Books
By now, you’ve definitely heard that a woman’s place is in the resistance — but what about laughter’s place in the resistance? Or the role that humor can play in political activism? Can we keep laughing, even as the state of American politics wavers between grim, confusing, and downright terrifying? Believe it or not, lots of feminists are funny; from Melissa McCarthy’s unforgettably pointed portrayal of former-White House Communications Director Sean Spicer, to the increasing number of female comedians using their platforms for political good, to these hilarious books written by women — all of which should help you stay motivated to resist in the weeks and months to come. (Because yeah, the resistance is only just beginning.)
For many feminists and activists, we’ve entered a “if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry” era of politics in the United States — but when given the choice, laughing your way to your next town hall meeting, march on Washington, or voting booth is so much better than crying. Laughter can be just as motivating as anger, and sometimes, we really, really need to remember to laugh. So, in pursuit of maintaining our sense of humor in less-than-sunny times, here are seven funny books by women that will keep you motivated to resist.
'America Has Very Nice Legs — It's a Fact! A President Trump Mix and Match Book' by Pia Frey
Super funny (and yeah, a tad scary) Pia Frey’s flip book of Trumpisms, America Has Very Nice Legs — It's a Fact! A President Trump Mix and Match Book, reads like a scramble of the White House’s Twitter feed. Featuring three panels of mix-and-match phrases, pulled directly from Trump’s dictionary of single-syllable-only words, America Has Very Nice Legs invites you to make your own Trumpisms, and to laugh in these dark and disheartening times. The book also has some funny (and again, a little scary) illustrations, including one of “Mount Trumpmore.”
'You'll Grow Out of It' by Jessi Klein
Written by one of the hilarious masterminds behind Inside Amy Schumer, Jessi Klein, You'll Grow Out of It is equal parts funny and tender, examining myriad rites of passage, challenges, and absurdities that women go through in a lifetime. By sharing her own stories, questioning the status quo, and calling out all kinds of nonsense that women put up with on the daily, Klein will have you laughing all the way to your next protest.
'Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned"' by Lena Dunham
For lovers of HBO’s Girls — or just lovers of funny, feminist literature — Lena Dunham’s 2015 essay collection, Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" is a New York Times bestseller and was named a best book of the year. The essays chronicle Dunham’s experiences with love and sex, sexism and misogyny, loneliness and death, and more; highlighting the risks and rewards of daring to tell your story as a woman living in the world today.
'You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain' by Phoebe Robinson
Phoebe Robinson is a stand-up comedian and podcaster who will make you laugh as hard as she will make you think — tackling race and racism, gender and feminism, pop culture and more in her debut essay collection, You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain. Heartfelt and opinionated, Robinson shares her thoughts on everything from the NFL and Billy Joel to a future female president, her experiences at casting calls, and the fact that people do ask her whether they can touch her hair.
'You Don't Have to Like Me: Essays on Growing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding Feminism' by Alida Nugent
Alida Nugent’s essay collection You Don't Have to Like Me: Essays on Growing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding Feminism strikes a balance between the serious and the lighthearted — and she will keep you entertained while inspiring your own feminist resistance. Calling out misogyny while chronicling her own journey to feminism, Nugent shares stories of sex and body image, identity and female friendships, and plenty of thoughts on the future generations of feminist fighters.
'Bossypants' by Tina Fey
Recounting her humble upbringing and career highs and lows, Tina Fey’s memoir, Bossypants, tells the story of how the comedian ended up becoming the hilarious household name she is today. Dismantling the idea of being an "overnight success", Fay demonstrates the kind of hard work and dedication that maintaining a stellar career actually requires — especially as a woman in comedy.
'Why Not Me?' by Mindy Kaling
Fierce, funny, and feminist, Mindy Kaling’s Why Not Me? tells the actor’s hilarious, touching, and totally relatable coming-of-age story — from hilarious tales of falling in love at work and being determined to lose weight without doing anything whatsoever, to her experiences with the discriminating eyes of Hollywood booking agents and a chance meeting with Bradley Cooper. Kaling shows that no matter what the world throws at you, there’s no reason you can’t keep laughing.
