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
Little Dorrit
Written by David
By Charles Dickens (Modern Library, $9.95)
I'm probably correct in assuming that it's been a while since you've read a book that's topped 800 pages. You're off the hook if I'm wrong, but if I'm right, you should seriously consider reading this book. There's a definite, distinct reading pleasure that just can't be found in books that couldn't double as a doorstop. Also, Little Dorrit happens to be one of Dickens' best, and the critically acclaimed BBC and WGBH miniseries was just released on DVD. Here's your chance to read the book first.
Papercraft
Written by Adjua
By Robert Klanten (Gestalten, $65.00)
I've got a wicked, middle-school crush on this book: I think about it all the time, try not to talk about it too too much, and I'm devastated that it doesn't even know I exist 'cause it would totally, like, adore me. Also, it's seriously changed my life forever, and I'm not even kidding. It's filled with the coolest artwork I've ever seen in my life by these totally awesome artists from, like, all over the world who make things that are like really, really complicated and like seriously breath-taking, or really, really funny and cute and stuff but also can be like really meaningful too? The only thing that makes me feel at all grown-up around it is that sometimes we talk about the significance of paper as a fiercely democratic and sustainable medium and about the hope and openness that lends to contemporary art. Wait, is it weird to talk to books? It totally doesn't feel weird. When they're good like this, it feels like they're talking to you too, you know?
Wolf Hall
Written by Katie
By Hilary Mantel (Henry Holt, $27.00)
Is it wrong to love a book that romanticizes one of the most powerful, calculating figures in British history? He enabled Henry XIII in his divorces and beheadings! He might really have been as evil as history has portrayed him. After reading this book, you won't care. Mantel creates such a compelling figure from the sketch we have of Thomas Cromwell, you admire his cunning, and cheer on his achievements. I haven't had this much fun since I immersed myself in the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett. Oh, and it won the 2009 Man Booker Award.
I'm probably correct in assuming that it's been a while since you've read a book that's topped 800 pages. You're off the hook if I'm wrong, but if I'm right, you should seriously consider reading this book. There's a definite, distinct reading pleasure that just can't be found in books that couldn't double as a doorstop. Also, Little Dorrit happens to be one of Dickens' best, and the critically acclaimed BBC and WGBH miniseries was just released on DVD. Here's your chance to read the book first.
I've got a wicked, middle-school crush on this book: I think about it all the time, try not to talk about it too too much, and I'm devastated that it doesn't even know I exist 'cause it would totally, like, adore me. Also, it's seriously changed my life forever, and I'm not even kidding. It's filled with the coolest artwork I've ever seen in my life by these totally awesome artists from, like, all over the world who make things that are like really, really complicated and like seriously breath-taking, or really, really funny and cute and stuff but also can be like really meaningful too? The only thing that makes me feel at all grown-up around it is that sometimes we talk about the significance of paper as a fiercely democratic and sustainable medium and about the hope and openness that lends to contemporary art. Wait, is it weird to talk to books? It totally doesn't feel weird. When they're good like this, it feels like they're talking to you too, you know?
Is it wrong to love a book that romanticizes one of the most powerful, calculating figures in British history? He enabled Henry XIII in his divorces and beheadings! He might really have been as evil as history has portrayed him. After reading this book, you won't care. Mantel creates such a compelling figure from the sketch we have of Thomas Cromwell, you admire his cunning, and cheer on his achievements. I haven't had this much fun since I immersed myself in the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett. Oh, and it won the 2009 Man Booker Award.