You Too? edited by Janet Gurtler is currently on tour with YA Bound Book Tours. The tour stops here today for my review, some excerpts, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
A timely and heartfelt collection of essays inspired by the #MeToo movement, edited by acclaimed young adult and middle-grade author Janet Gurtler. Featuring Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, Cheryl Rainfield, and many more.
When #MeToo went viral, Janet Gurtler was among the millions of people who began to reflect on her past experiences. Things she had reluctantly accepted - male classmates groping her at recess, harassment at work - came back to her in startling clarity. She needed teens to know what she had not: that no young person should be subject to sexual assault, or made to feel unsafe, less than or degraded.
You Too? was born out of that need. By turns thoughtful and explosive, these personal stories encompass a wide range of experiences and will resonate with every reader who has wondered, “Why is this happening to me?” or secretly felt that their own mistreatment or abuse is somehow their fault - it’s not. Candid and empowering, You Too? is written for teens, but also an essential resource for the adults in their lives - an urgent, compassionate call to listen and create change.
Excerpts
Praise for the Book
“It took me a while to read it completely because I could only handle it in small doses, but nevertheless, it’s a very important book and I would love to give this to any young woman I know. But I also think it’s important for adult readers like me to read because we all have had these experiences and it’s good to know we are not alone.” ~ Sahitya
“I think this is a great IMPORTANT book for young girls to read. I recognized my own experiences in several of the stories, and found strength, camaraderie and resilience. I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager.” ~ Christine Bolton
“This collection of short stories reveals a sad truth about our society where young women are still objectified, and in some cases, abused. Each story is different, but there are underlying themes that run though many of them. ‘It's the woman's fault’ is one, guilt is another, and shame. Some made me cry, some made me angry, but all of them made me aware.” ~ C. McKenzie
“This is a very powerful anthology. It's not the most pleasant read, but it's not supposed to be. The stories contain sadness, fear, anger, and betrayal. But they also convey an important message about what it means to be female in a way that is brutally honest but also optimistic. This is the first #MeToo book I've read that has been specifically targeted to teens.” ~ Pallavi
“This was a very powerful collection, and I think it should be mandatory reading for anyone and everyone.” ~ T.B. Caine
You Too? is a collection of 25 essays, mostly by published authors, with an introduction by editor Janet Gurtler, who also includes her own story. “In 2018, #MeToo stories began exploding across my social media feed, bringing back memories of the harassment I experienced as a young woman coming of age in the late seventies and early eighties.” As such, she “set out to collect stories from a diverse group of writers who were willing to share their personal encounters.”
Most of the authors tell their stories for the first time in these pages, often feeling that what they experienced wasn’t “bad enough” to be included in this anthology. It’s tough reading about the verbal and physical abuse experienced by these girls (and one boy) via the words and actions of boys and men, not only because of their sex but for their color, nationality, sexual orientation, even body size. They were made to feel like they had done something wrong and were left feeling both fear and shame. They reflect on these incidents and regret not having acted at the time and reporting the behavior of their abusers. This is the message they wish to convey to the young readers who may be experiencing the same sort of abuse:
“I should have been using my voice and standing up to harassment. […] Call out harassers. Speak for those who are too afraid, and let others speak for you when you can’t. There can be consequences for harassers and predators of all types - and there should be.”
On a positive note, these women all came out stronger because of what they endured. And, guess what? Me too.
Should be compulsory reading for all teens - both girls and boys - and their parents.
Warnings: coarse language, sexual references, rape, incest, LGBTQA themes.
About the Editor
Janet Gurtler's young adult books have been chosen for the Junior Library Guild Selection and as Best Books For Teens from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. Janet lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband, son, a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce and a Golden Retriever named Betty White.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win one of two copies of You Too? signed by each author. Entries are automatically entered with a donation to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization) on the YOUTOO Fundraising Page.
"Even though a butterfly could beat me up, I am strong and powerful in my own way. We are all capable of being strong. Sometimes, we’re just conditioning for it in the wrong way."
