Reviews

All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation by Rebecca Traister

bookph1le's review against another edition

4.0

This was a fascinating read, and it went in directions I hadn't expected, such as going quite far back in history to illustrate the ways in which women tried to flout the conventional marriages that often offered them little. The author raises a lot of important issues that help reframe conversations about issues like the federal minimum wage, something that isn't talked of as a gender issue, but that is, considering women are so disproportionately represented when it comes to low-wage workers. She exposes a lot of the institutional biases holding women--and the greater economy--back, and she ends with some good, concrete points about what needs to change in order to make the U.S. more equitable not just for women, but for men as well, as they would also benefit from female partners with more income, paid family leave, etc. Rather than conservatives railing against the decline of marriage, they would do well to read a book like this and do some deep thinking about why heterosexual marriage strikes so many women as such an unappealing choice.

erinbrook's review

1.0

Though I am a "single lady," I was definitely not the target market for this book. I primarily listened to the audiobook, but I was rolling my eyes the entire time. It eventually because background noise until it was over.

jenhurst's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this but I wish it took more of an intersectional view. Even if it mentioned queer and black women it felt very much focused on a white heteronormative view.

willbefunorelse's review against another edition

3.0

I answer to no one. I want to binge Bridgerton all in one day? DONE. Ice cream for dinner? YOU BETCHA. Play Taylor Swift's Folklore over and over again? FUCK YEAH BABY

For the full review - including a peek at Alaina's Work-From-Home lifestyle, which coincided with listening to the audiobook version of this title - follow the link to That's What She Read.

sksrenninger's review

4.0

A really interesting and relatable book about the growing demographic force that is unmarried women. It was fascinating to learn how much unmarried women have contributed to society and progressive causes, and heartening to be reminded of our expanded range of opportunities/life paths. I sometimes felt like the historical overviews were too superficial, and wanted more detail, but Traister provides pretty thorough notes, so I am sure I can find more resources to explore. Recommend to all my female friends!

tophat8855's review against another edition

2.0

So I forced myself to finish at least 1/3 of it and then skimmed ahead to read what I wanted. Didn't read it all.

Most of it I've heard before. I'm not sure I figured out what Traister's thesis is: is it to demonstrate the importance of respecting single women as a demographic of power? Is it to validate the reader (presumed to be single, perhaps?) in a sea of married people? I felt convinced of both of those already. Maybe I wasn't the intended audience? I just couldn't get into it. The statistics, while interesting, I feel like I've already heard. The history, I mostly know. Maybe it needed more stories. I've read books like this before, so maybe I'm bored of the style/genre?

jilly7922's review against another edition

3.0

Overall I would rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5. This book is about the journey of feminism and how it lead to the independent society we have now. It goes into depth into the history of women. This book talked about all the factors such as societal, political, cultural, and economic forces with how a group of women paved the way to the freedom and independence that we enjoy now. It is not only a history book, but it addresses all the issues that women are confronted with that inhibits them to becoming fully independent, in today's society. Its essential element is change, a call to action to women to continue fighting for equality and independence.
I did enjoy this book, it was very thought provoking, and pointed out things in myself that I was not aware of before. I definitely learned a lot reading this book. I liked how the book tied in factors like poverty and racism in relating it to the fight for independence and equality for women and society. This book was packed full of information.This book did have a nice balance between personal anecdotes and straightforward information. Overall it was well written. I did like reading this book. The best thing about this book was that it was very thought-provoking. I always enjoy when a book gets my brain cells working.
I was a little disappointed that this book did not stand out among other similar books. I was waiting for that moment that makes a book special and unique and it fell a hair short. There were also some parts in this book that were repetitive, so it felt a little wordy at times. With that said, I do think this book will be worth your time to read. It is a subject that is essential and important to society. I do recommend it.
I want to thank Netgalley, Rebecca Traister (the author), and Simon & Schuster (the publisher) for giving me an opportunity to read this book.

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booksoflore's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

kstep1805's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

This book was an excellent historical and somewhat biographical look at single women in the US. The most interesting part of the book is that the most progressive countries, like the Scandinavian countries, have a stable marriage rate and lower divorce rates than more conservative counterparts. She also pointed out that delaying marriage leads to better marriage outcomes and those choosing marriage most often are women who are successful, dispelling worries that financially successful women are opting out. Even sex before marriage is dropping off, and young people today have fewer sexual partners than their Boomer parents or grandparents. So most of the hand wringing may be misplaced. It’s time to accept that if we want to put families first, we need to support progressive policies. She lays out the alternative, what we are already seeing, plunging marriage and birth rates as seen in Korea, Japan, and Italy. This book predominantly focused on those who haven’t married yet, some divorcees, and single mothers and childless women. It really didn’t focus on women in my position, I’d like to explore how widowhood affects women more. What their lives look like post spousal death. Statistics already show that widows tend not to remarry while widowers tend to remarry. 

aliceboule's review against another edition

3.0

A thoughtful work on the rising numbers of single women in the US. Compelling interviews and arguments make you question your own status in life, and the reasons for which you want certain things.