NonFiction – Page 7 – …on the B.L.

Transgender History by Susan Stryker

June 23, 2019June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth a Read Yes
Length 320
Quick Review An overview of the transgender people’s history in the United States from about WWII to present day.

201906161373761393911192186 — Transgender History by Susan Stryker | Red Dress Dress | Straw Purse | Bracelets | Bow | Belt

I’m always hesitant about nonfiction books written by people who don’t personally understand what they are writing about, which is why I picked up Transgender History so enthusiastically. Susan Stryker is a scholar and a transsexual woman. The book is full of insight and history and emotional depth. At the root of this often politically charged topic are people. So often that fact is forgotten. Transgender PEOPLE live lives as full and complicated and emotional as anyone else.

It would be almost impossible to discuss trans* history and rights without having an understanding of key terms and phrases. Stryker takes 45 pages to define many important terms. This sounds super boring, but it was actually very interesting. Some terms are well known but many are not.

Transgender History by Susan Stryker | Red Dress Dress | Belt | Purse | Bow | Bracelets

There is so much information packed into 320 pages. Some of the highlights are the discussions about riots throughout American history and their impact on society and culture. Notably Cooper D-Nuts, Dewey’s, and Compton’s were huge points when several factors came together to create change on some level. The inclusion of excerpts from articles, letters, testimonies, research, and books helps to capture the spirit of the time, provide information from other experts, and give personal stories.

I had always wondered why I heard more about trans women than trans men. Transgender History gave me the answer. Trans men could often disappear into society living as they wanted to. Known as passing. Trans women did not share the same abilities and have been at a higher risk of violence. I also wondered where the unfortunate idea trans people are rapists came from. Sadly, that idea originated at a feminist convention with the trans woman Beth Elliott. As a feminist, this saddens me greatly. I still don’t understand why there are types of feminism which are exclusionary. (Mine is not.)

Transgender History by Susan Stryker | Dress | Purse | Belt | Bracelets | Bow

Fun facts I didn’t know but should have:

Ames was one of a handful of American cities and counties with trans anti-discrimination protections in 2016. Ames is my home town; so proud!
The DSM didn’t depathologize transgender people until the DSM V in 2013
HIV is common in poverty stricken trans communities because of sharing hormone needles.

So many notable trans people are mentioned throughout the pages. Sarah McBride, author of Tomorrow Will Be Different, is mentioned as the first trans person to speak at a televised national convention. Reed Erickson, a transgender male, did so much to further research and science for trans people.

Transgender History is misunderstood if it’s understood at all. There is so much I didn’t know and still don’t know. Stryker does an amazing job educating the reader without making them feel guilty or uneducated. If you are interested in learning about a deeply oppressed community, I highly suggest reading this book.

Memorable Quotes
“When people struggling against an injustice have no hope that anything will ever change, they use their strength to survive; when they think that their actions matter, that same strength becomes a force for positive change.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Barnes & Noble | Buy on Book Depository
Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3625015″]

Title: Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution
Author: Susan Stryker
Publisher: Seal Press (Hachette Book Group)
Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 9781580056908

Transgender History | Dress | Belt | Purse | Bow

Books, NonFiction

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

June 13, 2019June 11, 2019 RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 279
Quick Review Aziz Ansari is as confused with the world of love and dating as the rest of us are, so he wrote a book about it.

Aziz Ansari talks about how much he loves food in *Modern Romance*, so I had an ice cream at Twisty Treat. | Romper (best thing ever) | Flippy Floppies | Sunglasses

Love is tough. Kinda like life. Love, dating, relationships, breakups, and marriage (probably not in that order) have changed in my [dating] lifetime, and it has certainly changed over the past couple of generations. Aziz Ansari decided to write Modern Romance about the conditions people face when existing in the dating world. He worked with researchers so it would be more than observational humor. There is a lot of science in this one and some laughs.

