Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World

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Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World

by Lisa Bloom (Goodreads Author)

4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 · rating details · 960 ratings · 234 reviews

According to Lisa Bloom, the women and girls of today represent a stark paradox. While American women excel in education at every level, they likewise obsessively focus on celebrity media. While women outperform their male counterparts in employment in urban areas for the first time in history, they simultaneously spend countless hours staring in the mirror contemplating p...more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published May 24th 2011 by Vanguard Press (first published May 2011)

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Mar 16, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kick-ass, non-fiction

In Think, Lisa Bloom asserts that society has succumbed to our narcissistic, self-indulgent, consumer driven culture. Women today are smart and have more options available to them than ever before, yet what are most of them doing? Applying for The Bachelor, wondering what the hell is going on with Kim Kardashian's marriage or divorce or whatever it is at this point, considering a plethora of cosmetic procedures, and reading online gossip blogs (if they're reading at all). What are they not doing...more In Think, Lisa Bloom asserts that society has succumbed to our narcissistic, self-indulgent, consumer driven culture. Women today are smart and have more options available to them than ever before, yet what are most of them doing? Applying for The Bachelor, wondering what the hell is going on with Kim Kardashian's marriage or divorce or whatever it is at this point, considering a plethora of cosmetic procedures, and reading online gossip blogs (if they're reading at all). What are they not doing? Using their intellect and first world education to address serious problems, like poverty, hunger, and the repression of women in countries far less fortunate than ours. In other words, they're not thinking. Amen, amen, amen! Obviously, Lisa Bloom is preaching to the choir here and I'm probably not her target audience, but it is certainly nice to feel some affirmation for the intellectual and educational choices I make on a daily basis since they do go against the norm. For example, most women would rather lose their ability to read than their figure (oh, hell no!) or win America's Next Top Model than win the Nobel Peace Prize (my heart weeps).

I'm not necessarily giving Think a 5 star based upon its writing style (although it is accessible and often funny) and there are some points that ever-so-slightly rubbed me the wrong way. For example, Bloom asserts that cleaning is not a woman's job (no complaint from me here) and we should simply outsource it to someone else so we have time to read and think. We should also have our children pitch in and do their part. These are not concepts with which I disagree, but they are easier said than done. Many women can't afford to hire a maid (even on a bimonthly basis) and even the most cooperative of teenagers will pitch a hissy fit upon occasion when asked do their part, yet Bloom makes it sound so effortless. However, I am giving it a 5 star because anyone who advocates the need to read and asserts that it's valuable and worthy of our time is someone with a message that today's culture needs to hear. Don't believe me? Check out the NEA statistics from the 2007 To Read or Not to Read report (also quoted in Bloom's book):

--80% of American families did not read or buy a book last year
--70% of adults have not been to a bookstore in the last 5 years
--1/3 of high school graduates never read another book after graduation

I've read several reviews that scoff at Bloom taking the time to talk about how to make time for reading books, how to choose books, and how to savor books, as though this is "duh" information and unnecessary. Based upon these statistics, I would argue that such information is urgently needed. I teach in a high school classroom and, when my students come to me, most of them are not readers. They don't know how to make time for reading or even how to pick out a book. Reading is not valued in their households. They don't ask for books for birthdays or Christmas. Their parents don't read. There are too many electronic diversions in their lives. I'm proud to say that, by the time they leave my classroom, most of them are readers. Why? Because I've taught them the simple things: how to create and value quiet time for reading, how to choose good books, and how to reflect upon their responses to literature. That's right--I'm bragging, and I should. Because there's nothing more valuable to leading a productive, happy life than reading. And it's a skill that has to be consistently taught and modeled--and that's what Bloom is doing in those chapters. Sure, if you're reading this review, you may not need it as you've obviously bought into a love of reading if you're on a social media site dedicated to it, but I'm willing to bet you know people who probably do. And Think is for them. I, for one, plan on pushing this book like crack-cocaine to the people in my life who need it--especially teenage girls in my classroom. Whether you agree or disagree with Bloom's liberal views, just the advocacy for thinking is worthy of the time it takes to read the book.

Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder (less)

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Aug 02, 2011 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, meridian

I would love to have lunch with Ms. Bloom. We would have so much to talk about...

