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Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives
by
Mina Samuels (Goodreads Author)
Run Like A Girl is about the impact that participating in sports has on women—how the confidence and strength that it helps to build spills over into all of our experiences, making us stronger and better prepared for life’s many challenges. In this inspiring book, Mina Samuels uses the varied personal stories of women and girls of all ages and backgrounds—as well as her ow...more
Paperback, 269 pages
Published
February 22nd 2011
by Seal Press
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A very inspiring book with a writing style that irked me in a lot of places. It motivated me to get off the couch, but also motivated me to edit the flow of the book in my head. I didn't really care for how the people in the book were introduced in an early chapter, and then were referred back to in later chapters by some sort of gimmick (like: "remember our friend the tire-changing lady?" -- yes, for the fourth time, I remember her. But now I just think about her as the tire-changing lady.).
For...more
For...more
This book is very motivating and has lots of great advice for runners but also for women athletes in general. Hearing story after story of women overcoming things that could have stopped a running dream but didn't, is very inspiring. I also love how the author is able to describe the specific things in her life that helped her become the runner she is today. All in all I just love stories of anyone, male or female, getting from one point in life to another after being told they cant do it. This...more
It only took a few pages for me to feel as though I'd been transported back to one of my favorite classes at Cal: Sociology of Sport. We learned about the commodification of athletes, discussed gender roles, and debated requirements of student athletes. Having learned many of my greatest life lessons on the sport's field, much of the class was easily relatable to my life or things I'd been through, making much of the class content immediately tangible.
It only took a few more pages for me to real...more
It only took a few more pages for me to real...more
1 like · like · see review
I feel dreadful marking this book as "read." I really, really wanted to love this book. I love running, I love feminism, I love empowerment. This book was more of a memoir/cheerleader/collection of famous people saying shit that meant something to the author randomly strung together and it made no sense.
See that last sentence? Imagine an entire book of that, but interspersed with "snippets" from said sentence. Please to allow me to elaborate (fictitiously of course):
Running is a mind-game. Your...more
See that last sentence? Imagine an entire book of that, but interspersed with "snippets" from said sentence. Please to allow me to elaborate (fictitiously of course):
Running is a mind-game. Your...more
I just happened to stumble upon this in my library's New section.
It's an unlikely choice for me, since I sort of hate running and also am always hesitant about books geared toward women (in my experience, identifying only as a human has worked best for me.)
However, I mildly enjoyed this book. It was inspiring. It really does make me want to go on an adventure!
It was a bit longer than necessary, redundant in parts. But over all, not a bad book.
I had never heard of the "pink and shrink" phenomenon...more
It's an unlikely choice for me, since I sort of hate running and also am always hesitant about books geared toward women (in my experience, identifying only as a human has worked best for me.)
However, I mildly enjoyed this book. It was inspiring. It really does make me want to go on an adventure!
It was a bit longer than necessary, redundant in parts. But over all, not a bad book.
I had never heard of the "pink and shrink" phenomenon...more
Though this book is non-fiction, it aims for inspirational rather than informational. The excessively cheerful tone and general lack of content made reading it felt disgustingly like bingeing on candy. Then I hurt my elbow and the cheerful encouragement helped me feel better while I wasn't training . . .
Unlike anther reviewer here, I appreciated that the author talked about sports other than running ... in fact, I was sort of annoyed because of the implication that running marathons and triathlo...more
Unlike anther reviewer here, I appreciated that the author talked about sports other than running ... in fact, I was sort of annoyed because of the implication that running marathons and triathlo...more
I was surprisingly disappointed with this book. I purchased it because a percentage of the proceeds would go to Girls on the Run, and I thought it would be a positive enjoyable read. Unfortunately, it was neither positive, nor enjoyable.
First, the tone of the book really frustrated me. It’s written in a very familiar gossip girly tone – which was sadly catty and negative even though the entire story was supposed to be about being positive in our girlhood. I think the author was going for a “coff...more
First, the tone of the book really frustrated me. It’s written in a very familiar gossip girly tone – which was sadly catty and negative even though the entire story was supposed to be about being positive in our girlhood. I think the author was going for a “coff...more
1 like · like · see review
A well-crafted work which combines personal stories of the author with women who have discovered their own strength and joy through running and other athletic pursuits. It is inspirational and thoughtful. I particularly enjoyed her discussions on identity and the mind-body connection. The book explores topics including balance and relationships and has an emphasis on living with intention. The phrase used throughout the book "How we move is who we are" is both descriptive and provocative.
Definitely just okay. There were some parts that were really great and inspiring life affirmations that the author or one of the profiled women discovered via sports, but some of it was just man-bashing. The parts I found inspiring were moments of individual discovery and strength- not stories of beating men. "Running like a girl" means accepting yourself and doing your best.. Not being a dominant gender and complaining about overcoming the inequalities of America.
This book is ridiculous. Why on earth would you thank Roe v. Wade in a running book? What does abortion have to do with running. What an incredibly poor choice in trying to mix a controversial political issue and something positive for women like running. I'm so disappointed that I spent money on this book as a gift and it will be returned. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK AND SUPPORT THINGS LIKE THIS!