Ansari begins with the basics of what dating used to be like. For a woman: Need man or die. For a man: Need woman or no babies, no help, no food, no sex, no one to come home to. 🙁 Dating changed, but still had some of those basic elements in the last century. Most people married for love instead of need, but the marriage age was far lower and people made due with who was in the viscinity. Now, marriage is not necessary for survival. People are searching for soul mates instead of a good enough mate. Also, the internet. Game changer in Modern Romance because there weren’t tons of options outside of the ‘where I am located.’ Now, internet dating and apps make the WHOLE world open.

One thing I really appreciate is Ansari went out of his way to acknowledge how love and dating is still different for men and women, “If you were a woman, you had far less time to find a man. True love? This guy has a job and a decent mustache. Lock it down, girl.” No shit. Romance is still different for women today because, well, lots of reasons. Ansari did not make it seem like everything is the same for men and women because it’s not.

The book explored dating in the United States and the world through focus groups in New York, Tokyo, Paris, and Buenos Aires. There were also conversations had with women in Qatar and other places in the U.S. Honestly, the dating scene sounds pretty horrific in Tokyo, Buenos Aires, and Qatar. The focus groups and science helped bring a lot of credence to what Ansari was saying, and it also proves a lot of personal observations to be fact and not just observations.

Modern Romance isn’t all just science and statistics. It’s pretty funny. Ansari has a tendency towards hilarious and prolonged tangents. If you’ve ever heard me tell a story, this is something I do and appreciate. I also discovered, Ansari and I have a similar approach to choosing restaurants and a passion for food. Although, I don’t think this is terrible special considering everyone I spend time around has an incredible passion for the culinary arts.

Side Notes:

Aziz, I hope it worked out for you and the juicer.
Statistic: iPhone users are twice as likely to sext as Android users. Android users are by and large nerdier than iPhone users. We (Android users) have less opportunity or second party interest to sext…. It’s not our fault.
The young, body, sex positive women give me so much hope. I wish I had that kind of confidence at their age.

All in all, Modern Romance was not at all what I expected. It was very interesting and funny. I wouldn’t say I learned a ton, but I read a whole bunch. I’ve also done my fair share of dating the old fashioned way and via technology, so the love truths were duhs from me.

Memorable Quotes
“Today, if you own a smartphone, you’re carrying a 24-7 singles bar in your pocket.”
“Nowadays the Internet is my chubby friends. It is the whole world’s chubby friend.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Barnes & Noble | Buy on Book Depository
Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3613174″]

Title: Modern Romance
Author: Aziz Ansari
With: Eric Klinenberg
Publisher: Penguin Press (Penguin Random House/Penguin Group)
Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 9781594206276

Books, NonFiction

First by Evan Thomas

June 11, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Yes
Length 496
Quick Review A biography of the Supreme Court’s first female justice of the peace.

Reading First by Evan Thomas in Galveston. | Black Dress

I loved this book. First by Evan Thomas is a beautiful look into the life and work of Sandra Day O’Connor. It is an in depth and interesting look at the life of a fascinating and brilliant woman. Thomas pays homage to a life built on principle, truth, honor, and family.

I didn’t know much about Sandra Day O’Connor when I started the book, except for the fact she exists and the Supreme Court bit. Surprisingly, a lot of my peers don’t know anything about her either. Even my feminist friends didn’t realize she was the first woman on the Supreme Court. Ugh, the education system fails again. I couldn’t wait to dive into this book, and it did not disappoint. Thomas writes an account as brilliant and intimate as the woman deserves.

Sandra Day O’Connor was born and raised on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. She went to Stanford for her B.A. in Economics as well as for law school. She married her husband John O’Connor. As an educated woman in the 1950’s, she had difficulty finding work as a lawyer even though she was more than qualified. She became the mother of three boys and was an active part of their Arizona community. In the 1960’s, she was an assistant Attorney General in Arizona before becoming a Senator in Arizona’s state legislature. In 1974, she became a judge. In 1981, Reagan appointed Sandra Day O’Connor to the Supreme Court, where she worked tirelessly for justice. She was the First woman to be on the Supreme Court.

