THE GIST:
A funny lady writes about being a successful female producer, along with everything else from motherhood to photo shoots to Sarah Palin.
THE VERDICT:
I haven't read many celebrity memoirs, but I think Tina Fey is hilarious and she's done a lot of interesting things in her career. In this loosely organized series of reflections Tina writes about being a woman in the male-dominated world of comedy and in the world of TV producers. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time at Saturday Night Live, her role in the vicious 2008 election season, and her experience producing her own show, 30 Rock.
This is not a story of too much drama or hardship, and Tina seems to have lived a clean and respectable life. She writes about the strong influence her parents have had on her and how that has shaped her career path. She loves what she does, and it is encouraging to see someone passionately pursuing her dreams. She works hard and does not take nonsense from people, and generally sets a good example for men and women alike. She recognizes and abhors the different treatment that women sometimes experience in the workplace but does not allow herself to be crippled by it.
Tina writes in her characteristically sharp and funny voice, and I found myself reading with her accent in my head. She steers away from most juicy, ranty topics, and was respectful towards the people that she has worked with in the past. She is honest about aging, exhaustion and balancing the various family and career aspects of her life, as well as this weird thing called celebrity. This is an engaging story told by a real woman who has been successful and likely has more to do.
THE LINK:
Here's a link for Tina Fey's fan site
THE COST:
I paid $11.99 for the Kindle edition
THE QUESTION:
How do you think women's treatment in the workplace has changed over time? Have you experienced or witnessed sexism (either towards women or men) at work?
Hi! Great review--thanks! Yes, things have changed for the better for women in the workplace, but it is still unequal in pay and respect in some venues. I am on the other side of middle age, so I have experienced it and seen it, and I hope young women now will have zero tolerance for any discrepancy in treatment. Tina Fey sounds like a strong, intelligent woman and the book sounds interesting! Rae
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Rae! I think it is very important for those of us who are on the younger side to understand just how different things have been in the past. I think we still encounter issues in the workplace, but they are less overt and institutionalized. My mom has told me the story of when she was going to be offered a job, but they wanted to ask her husband's permission first because she might have to work long hours! Needless to say she didn't stand for that.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments on my blog and I wish you the best as you take care of yourself in the coming months.
Sounds like a great read! Good question too... I think that the experience of women has improved a lot, but not nearly enough. I don't know if it made international news or not but recently the head of EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association) in New Zealand said that women were less productive because of their periods. Seriously. I KNOW. He got fired of course but it just goes to show that the underbelly of sexism is still very much there and at top levels too.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm becoming increasingly aware of women's issues in the workplace as I start to consider having kids... It seems as soon as you get to baby making age some people start to take you less seriously or assume you'll be leaving soon anyway so why bother. Luckily this hasn't happened in my current job but I've seen it happen to others. Not a fun feeling for anyone.
My only gripe is that it's a little hard to tell what this book is trying to be. It's part comedy, part biography and part managerial guidance/life lessons. Not that that's a bad combination - it was just a little unexpected. And, at times, felt a little jumpy.
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