The story of Billie Jean King should be mandatory reading for all. Her wins have been shrunken into a bullet point list for ma"Winning is a process."
The story of Billie Jean King should be mandatory reading for all. Her wins have been shrunken into a bullet point list for many (even though the list is long and wildly impressive) but what makes her story so incredible is not only her impact but the nuanced lessons she teaches in the way she lives; making friends out of her naysayers, standing up for what is right even if it was scary or hard, finding ways to collaborate for change, and constantly change the world for the better even if it is for a future she won't get to see. BJK is incredible. I am sad I waited all these years to learn about her but I hope I can live a little more like her from now on....more
Listening to this book in our present has been heartbreaking, cathartic, validating, and infuriating. How the copper coated con man could be the presiListening to this book in our present has been heartbreaking, cathartic, validating, and infuriating. How the copper coated con man could be the president while this insanely overqualified, intelligent, thoughtful, kind, steadfast, morals driven feminist was cast aside will never not bring me to tears. I dont even agree with all her views but I know we would have lived a very different timeline if she had been the leader of the free world.
Inspiring, tear jerking, absolutely illuminating read. It is so upsetting how women are constantly put down, but her strength to keep fighting brought me goosebumps and tingles in the best way....more
I expected an in-depth, complex, intricate perspective of ai - what it is, how it works, where it succeeds, and wThis book was so frustrating to read.
I expected an in-depth, complex, intricate perspective of ai - what it is, how it works, where it succeeds, and where it falls short, and most importantly what we can do moving forward. Instead, all I got was one self-proclaimed expert's opinions, wardrobe choices, and self promotion through the same tired criticism of ai with no real suggestions for solutions. Her constant hypocrisy, assumptions, arrogance, and entitlement really pissed me off.
I feel like I could really go deep into every detail that bothered me, I won't, instead I'll say, if you are trying to learn about ai, you don't have to read this book. Maybe her actual research would be more interesting but I think in general there are far more timely, accurate, systematic books to read about this topic that are far less singular and author focused....more
I love Iliza's standup. I think it's punchy, accurate, based on observations and shared experiences. She is relatively respectful and relatively relatI love Iliza's standup. I think it's punchy, accurate, based on observations and shared experiences. She is relatively respectful and relatively relatable which I think can be hard to do. This book is the first book of hers that I have read. I love a lot of her media and am super impressed and love the hardwork she puts into being creative across mediums
but ...
this one made me kinda sad. I vehemently agreed with her on some things and not on others, and that's okay. That's what I like but I think what made me sad is that the little things in life, the small joys that I always see as optimism and hope, she finds irrigating and boring or maybe annoying? I thought we were similar in a lot of ways, agreed on a lot of things, and I appreciate when we don't, but some of the things she pointed out, I was sad to know my generation feels that way. Maybe I am naive but I also wish people could be happier? Not be so easily angry all the time. I dunno, maybe it's me.
It was okay. I listened to the audiobook, maybe not her best work but I still like her....more
Some essays felt like Sam put words to my soul, other essays didn't really interest me. I really struggled to read read it but listening to it was a lSome essays felt like Sam put words to my soul, other essays didn't really interest me. I really struggled to read read it but listening to it was a little more fun.
If you didn't finish this book...you don't really love Tiffany Haddish, you just like the idea of her.
Most of the stories are not a surprise now in 2If you didn't finish this book...you don't really love Tiffany Haddish, you just like the idea of her.
Most of the stories are not a surprise now in 2021, since she has told them on a variety of shows and spoke about them in popular interviews, but she does not hold back. It is an honest, raw, real reflection of her life filled with perspective and life lessons we could all use.
Tiffany, you are the last black unicorn. Shine on!...more
I have always loved Pinoe...and I love her even more now.
I hesitate falling in love with people who become or are famous. The media always makes themI have always loved Pinoe...and I love her even more now.
I hesitate falling in love with people who become or are famous. The media always makes them seem disproportionately perfect and that they can do no wrong as if they are not human and their one act defines them forever without dimensionality (and if you have been following their story before they made it, cheered them on before they were a family name, or wore their jersey before anyone else knew who they were, you often get left behind). Eventually though, the fire inevitably fizzles and at some point, they always disappoint in ways far worse than you expect. (ie. Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi, etc.).
But I also have trouble not being completely attracted to people with grit, people who rise above in whatever they do. Some of them have privileges, others do not, but whatever their circumstances, wherever they come from, and whoever helped them get there, the best of the best always seem to share the same essence of relentlessness that I can't help but admire.
I listened to this book, orated by Megan herself after much nagging from a dear dear friend. It turned out to be the best book I have read this year ...and maybe one of the best books I have read in the past few years. After following her career long before she made the USWNT and watching her rise to be the best player in the world, I was impressed by her activism and choice to stand up (or in this case, kneel down). Yet, at the same time, she was being villainized in the media, and I started to question the depth of her intersectionality. Growing up in NJ and living through the deep seeded racism in women's soccer, the optics of the USWNT took precedent over the message she was trying to make which is when my hesitations about her set in. I was willing to take her as just an amazing player and walk away not worrying about her off play actions (which I could only do if there on the right side of history, not the other way around). I wanted to like her for more but I didn't know if I could trust her as anything more than an entertainer.
But in this book, she told her story and answered every question I had. cleared every doubt, squashed every fear. She was candid, practical, and authentic. There was no hiding or boasting of doing everything right. She didn't build a façade that would later be shattered. She acknowledged her privilege and then used her words, her opportunities, and her platform to try to impact change time and time again. She put skin the game without fear. She paid her dues and made fair points. Most of all she honored those who have been punished for the same actions she has taken and been given credit for.
I listened because I wanted to hear it but I need those who uphold systematic racism to truly understand it. When people of color speak these truths to be self evident, they are punished, demonized, and pay with their bodies and livelihoods. When white folk do this work, it sometimes can be performative but that could not be farther from the truth here and I hope that maybe, just maybe, if she continues to use her voice, speaks their languages, carries their face, they'll finally start to get it....more