WOW. Just wow. This is one powerful book. For one thing, I have changed my mind completely about who I'm voting for next year. I'm going to talk about myself differently at work. I've always thought of myself as a feminist but this has changed my thought process on how I need to present myself to people. And it also made me laugh out loud A LOT. Probably not a good idea to read this on a train at 1:30 in the morning. I got some pretty strange looks. I really recommend this to everyone -- it's empowering for women but would also be great information for men because it really shows a strong viewpoint. It's a quick read and both fun and thought-provoking.

“A result is that, for the most part, the only people weathering those consequences are the ones who don’t have the luxury of staying quiet. Women, already impeded and imperiled by sexism, also have to carry the social stigma of being feminist buzzkills if they call attention to it. People of color not only have to deal with racism; they also have to deal with white people labeling them ‘angry’ or ‘hostile’ or ‘difficult’ for objecting.”

Familiar with Lindy West's novel "Shrill," I was excited to learn that she was coming out with yet another though-provoking, boundary-pushing book. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the first two chapters. Chapter one was mostly an introduction to the book and a chance to introduce the whole idea of "the witches are coming," and then chapter two was about...Lil Bub (amongst other internet-famous cats)? I love cats as much as the next person, and I'll be very upfront in saying that I am downright obsessed with Lil Bub, but I didn't really understand the point of the chapter.

However, the more I read, the more intrigued I became. Lindy has a way of articulating so many things I think on a daily basis, all with a fun, relatable twist that keeps you wanting more and more. I found myself keeping a running log of all the quotes I encountered that resonated with me.

While a large portion of this book sort of read like a well-thought Facebook rant, I still enjoyed it and think it's an important read for everyone. My only qualm is that even though Lindy presented good arguments on significant issues, I didn't find as many solutions to said issues as I would have liked.

Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be exactly the kind of thing I've been looking for to truly capture how I feel about a lot of the things going on in the world right now.

Holy sweet mother of Shrill.... Lindy West is on fire with The Witches Are Coming. In her latest memoir/collection of essays, nothing is off limits to West- even her beloved's adoration for microphones. Spouting off on (not my) President Trump, the lack of men in the feminist movement, #MeToo, abortion rights, the fine line of comedy, and a hoard of other hot button topics, West had me laughing and raging right there with her. 

After I read Shrill and saw that West had a new book coming out, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I lucked out through NetGalley, and I would have demolished the read so much faster had I not been reading it during my busiest time of my year. It really is an absorbing, thought provoking read, and though West's signature sense of humor shines through pretty much every sentence, she knows exactly how to get her point across. 

No doubt, at some point West will jab at a topic too close to home, but the point of this collection is to face the current atmosphere and not bury your head in the sand (or in your phone, or IN YOUR BOOK. #triggered) It won't be easy, but just keep an open mind and heart- you'll pull through, and it'll be worth it.

Im giving this 3 stars because I agree with the author’s viewpoints and I like the author. But this writing style was kind of all all over the place to me. I liked the social commentary, but I felt like she circled around different (irrelevant) anecdotes before getting to the point of the essay.

This is a new release by an American columnist who focuses on feminism, social justice, humor, and body image. She created the TV show Shrill, (on Hulu) and is the originator of the #Shout Your Abortion Campaign. The book is a series of 'cultural critiques' (or what feels like rants) on such subjects as abortion, Adam Sandler and South Park and includes lots of references to Trump. The title is a reference to Trump's frequent use of the term 'witch hunt'. This is a thought provoking book and a good recommendation for fans of books on gender.

Lindy West is here to push at your assumptions and challenge your comfort with the way things are. Her first essay starts the book out perfectly- taking down the use of "witch hunt" by wealthy, powerful men who are finally being asked to take responsibility for their actions. I think this book will challenge everyone to really look inside themselves- even as someone who has identified as a liberal feminist for as long as I can remember, there were plenty of moments for introspection. An excellent collection, and just in time for Nonfiction November!

