Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve, by Drew Afualo, was a bonus audiobook from Macmillan Audio, and I'm so glad they sent me a widget! I had never heard of Drew before, I don't really use TikTok, but based on the synopsis, I knew immediately that I would like her and this book. According to the synopsis: "Drew Afualo is best known as the internet's 'Crusader for Women'" and "unofficial watchdog for misogyny."

"Loud is part manual, part manifesto, and part memoir. It is a summoning cry to rid the internet (and our hearts, minds, and lives) of 'terrible men' and create a space to fight outdated patriarchal ideals. Above all, it makes it clear that behind Drew's fearsome laugh is a mission and a life philosophy, a strategy for self-confidence from the inside out, and a pathway to once and for all remove men from the centre of how women and fems think about themselves."

I don't usually include synopses in my reviews, but I really couldn't say that better myself!

I was both entertained by and guided through feminist and anti-patriarchy ideology, and it felt validating, empowering, and freeing!

A particular highlight of the book for me was when Drew discussed how valid it is for women and femmes to not want kids/to be a mom. Her discussion goes a step further that the rhetoric around women having autonomy over their own bodies, as that usually centers around already being pregnant, but discusses how even outside of any pregnancy, people further have the right to choose to not reproduce/parent at all. As someone who has known for a very long time that reproduction is not for me, and yet has constantly faced patronizing remarks about it, it has always felt so empowering to meet other women who share that same conviction and have gone through the same frustrations at other people's reactions.

Drew narrates the Loud audiobook herself, and I always appreciate that, especially in nonfiction, because I believe it lends more weight to the messages the author is sharing. I think it's needless to say this book is five stars!

Drew is an incredible and talented woman! What an outstanding book! I’m currently getting copies for all the people in my family! 🥹🫶🏼

super amazing book about self love and respect. really opened my eyes to alot of things and makes me feel seen as a woman who doesn’t want kids or a traditional relationship

Love this absolute queen & love her book! Bought the ebook and physical book to show my support. Keep doing what you do! We love you!🤍