April 2017 Wrap-up

April's TBR Pile (13/16):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie √
2. Series Pick: A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor √
3. Nonfiction Pick: The Bust Guide to the New World Order √
4. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: Tuscany for Beginners by Imogen Edwards-Jones √
5. Discworld Pick: The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
6. Romance Pick: So Wild a Heart by Candace Camp √
7. Carry over: Dead Feminists by O'Leary
8. Carry over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
9. Carry over: Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates √
10. Added: Atlantia by Ally Condie √
11. Added: Saga Vol. 6 √
12. Added: East of West Vol. 5 √
13. Added; East of West Vol. 6 √
14. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 25 √
15. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 26 √
16. Added: Lady Killer by Joelle Jones √
17. Added: You're Doing a Great Job by Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn √
     

Picture Book Roundup:

1. That's Not My Dragon
2. Hap-pea All Year by Keith Baker
3. Absolutely One Thing by Lauren Child
4. It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton
5. Poo in the Zoo by Steve Smallman
6. One, Two, Three, Mother Goose by Iona Opie
7. Monster Park by Annie Bach

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3888 pages

Pages Remaining: 723,337 pages

Current Read - Anno Dracula by Kim Newman

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (0)

May's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: (Already read)
2. Series Pick: Roman Holiday by Jodi Taylor
3. Nonfiction Pick: ???
4. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: The Dante Club by Matthew Flaming
5. Discworld Pick: The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
6. Romance Pick: The Hidden Heart by Candace Camp
7. Carry over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

Movies watched

• Godzilla (2014) -- Unintentional comedy. Seriously, who writes this stuff? My biggest pet peeve: the writers apparently do not know geography.
• Moana (2016) -- I finally got to watch this gem. So so good! And the music is amazing.

TV Shows watched

• Legion S1 -- Oh so good! We sped through this season. I can't wait to see what that they do for a second season!
• The Magicians S2 -- Very different from the book, but we love it.
• UnReal S2 -- One of my guilty pleasure shows.
• The 100 S4 -- Another guilty pleasure.
• 30 Rock S6-S7 -- Finally finished with this series. It was something fun to watch during a lunch or while the kids were running around playing. 
• Avatar S2 -- Arthur and I watch any episode with lunch some days.
• Rick and Morty S1-S3 -- J got me started watching this. How did I miss this show?

Comments - So my big blog transfer happened this month and was an obstacle to reading. I'm definitely okay with how much I read, but a bit disappointed at the amount of time I was dealing with blog stuff instead of reading. Hopefully May settles down (although I still have a ton of behind the scenes work to do for the new blogs).

You're Doing a Great Job by Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn

Title: You're Doing a Great Job! 100 Ways You're Winning at Parenting

Author: Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn

Publisher: Countryman Press 2017

Genre: Humor, Parenting

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Stop feeling like sh*t for being a mom—laugh-out-loud affirmations for every parent

Guess what? This “parenting book” is not designed to make new parents feel bad. Authors and co-hosts of the popular comedy podcast One Bad Mother, Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn, know firsthand that raising kids is tough. They also know that, most likely, parents are winning more than they’re failing. This book reminds parents that it’s okay to have a low bar. Celebrate what did happen, not what didn’t,

Love love love this one so much! I'm a huge fan and follower of the One Bad Mother podcast of which Biz and Theresa are the hosts. I love how the podcast is all about reaffirming just how awesome we are doing at parenting and at the same time acknowledging how hard it is. The book is a continuation of that philosophy with 100 pages of winning at parenting. So many of these had me shaking my head in agreement. A few even had me tearing up with emotion. This book would be an awesome gift for a new parent or even an experienced one. As an OBM, I had to have it on my shelf. And I had to read it quick! I'm seeing Biz and Theresa record a show live in San Francisco tomorrow night! I can't wait! 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Mostly Void, Partially Stars by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Title: Mostly Void, Partially Stars: Welcome to Night Vale Episodes Volume 1

Author: Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Publisher: Harper Perennial 2016

Genre: Horror

Pages: 282

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries

From the authors of the New York Times bestselling novel Welcome to Night Vale and the creators of the #1 international podcast of the same name, comes a collection of episodes from Season One of their hit podcast, featuring an introduction by the authors, behind-the-scenes commentary, and original illustrations.

