Stuff Mom Never Told You

May 15, 2023
Reese and McVey expand on their podcast of the same name in this energetic yet somewhat chaotic illustrated debut history on intersectional feminism. Focusing on notable women of color and covering big picture topics like the civil rights movement and reproductive rights, each chapter begins with an intentionally discouraging “what-if” comic and narrative, describing a world in which milestone achievements had not occurred, then launches into stories of actual progress and the activists who made it happen. Also included in each section are extensive sidebar discussions of inspirational athletes, actors, and fictional characters, such as Star Wars’ Princess Leia and Olympic sprinter Wilma Rudolph; personal journaling by each of the authors; and an activity section that ranges from paper doll cutouts and crosswords to ideas for ongoing activism. Fans of the podcast will find that the authors’ upbeat voices and high energy come through on the page, and readers who like to address political issues through engagement with pop culture and fandom will appreciate the thoughtful connections made here. However, readers more experienced with feminist intersectionality might find this a bit too elementary and jumbled for their taste. This works best for young people new to the topic.

July 14, 2023

Reese and McVey, cohosts of the popular podcast, Stuff Your Mom Never Told You, have now written a book. On their show, their camaraderie, energy, and goodwill are apparent as they look at a number of key people, issues, and events in recent feminist history. The free-wheeling conversational tone of a podcast, however, doesn't always transfer well to print. The authors are disarmingly honest about the challenges they faced in writing this book, which offers short historical facts. The arbitrarily selected topics don't seem to cohere, however, and it's unclear who the target audience is. Parts of the book's structure, such as the table of contents, are also confusing. A highlight of this book is its plentiful and useful imaginative features, such as a time line of major events in women's history and pithy quotes from visionaries, such as Shirley Chisholm, that are scattered throughout this title. The book's feminist crossword puzzle is quite intriguing and amusing as well, but some readers may not like the cutout paper doll and clothes that were meant to illustrate the pantsuit revolution. VERDICT A well-intended title for general, maybe even younger readers, but not a priority purchase.--Ellen Gilbert

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2023
Reese and McVey, hosts of the Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast, did not have an easy task in front of them: to compile a guidebook on feminism and what it means today. In just six chapters, they cover women in sports, the power of the pantsuit, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. In the civil rights chapter, the authors point to lesser-known figures like Amelia Boynton Robinson and Pauli Murray, though they omit Audre Lorde and Angela Davis. The book incorporates notable feminist characters in video games and films, including pop-culture icons like Agent Scully from The X-Files. The book also features a section on disability rights in feminism--a welcome, inclusive addition to the literature. The incorporation of visual sidebars and graphic novel elements makes the text more accessible. Overall, Stuff Mom Never Told You is a useful primer; it's like Feminism 101 with context, and visually appealing. A great tool for librarians and educators, this will find an audience in both women's-history and pop-culture collections. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The popular podcast takes a deep dive into feminist issues, and this accessible book will reach fans of the show and more.

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