So many times reading this book I had to stop and doublecheck the cover to make sure I hadn't written it. (I didn't. Ms. Bloom's picture is very prominent and we don't really look anything alike.) But seriously, sentences like the following could have come out of my mouth (and several actually have!):

"It doesn't matter what everyone else says, even everyone else of your political persuasion. Mull it over yourself -...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Kathleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I get it Lisa. Believe me. We are besieged with dumb and dumber "information" through all sorts of electronic media, much of our country is woefully ignorant of the basic flow of history, current events, geography. . we need to THINK more, expose ourselves more openly and delve more deeply into ideas we agree with. We need to learn history, lest we repeat it, or fail to appreciate what has brought us to the present. We need to actively pursue the ideas we DON'T agree with at first blush as well,...more I get it Lisa. Believe me. We are besieged with dumb and dumber "information" through all sorts of electronic media, much of our country is woefully ignorant of the basic flow of history, current events, geography. . we need to THINK more, expose ourselves more openly and delve more deeply into ideas we agree with. We need to learn history, lest we repeat it, or fail to appreciate what has brought us to the present. We need to actively pursue the ideas we DON'T agree with at first blush as well, lest we become closed minded parodies of adherents to our pet ideologies. . .or even miss something really true and important!!

We should care about the plight of other people.
We shouldn't be so provincial and inbred that we don't know or have the faintest understanding of what is going on in the rest of the world and how it might affect us.

Women need to find their empowerment and stop thinking that being attractive is cancelled out by being wicked smart, passionate and informed.

There are still gender barriers to be crossed over and then destroyed. .

OK LISA, I'VE GOT IT! WOOHOOO!!! I can be passionate about this!
I also appreciate her must read list, the names dropped of people, organizations and concepts I want to learn more about.

All this can be gleaned by sifting through a very personal and 'flung out there off the hip, girlfriend' conglomeration. It's passionate. She presents her personal views along with a few authors or "studies' that support them without any kind of well-rounded discussion or research around them. It seems as though she's writing a justification of her lifestyle at points, and I wonder who she is trying to justify it to.

There is a distinct impression that if we all would just THINK, we'd all think like she does.

My bottom line, your Cliff's Notes to this review: A quick and informative read with interesting bullets and lists, a passionate plea for less shallow , distraction only, materialistic, sexist bullshit in our popular culture, and some insight into the personality and MO of Lisa Bloom, whom I had never heard of until I saw this book. Worth the quick read to receive a spattering of stats and percentages, and get fired up about education and keeping onesself (and the next generation) informed - but don't expect deep.(less)

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Sep 04, 2012 Jules rated it 4 of 5 stars

I appreciate the message of Lisa Bloom's book, which encourages women to eschew the habit of spending time on mind-numbing superficial "news" and activities that don't matter, in favor of thinking for ourselves, questioning facts, and using our time more valuably. This is is a book that draws our attention to how flabby our brains can become if we take our leisure time absorbing the daily dose of celebrity gossip or sensational journalism doled out like candy by the modern media and put ourselve...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Tiffany rated it 3 of 5 stars

The first thing that struck me about the intro, is that the author touts "This is not a self help book"...but, really, a large majority of it is just that. And with any book of that nature, it is riddled with author bias and a desire for you to act or think as they do. However, sprinkled throughout the book, there are good lessons that should be strongly considered for implementation in your daily life. As an avid reader, her suggestion to read more is something I am already quite passionate abo...more The first thing that struck me about the intro, is that the author touts "This is not a self help book"...but, really, a large majority of it is just that. And with any book of that nature, it is riddled with author bias and a desire for you to act or think as they do. However, sprinkled throughout the book, there are good lessons that should be strongly considered for implementation in your daily life. As an avid reader, her suggestion to read more is something I am already quite passionate about. But, it did make me consider the amount of "fluff" reading I do, compared to more substantial reading. The author also says this is about women trying to be "smart", but I think her message is really universal across genders. Our men are just as "stupid" in today's world, as the women. She also stresses that women are outperforming men in education...but if you look at the top 10 Bachelor's degrees award, they are in the soft, social sciences. In professional programs, the numbers are still 50/50. I found it interesting that in one chapter she would stress how girls were being left behind, educationally, 20-30 years ago and then goes on to cheer how that has changed. Unfortunately, I think that it has come at the expense of our young boys. We have swung to far in the other direction and are now ignoring boys, as girls had previously been ignored. I did like her suggestions for creating more "me" time for stimulating your brain. I also agree that women run themselves ragged...being the full-time housekeeper and child-entertainer. I was expecting her to rail on men for not participating more and she really surprised me. Her suggestions were very fair and logical and I think more people should try them. At the end of the day, her book was nothing new. Americans, on the whole, do know more about pop culture than current political affairs, and that is sad and tragic. Maybe we should be focusing on an education system that is dumbing down the american youth by training them to pass tests, rather than think critically. Maybe the fact that everyone gets an "A" because we don't want to damage the self-esteem of kids is a problem. Maybe children need to be challenged, and god forbid, fail everyone once in awhile before a parent swoops in to tell them how special and perfect they are. Maybe if we quit cutting school days and stepped-up the daily curriculum, our kids could compete with other countries. So while I think its great to continue to challenge yourself and ensure your kids are challenged in the home, there is a much bigger problem at hand and that is how devalued education in this country has become. Thank you for writing this book and trying to make people better. Though I decline your recommendation to read the New York times daily, I will stick with the Wall Street Journal.(less)