First by Evan Thomas | Black Dress | Straw Hat

There is so much in a life, but in an extraordinary life, there is even more. First could have been a much longer book and still been interesting. Thomas writes about the life and the woman. She was funny, personable, and hardworking. Sandra Day O’Connor cared. She cared about her family, the people around her, and the country. She worked for the good of the community and the world. She kept her personal feelings aside from her job in order to make the right decision. People who met her were always charmed.

I, generally, don’t love female biographies written by men. They don’t have the life experience of women and can’t write an accurate depiction of what women go through. Thomas is not afraid to point out the inequality and male blind spots O’Connor faced in her daily life as a strong and smart woman.

One thing I deeply admire about Sandra Day O’Connor was her dedication to her family and her career. In a time when women didn’t have careers, she rose to one of the highest positions in the country. Her husband supported her and was a partner, but she did the same for him.

I highly suggest First by Evan Thomas. It is a beautiful biography and homage to a revolutionary woman.

Memorable Quotes
“She learned not to take the bait.”
“Revolution always breeds counterrevolution.”
“when Sandra Day O’Connor joined the Court in 1981, the justices were still working out whether gays and women enjoyed the same Fourteenth Amendment protection as African Americans did.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Barnes & Noble | Buy on Book Depository
Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3612678″]

Title: First; Sandra Day O’Connor
Author: Evan Thomas
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780399589287

Books, NonFiction

How to Skimm Your Life from theSkimm

June 10, 2019June 10, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Yes
Length 240
Quick Review From the creators of theSkimm. They walk you through the basics of being a successful adult from what they mean when they’re talking about wine to networking to taxes.

Reading *How to Skimm Your Life* in a super fun swing! | yoga pants | shirt | sunglasses | flippy-floppies |

theSkimm has become one of the most beloved emails people receive in the morning. It keeps you up to date on the goings on all over the world without having to invest hours combing through newspapers. I read it myself. The creators are now helping with life in How to Skimm Your Life comes out tomorrow and is a funny and informative.

I love a good glossy book with illustrations. Did you know millennials are changing and reinvigorating the wine industry? It only makes sense How to Skimm Your Life would start with a little wine information. Knowing your way around a wine menu makes you seem and feel fancy. There are also a ton of tips about taxes, travel, side hustles, politics, world history, house cleaning, finances, and networking. It’s a great overview of things every successful adult should be aware of in today’s society.

I love the section about politics and the UN. It helps break down a lot of overwhelming information. We hear about committees and such in the news, but often times we don’t necessarily know what they mean. One of the most important parts of How to Skimm Your Life is the break down of how these things works. It was also fun reading about it because I’m sitting in a coffee shop right across from the National Mall in Washington D.C. Although they fall a little short with the World History section because it starts in 1914. I think they could have given another page or two to a longer history lesson, but that comes from a history lover.

The book has a huge sense of humor, which keeps you flipping the pages. It has an incredibly upbeat tone filled with bright colors and a little bit of fun. Adulting can be hard, but getting better at it shouldn’t be. How to Skimm Your Life is like having a cheerleader in a book.

Memorable Quotes
“And why highly tannic wines like Cabernet Sauvignon develop like Jane Fonda: Better. Every. Year.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Barnes & Noble | Buy on Book Depository
Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3611055″]

Title: How Skimm Your Life
Author: theSkimm
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9781984820808

Books, NonFiction

The Art of the Good Life by Rolf Dobelli

June 8, 2019June 8, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Yes
Length 272
Quick Review Dobelli compiles 52 guidelines for living a good life and avoiding the unnecessary in The Art of the Good Life.

The Art of the Good Life by Rolf Dobelli | Skirt | Shirt

Living a good life is kind of everyone’s goal. I hope, anyways. The meaning of life may always be elusive, but living a good life shouldn’t be. Rolf Dobelli is a businessman and well known author. He started out as a novelist but gained international acclaim for his book The Art of Thinking Clearly. His latest The Art of the Good Life compiles 52 guidelines for finding happiness no matter what your life looks like.