Full disclosure: I've heard of Welcome to Night Vale and yet I've never listened to the podcast. I picked this volume up at the library just because the cover interested me. I definitely enjoyed diving into the world of Night Vale and the mysteries surrounding the town and its cast of characters. I loved the behind the scenes sections almost as much as the actual stories. It was great to hear about how the show actually came to be. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

2017 Reading Challenges Update #1

At this point in the year, I would like to see all my reading challenges at least 25% complete. Let's see how I've done in the first four months of 2017...

Total Challenges:  0/13  0%

Total Spots: 99/346  28.6%

Individual Challenge Progress:

• Perpetual Reading Challenges  7/20   35%
• Mount TBR   15/60  25%
• Read Your Shelf   4/12  38.3%
• Popsugar  14/40 35%
• Fairytale Retelling   6/12  50%**
• What’s in a Name   0/6  0%*
• Discworld   1/12  8.3%*
• Back to the Classics  1/12   8.3%*
• New to Me  5/20   25%
• Wired into Scifi   0/12   0%*
• Graphic Novel  12/24   50%
• I Love Libraries  15/24  62.5%**
• Picture Books   27/92   29.3%

**Successes: Both the Library and Fairytale challenges are well above 25% so that's a win! I'm ahead of schedule.

*Failures (Needs Improvement):  Where do I start? Classics -- I just need to pick up older books instead of the newest shiniest thing at the library. Scif -- It's hard because this is a set list of choices. Not necessarily the ones I would have picked up, but I do want to read.  Discworld -- High hopes, but I keep getting distracted by other books.

Next up on the TBR pile!

A Satchel of Videos

Oh Melissa McCarthy! You are a treasure! Unfortunately this satirical video is a little too close to the actual truth.

Another spot on sketch...

Next up on the TBR pile!

Lady Killer by Joelle Jones and Jamie S. Rich

Title: Lady Killer

Author: Joelle Jones and Jamie S. Rich

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics 2015

Genre: Comics

Pages: 136

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Josie Schuller is a picture-perfect homemaker, wife, and mother-but she's also a ruthless, efficient killer! She's balanced cheerful domestic bliss with coldly performed assassinations, but when Josie finds herself in the crosshairs, her American Dream life is in danger! Collects issues #1-#5.

Random pick from the library and boy was it an enjoyable read. I love the play on the perfect 1950s housewife and what hides underneath. Josie is a great character! And I love the couple appearances from her twin girls. Lots of fun! When it comes to her day (and night) job, I loved the assassin plot lines. Beyond the story, the book is beautifully drawn. The costumes are amazing! Lots of fun reading this one last night before bed.

Next up on the TBR pile!

Music Tuesday - Shakira "Me Enamore"

Arthur and Quentin both enjoy this lively tune!

Quentin: 29-30 Weeks / 7 Months

As it isn't the 26th yet, I haven't taken his 7 month photos. Enjoy these others from the past two weeks instead...

Likes: Sophie the Giraffe (his current favorite toy); all of Arthur's cars; grabbing my hair; all the foods!; his blankies

Dislikes: Nap time; not being paid attention to; not being able to crawl forward and grab his toys

He really liked the pattern on my pants...

Sleeping: Doing decently with night time sleeping. He usually sleeps 8pm to 6am with maybe one wake up. Nap times are still a joke. If we're out and doing things, he usually naps. At home, naps are practically nonexistent. Some days it would be really helpful if he napped even once. 