Everybody has the awesome opportunity to find their own strength and path through life. Some come about their self-discoveries through studying and working hard. Others (Chelsea) spend their time nearly burning down kitchens and driving around the country with a car full of hangers.
Chelsea grew up wanting to be "strong". She thought arguing her way through childhood and becoming a world-class attorney would get her there. But, through a series of humorous, and only slightly embarrassing events, Chelsea comes to realize that maybe her strength is meant to shine in different ways.
Spoiler alert: This book is secretly going to brainwash you into home birthing your children. No, I’m not kidding.
Alternate possible titles for this book:
How to Keep Your Pride Intact When Butterflies Attack
When Life Hands You Lemons, Just Eat Them Straight Up to Watch Your Popularity at Parties Sky Rocket
17 Reasons Why I’m Cooler than My Mom
19 Reasons Why My Mom is Cooler Than Me
I Always (Start With the Best Intentions to) Follow Directions
Book Video
Chelsea Walker Flagg promotes her book in Denver ... wearing pajamas.
Excerpt
I tried to contain my excitement when my second grade teacher announced that our school’s Professional Day was coming up and we were all encouraged to dress up as what we wanted to be when we grew up. Now, just try to picture what your local veterinarian looks like and what they might wear on a daily basis to stand out from other occupations. You can’t, right?
Some parents had it easy; I mean how hard is it to make your child look like a firefighter or a member of middle management? My poor mom had a bigger task at hand. That’s why my costume ended up including a white bathrobe which I think was supposed to be a labcoat and an old pair of tortoise-shell sunglasses (lenses removed). In one hand I carried one of my million stuffed animals and in the other, a clipboard. I’m not entirely sure how a clipboard was going to prove that I was a veterinarian, but I was confident that if the clipboard didn’t give it away, the broken sunglasses definitely would. In a low childhood moment for me, not a single person - student or teacher - could guess what I was.
Even with the setback, I still knew I’d be the world’s best vet. My favorite animals by far were cats. To give you an idea of how in love with cats I was, imagine the person or thing that you love more than life itself, and then times that love by 100. I think it’s fair to use the word obsessed.
Praise for the Book
"Chelsea has a way of crafting scenes that pull the reader in and have you living in each crazy, often hilarious, and sometimes very moving moments ... the author manages to balance her writing with just the right amounts of personal touch, soul searching, and effervescence to make for a really enjoyable read." ~ Reader's Favorite
"This is a heartwarming, funny memoir about a truly genuine woman who is not afraid to share her path of self-discovery in life. You will meet few women more at home in their own skin. Her writing casts the ordinary occurrences of life into a new light as though you were seeing them for the first time through special eyes. I would give her memoir ten stars if I could. Chelsea’s writing is right up there with Erma Bombeck and Tina Fey." ~ Ecrivain
"This book was a pleasure to read. The situations are relatable and the author's straightforwardness very appealing. I just wanted to keep reading. I'm glad I picked it up!" ~ Kristalyn Ford
"It is light hearted and funny, and I particularly enjoyed seeing the pictures of Chelsea and her family. It is a book about the author's life, an honest description of both the good and the not as good parts. She is the living example of 'don't sweat the small stuff'. I enjoyed reading it." ~ mjomin
"Absolutely hysterical, heartwarming, and motivating. This book is an upbeat adventure of finding your own path and going through some hilarious trials and errors to get there. It leaves you feeling determined to tackle your own rhubarb pies and enjoying the missteps and discoveries along the way. Great, fun read!" ~ Meg
Guest Post by the Author
Why Writing a Book is Better than Running a Marathon
Running a marathon is hard work. You start small, talking yourself into a quarter-mile jog instead of eating that extra bag of potato chips. You build up your stamina, running longer and faster stints. You stretch before and after, doing your best to take care of your body. And then, the momentous occasion is upon you. You run a marathon. You run a freaking marathon. High five.