“If there is magic in Trump’s ability to conjure reality out of hot air and spittle, there is an equally powerful magic in the opposite: in speaking the truth, unvarnished, about what we see, what we remember, what has been done to us by people who have assumed power and status as a birthright, rules written just for them. People who are nervous or just trying to wait this moment out until everything settles down. There is power in saying no, we will not settle down. We will not go back. It’s the lifting of a veil, the opposite of a glamour.

So fine, if you insist. This is a witch hunt. We’re witches and we’re hunting you.”

This is from the first essay in The Witches Are Coming and I thought it was a great start to the book. I also loved the ending. However for me the middle was softer and not the rallying cry I was hoping for.

I felt like it was a case of preaching to the choir - those who are drawn to this book will agree with most of what is being shared. While there were some interesting new correlations and some great lines - I was hoping for more action or ways we can help those who feel differently see the need for change. I wanted to feel fired up and ready to take on the next election!! Instead, I just felt frequently reminded of our current stark reality which I am very aware of on a day to day basis.

Thank you to Hachette books, Netgalley and Librofm for the advance reading and listening copies in exchange for my honest review.

Tomorrow is Halloween, and I am going to dress up as a witch, and carry a sign saying, “The witches are coming, and Donald Trump, they are coming for you!”

Lindy West points an unwavering finger at the tragedies in our current public and private lives. She is forthright about sharing our failings, but insists on a bare minimum of honesty.

I loved these essays with a desperate terrified passion, and know exactly the people who will be getting a copy for Christmas this year.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I will read anything Lindy West writes. And she's done it again with The Witches Are Coming. You will love this if you loved Shrill!

TL;DR: The Witches Are Coming was a letdown after Shrill.

This was one of my most highly anticipated books of the year. On Shrill, I had said: "Some of these essays are absolute gold." But The Witches Are Coming sadly pales in comparison.

I loved the way West housed her personal experiences in the bigger picture in Shrill. It felt like part memoir, part smart commentary (even though I did note, in my 5-star review, that it was a "somewhat uneven essay collection"). Here, in TWAC, West focuses much more on social commentary and much less on sharing experiences from her own life.

In the very first essay, one of my notes was, "Nothing new if you agree. Nothing new if you disagree." And that kind of sums up how I feel about the whole collection, except for some instances in which I was really frustrated by West not *quite* getting it right (e.g., not acknowledging the role investigative journalism played in Weinstein's fall).

I personally think she's at her best in TWAC when she's talking about gender, making Shrill (the TV show), body image, and the ways women have to conform/the things we have to deal with. It's likely no coincidence that these are things she has direct experience with. The rest, frankly, won't stick with me either by virtue of my not caring (see: Grumpy Cat) or having already felt that way (see: climate change is real).

I had fully expected to love this one, and honestly wish I had. Maybe TWAC will work better for those who aren't as tuned into politics or who are more interested in the pop culture topics featured here.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for a free e-arc of this title to review.

Lindy West has written a smart, funny dissection of life in the age of Trump and #MeToo, bringing in a few digressions into popular culture that she manages to tie together. Even though I wasn't familiar at all with this author before reading this book, I will definitely seek out her writing in the future.

This book, while topical and somewhat factual, felt like I was listening to a drunk feminist friend lashing out at a party. I get the tongue in cheek humor, but its delivery...I felt like I was being yelled at on the page. This was not a fun read and I didn't finish it.

Lindy West's wit is so delightfully sharp that I had to wear bandages on my fingers while I read this book. I'm a huge fan of SHRILL and this book did not disappoint. Well-paced and each page was absolutely on fire. Loved it.

The Witches Are Coming is a fast paced, highly frightening (climate crisis, anyone?!), but somehow also lough out loud look at American culture and how it has led to where we are today... and today isn't looking so hot. This book got me fired up, that's for sure... but, I am, much like the woman she mentions in the book (a woman who, after listening to a panel about how women can fight sexism, suggests the audience should not be women, but should actually be men because why should women fix a messed up system we didn't build), looking around me thinking, those who NEED to read this book are NEVER going to read this book. Dang it. Everyone should read this book. I loved it and will definitely be rereading and in an effort to get everyone to read it, will be giving it as a gift come holiday season.

