Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman

In a broadening field of smart, comedic feminist essayists, Lindy West stands out for her authenticity, her vulnerability, and the clarity of her arguments. West’s analyses of where women stand in American culture are whip smart, empowering, hilarious, and timely. Anyone who has ever felt fat, invisible, objectified, or stereotyped (so: everyone) should read this book. Recommended By Renee P., Powells.com

Hailed by Lena Dunham as an "essential (and hilarious) voice for women," Lindy West is ferociously witty and outspoken, tackling topics as varied as pop culture, social justice and body image. Her empowering work has garnered a coast-to-coast audience that eagerly awaits Shrill, her highly-anticipated literary debut.

West has rocked readers in work published everywhere from The Guardian to GQ to This American Life. She is a catalyst for a national conversation in a world where not all stories are created equal and not every body is treated with equal respect. Shrill is comprised of a series of essays that bravely shares her life, including her transition from quiet to feminist-out-loud, coming of age in a popular culture that is hostile to women (especially fat, funny women) and how keeping quiet is not an option for any of us.

"There's a reason Lindy West is such a beloved writer: she gets to the heart of impossible issues with humor and grace. West will have you cringing, laughing and crying, all within one page. Shrill is a must-read for all women."  Jessica Valenti, author of Why Have Kids and Full Frontal Feminism

"When West isn't pairing enlightenment with hilarity, she's fighting for your right to choose, to love your body at any size, and so much more. Lena Dunham's a fan, and so are we."  Cosmopolitan

"Uproariously funny...Readers will delight in West's biting clarity....Despite its serious subject, West's ribald jokes, hilarious tirades, and raucous confessions keep her memoir skipping merrily along as she jumps from painful confession to powerful epiphany. Sure to be a boon for anyone who has struggled with body image, Shrill is a triumphant, exacting, absorbing memoir that will lay new groundwork for the way we talk about the taboo of being too large."  Booklist

"Hey reader! I thought I'd read enough in this lifetime about people's childhoods and feelings and such and I'd never want to do it again. But Lindy West is such a totally entertaining and original writer she kind of blew that thought out of my head halfway into the first chapter. I dare you to feel differently."  Ira Glass, This American Life

"It made me hurt, both from laughing and crying. Required reading if you are a feminist. Recommended reading if you aren't."  Jenny Lawson, #1 bestselling author of Let's Pretend This Never Happened and "Furiously Happy

"Lindy West is an essential (and hilarious) voice for women. Her talent and bravery have made the Internet a place I actually want to be. Thank you, Lindy."  Lena Dunham, #1 bestselling author of Not That Kind of Girl

Lindy West is a columnist at The Guardian, a contributor to This American Life, and a freelance writer whose work focuses on feminism, social justice, humor, and body image. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Vulture, Jezebel, The Stranger, and others. She is the founder of I Believe You, It's Not Your Fault, an advice blog for teens, as well as the reproductive rights destigmatization campaign #ShoutYourAbortion.

I'm really put off by dishonesty, and euphemisms are often dishonest. I think that we could all be served by talking about things in a clearer, more honest way — to actually say what we mean instead of dancing around some of these topics. Especially when you're talking about taboos that confine women's lives...

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