Eating: All the things! He has loved most food that we give him. His current favorites are roasted sweet potato, strawberries, baby mum-mums, and hard boiled eggs. Since we do baby led weaning, he pretty much eats whatever we are eating for dinner. I don't give him super spicy food, but he does get a bit of flavor spice on things. On Saturday we had dinner at a friends house and discovered that Quentin loves mango chutney!

Watching Arthur "dance"

Playing: So much play in this house! He is very interactive with his toys now. He also loves "playing" with Arthur. 

Milestones:

• Playing peek-a-boo — Somewhat. He laughs when I do peek-a-boo, but don't think he really understands quite yet.
• Smiling or waving at people in public — Smiling yes, waving no.
• Frustration when not able to get somewhere on his own — Oh yes! So much of this! He wants to get everywhere, but hasn't quite figured out the crawling thing yet.
• Preference of one parent — Yep. Q always wants to be with momma.
• Faster and more coordinated crawling — Not quite yet. He can roll and scoot around, but actually crawling hasn't happened yet. 
• Preference for certain foods — He loves sweet potatoes, hardboiled eggs, and strawberries. He likes other foods, but if any of those are on his plate, he gobbles them up first.
• Fascinated by his reflection — Yep! Loves playing with his mirror.
• Developing a sense of empathy — Hmmm... this one is really hard to judge. 

Out and About: In the past two weeks we've been to a ton of events and places. 

• Happy Hollow -- Q loved the anteater and watching kiddos on the rides. He also got to get out of the stroller and ride Danny the Dragon and play with his friend E.
• MVPA Spring Social -- Lots of playing with the other babies and eating tons of food!
• Book club -- He usually goes with me to La Tartine for book club. This time he ate tons of eggs, hash browns, and toast and tried to steal Z's socks.
• Playdate at our house -- We hosted a playdate that ended up being only one other mom and her kiddos, but it was still fun. Q had a more exposure to other children.
• Lots of errands -- The usual...
• Dinner at a friend's house -- The hosts don't have kids, but the other family that came have a 6 yo, a 4 yo, and a 10 month old. Q is as big as the 10 month old! They had fun watching the big kiddos play and eating Indian food!

Next up on the TBR pile!

Life Right Now #10

Right now I am: Sitting on the couch before leaving for book club... 

Thinking and pondering: I really need to schedule some regular self-care. Finding a few minutes here and there for some quiet time is just not cutting anymore. Being the default parent sucks some days. 

On my bedside table: I've got a few more library reads hanging out and then I think I might pick Voyager by Diana Gabaldon back up. I also need to get back to Pratchett's Discworld series. Next up is The Light Fantastic.

On my tv this week: We finished S1 of Legion (oh so amazing!) and have come close to finishing S2 of The Magicians. J also got me hooked on Rick and Morty and we've made it to S2. Arthur and I working our way through Avatar S2.

Listening to: So many podcasts this week! I caught up with The Simple Show and Elise Gets Crafty. I also started listening to the NPR Politics podcast and their new Up First podcast. Excited to get news and political news without a ton of bias and extra commentary.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Texas Cheese Fries
• Tuesday - Balsamic Pork Roast
• Wednesday - Peanut Sauce Chicken and Broccoli Bowls
• Thursday - Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
• Friday - Leftovers
• Saturday - Broccoli Beef
• Sunday - Possible Cookout

On my to do list: There's so much to do to prepare for summer and the arrival of the twins'. Most importantly, I need to buy plane tickets and resolve this car issue. 

Happening this week:

• Monday - Park Playdate and then Lunch with a friend from out of town
• Tuesday - Jury Duty possibly. I got a summons; have to call on Monday night to see if I have to go in. If not, Tuesday is a home day full of house chores.
• Wednesday - (Possible jury duty) Home day
• Thursday - (Possible jury duty) Bay Area Discovery Museum visit
• Friday - (Possible jury duty) Home day 
• Saturday - Crazy busy day! Stampin' Up Bingo Event (my first one ever!) and then OBM Live in San Francisco.
• Sunday - Possible cookout and baby playdate with J's friends

What I am creating: Still plugging along with The 100 Day Project and my focus on crafting. I've been focusing on making cards with my Stampin' Up! retiring products especially all the paper I have left! I also need to print pictures of April's memory planning pages. 

