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  • Writer's picturemikeofthepalace

"Appropriately Aggressive: Essays About Books, Corgis, and Feminism" by Krista D. Ball

This was an interesting book to read (and thank you Krista for the ARC). /r/Fantasy has been a major part of my life for years now, and Krista's been the heart of many of the most insightful, dramatic, uplifting, and frustrating moments.


Much of this book is a collection of her biggest posts here on /r/Fantasy, with some commentary and revisions. I participated in every one of these discussions - sometimes with my own contributions, sometimes just trying to referee fairly to the best of my abilities, and once just letting Krista know that at least one person appreciated her *Pride & Prejudice* reference.


So this book felt very personal to me. It's a history of my own growth as well - as a reader, as a person, and as what many would disparagingly call a social justice warrior, but what I call a person recognizing society's problems and refusing to accept that there is nothing to be done about them.


Odds are good that if you've been around here for very long, you have an opinion on Krista. This book isn't going to change that: this is Krista being Krista, without apology. If you think she raises good points in an effective and entertaining manner, you'll probably enjoy this book. If you are one of the people she talks at length about who tend to describe her in various unflattering terms, it's hard to imagine this book find anything but pissing you off. And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, but are interested to read about a longtime writing vet talk about what it's like trying to be an author and the ways being a woman with strong opinions can be challenging, this book is probably for you.


It also has hilarious stories involving both land-dogs and water-dogs (better known as corgis and seals). So there's that as well.

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