Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging has had a full on sparkling feminist make over in this #MeToo inspired debut!
Taking the YA scene by a storm, Kate Weston has masterminded an utterly hilarious and courageously honest account of feminism and EVERYTHING in between.
From the opening page I was in hysterics when young Kat's attempt to spray paint #TimesUp on the school wall in an act of activism unwittingly ends in giving the class jerk unintended fame. And Weston doesn't hold back on the laugh out loud moments from here. Refreshingly bold in her diary written approach, Weston fearlessly navigates the highs and lows of a confused feminist teenager - from tampons to mooncups, mental health to Instagram likes, each page is a field of knowledge. With shout outs to some superstar names, including Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst and Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, along with some superb inspiring platforms like i_weigh, Free Periods, Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Laura Bates' Girl Up, Weston does a fantastic job of exploring what feminism means both historically and currently.
But from the witty and the cringy, Weston also tackles taboos surrounding teenage mental health. Anxiety, depression, body image and bullying are just a few of the issues Weston offers an inspiring yet sensitive insight into and for this alone, I wish this book was around when I was navigating my difficult teenage years, but even now in my mid 20s to was a joy to see just how much this book and its messages still resonated.
I found complete solace in 15-year-old Kat. Her heart and humour, insight and insecurities were refreshingly relatable, and her friendship with not just her best friends but also her parents was utterly heartwarming. Sisterhood and female support take on a powerful stance in Diary of a Confused Feminist, resulting in the ultimate feminist message. Rounded up perfectly with 10 brilliant reasons for 'How Not to be a Confused Feminist', this is definitely a must read for all budding feminists out there!