Here’s what all the badass women are reading, watching and listening to this month! But first, how cool is this? It’s an interactive museum in Kansas City, MO dedicated to children’s literature! You can read all about it here! April is National Poetry Month so it’s only fitting that we have a newly released collection from some of our nation’s most accomplished poets. The collection is published in association with the Library of Congress and edited by Poet Laureate of the United States, Ada Limon. You can read more about it and get your copy here. Last week’s bookish podcast newsl ..read more

It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid It's the good advice that you just didn't take And who would've thought, it figures. Yes, just like Alanis Morissette told us, it’s ironic. (Technically, it’s a series of unfortunate events, not ironic events. But that makes the song ironic, right? But I digress…) What is ironic is that the quarterly “What to Watch” Badass Women’s Book Club newsletter consistently has the highest open rates! Well, I love putting this issue together so I’m always glad that it is much appreciated! Here we go… Save the Date – Season 3 ..read more

I was talking to a friend the other day about how I loved “double dipping”. No, not the George Costanza “double dipping” – I mean where I watch a show and then I listen to a podcast about it. For the record, my husband does not understand this at all. He especially doesn’t understand how I read an episode review, watch the episode, and then listen to a podcast about the episode. Also - for the record - by not doing this he is able to watch a lot more shows than me! Interestingly, I don’t listen to book podcasts in the same way. Usually, I’m relying on a book podcast on the front end. In other ..read more

It creeps up on you without warning—perhaps while chatting with a friend, scrolling through social media, or even just while walking down the street. All it takes is the hint of someone doing or having something you perceive as "better" than you, and it hits. A feeling takes over—intense, blinding, gutting. Your brain starts spinning with toxic thoughts about yourself (or others), and you're left feeling ashamed, guilty, and even worthless. It's called comparisonitis. And if you've suffered from it, you're NOT alone. Comparisonitis is a contagious, socially transmitted condition tha ..read more

Let me say: I really liked this book!  I think this is an issue that many people (including me!) struggle with, so I appreciated some of the practical (science-based!) strategies offered. Mostly I appreciate the concept: treating speaking positively to yourself as something you have to practice to build up the necessary muscles = working out. Here are some items that I flagged for my own growth and development: ·       Self talk is really, really important (according to science). Self-criticism worsens depression, anxiety, and stress; self-kindness improves ..read more

Happy Women’s History Month! Beyonce understood the assignment! Time to check out what else all the badass women are reading, watching, and listening to this month! If you enjoyed this month’s earlier newsletter featuring books about women you didn’t read about in history class, then you will definitely want to check out some new shows! Shirley on Netflix is about Shirley Chisholm’s 1972 run for the Democratic presidential after becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress. You can watch the trailer here. Inspired by true events and filmed exclusively in Paris, “The New Look” on Apple ..read more

The first Badass+Bookish Retreat was a smashing success! For starters, the retreat took place at Indigo House, a lovely bed and breakfast in Afton, Virginia, about three hours from DC. Indigo House is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with easy access to the Rockfish Gap Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Wintergreen Resort, and Shenandoah National Park. And to say it is surrounded by breweries, wineries, and distilleries is an understatement! We visited three in just our three days there! Our host, Stephanie and her husband, Kyle, have created such a lovely space! The ..read more

Welcome to the 3rd edition of On the Road with the Badass Women’s Book Club! In this latest edition, we're all about celebrating badass women authors who not only write awesome books but also run their own kickass independent bookstores. Whether you're strolling through the buzzing streets of Brooklyn or in sunny Key West, these spots aren't just places to buy books—they're havens where lit-loving communities come together. Picture shelves stacked with diverse reads handpicked by these awesome ladies, each store oozing with charm and character. Get ready to dive into their world and discover t ..read more

Perhaps you want to be nicer to yourself but don’t really know how to get there. Or maybe you’re someone who assumes self-criticism is a permanent part of your personality. Rest assured you’re not alone—millions of people struggle with the toll that excessive self-criticism takes on their minds, energy levels, jobs, and relationships. And problems with self-talk vary dramatically from one person to the next: they can appear as mild but persistent inner criticism, full-blown self-loathing, or the pain of internalized oppression or abuse.  After over twenty ye ..read more

Happy Women’s History Month! Surely I can’t be the only one who doesn’t remember learning much about women in history class?  Granted, if you’ve been here for a while, you know I am on the record as not learning much in history class period (see: taught by football coaches). Anyway, I’ve tried over the years to close that knowledge gap – and thankfully it seems there are always a lot of great new and interesting books to help me do it! I led a local book club discussion last week on this next book. Nearly everyone there seemed to enjoy it – and we all definitely agreed there was a lot we ..read more