I found this book to be inspiring and interesting. It made me proud to be a runner and female. It also reminded me of things that I should know. I loved learning about all the positive ways that sports impact women's lives. I was also really happy with hearing the other women's stories. Reading about them made it more real.
I would definitely recommend this book for any woman who is thinking about becoming active, wants to become active, or is active. It will change the way you view sports.
I would definitely recommend this book for any woman who is thinking about becoming active, wants to become active, or is active. It will change the way you view sports.
I like this book. Basically it was about how running or any other sport can help women with confidence and help them complete other goals in their lives. There was a chapter regarding the science part of running which I found interesting. I didn't know that running secretes dopamine which is in comparison to morphine. Dopamine creates that all over good feeling that makes you want to run more and more. Anyone who is into running or any other sports, this is a good/interesting book.
The title of the book is what made me pick it up and I'm glad I did. It was a good read that left me inspired. Though the title says 'running' the book talks about how different sports and exercise can empower women. Definitely would recommend this book both to those women that are engaged in some activity and those thinking about starting.
I really wanted to like this book. I love the idea of it. The author seems like an interesting person with interesting stories from other female athletes but the writing style is just not good. The book is way too fluffy and is written like it's geared towards middle school girls that have never been allowed outside alone. Ick.
Loved this book for many reasons. It was life changing for me, and helped me see things in a different perspective when it comes to running. Especially when we face challenges. If I become a runner it's not to become fit and pretty, but because I want it to mean something in my life. This is a book that you can read over and over again!
This book helped motivate me get back into running. It shares the stories of women who like to stay fit and active and relates how physical activity can help balance other areas of our busy lives. It is somewhat of an easy read, and I time I felt it was a bit disconnected or rambled in spots, but for the most part I enjoyed it.
What an inspiring book! Took one star only for the annoying, continued use of the title in each and every chapter. Yes, I got it the first time! Loved the stories and even marked a couple of sections that seemed to speak directly to me.
Makes me want to get out there right now and learn a new sport!
Makes me want to get out there right now and learn a new sport!
Samuels writes about her own late-blooming love of running and other active pursuits, and provides stories of other women whose lives have been enhanced by exercise and sports. She discusses the psychological and physiological benefits of a regular exercise routine. Very motivating and girl-power-y.
Awesome! Great motivation for running or sports, for young women or old. Fast read, entertaining and cute stories, doesn't delve super deep but skims the surface of a lot of women and sports issues, challenges, and victories. Fun for light reading.
I started reading this book after seeing the author on the Colbert Report. I really enjoyed reading it in bits and pieces - not straight through like a plot-driven story. I can relate to many of the ideas presented in the book - balance; how my form(s) of exercise are therapy and help me become a better mom/wife/daughter/etc.; the camaraderie of group exercise; exercise keeps me healthy, fit and feeling younger. This is one I might go purchase for myself as a reference tool.
Read half--skipped and skimmed the last half since it got a little slow and repetitive. Interesting read about the empowerment that women can find by working on athletic goals and being involved in athletics in general.
Decent enough, I suppose. But a bit too long. Every chapter could have been cut in half. It got very repetitive. And I would have finished the mountain climb without the shmuck. I'm not killing my climb for you!! Go back to the bottom and wait. :)
This series of vignettes truly is inspiring, but it's not cohesive. It's better suited for a blog than a book. I read it every now and then if I'm having a hard time hitting the trails. After a few pages, I'm ready to go.
Inspirational and moving, this book was a wonderful read. I highly recommend it for the terrific stories as well as the encouragement it gives to all of us who seek to improve our lives. Wonderfully well written.
May 20, 2011
Sara
is currently reading it
This book was given to me as a coaches' thank-you for Girls on the Run this year (waaaaay better than a key chain!) and I'm enjoying it so far. Lots of good stuff to pass on to the young women in my life.
Had some interesting and inspiring stories....heavy on sociology. The book could have been edited in places since a lot of themes were redundant and I think the reader got the point already!
I enjoyed this look at how sports empower us as women, especially coming from the viewpoint of an adult onset athlete. Got a little slow towards the end but overall I liked it.
Good general message. A bit too lengthy with too much narrative and personal stories. Might be helpful to condense to bullet points with message more concise and to the point.
I'll admit it, I'll try anything Seal Press has to offer! Fortunately, my local library bought a few copies recently. Maybe this will inspire me to get back into running after having to take the summer off for various reasons (not the least of which being attacked by pit bulls *while running*).
I liked it. The premise is great. Can't say I loved the writing style, but the argument for women and girls participating in sports is inspiring.
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Mina Samuels is a freelance writer and editor, and in a previous incarnation, a litigation lawyer and human rights advocate. In addition to many ghostwriting projects, her previous books include a novel, The Queen of Cups, a collection of short stories, Crucifixion and Other Fictions and The Think Big Manifesto, co-authored with Michael Port. When she is not writing she might be off doing triathlo...more
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“I can only take one step at a time, whether I am running or living. Today is a good day. This is my life and it's happening now.”
—
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Feb 27, 2013 08:28am
Feb 27, 2013 08:29am