Hit Girls is a nostalgic, insightful, and thoroughly entertaining look at the women who defined pop music in the early 2000s. Nora Princiotti does a fantastic job weaving together music history, cultural shifts, and personal anecdotes to show how artists like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Rihanna reshaped not only pop but the entire music industry.

The book shines in its analysis of how technology, media, and changing attitudes toward female artists fueled the evolution of the genre. Princiotti's writing is engaging and accessible, balancing deep research with a conversational tone that makes the book feel like an extended discussion with a fellow pop music enthusiast. The exploration of fandom culture, particularly Taylor Swift’s empire, is especially compelling.

That said, at times the book feels like it could go deeper—certain artists and trends are covered in broad strokes, leaving some stories feeling a bit rushed. A bit more critical analysis of industry pressures and the darker sides of fame would have added even more depth.

Overall, Hit Girls is a must-read for pop lovers, especially those who grew up in the era of TRL, MySpace, and early viral stardom. It’s a fun and thoughtful tribute to the women who shaped a decade of music and continue to influence today’s biggest stars.

As a millennial pop girlie, this was the book for me. Such a fun read! I'm a HUGE fan of Nora Princiotti from her podcast Every Single Album that she co-hosts with Nathan Hubbard, and I was ecstatic to be among the first to read this. Princiotti revisits the mega female pop stars of the 2000s, devoting a chapter to each (including Britney Spears, early Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Lady Gaga, early Taylor Swift — of course! - and more). While the pop stars and the big hits weren't new to me, this was a terrific exercise in nostalgia. I also loved learning more about the cultural context of these artists and songs. At the time, I wasn't thinking about cultural or historical context, of course; my childhood and adolescent self was just enjoying the pops. Princiotti finds a great balance between well-researched, thoughtful commentary and infusing her deep connection to the music. Her unique voice so clearly comes through, and because of the pod, I could literally "hear" her voice in my head as I read some of this,

Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!