My simple pleasures: These chocolate covered honey candies J brought me from a friend at work. So amazing! I need to find them...

Looking around the house: Was doing really well at keeping the living and playroom clean, but things have started to slide. Need to do a thorough clean today...

From the camera: Arthur dancing while Quentin watched and rolled around. They are finally starting to play together. It's so nice!

Next up on the TBR pile!

The Walking Dead Volume 25

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 25: No Turning Back; Volume 26: Call to Arms

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136; 136

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After a devastating act of war by the Whisperers, Rick must chart a path for his community. But when his leadership is questioned, how will he respond? Collects THE WALKING DEAD 145-150

After being betrayed by members of his own community, Rick Grimes charts a new course and marshals his forces against the Whisperers. Collects THE WALKING DEAD #151-156.

I grabbed Volume 26 from the library and then realized that I hadn't read Volume 25. Silly me! Back to the library I went! Once I picked up 25, I was set for a morning reading about the misfortunes of our cast of characters. While I still enjoy the series and will keep reading, I'm starting to think that the storylines are just going in circles. Kinda wish something new happens in the storyline. I did enjoy the big surprise at the end of Volume 26, but it took a little too long getting there...

Next up on the TBR pile!

East of West Vol. 5-6

Title: East of West Volume 5: All These Secrets, Volume 6

Author: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Comics

Pages: 152; 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

The fifth volume of EAST of WEST marks the last days of peace before the final great war of the Apocalypse.

The smashing conclusion to the second year of the Apocalypse. Everything turns in on itself. The snake eats its tail. The old eat the young. A new chapter of the amazing End Times saga by superstar creators JONATHAN HICKMAN and NICK DRAGOTTA. Collects EAST OF WEST #25-29.

Things are finally coming together in this series. I feel like every volume has action, but often it's slow action when compared with the overall storyline. Excited to see things progress, especially in Volume 6. And we get the return of Babylon, finally! Although I have been missing the other three horsemen. They are absent except for one single page in Volume 5. Hoping Year Three of the Apocalypse is eventful! 

Next up on the TBR pile!

Saga Volume 6

Title: Saga Volume 6

Author: Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Comics

Pages: 152

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After a dramatic time jump, the three-time Eisner Award winner for Best Continuing Series continues to evolve, as Hazel begins the most exciting adventure of her life: kindergarten. Meanwhile, her starcrossed family learns hard lessons of their own. Collects SAGA #31-36

Finally snagged this volume from the library and so glad I got to read it. The time jump was a little strange and hard to reorient myself, but once I did, I was sucked back into the story. I love that this volume checks in with all the players scattered across the universe. We get more narration from Hazel and thankfully actual interactions with her. Definitely another great volume in this series!

Next up on the TBR pile!

Odds and Ends

Here is my randomness for the week:

• Blog transitions are hard! Still working out the bugs on this one. And getting used to the UI. 
• Excited to get out of the house today and feel some sunshine. I think my body's been craving the Vitamin D.
• Being away from family is really hard when it's their birthday. My mom is turning 60 this weekend and I wish I was there to celebrate with her. 
• So behind on my blogroll, like two weeks behind. How will I ever catch up?
• Loving the stack of comics sitting on my nightstand. I was craving some quick. yet satisfying reads.
• Excited about my crafty plan for the rest of the month. Now to find the time to actually craft...

Next up on the TBR pile!

Currently #7

Reading: Finally snagged Saga Vol. 6 from the library. Ready to dive into a big pile of comics this week.

Watching: The 100 Season 4. This show has gotten more melodramatic with every season. I may be done with this show soon...

Listening: Lots of podcast listening this week. Love to listen while making dinner, baking, general cleaning. Right now I'm listening to NPR Politics. Their weekly round-ups are great to get a lot of news in one go.

