4.5 out of 5 stars for this antidote read, a booster shot of optimism. It's evidence-based, data-driven, logic-fueled, character-catalyzed hopes and dreams for a better world ― a less brutal, more prosperous, less hateful, more inclusive world. This isn't a call to action as much as it's a call to understanding, but it's no less powerful for that. Gates tells the story of her personal evolution from fighting to save children's lives to working to empower women. She uses an approachable, conversational style that's supported by a self-awareness and sensitivity that makes it an easy read. The names of her mentors and heroes, the courageous catalysts for change, may fade from your memory shortly after finishing the book, but the truth and impact of their stories will remain. "If you want to lift up humanity, empower women. It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings."⁣

A worthy biography of a worthy subject, but it suffers a little from adoring repetitiveness and from the way the author acknowledges Fred's privilege but also exhibits a tone-deafness to the noblesse oblige element of the generosity he was raised in. It provides plenty of interesting background and insider details to round out your portrait of America's favorite cardiganned crusader. And you can read with no fear. You'll find that Mr. Rogers was exactly who he appeared to be — a careful and caring champion of kids and kindness, and a firm believer in the positive power of the neighborhood — and more.

Almost DNF'd this one a dozen times, but it's a fast read, so I pushed through. I'm not that familiar with Barry, but my expectation of a dog-loving humorist's lessons from his sweet, contented old dog was that they would be more wholesome wit and less broadly obvious stereotyping and smug, offensive kvetching. Maybe his brand of humor isn't aging well or maybe it was just never for me. But I also expected Lucy to have a larger role in all of this, and I think that's a fair point. The lessons themselves are okay. And the post-epilogue chapter about his daughter's health scare is some of the best writing in the book. I recommend that you read the introduction. If you don't like what you're hearing, skip to the epilogue for the lesson re-cap and then read the final chapter.

I read this semi-jokingly as a "scary October read" because it legit sounds terrifying — talking to strangers in public, improv, networking events, public speaking, new friend dates, stand-up comedy. But I was happy to see that 1) she wasn't setting out to "fix her introversion" and 2) she wasn't jumping in on a whim or as a gimmick but was well supported by mentors and research along the way. Pan is a well-traveled journalist, but she started this venture as a deeply lonely, anxious, stuck and unhappy "shintrovert (a portmanteau for "shy introvert" … thanks, I hate it) with a fear of failure and judgment. She pushed herself pretty hard, trying every new thing with good faith and courage, and became a "grintrovert" (a gregarious introvert … I hate that one less). What's significant, I think, is that she was open to strategically being out of her comfort zone long enough to develop the techniques that allowed her to control her anxiety and extend the boundaries of what she could capably, if not entirely comfortably, handle.

There are certainly applicable principles and techniques here for other shi… sorry, I just can't… shy introverts. But it isn't a how-to book. The lessons are integrated into a warm, funny tale of the mild adventures of a fellow introvert. You'll recognize yourself in Pan's reactions and confessions ("Skipping events is one of my top five hobbies, ranking just below watching videos of dogs jumping into piles of leaves.") and, perhaps, be inspired to stretch just a little if that's what your life needs right now. Pair with "The Escape Manual of Introverts" by Katie Vaz just to be safe.

[Content notes: use of alcohol and legal psychedelics]

I strongly recommend you watch Abby Wambach's viral 2018 Barnard commencement address or read the published version ("Wolfpack") as a concluding chapter to this memoir, which was written shortly after her retirement in 2015. Without "Wolfpack," "Forward" fails to capture Wambach's charisma and feels underdeveloped and bleak, like you can't quite trust the positive direction of the abrupt ending. (And without "Forward," the short, inspirational punch of "Wolfpack" lacks heft and context, as if it's a nice framework and message but you aren't sure it's actionable.) Together, they tell a powerfully honest and inspiring story of struggle, identity, courage, family, triumph, failure, healing, hope, growth, and the rising tide of badass women. ⁣

I like the framework, message, and inspirational punch of this slightly expanded version of Abby Wambach's viral 2018 Barnard commencement address. But I really love it as a concluding chapter to Wambach's memoir "Forward." Without "Wolfpack," "Forward" (2.5 stars on its own) fails to capture Abby's charisma and feels underdeveloped and bleak, like you can't quite trust the positive direction of the abrupt ending. Without "Forward," the short, inspirational punch of "Wolfpack" (4 stars on its own) lacks heft and context, as if it's a nice framework and message but you aren't sure it's actionable. Together, they tell a powerfully honest and inspiring story of struggle, identity, courage, family, triumph, failure, healing, hope, growth, and the rising tide of badass women. ⁣

3.5 stars for a book that (much like the church) couldn't possibly have been all that I had hoped for and therefore wasn't. It was, however, beautifully and honestly written. Organized somewhat loosely around seven sacraments (baptism, communion, confirmation, confession, marriage, vocation, and death), the book tries and sometimes succeeds in broadening the discussion, offering hope and healing to critical thinkers who have slipped (or perhaps were nudged) into cynicism. If you are discouraged, disillusioned, or downright disturbed by your church in particular or the Church in general — especially if you come from an Evangelical background — then at the very least you will find encouragement in these pages and in knowing that you're not alone. If you are ready for it, you can also find humor and inspiration, and messy, inconvenient truth and grace. ⁣

I'm not a Felicia Day super-fan, but ... I kinda super-fan loved this book.

Also, I'm usually a little put off by memoirs written at a relatively young age. I mean, who writes a memoir when you're only however-old-Felicia-Day-was-when-she-wrote-this-which-I'm-guessing-is-maybe-mid-thirties? And yet ... 5 stars. I'm giving this book 5 stars, even though my 5-star rating has traditionally been reserved for books by C.S. Lewis that I read as an impressionable and enthusiastic youth in serious need of escape and identity or books that start with "Harry Potter and the..."

This book was just so freaking good. As a memoir, as a well-written book in a well-captured voice, as a case study in creativity and mental health, as a "you too??" moment, as a "my people!" feel, as a quietly feminist tale, as a source of inspiration and humor and restoration in my faith in humanity (even in the face of more evidence of the dregs of humanity). So good.

I've shared/highlighted some of my favorite bits, but they're better in context. If you're a citizen of the interwebs, a writer, a creator of any kind, a gamer, a person of quirky interests, a socially awkward person of a non-traditional educational background, or just someone who appreciates unabashed enthusiasm, I think you'll enjoy this book. Even if you're not a Felicia Day super-fan.

You'd think a book of sad animal facts would be both dreary and dry. Maybe all the other sad animal fact books are, but this particular one manages to be cute and darkly humorous instead. Each fact has a corresponding and endearing illustration of the animal and its brief commentary. The remarks are often surprising — and sometimes surprisingly insightful or funny. Although laugh-out-loud moments aren't too numerous, it's a fun book to thumb through and stands up to repeated browsing (the SadAnimalFacts Instagram account is also worth following). The author is a former reference librarian, and an appendix expanding on the facts in the book and is a welcomed addition.