - buy it! 😎 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage That's the best compliment for a book isn't it! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hahahaha! From Clinton being 'shocking' as a First Lady for having a job to this recap of the years in between.
*The times they are a changing!*

tpixie Lol. I have some of those cookie recipes still haven't made them. Want to make all of them at once and have a big contest! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Big Girls Don't Cry, but apparently we don't take a hint well either! Reggie has been moving steadily closer and closer and putting himself between me and my kindle phone app...Reggie says stop reading on that phone and pet me! Puppy break!

CherylDeFranceschi ❤️🐶! 8y
MrBook 😻 8y
LauraBeth So cute 🐶 8y
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Megabooks Sweet! 8y
Merethebookgal 😄 My kitty Bella does the same thing! 8y
BookishFeminist 😂😂 pets! So adorable. 8y
cuiuup Haha mine does the same... I get a nose under the book and an army crawl up my neck! 8y
QueenAnne Aah so adorable! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Big Girls Don't Cry, but apparently we don't take a hint well either! Reggie has been moving steadily closer and closer and putting himself between me and my kindle phone app...Reggie says stop reading on that phone and pet me! Puppy break!

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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did we have to give up to get inside? Did we have to bastardize our beliefs to do it? And were bastardized beliefs better than the alternative? If Clinton could balance her political ambitions with the principles that motivated her to invest in politics in the first place, then she still had something in common with feminists: they were balancing their ambitions for her, and themselves, with the ideals that first motivated them to invest in her."