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May 23, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I grabbed this book from PG Library’s “New” shelf. I totally agree with Bloom’s thesis: We all (and I add men as well as women) need to THINK more. Since I’m not a television watcher, I’ve never seen Lisa Bloom. Her credentials, listed on the book jacket, are impressive. Her writing did and did not impress me. She has some great ideas and suggestions, but she uses a bit much “vernacular” for my taste. To put it bluntly, she throws around a lot of mild “swear words” which I found offensive. And w...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

A lighter tone than I would have wanted but still she is headed in the right direction. I was happy to learn that she is a vegetarian, vegan to be precise, because that is an indication to me of someone who will put what they learn into practice, and who takes their role in making a better world seriously. She models a healthier way of living (emotionally, intellectually, etc.) than is the cultural norm which is great but she has no helpful tips on how to get others to join in this healthier app...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Nilagia rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is a cautionary tale of the results of consuming a steady diet of junk media: squandered time, and apathy and ignorance about the issues that really matter. Filled with horrifying examples of "dumb Americans" pitted against real world problems such as child slavery, it's enough to make you check yourself before the next time you sit down to watch a reality TV show -- even if you do realize it's junk. She focuses on women, because let's face it, it's incredibly profitable to market fash...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Roxy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this book cover to cover in one day (granted, I was on vacation). But I really couldn't put it down! It appealed to my humanitarian senses and advocated something I'm already passionate about: reading. It emphasizes the choices we make in the reading material and social media in which we choose to invest our time and attention and the impact of those individual choices on our society as a whole.

This book exposes the average American's solipsistic views on politics and world issues, often...more I read this book cover to cover in one day (granted, I was on vacation). But I really couldn't put it down! It appealed to my humanitarian senses and advocated something I'm already passionate about: reading. It emphasizes the choices we make in the reading material and social media in which we choose to invest our time and attention and the impact of those individual choices on our society as a whole.

This book exposes the average American's solipsistic views on politics and world issues, often revealed through sheer ignorance on these matters like climate change and international politics. For example, many people believe that our country made substantial gains in the women's rights movement when Hillary Clinton became a presidential candidate. However the reality is that the U.S. is living in the dark ages as far as the women's rights movement where other countries are concerned. Many other nations have had female leaders - for decades! And that's just one small example. By contrast the Average American female can exhort the details of the most recent failed Kardashian marriage with the aplomb of a Ph.D. doctoral dissertation. That's ludicrous and in all honesty - embarrassing!

The author expounds on several examples of where our choices in literature and media manifest into the shortcomings of our education system and even our day-to-day interactions with each other as exemplified by the "garbage in garbage out" principle and the alarming increase in narcissism in our culture. She does so with candor, wit, and sensitivity. I found myself humbled by the sheer volume of information I did not know with regard to world politics. But this book also motivated and inspired me to actively seek these issues out. It left me wanting more. Fortunately Lisa provides accessible solutions to our junk media habits. She offers her recommendations on everything including TheWeek.com versus Twitter for your world news as well as a cache of other books and films. There is an appendix of recommended reading at the back of the book and I found at least twenty other titles both fiction and nonfiction and one movie (Hotel Rwanda) that I immediately put on hold at the library. I have to say, though, one glaring exception to her advice on how to find great books to read is her ommision of this site: Good Reads! (I just became a fan of her on this site.) She does however advocate her own website: www.think.tv which I also subscribe to.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially women, but to men as well because the advice is, quite frankly, universal. Where Lisa Bloom indicates that women might spend too much of their precious time on tabloid media and reality TV in my opinion men are equally guilty of wasting their precious time and deserving of the same tools to make better decisions about the types of books, magazines, and films they allocate their time and brain power to. We are lucky, by accident of birth or fortune, to live in a country where we have these options and the freedom to act on them if we so choose.
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Oct 29, 2011 Kerfe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

