The old journalism chestnut "write what you know" is on full display in this collection of well-executed essays by Canadian journalist Elizabeth Renzetti. Renzetti certainly knows of what she writes - female rage, misogyny, harassment, domestic abuse, the need to protect abortion rights, the perils of practising journalism while being a woman, etc. And on the eve of another divisive and chaotic American election, Renzetti's laser sharp analysis is even more necessary. While I don't agree with all of Renzetti's analysis on some issues including civic engagement in Toronto, I certainly agree with enough of it to want to continue fighting, protesting, arguing, making noise and taking up space. Unfortunately, the progress made, unmade, and not made reminds me of a recent experience charging an EV - after 45 minutes of patient and consistent charging, it only gained an additional 5% battery life. While the arc of the moral universe is long and bends toward justice, it is also doing so painfully slowly. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for e-ARC. Highly recommend.

This is one of the few great socio-political books I’ve read about feminism that is 1. actually centred around Canada and its policies, 2. an appreciative and investigative inquiry that does not feel doomsday-esque, and 3. relevant and accrued from reliable sources. It covers everything from the gender-bias in the electoral system to intimate partner violence to the almighty Taylor Swift while harnessing the power of Renzetti’s journalistic background and personal anecdotes to create a well-rounded discussion of how being a woman in Canada is both a privilege and a challenge. Would highly recommend to everyone.