Making: Lots of card making this week. I pulled all my retiring products and have started to make cards featuring those products. Plus I have a ton of pattern paper to use up before I can buy more!

Feeling: Anxious about a lot of life events right now. Hoping things get resolved soon.

Planning: Starting to look at summer activities and plans. 

Loving: Tried a new recipe last night for Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Quinoa Bowls. Surprisingly delicious vegetarian option for dinner. Last week I found a winning scone recipe. . I love when I find new recipes that we actually like! Here's hoping my next new recipe goes over well

Next up on the TBR pile!

Music Tuesday -- Josh Groban "Evermore"

Still need to go see Beauty and the Beast... 

Arthur: 3 1/2 Years Old!

Arthur’s 3 1/2 years old! 

Park time! (November 2016)

In a rocket ship! (November 2016)

Hanging with little brother (November 2016)

Likes: Paw Patrol! Seriously still obsessed with this show. Loves to play with all his toy pups. Dinosaurs and dinosaur documentaries. Anything about space. His baby brother Quentin. Playdates with friends (especially C and J). iPad time. Baking with mom.

On the Train of Lights (November 2016)

Zoo day (November 2016)

Friends' birthday party (December 2016)

Ornament making at the Cookie Exchange (December 2016)

Dislikes: Being patient. Eating dinner (seriously the kid goes on food strikes somedays). Being at home multiple days in a row. Being kept indoors when it rains (not usually this rainy in the spring here). When playdates end.

Seasoned airplane traveler (December 2016)

Christmas Eve Shenanigans (December 2016)

Silly times at Grandma's House (December 2016)

Playtime (January 2017)

Sleeping: Thankfully I've been given a decent sleeper. He goes to bed around 8pm with minimal fussing (maybe an extra potty break) and wakes up sometime around 7 or 7:30am. He hasn't napped for almost two years now. Oh well, at least he sleeps through the night...

Checking out Great Grandma's bells (January 2017)

Potty training begins (January 2017)

Making brownies (January 2017)

Brunch! (January 2017)

Eating: None of the things? We are deep into toddler pickiness right now. So hard to find things he will eat without giving up and serving mac n cheese or chicken nuggets at every meal.

Visit to BADM (January 2017)

Picture from a friend (January 2017)

Special Costco Pizza Day! (February 2017)

With baby brother (February 2017)

Playing: Arthur's really into imaginary play with his cars and dinosaurs. He's always making a dinosaur city or enacting car chases and such. He loves to show Quentin how to play with toys. Thankfully Q is finally at the age where he's starting to really play. He was always scared to go into the Bounce House and Obstacle Course at the indoor play place. He finally ventured in after Christmas and now loves them. If we go to that play, he bounces and jumps for hours. And of course he loves playdates with his friends. We try to schedule at two activities and/or playdates a week. Gotta get the wiggles out!

Rabbits at the farm (February 2017)

Loves the bounce house (February 2017)

Science! (March 2017)

PJ day (February 2017)

Milestones: Arthur's almost done potty training. He started in January and was doing well, but then had some serious regression in early March. He has masted poo in the potty, but still pees his pants some days. He's wearing his Paw Patrol underwear almost daily at this point. I think we're turning a corner.

Dinosaur time (March 2017)

Riding bikes down the street (March 2017)

Fun at the park (March 2017)

Carousel ride (March 2017)

Out and About: We get to travel to so many great places in the Bay Area. (One of the big advantages of living here, so much to see!). Arthur's favorites include any park, Mel's Play Place in Castro Valley (indoor play area), the library, Oakland Zoo, Bay Area Discovery Museum, aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences, steam trains at Tilden Park. Now that's isn't warming back up, we'll be hitting more parks, the pool, Great America with the twins (rides and waterpark), the beach (Arthur's already asking to go), and more of our usual places.