The breezy tone ("you go girl") was a little off-putting to me, but considering the fact that much critic-endorsed and more literary writing leaves me unmoved, it's probably my problem. The targeted audience is, sadly, pretty much all of us: the self-absorbed whiners who waste time on celebrity lifstyles, agonize about not meeting unrealistic societal standards of beauty, dawdle away hours on electronic gadgets, refuse to address or even learn about the real problems and issues that confront our...more

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Sep 23, 2011 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars

I first heard about this book via social media - something along the lines of what to say to a young girl you meet. Hint, it's not "Oh what a pretty dress!" Lisa lays it all out there - we are a nation of people getting dumber every day. Slowly, but surely, we're separating ourselves from the "real" news and following the masses into stupidity.

Why?

Honestly, I think we're overconditioned to know that 'pretty' girls or 'dumb' girls get what they want. They have all the money, all the glitz and gla...more I first heard about this book via social media - something along the lines of what to say to a young girl you meet. Hint, it's not "Oh what a pretty dress!" Lisa lays it all out there - we are a nation of people getting dumber every day. Slowly, but surely, we're separating ourselves from the "real" news and following the masses into stupidity.

Why?

Honestly, I think we're overconditioned to know that 'pretty' girls or 'dumb' girls get what they want. They have all the money, all the glitz and glamor, and all the guys. Problem is, most of us aren't the pretty, dumb type. We're smart, down-to-earth, witty and courageous. We think for ourselves and act on our notions of right and wrong. Or do we?

I found this to be an excellent read and it made me do just what the title says - Think. I'm not as caught up in reality TV or fashion or celeb gossip to make me part of the mindless hoard. But...there are way too many things in my life that I don't know about, things that I either let my husband take care of or just ignore. I'm honestly ashamed of that now. While I was reading, I couldn't help but think of something my mom told me years ago - "If you want to get something, play dumb." See, I graduated at the top of my class, got fantastic grades, and probably intimidated the hell out the guys I went to school with. I was proud of being smart. But, as time went by, I felt moer like I was being a smart ass than being smart. Talking with others made me feel that I should tone it down a bit because I was making them feel bad. Since I didn't want others to feel that way, I did that. Now I feel like my brain's turning to mush and I should have stayed off this path eons ago.

Think differently about things you hear. Look at it from various points of view. If you're not completely familiar with something, learn more about it. If you know a lot about something else, share it with others.

It's only through expanding our own minds that we'll be able to take back the intelligence we all have. As Lisa notes, we have more access to more information than ever before - use it to your advantage! If you're reading this, it's because you read books. Reading is one of the best ways to increase your capacity for knowledge and it tends to make you smarter in the process. One tip of Lisa's that I REALLY have to learn - if the reading you're doing is painful, put down the book and walk away. Your time is more valuable than finishing a book.

This book - it's worth your time. I recommend it to every woman who feels that womankind is dumbing down a horrendous path to self-obliteration. Take back your smarts!(less)

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Sep 04, 2011 Jacqueline Hager-Bodnar rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was really excited to read this book after reading what it was about and watching her intro video. I thought the first half of the book was very good, important, and contained lots of useful information. It was quite interesting. However, the book headed south when we got to the "solutions" part. The second half of the book is all about why you should be a reader (duh!). It goes to great lengths to explain to you how to fit reading into your schedule, when to read, what to read, where to get b...more

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Aug 21, 2011 LA Carlson rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone

Recommended to LA by: heard about it on the radio

Shelves: historial-memoir

I didn't know who Lisa Bloom was until a week ago. Her mom is Gloria Allred, the high-profile attorney who usually wears red. I wasn't going to listen to Bloom give an interview with a Mpls radio station because I had mixed feeling about her mom. However, it became clear within a few moments Lisa
is fascinated and bewildered by our culture. This book will give you many facts you were not aware of; if you have a certain opinion about Angelina Jolie and Jimmy Carter it will be altered; if you belie...more

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Aug 16, 2011 Myonlycookie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World is pretty much about what the title says. (This is not a title that lies to you!) Lisa Bloom wrote this book as a call to arms of sorts, wanting to wake women up to the fact that "we" could be using our brains better. Bloom urges women to fight against the celebrity-centered, stupid media that reports on things that largely do not matter in the grand scheme of our world. (i.e. "OMG does so-and-so have a baby bump?!") The first h...more Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World is pretty much about what the title says. (This is not a title that lies to you!) Lisa Bloom wrote this book as a call to arms of sorts, wanting to wake women up to the fact that "we" could be using our brains better. Bloom urges women to fight against the celebrity-centered, stupid media that reports on things that largely do not matter in the grand scheme of our world. (i.e. "OMG does so-and-so have a baby bump?!") The first half of the book identifies the "problem" - i.e. people reading too much celebrity fluff and the awful consequences this has on our world/country/culture/brains - and the second half is dedicated to "solutions," or ways to kick the fluff-media habit.

