Book Review: “You Don’t Have To Like Me” by Alida Nugent
“You Don’t Have to Like Me” by Alida Nugent
Release Date: October 14, 2015
Genre: Non-fiction, Essays, Feminism
Page Length: 240 pages (electronic review copy)
Synopsis:
Alida Nugent’s first book, Don’t Worry It Gets Worse, received terrific reviews, and her self-deprecating “everygirl” approach continues to win the Internet-savvy writer and blogger new fans. Now, she takes on one of today’s hottest cultural topics: feminism.
Nugent is a proud feminist—and she’s not afraid to say it. From the “scarlet F” thrust upon you if you declare yourself a feminist at a party to how to handle judgmental store clerks when you buy Plan B, You Don’t Have to Like Me skewers a range of cultural issues, and confirms Nugent as a star on the rise.
Review:
From the beginning of the novel, Nugent sets a humorous tone with a serious underlying message in her introduction. She starts off her discussion of feminism by talking about the overview of women in the modern world and why feminism is important in today’s society and what that word really means.
Throughout the novel Nugent mixes her own experiences while discussing women’s issues and topics such as: birth control, periods, being multiracial, beauty, friendships and more. She is witty, real, and talks to her readers in an informal voice. Her jokes definitely kept me laughing out loud while reading the entire book.
She brings up many valid points about issues like how society focuses on gender from birth. For example, how girls are taught to play with dolls and boys to play with trucks. Why should it matter? She also gives positive advice like in her chapter on beauty. Nugent frankly says to just “do you” when it comes to makeup, fashion, etc. and not to get caught up in the trends or what’s currently in style. In other words, be unique and stand out from the crowd.
The whole book comes away with the message that “you” the reader should be proud to be a feminist. She also states how important it is to have feminism and how much the fight for gender equality is needed. Even the world won’t change overnight we can still make a difference by taking things one day at a time.
Final Verdict:
A great and funny book about feminism, it was so intriguing because I could relate to her narrative.
FTC Disclaimer: I have received this book from First to Read in exchange for a fair and honest review.