Writing a book is hard work. You start small, talking yourself into writing a few hundred words instead of checking Facebook for the thousandth time that hour. You build up your stamina, writing longer and faster stints. You warm up your brain before and after, finding all you ever do anymore is think about writing. And then, the momentous occasion is upon you. You publish a book. You publish a freaking book. High five.
Same story, right? Yeah, pretty much. Both activities take great determination and perseverance. One of the body, one of the mind. But, I’m here to burst your bubble to tell you that running a marathon and writing a book actually have some differences. *Insert pregnant pause to allow for appropriate shock and gasping*
Let me spell it out for you.
Running a marathon means, well, running
Don’t get me wrong, exercise is awesome. As an avid runner myself, who am I to say running isn’t fun? But, let’s be honest with ourselves, running isn’t fun. All the panting and the burning lungs and the jolted joints. Seriously, what’s fun about any of that? Writing, on the other hand, causes very little physical discomfort. Except for those nights when I would write in bed with my head propped up on a pillow and would fall asleep, waking up with the biggest kink in my neck. Even still, it’s not burning lungs and such.
You can eat whatever you want while writing a book
When you run, you have to really watch what you eat before - and if you’re running a long distance - during your exercise. We’ve all fallen victim to the cruel side cramps that come from eating too much before working out. No bueno. Well, guess what? When you write a book, you can eat whatever and however much you feel like. Hot dog? No problem. Chocolate cake? Yum yum. An entire rotisserie chicken? Hand it on over. You might pass out in a food coma before getting in your words for the day, but at least you don’t have side cramps. Just be careful not to get too much grease on your keyboard.
Writing a book results in a physical award
Wait a minute, you’re saying, don’t you get a cool medal when you run a marathon? Yes, my friend. Yes you do. A cool medal that, unless you’re an incredible runner, says "you finished". Sure, it’s cool. You wear it around your neck for the day, then hang it up next to your little league trophies and spelling bee certificates. It’s not really something you can pull out at parties. BUT, writing a book means that you have a book! You can throw yourself a book launch party, you can get your book into bookstores, and the best part? People will actually pay you for a copy of your book. Pretty sure they aren’t knocking down your door to buy your "you finished" medal, amiright?
So, there you have it. A few reasons why, in my humble opinion, you’re better off spending your time and energy on writing a book than running a marathon.
About the Author
Chelsea was once obsessed with cats, longed to live in a big city, didn't think she would ever have children, and aspired to be an attorney. She now lives in Boulder, Colorado, as a stay-at-home mom and comedic writer with her husband and three daughters. She has no current plans to own a cat.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon or B&N gift card.
Author Matthew Taylor joins us today for an interview about his memoir Goat Lips: Tales of a Lapsed Englishman. You can also read my review and an excerpt from the book.
Description
Goat Lips delivers a thought-provoking romp through a lapsed Englishman's life, who - after a quarter century of living in the United States - realized he'd neglected to renew his subscription to England.
Matthew's relentless wit and insight is front and center as we bounce between England and the United States, experiencing one hilarious, and sometimes poignant, tale after another - from escaping the clutches of the law to the pain and joy of parenthood, discovering the dangers of real ale and the agony of not being heard, whilst savoring a fiery dessert, the glamour of show business, the awkwardness of nakedness, and the utter wrongness of a Jesus piñata!
His ability to question the assumptions of everyday life with a wry grin, tender touch, and a twinkle in his kind eyes makes Matthew's tales endlessly entertaining. You'll want to read them more than once and even share them aloud with others in your best English accent.
Awards:
Gold Winner in Humor at National IPPY Book Awards
Silver Medals in Memoir & Illustration at CIPA EVVY Book Awards
Finalist in Humor at USA Book Awards
Finalist in Humor at Indy Excellence Awards
Excerpt from Chapter 2 - "A Run in the Dark"
As I entered into my forty-sixth second of running across a sandbar, naked with total strangers, two things became very clear to me. First, the old sentimental ballad “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” bore absolutely no relationship to this evening. The full moon hanging majestically in the perfectly clear sky was acting more like a large, unforgiving halogen lamp. Sadly, visibility was not a problem.