Aquarium at Cal Academy (April 2017)

Obstacle course fun (April 2017)

Atlantia by Ally Condie

Title: Atlantia

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Books 2014

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 298

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Mythical Creature; Fairytale Retelling; I Love Libraries

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamed of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all Rio’s hopes for the future are shattered when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected choice, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long silenced—she has nothing left to lose.

I love it when random library picks actually turn out to be good books. I read Condie's first book series, Matched, but ended up loosing interest by the end of book two. I think it would have been better has a duo instead of trilogy. I'm even more thankful that this one is just a single book. I could see where some authors would want to stretch this story out into a series dragging characters and plots along at a snail's pace. Thankfully this story is told in less than 300 pages. We get a clear arch of characters and plot. I love the world building with Atlantia and the Above. I loved the little details about the temple and the trees. I loved that we got to spend some time with characters before things sped up too much. My issues really come with the last 30 pages. As often happens, the conclusion of the book felt a bit rushed. I would have liked another 30 or so pages to slowly come to the end instead of hurtling at a dizzying speed. But overall, I really enjoyed this book.

A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor

Title: A Second Chance (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #3)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2014

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 492

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Popsugar - Makes Me Smile

St Mary's is back and nothing is going right for Max. Once again, it's just one damned thing after another. The action jumps from an encounter with a mirror-stealing Isaac Newton to the bloody battlefield at Agincourt. Discover how a simple fact-finding assignment to witness the ancient and murderous cheese- rolling ceremony in Gloucester can result in CBC - concussion by cheese. The long awaited jump to Bronze Age Troy ends in personal catastrophe for Max and just when it seems things couldn't get any worse - it's back to the Cretaceous Period again to confront an old enemy who has nothing to lose. So, make the tea, grab the chocolate biscuits, settle back and discover exactly why the entire history department has painted itself blue ...

Such a roller coaster ride of emotions in this installment of The Chronicles of St. Mary's. I was for sure that Max was a goner in Troy and at Agincourt and yet the story continues. I loved the brief interlude in Gloucester and the beginning episode featuring Professor Penrose and Isaac Newton. And that episode back int he Cretaceous was nerve-wrecking yet satisfying. Seriously still in love with this series. Can't wait to read more!

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

• #0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
• #1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
• #2 A Symphony of Echoes
• #2.5 When A Child is Born
• #3 A Second Chance
• #3.5 Roman Holiday
• #4 A Trail Through Time
• #4.5 Christmas Present
• #5 No Time Like the Past
• #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
• #6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
• #7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
• #7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
• #7.6 My Name is Markham
• #8 And the Rest is History

April Showers Bring Fun Videos!

Loki!!!!!!

Big Luc Besson fans in this house. Will definitely have to see this one!

I actually learned a little something something...

Love these lists and archaeology is my jam!

The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order

Title: The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order

Edited By: Marcelle Karp and Debbie Stoller

Publisher: Penguin Books 1999

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 376

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Feminism; Mount TBR

Both a literary magazine and a chronicle of girl culture, Bust was born in 1993. With contributors who are funny, fierce, and too smart to be anything but feminist, Bust is the original grrrl zine, with a base of loyal female fans--all those women who know that Glamour is garbage, Vogue is vapid, and Cosmo is clueless.The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order contains brand new, funny, sharp, trenchant essays along with some of the best writings from the magazine: Courtney Love's (unsolicited) piece on Bad Girls; the already immortal "Dont's For Boys"; an interview with girl-hero Judy Blume; and lots of other shocking, titillating, truthful articles. A kind of Our Bodies, Ourselves for Generation XX, The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order is destined to become required reading for today's hip urban girl and her admirers.

A reread from way back when I bought this at the end of high school. And I'm disappointed. Most of the essays in here are way too dated to enjoy 18 years late. The whole "grrrl zine" thing is super grating to my 35 year old ears. I just can't get over the Spice Girls-ness of the whole collection. There may be some good essays in there, but overall I just couldn't get over the book screaming at my "It's 1999!"