My last Yes, All Women reading list was a hit with the Longreads community, so here’s part two. Enjoy 20 pieces by fantastic women writers.
1. “When You’re Unemployed.” (Jessica Goldstein, The Hairpin, June 2014)
“The first thing to go is the caring…You develop a routine: changing out of sleeping leggings and into daytime leggings.”
2. “No Country for Old Pervs.” (Molly Lambert, Blvrb, June 2014)
Dov Charney, Terry Richardson…and the Iraq War? The 2000s were rough.
3. “For Writers with Full-Time Jobs: On the Work/Other Work Balance.” (Megan Burbank, Luna Luna Mag, June 2014)
Seven helpful tips for living practically and creatively. I’m particularly fond of “use your commute.”
4. “I am Loveworthy: How a Transgender Woman Found Love.” (Andy Marra, Jezebel, June 2014)
After a string of disappointing, even insulting, romantic entanglements, Andy meets Drew. Drew is great, y’all.
5. “We’re Losing All Our Strong Female Characters to Trinity Syndrome.” (Tasha Robinson, The Dissolve, June 2014)
So you’ve created a badass woman—what does she DO, exactly?
6. “#Instagramming Africa: The Narcissism of Global Voluntourism.” (Lauren Kascak & Sayantani Dasgupta, Pacific Standard, June 2014)
Short-term mission trips only exacerbate the White Savior Industrial Complex.
7. “On Valentine’s Day, A Boy’s Rite of Passage is Finding the Right Words.” (Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay Times, February 2014)
An eleven-year-old scours Hallmark for the perfect gift for his girlfriend. (DeGregory’s eye for detail in human interest is incredible.)
8. “From One Altar to Another: A Story of Worship, From Orthodoxy to Anorexia.” (Tova Ross, Tablet Magazine, April 2014)
A powerful excerpt from Ross’ upcoming memoir: “I wasn’t very good at being a compliant Orthodox girl, but I excelled in my newfound religion, the elements of which shared many similarities with traditional observance: elaborate dietary laws and fasting, lofty ideals about sin and salvation, and an emphasis on both externals and rituals.”
9. “Your Kindness is Good for You.” (Casey N. Cep, Pacific Standard, March 2014)
Could multifaceted kindnesses be effective medicine?
10. “Sober in the City: Redefining my Queerness on Fire Island.” (Ginger Hale, Autostraddle, May 2014)
Hale’s queerness was originally forged in bars and other queer-centric venues; now, she has to reestablish her identity outside of her unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
11. “What Being the Only Childless Woman in Brooklyn Taught Me About My Relationship.” (Eliza Berman, Swimmingly, April 2014)
Surrounded by youngins, Berman and her partner study each other’s parenting potential.
12. “On Ladymags and Liberty.” (Autumn Whitefield-Madrano, The New Inquiry, May 2014)
It’s advertisers that inspire the inevitable anti-feminist sentiment in many women’s magazines.
13. “An Interview with Jesus.” (Mary Valle, Killing the Buddha, May 2014)
Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they tweet.
14. “I Went to the Nutritionists’ Annual Confab. It Was Hosted By McDonald’s.” (Kiera Butler, Mother Jones, May 2014)
Why–and how–are huge processed food industries sponsoring nutrition conferences?
15. “Seven Days After Father.” (Essay Liu, Blunderbuss Magazine, May 2014)
A city girl returns home to mourn her father.
16. “The Rumpus Interview with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.” (Kima Jones, The Rumpus, June 2014)
Before Beyonce cited her TED talk, the author of Americanah and That Thing Around Your Neck was already a literary powerhouse. Here, she talks Nigerian politics, academics and more.
17. “Even the Most Progressive University in North America Doesn’t Know How to Handle Sexual Consent.” (Katie J.M. Baker, Buzzfeed, June 2014)
Quest, a Canadian university known for its inquisitive student body and innovative education, faces a series of sexual assault charges and can’t seem to handle the consequences.
18. “Hallucinogenic Nights.” (Karen Emslie, Aeon, June 2014)
Taking control of lucid dreaming.
19. “Addict. Informant. Mother.” (Susan Dominus, New York Times Magazine, May 2014)
In Hazleton, Pa., Ann turns in her dealer for cash, but can’t stay clean.
20. “Exorcism is Back! Meet the Mavericks Who Will Teach You How to Cure Demonic Possession.” (Katie Engelhart, Salon, June 2014)
Engelhart wants to know the psychiatric implications of turning to exorcism rather than modern medicine.
Photo: David Goerhing