Second, jiggling. At first I became acutely aware of my own jiggle. And as I looked around to see if anybody noticed, it was impossible not to notice other people’s jiggles. Of course, noticing their jiggles meant they were surely noticing mine. With no end in immediate sight, still running at full speed, I attempted to use my hand as a jiggle stopper. It slowed me down, but some form of restriction was oddly comforting. I glanced at my companion and she too had resorted to a similar tactic in an effort to conceal her jiggling areas.
We were now a good hundred yards into the reservoir at a grand old depth of twelve inches. Our sprint had turned into more of a weak jog. When we finally hit thirteen inches, I decided it was good enough for me. I came to a slow, grinding halt and slid my humbled body down into its thirteen inches of coverage. Others followed my lead and soon all of us were lying flat on our backs on the silt with our heads stuck up at right angles.
The water was cold, the moon bright. We were at least three hundred feet from shore. There was no talking. It appeared all of us were too focused on the return journey to fully enjoy this special moment. I looked across the chilled surface towards my girlfriend. Our eyes met. We both shivered. She smiled weakly back at me and without a single word spoken, we broke up.
Book Video
You can also check out Matthew Taylor himself reading the above excerpt from "A Run in the Dark".
Praise for the Book
"Matthew is hilariously nimble with a pen, and he brings a fresh relatability to his prose. Charming, conversational and breezy, Goat Lips is a fun romp." ~ Heather Hach Hearne, Screenwriter, Freaky Friday, Tony nominated Best Book of a Musical, Legally Blonde the Musical
"Matthew Taylor’s short essays are much more than mere entertainment. They are each a guide on how to deftly (and humorously) maneuver life’s persistent questions and quandaries, all the while instructing you to – above all – smile, relax and enjoy every moment." ~ Mollie O’Brien, Grammy Award-Winning singer/Recording Artist
"... witty, deeply poignant in some cases, and highly entertaining. There are no missteps amongthese well-written stories." ~ Blue Ink Review
This book is very cleverly structured. The stories are not in chronological order, although there is a "map" at the beginning of the book giving the order of the events. From the first story, explaining the origin of the book's title, the author sets the tongue-in-cheek tone. You just know you're going to be in for a fun ride. The book covers such varied topics as Matthew's first car, scattering his mother's ashes, how he proposes to his wife, fulfilling his mother's dying wish, his time as a disc jockey, and the time he was running late for a hockey match. At the end, we come full circle and discover what happens after the first story. A very neat conclusion. Cute black-and-white illustrations at the beginning of each chapter add a whimsical touch.
While many of the stories of Matthew's youth revolve around drinking, many of the later ones feature funny things his children say. Despite the humor, there are also a number of sobering and touching stories. There are also some beautiful descriptive passages. We see Matthew in all of his personas, as young larrikin Matthew, son Matthew, friend Matthew, boyfriend Matthew, husband Matthew, and father Matthew. By the end of the book you'll feel like you actually know him.
Some of my favorite stories: "Carpool", "Popping the Question", "Surprise Party", and "Guess What's in Your Pocket".
An absolute pleasure to read. With its dry wit, humor, and laugh-out-loud moments, you'll need to be careful where you are when you're reading this book.
Matthew, for what age group do you recommend your book?
Anyone over 15.
What sparked the idea for this book?
I’ve told stories all my life and this is a compilation of those. Linda, my creative partner at A.C.E. Entertainment started bugging me about writing all my stories down.
I'm glad she did. What was the hardest part to write in this book?
The first stories I wrote were the three about my mother’s death. And it was extremely cathartic and really the catalyst for putting the stories on paper. Naturally, it was hard as well to write those first stories dealing with my mother’s death.
How do you hope this book affects its readers?
As with any story it’s never really the story you are really hearing that you are truly interested in. It’s your own story that is triggered and pulled out of your long-term memory that you are really connected to. I hope my stories help people to remember their own stories.
