oliviak07's review against another edition
4.0
Carrie Brownstein is, in fact, a long lost Moe cousin. I do not have scientific evidence to support this, but listening to the audiobook for her memoir "Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl: A Memoir" I could not but help but feel a familiarness in her interests, opinions, statements, and experiences. It echoed through my mind, soul, and being like a shared strand of genes.
Needless to say, I will be recommending this book to all of my cousins.
When I first came across this book/audiobook towards the end of spring and the beginning of summer (2019), something about the cover and the synopsis could NOT be erased from my memory. Whenever I was looking for the next read I always came back to this one. After completing it I believe the beckoning came from the kindred spirit I found in Brownstein. We both have similar views, experiences, and outcomes based on how we fit into our social spheres growing up. We also share a bumpy ride (putting it nicely) with our emotional, mental, and physical health.
SIDE NOTE: I do not think it is coincidence that she includes an anecdote about a visit to my hometown in her memoir!
Her simple but thundering observations in quotes such as,“I still see music as an act of defiance as much as it is an act of celebration.”,“Books grounded me, helped me to feel less alone.”, and “To be a fan is to know that loving trumps being beloved.” all popped out at my ears, even on a snowy midnight drive home at the end of an excitingly long day, when your ears and eyes droop. If you can leave an impact like that on the sleepy mind, you are doing well.
I would love to rave more about how much this book changed my view of myself as a woman, and my views on the other women around me (including strangers). Unfortunately I do not have enough characters or space to do so. I would like to pose the question, should Brownstein read this someday, that do you think us women are at times indecisive because of all the voice and influences constantly telling us how to/how not to be a woman? Does this lead us to be our own stigma? Who knows?
I am looking forward to learning more about Brownstein and her music/talents. I am also looking forward to finding a list of ALL of the bands and artists, books and cities, she mentions so I can add them to the "To-Do" list. If anyone has compiled such a list from her book, I hope you wouldn't mind sharing it with me!
Needless to say, I will be recommending this book to all of my cousins.
When I first came across this book/audiobook towards the end of spring and the beginning of summer (2019), something about the cover and the synopsis could NOT be erased from my memory. Whenever I was looking for the next read I always came back to this one. After completing it I believe the beckoning came from the kindred spirit I found in Brownstein. We both have similar views, experiences, and outcomes based on how we fit into our social spheres growing up. We also share a bumpy ride (putting it nicely) with our emotional, mental, and physical health.
SIDE NOTE: I do not think it is coincidence that she includes an anecdote about a visit to my hometown in her memoir!
Her simple but thundering observations in quotes such as,“I still see music as an act of defiance as much as it is an act of celebration.”,“Books grounded me, helped me to feel less alone.”, and “To be a fan is to know that loving trumps being beloved.” all popped out at my ears, even on a snowy midnight drive home at the end of an excitingly long day, when your ears and eyes droop. If you can leave an impact like that on the sleepy mind, you are doing well.
I would love to rave more about how much this book changed my view of myself as a woman, and my views on the other women around me (including strangers). Unfortunately I do not have enough characters or space to do so. I would like to pose the question, should Brownstein read this someday, that do you think us women are at times indecisive because of all the voice and influences constantly telling us how to/how not to be a woman? Does this lead us to be our own stigma? Who knows?
I am looking forward to learning more about Brownstein and her music/talents. I am also looking forward to finding a list of ALL of the bands and artists, books and cities, she mentions so I can add them to the "To-Do" list. If anyone has compiled such a list from her book, I hope you wouldn't mind sharing it with me!
kvanhook92's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
eegoing's review
2.0
Let me preface my review with two things: 1. I have listened to Sleater-Kinney since high school. 2. I also watched a couple season of Portlandia before it became a thing. And I will admit I liked Carried Brownstein, but much preferred funny Carrie Brownstein over Riot Grrrl Carrie Brownstein.
But now I kinda hate Carrie Brownstein. I went from admiration to repulsion pretty fast while reading this. Sure, we all acted immature in our twenties ... but I didn't know anyone that was as bad as some of the experiences written about in this book. And I get that she actually finished college (even though she didn't want to go because her only ambition seemed to be that she had to be in a band from Olympia), but for fuck's sake with all the SAT words. We get it, you're intelligent.
If you're a fan of the band, the majority of the book is this subject. But I would say it's a 50/50 shot you like the book. Finding out more behind the scenes about the band actually ruined them for me. Like I was actually annoyed to find out they recorded each album in what was a relatively short period of time. Nothing was painstakingly crafted. It was one or two takes and that was it until they got to One Beat or The Woods. For someone whose life was "saved" by music, you'd think Carrie Brownstein would want to put a little more thought and work into it.
But now I kinda hate Carrie Brownstein. I went from admiration to repulsion pretty fast while reading this. Sure, we all acted immature in our twenties ... but I didn't know anyone that was as bad as some of the experiences written about in this book. And I get that she actually finished college (even though she didn't want to go because her only ambition seemed to be that she had to be in a band from Olympia), but for fuck's sake with all the SAT words. We get it, you're intelligent.
If you're a fan of the band, the majority of the book is this subject. But I would say it's a 50/50 shot you like the book. Finding out more behind the scenes about the band actually ruined them for me. Like I was actually annoyed to find out they recorded each album in what was a relatively short period of time. Nothing was painstakingly crafted. It was one or two takes and that was it until they got to One Beat or The Woods. For someone whose life was "saved" by music, you'd think Carrie Brownstein would want to put a little more thought and work into it.
katmackie's review
4.0
Raw and page turning, Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl moves swiftly with honest observations that fans of Sleater-Kinney, or just Brownstein herself, will enjoy. I fall right in the middle of that camp, and I could hardly get enough.
indecisivespice's review
4.0
I don't know that I've ever been so emotional over a piece of non-fiction. And I don't think I've ever encountered anything as horrific as Carrie's description of what happened with Hector. I may be traumatized for life.
mapey's review
3.0
I was going to do a really detailed review but I'm in college now and I'm tired and don't really feel like it.
This book wasn't that exceptional to me. I don't really like the band, and the whole book was basically the history of the band. There were some interesting parts, but most of it put me to sleep. :(
This book wasn't that exceptional to me. I don't really like the band, and the whole book was basically the history of the band. There were some interesting parts, but most of it put me to sleep. :(