Not Here to Make You Comfortable: 50 Women Who Stand Up, Speak Out, Inspire Change

A LIVELY AND EMPOWERING BOOK.

With a sub-title like “50 Women Who Stand Up. Speak Out. Inspire Change,” it is clear what this book is about. The editorial team at Penguin have put together a collection of micro-biographies of various inspiring women from Australia and around the world. Most of these are younger women, appealing to the demographic for which this publication has been put together: adolescents and young adults who are female-identifying, or non-binary.

With sparse writing, and large, luscious, illustrations, this is a quick and easy read, suitable to consume either cover-to-cover, or in dip-in mode. Some of the women featured include Taylor Swift, Grace Tame, Turia Pitt, Michelle Obama, and Julia Gillard. Each entry consists of a one-page summary facing a full-page illustration. The illustrations themselves have been drawn by one of several female-identifying illustrators, allowing for a broad range of styles and interpretations. Their biographies are also included.

Interspersed between the stories are inspirational quotes, and advice about standing up and speaking your truth.

Not Here to Make You Comfortable is an informative and beautifully put-together call-to-action for young people, particularly female-identifying. The micro-biographies are possibly a little too light-on, missing an opportunity to provide some meatier information and links to further details. But each of them has as its starting point — a moment when the subject did something “brave” — which gives the writing a particular character, although it does also make it a tad repetitive.

This is perfect Christmas gift for the young person in your life, but is also an enjoyable and interesting read for older women.

“It’s time to stop saying yes all the time.
It’s time to stop apologising all the time.
It’s time to stop avoiding conflict all the time.
It’s time to be true to our emotions, whatever they are.

We’re not here to make you comfortable.

We’re here to celebrate being ourselves.”

Celebrate being yourself by purchasing this delightful book.

Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Twitter: @TraceyKorsten