In chapter 8 you state that, "with a real-life story, the details cannot be changed. There is nothing I can do but tell the truth." Now tell me the real truth. Is it all real, or have some of the accounts been embellished for our amusement? For example, the events in "Surprise Party". Seriously?
My favorite quote from David Sedaris when asked a similar question was, "They are true enough."
I have always felt that I can easily tell when a story is based in truth and honesty and when it is fiction. Slight embellishment is part of the joy of storytelling for both the listener and the teller, but in my opinion should never over shadow the truth. "Surprise Party" is an excellent example.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Ten years.
Okay ... What is your writing routine?
Obviously not great, considering it took ten years to write this book! I usually have to link writing to a performance, so I produced a show called Happy Hour Story Time once a month, and I would promise to read two new stories at each show. So ten minutes before each show I would be frantically scribbling notes and editing stories.
How did you get your book published?
I hired an editor, Donna Martizelli, for a final edit and, after she was working with the stories, she contacted me and explained that she had a small press and was interested in publishing my book. I said, "Does that mean that I don’t have to do anything?" She said, "Yes." So I agreed.
As you would. What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Have fun writing. Write about things you know and don’t quit.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Spend time with my wife Susan and kids, Maitland and Alastair. Bike, ski, and sail. Surround myself with the Arts.
What does your family think of your writing?
They are pleased that the stories have made it into print so they can be enjoyed by so many people. It’s a brand new world and the people they are meeting are fun and interesting. How else would my wife get to hang out with a live goat?
True. Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
I grew up in a tiny south coast sailing village in England called Itchenor. I played lots of sports especially field hockey, rugby, soccer and sailing. I was the youngest of three kids. I had two older sisters, Isobel and Jessica, and so was naturally very spoiled.
Did you like reading when you were a child?
My mom, Sylvia would be stunned that I have a book out that has won awards. I remember distinctly going to Mrs. Rivers for remedial reading and writing every Tuesday and Thursday for years and years through high school. I still struggle today. (In fact, I’m dictating these answers to my darling wife as she types the answers ...)
[Hang on, you can't tell people that. We're supposed to be chatting.]
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
As Linda continued to badger me, I started to realize how nice it would be to have a written record of my tales. Previously, the vast majority of my work was improvised, so it only lived in the moment and in the minds of the few people who shared that experience.
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
Absolutely. In fact, every experience influences my writing.
Which writers have influenced you the most?
David Sedaris is really the poster child of personal narratives, and I love Bill Bryson who I would dream to emulate in some way in my own writing.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
All of the time. I have had the pleasure of being a guest author for several speaking events and book clubs. They usually tell me about their own stories, which I love to hear.
What can we look forward to from you in the future?
An audio book with my slightly pompous English accent. Some blogging, some new tales in a book hopefully before 2025, and perhaps a short book on how stories work, why they work, and simple tips to tell better stories.
Yes, I hope we don't have to wait another ten years! Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, Matthew, and for the opportunity to read your book. Best of luck with your future projects. You better get cracking!
About the Author
Matthew Taylor was transplanted to Colorado from the small sailing village of Itchenor, England. He has been a professional actor, improviser, storyteller, and humorist for the last twenty-five years, working throughout the United States and internationally.
He is a partner of A.C.E. Entertainment, which over the last fourteen years has written and produced over fifty original shows, and is currently touring their smash hit, Girls Only - The Secret Comedy of Women. Encouraged from the popularity of the A.C.E. show, Tales of an Englishman, Matthew continued to commit his stories to paper, which have now been compiled into the book, Goat Lips: Tales of a Lapsed Englishman.
Matthew has a long history of coaching theatre, storytelling, and the art of improvisation. He formed Persuasion through Narrative in 2010 to teach communication skills through the use of narrative and has quickly gained a strong reputation, especially within the legal profession and educational institutions. Matthew loves to bike, ski, sail, and is proud to be a husband and a father of two fabulous children (who continually keep him on his toes and laughing constantly).