As I get older, it seems like my peers are looking to self help books more than in my younger years. I don’t necessary love them. I think they’re a little pretentious and boring. Dobelli seems to have his life pretty well figured out. I wouldn’t necessarily say his advice is ground breaking. In my 28 years on this Earth, I’ve already figured out most of these and have been living from that place for a good while. There’s advice, I wouldn’t follow, but that’s just me!

What I do appreciate about The Art of the Good Life is the prose. It’s well written and interesting. Dobelli pulls from his own life and the lives of others. The guidelines are very much grounded in real life. He has a huge sense of humor, which makes for an entertaining read. There is a lack of oxford comma usage, which I am not a fan of. I won’t hold it against him personally, but his life would be better if he used it. I very much appreciate his appropriate swearing. There’s a harsh honesty to the book. It has a bit of: humans are inherently dumb because we follow our emotions and that’s not smart. Dobelli isn’t condescending, but he doesn’t mince his words about how much time we waste on stupid shit. He is an amateur pilot and uses a lot of plane related examples, which I’m here for. I love flying.

I may not love self help books, but I did enjoy reading this one. I would say overall the guidelines he lays down in The Art of the Good Life are good rules to live by.

Have hard, unbreakable boundaries.
Feelings will lead you down the wrong path, so don’t follow them.
Money is not the key

Although, I wholeheartedly disagree about his sentiments on reading… kind of. One hundred books over ten years… goodness “Once you hit thirty, life’s too short for bad books.” I don’t think I could stick to one hundred books over ten years…. Ugh.

The Art of the Good Life is an interesting read. I enjoyed it, and there are some fun factoids throughout the pages.

Memorable Quotes
Radical acceptance “With each explicable pick-up, your life will get better.”
“A dog is authentic. You’re a human being.”
“A book is something qualitatively different from crème brûlée, a scenic flight over the Alps or sex.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Barnes & Noble | Buy on Book Depository
Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3584692″]

Title: The Art of the Good Life; 52 Surprising Shortcuts to Happiness, Wealth, and Success
Author: Rolf Dobelli
Publisher: Hachette Books
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9780316445061

Books, NonFiction

In Love with the World by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

May 28, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth a Read Meh
Length 288
Quick Review Rinpoche decided to leave the comfort of his home to travel for three years killing off who he used to be to become someone new.

In Love with the World by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche | Eating ice cream at Sweet Cup in Houston | Shirt | Pants | Shoes

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche was already revered within his religion when he decided to leave his community in the middle of the night to experience life and the world in a new way. In Love with the World is his experience as a wanderer for three years.

Rinpoche grew up within the faith of Tibetan Buddhism and had trained his entire life. He had never experienced life in any other capacity than through the lense of Tibetan Buddhist. One night, he gave no notice to his community. He left. He saved a little money, which is harder than you’d think. He wrote a letter explaining why he left and that he would return in three years. He was 36 years old. In Love with the World is as much a book about his emotional and mental transformation as it is about his physical journey in the world.

There is a sense of who people are by their titles or their clothing. Rinpoche wears clothing screaming buddhist and has the titles and achievements of Master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism and is the overseer of the Tergar Meditation Community. He’s a big deal. He is also a person with anxieties and fears and joys and a sense of humor. For as incredibly wise as he is, he is also funny. I highly enjoyed this tidbit, “I had felt rescued by my training more than once, even though that same training ensured the practical life skills of a lapdog.” It’s funny but deeply insightful. He has a knowledge base that is incredibly helpful and meaningful but doesn’t go very far when you’re stuck on a train with just about nothing.

I really enjoyed reading In Love with the World because it is full of wonderful insights into a life completely different than my own. It would be a great read for vacation or on a plane. Something to dive into.

tMemorable Quotes
“I had set off on my own to intentionally seek this disruption through what I had been thinking of as an ego-suicide mission.”
“Until we accept the truth of impermanence, ignorance and confusion will darken our days.”
“While the luminous mind never dies, the experience – as with any experience, no matter how transformative – was just another cloud passing by.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository
Shop the Post

Title: In Love with the World; A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying
Author: Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche with Helen Tworkov
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780525512530