Sleater-Kinney's & Broad City's Favorite Books

NPR hosted one of the best interviews that I've seen in recent times this week: the women of Broad City (Ilana Galzer and Abbi Jacobson) interviewed the women of Sleater-Kinney (Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss). During this 1+ hour interview, these five people talk about everything from SNL to feminism to how an album gets remastered. I was completed wrapped up in the interview, especially when they started talking about their favorite recent books. Check these out and start reading like Broad City and Sleater-Kinney!

Image from FlavorWire.com

The First Bad Man: A Novel by Miranda July
Carrie Brownstein describes this novel as "amazing," and mentions it before any other book on this list, which means that I need to buy it immediately. The way she discusses it, it sounds like she has read other Miranda July books, which wouldn't surprise me in the slightest, since July is a known feminist and artist. Buy it at Strand Bookstore for $25.00.

The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel by Michel Faber
Carrie also talks about this novel being one of her recent favorites, and she's in good company as this Faber novel has won multiple awards and recognitions since its release in October 2014. Pick it up at Powell's for $23.00.

Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon
Kim Gordon is a good friend of Sleater-Kinney, so when Carrie brings up this memoir, everyone "ooh"s. Janet Weiss says, "I'm afraid to read it. I love [Kim Gordon] so much, I'm kind of afraid," but Carrie abates her worry, telling her that it is "awesome." Corin Tucker says that Gordon is "so badass, all the way." Girl in a Band will be released on February 24, 2015, but you can preorder it from Harper-Collins for $27.99.

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Story Lately Told: Coming of Age in Ireland, London and New York and Watch Me: A Memoir, both by Anjelica Huston
Corin begins by saying that she is totally into Anjelica Huston's first memoir, calling it "so great," and "fascinating." Janet chimes in with, "What a woman!" At the time of the interview, Corin says she'd only read the first one "so far," so I'm putting both on this list, since it seems that she isn't far from reading the second one. You can buy them both from Amazon for $33.29.

The Goldfinch: A Novel by Donna Tartt
Despite not remembering the name of this novel right away, Abbi Jacobson cites this Pulitzer Prize-winner as her current read. Get the hardcover here for $18.00.

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
A new favorite in the feminist community, Bad Feminist is mentioned as one of Abbi's recent reads. She calls it "great," and Carrie concurs, stating that she "gave it to a lot of people" recently. Buy it from Harper-Collins for $15.99.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Abbi lists this book and Ilana Glazer agrees, offering a "hot tip," if you're interested in reading it: "Poehler's book on audiobook! It's like, y'know, you just walk around like ha ha ha! Yes! Yes!" Listen to the audiobook from Audible for $24.49.

Screenshot from NPR.org

The Fire Next Time and The Devil Finds Work by James Baldwin
Carrie brings these books up later in the interview: "Any time I feel dark in my own life or just in the world, I can read his books and he's just a constant source of inspiration for me." What a stunning endorsement. You can buy both from Amazon for $20.14.

Bonus: 
Just Kids by Patti Smith
While the book itself isn't mentioned in this interview, there is much talk of Patti Smith, since all of the women on stage idolize her. This memoir is a great read and will give you a glimpse into Smith's life in the 60s and 70s. Buy it from Harper-Collins for $16.00.

And, in case you were wondering, order every single one of these books from Amazon today for $170.94. So now, get out there, pick up these books, and start reading! You never know when you'll run into Carrie Brownstein and need to break the ice.

My Top Ten Influential Books

I was recently "tagged" on Facebook by a friend to create a list of 10 books that have left a lasting impression on me. After posting it on Facebook, I figured that I'd really enjoy sharing it with the world, so here is my list of books, listed in no particular order:

1. Matilda by Roald Dahl - This was the first book that I realized you can be a book-lover and still be a hero. Matilda changed my life in no small way.
2. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - One of the first books to introduce me to the Holocaust. The characters were so relatable to me at the time, and it put into perspective the terrible things that had happened.
3. Tiny, Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed - If you've read this, you'll understand why this is on the list. It is so poignant, so thoughtful, so powerful. I've given this book as a gift to many people because I believe everyone should read it.
4. White Oleander by Janet Fitch - This book is so messed up in a beautiful way. I went through a long period of time where this was the only book I really loved.
5. The MaddAddam trilogy by Margaret Atwood - I had a hard time choosing one Margaret Atwood book (I suggest reading as much as you possibly can from her). This trilogy was engaging and meant a lot to me. I thank Martine a million times over for recommending it.
6. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - I was living in Kansas when I read this and good god, how terrifying. This book is so insightful and engaging, I can't say enough about it. 
7. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling - I grew up with Harry Potter (we were about the same age as the books progressed). I learned so much about everything through those books and can talk forever and ever about their impact on me and my generation.
8. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - I had a difficult time deciding if this book or her poems influenced me more. Either way, Sylvia Plath reached into the darkest part of my heart, at a time that I really needed to know that I could feel dark. A lot of people "grow out of her," but her writing still affects me now.
9. The World has Changed by Alice Walker - This is a book of compilations of Alice Walker's essays and interviews throughout her life. Alice Walker is practically a god to me.
10. Good Without God by Greg Epstein - Maybe not the best-written book, but it is such an important read for someone like me, an atheist questioning how I can still give back to my community and still be a "good person" without religion.

I'd love to hear about your top 10 books as well, so feel free to comment!