Author of Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution in Music
with Allison Wolfe of Bratmobile
and Denise Oswald, editor and director of Soft Skull Press
The early nineties was the time of the riot grrl. Girls across the country put down gender roles and classic feminist critiques, and picked up instruments, zines, and revolutionary politics. For years the best bands were almost exclusively girl bands.
Author Marisa Meltzer is the coauthor of How Sassy Changed My Life (Faber, 2007). Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Elle, and Teen Vogue. She lives in Brooklyn. She'll be here with the legendary Allison Wolfe of Bratmobile and editor Denise Oswald to talk about the book, the music and the movement.
News of Note
Staff Picks
Augustus
Written by David
By John Williams (Vintage, $14.95)
I can hardly believe it, but it turns out that I love historical fiction. At least when it's as well written and engrossing as John Williams' Augustus. I actually don't think there was a time when I wasn't reading it that I didn't wish that I was. As good, if not better than, Robert Graves' I, Claudius.
Shah of Shahs
Written by David
By Ryszard Kapuscinski (Vintage, $13.95)
Those in the know know that Ryszard Kapuscinski's books of reportage are like no one else's. He's mastered an unique and utterly fascinating style of literary journalism that makes the events he depicts vivid with an incredible immediacy. I came to his books only recently, but have already read three, and so far, his Shah of Shahs is my favorite.
Finding a Form
Written by Dustin
By William Gass (Dalkey, $15.95)
I know, I recommend far too many books that are themselves about writing and books. Let's have done with that, shall we? The title piece of this book is one of the only essays about writing you will ever need. It's truly remarkable, full of insight for writers and readers (we are all both). The rest of the book is just as hilarious, insightful, endlessly quotable, and, if one is to pluck out all the names Gass mentions with admiration, could comfortably furnish a reading list for a lifetime.
I can hardly believe it, but it turns out that I love historical fiction. At least when it's as well written and engrossing as John Williams' Augustus. I actually don't think there was a time when I wasn't reading it that I didn't wish that I was. As good, if not better than, Robert Graves' I, Claudius.
Those in the know know that Ryszard Kapuscinski's books of reportage are like no one else's. He's mastered an unique and utterly fascinating style of literary journalism that makes the events he depicts vivid with an incredible immediacy. I came to his books only recently, but have already read three, and so far, his Shah of Shahs is my favorite.
I know, I recommend far too many books that are themselves about writing and books. Let's have done with that, shall we? The title piece of this book is one of the only essays about writing you will ever need. It's truly remarkable, full of insight for writers and readers (we are all both). The rest of the book is just as hilarious, insightful, endlessly quotable, and, if one is to pluck out all the names Gass mentions with admiration, could comfortably furnish a reading list for a lifetime.