Big Girls Don't Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women

Big Girls Don't Cry by Rebecca Traister

Age: 16+

Rating: 2/10

Difficulty: Moderate

Page Count: 299
Recommended for: Female Democrats

It was quite difficult for me to finish the book, politics and religion aside. But, obviously, I got through it. 

Go me.

I like Traister's writing style and she seemed to know her topic very well. If there was someone I needed to ask a question about Hillary Clinton to, it would be her. One other thing I noted was that she was incredibly against Catholics (in just about every sense) but especially about the abortion issue. She was also prone to whining about how blacks stuck with blacks and feminists voted for Barack Obama. It was if she couldn't get over Hillary losing.

Well, newsflash:

She lost.

Another beef of mine: just because you are a feminist doesn't mean you are a left-wing nut. A conservative can be a feminist. A Catholic can be a feminist. A man can be a feminist. Feminism isn't just about "reproductive rights" as Traister so bluntly put it: it's much more than that.

It has seriously taken a monster effort to finish this book, and rest assured it will probably never be picked up and read through ever again.

Goodreads Review

The Round House

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Age: YA

Rating: 7/10
Difficulty: Low
Page Count: 317
Recommended for: Teens, Adults

The Round House is a fabulous book written by the Chippewa Native American Louise Erdrich. Her novel describes a newly teenage boy, Joe, coming of age during a difficult part of his life. His lovely mother, Geraldine, is raped by an unknown man in the aptly titled round house. Bazil, her husband, a lawyer for the tribe, and Joe spend the novel attempting to uncover and prosecute the killer, both legally and in their minds, all while Joe is simply searching to find who he truly is. At times, he wants to be an adult; but others, just a child.

Overall, I would say the public had a better perception of this book than I did. While it was enjoyable and definitely a page turner, it lacked the depth that truly classic books give. Sections became slightly dry and boring, would pick up for 20 pages, and then die back down again. Overall, it is a great read for a lazy afternoon, especially if you would like to gain some insight on the plights of the Native Americans. 

Goodreads Review