The Witches Are Coming is the non-fiction title I have most been anticipating since I read Lindy West’s previous book, Shrill. When the title essay was first published in the New York Times, it perfectly struck the emotion and determination many women felt ready to act upon in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency. West took our righteous indignation and put it into words while we were stammering with rage or speechless with disbelief. Wonderful words, that were sharp, funny and more precise than many of us are capable of producing in the middle of a heated Facebook comment thread flame war.

What I most loved about Shrill and years of West’s work across the Internet is also present in this new collection: highly memorable and quotable passages full of humor, cathartic swearing, and intelligent commentary on gender, race, politics and pop culture.

The only reason I rated this slightly lower than West’s previous book is that some points in the essays can be repetitive when pieces that were originally published over a long span elsewhere are put together in one volume. That being said, some of these points bear repeating.

The Witches Are Coming is a must-read for feminists and progressives that provides honesty, humor and even hope in these wicked times.

The Witches Are Coming is straight-up feminist / liberal candy. She’s not going to change anybody’s minds with this book — she’s definitely going to be preaching to the choir — but members of that choir are going to eat. it. up. (As did I.)

The book is made up of essays that offer commentary on today’s political and social climates. There’s an entire chapter called, “Is Adam Sandler Funny?” (Spoiler alert: No.)

I honestly think that if you’re going to read this book, you should go for the audiobook. I didn’t listen to it myself (because I received an advanced e-copy of the print edition), but you can just tell. Lindy is hilarious (of course), and her delivery of these passionate essays is sure to be spot-on. I did actually listen to her first book, Shrill, and loved her delivery in that one.

So, long story short: If you like the idea of a liberal feminist comedian writing a liberal, feminist, funny book, then this one is absolutely for you.

I don't really understand how a book can make me so angry and at the same time, make me laugh. That's a special Lindy West talent. A little levity helps us swallow the harsh realities thrown at us in this book.

I think this book will have a strong following, it just wasn't for me. I found a lot of the arguments to be very commonly agreed upon in most feminist academia or writings these days, so people in the loop on those conversations won't find much new ground here. West is rather far to the left in her personal leanings, which is completely fine, but that means it wouldn't likely reach an audience that hadn't come across these ideas yet either. Basically, it felt like a well written book that's preaching to the choir without moving the conversation forward. There was also a fair amount devoted to Twitter, which is likely interesting to heavy users of the platform, but I am not very interested in that culture personally.

WHEW. So good. I can’t tell you how many pages I posted to IG Stories with excerpts circled in red, covered in pointing arrows gifs. If you’re already familiar with Lindy West’s writing, this will be your new favorite. If you’re new to Lindy, get your life and get this book. I love Rebecca Traister, but sometimes I need to laugh through the pain, and Lindy has both the writing and comedy chops to make reading about the current political climate bearable. Also, there’s a chapter on men’s love for Adam Sandler movies, and honestly, you should read it for that chapter alone. (less)

4-4.5 stars: It hadn't really occurred to me before reading this book, but Lindy West is a critic uniquely suited to reflecting on our current cultural and political moment. Long before the madness of the 2016 election cycle, she built a career on dealing with and reflecting on internet trolls, and in this collection, she does a wonderful job connecting that cycle of bad-faith arguments and impotent rage to pop culture and politics as we currently see them. This book was full of beautifully distilled lines that captured a feeling or idea that I so often have grasped for in trying to make sense of the world around me-- and this book made me feel less alone and less crazy in that pursuit.
I will say this reads a little too much like a blog or online op-ed for my personal taste in essays of this kind, so that is what keeps it from being a full home run, but overall, if you're into the overall project of Lindy West and/or progressive cultural criticism, I think you'll like this.