Regina Barreca

Okay, there are some really good things in here. But the focus on the "natural" choices women make and men make gets a little offputting, since none of the studies being done have been done on individuals not influenced by society. A couple of chapters of men's complaints about marriage would have been better if she would have included a statistical analysis of the reality, which shows that many of their complaints are unfounded. And she seems to accept without question the complaint men make that they are trapped or forced into marriage, and didn't really want to do it. The question comes up: Where did she find these men? Yeah, some men feel that way, of course. So do some women. Overall, the book wore out its welcome some time before it left.… (more)

This book cracked me up. Written from a perspective of one of the first female students to break into the Ivy League - specifically Dartmouth. Even in the world of females she felt like an outsider. She felt like Betty Boop in a world of Barbies.

The parts I remember best are the briefs overheard conversations. (from a male student) "We understand women's cycles. We know they happen every OTHER month." or "Quit crying. You're making my armpit wet."

She is a writer and has given me a framework ... a style which I can emulate. I was thinking the other day of writing a tell all about my work place. There are perhaps four or five people who have been there longer making me some kind of an expert. It should be fun to write; of course, I won't publish it anytime soon or I'll no longer have a job and perhaps not any friends.… (more)

[They Used to Call Me Snow White But I Drifted] was an interesting look at the "gender politics" of humour. The author is a professor of English and of feminist theory in the U.S. She examines how girls and boys are taught about using humour, and about what is appropriately considered funny by each gender. She continues with the use of humour in adults. Some younger readers might not be familiar with all the examples of funny women she uses, but will still get the point that trusting your own sense of humour is empowering.… (more)