Have you read RED?

Red: Teenage Girls in America Write on What Fires Up Their Lives Today (Plume ISBN 978-0-452-28983-3) is a wonderful collection of essays edited by the enormously talented Amy Goldwasser--as in Elle, Seventeen, The New Yorker, Vogue, Runner's World, The New York Times, New York... etc. (Okay, I also think she is exceptionally jazzy for having also hailed from the Midwest, smile, but I digress...)

After recently meeting Amy, I read, in one weekend, my autographed copy of RED, now out in paperback. In regard to how the eclectic list of teen essayists was compiled, Amy says in her introduction, "It was really important to me that Red not be based on the stories of a privileged few in large cities on the coast. This book is a true representation of girls across the country, writing across the spectrum of geographic, socioeconomic, political, racial, and religious upbringings."

DON'T. YOU. JUST. LOVE. THAT?!?!? I sure do.

Teen Vogue calls Red, "A must-have." And I agree.

I attended a panel discussion this evening with Amy as moderator. Three of the essayists were present--Kelly Otterness, Olive Panter, Zoe Mendelson and Maya-Catherine Popa--and I thought it remarkable that, while on one hand I wanted to encourage them and applaud these young talented women, clearly they don't need such validation. These women know who they are. Hopefully, after reading this book you will, too! Out now in paperback, I highly recommend it for gift-giving... (Sorry, the season is approaching and why not start making suggestions now? smile...)

I love Red and particularly admire Amy's colorblind inclusiveness of its authors. I hope she's igniting not a trend but a new truth in literature.

Sigh.

I'm a bit inspired tonight. (Those closest to me would say... Philana when are you NOT inpired? LOL) But seriously, our country is evolving into an America where so many previously unheard voices are carving out ways to co-exist and tonight I'm particularly thankful for that.

I don't think it necessary, in our progress, to eradicate any voices in order for others to be heard, yet balance in literature is in desperate need. Entertainment is a force of influence on young girls and it is warming to have some of the void of diversity filled via this book. There is so much room for everyone at the table. And it is okay to have a selection of books from which to choose, no?

Red is a new classic, a quiet storm collection of voices--not shouting--but just speaking... and being heard. You've gotta dig that.

Dr. Maya Angelou put it best last week, when she simply concluded, "I'm an American, baby!" Thank God for a country where everyone has a right--and is getting more opportunities--to be heard. Amy Goldwasser has made a way for 58 teenaged girls to do just that.

Get this book! Read it. And, as always.... love!

xoxo...
pmb

UPDATE: For any New Yorkers reading, this just in via email from Amy Goldwasser: 

Please join two sensational lineups of local and visiting RED authors, reading from new work:
THURS, DEC 11, 6:30p
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum
108 Orchard Street (two doors south of Delancey)

TUES, DEC 16, 7:00p
Community Bookstore
143 Seventh Avenue (in Park Slope, between Carroll and Garfield Sts.)

Hope you can make it out and support! pmb