I couldn't help but think of Arlie Russell Hochschild's book, The Second Shift, when reading this one. Bloom and Hochschild bring up many of the same points, and Bloom uses the terminology "second shift" when describing working moms' jam-packed schedules. However, the two books are different in that Hochschild's is an academic study, and Bloom's is not. It's not an academic book, and I think some reviews I've read of Bloom's book make that mistake. (Of course, no one on Goodreads! :)) Bloom is a lawyer; she provides her facts and her research, but at the end of the day she is making an argument (a persuasive one). You can poke holes in her arguments, but I get the sense that she would like that - as long as it meant you did your research and read a few books and/or newspaper articles.

Bloom's book is meant for what I would term the average American woman - someone who is in her 30s or 40s, working, married, and most likely with kids. She gives a shout out to us single ladies out there, but much of the talk is about family and children and finding a balance. However, because I am not in that general category, sometimes I felt like it was too pointed in their direction - but ultimately it was okay, and helpful to think about how different people would handle this problem.

If you do not fit into the above category, you have to take the book for what it is in its general sense: advocating for women to wake up and become more critically engaged with the world around them. I am for that. I'm also for men doing the same, which Bloom did not mention at all, but I guess you can't cover all the bases. In my case, it was a little preaching to the choir, but it's always helps to read specific facts and read HOUSEWORK IS NOT YOUR JOB again. Bloom also makes a compelling argument for doing volunteer work and donating to charity. If nothing else, there is a really good/interesting reading list at the back of the book.

Bloom's writing is blunt, but can be very funny, and I enjoyed the constant quips throughout.(less)

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Jul 12, 2011 Cindi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

Originally posted on my blog : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2011...

My father-in-law has a simple note pinned to the door that leads to his garage. It reads : THINK.
The simple word is meant to help him remember the things he needs to take with him when he leaves the house to run errands. One final reminder to check to make sure he didn't forget the checks he needs to deposit at the bank or the the books he means to return to the library.

Lisa Bloom's recently published book Think : Straight T...more Originally posted on my blog : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2011...

My father-in-law has a simple note pinned to the door that leads to his garage. It reads : THINK.
The simple word is meant to help him remember the things he needs to take with him when he leaves the house to run errands. One final reminder to check to make sure he didn't forget the checks he needs to deposit at the bank or the the books he means to return to the library.

Lisa Bloom's recently published book Think : Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in A Dumbed-Down World is a reminder for women to use our brains. Quite simply, to think.

You probably already know Lisa Bloom. I didn't. I don't watch television and so I haven't seen her as a legal analyst on shows like The Early Show and Dr. Phil's or on CNN. I just got acquainted with her in this book. Ms. Bloom and I are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. We don't see eye-to-eye on many issues. However, on a few very important things we absolutely agree.

First, we both agree that women are smart. Women have amazing brains and are capable of doing most everything. Unfortunately, so many of us fail to use our brains to think. As Bloom points out in her book, too many women become overly enmeshed and concerned with pop culture. We know everything about the personal lives of celebrities, yet ignore the crises and horrors taking place around the world. We are too focused and spend too much time and money on our appearance, even risking our lives and health for dangerous procedures and the perfect tan. And many women think it is actually better to be "hot" than "smart". One third of the population won't read a single book after graduating from high school. SAY IT ISN'T SO!

As Bloom writes in her hard-hitting, honest style, it's hard not to be defensive. Really. Even so, her arguments ring true and even though I think I use my brain quite a bit, I know there are always ways I can use it more. Obviously.

In spite of our political differences, by the time I got to the section about books (hello! read more good books, people), I felt like Lisa Bloom and I were old friends chatting about our favorites. She and I also have similar parenting styles or at least a style I am attempting to apply in my home. Bloom even mentions my personal favorite parenting expert Wendy Mogel. (Read my review of her fabulous book The Blessing of a Skinned Knee.)

Lisa Bloom is funny. She points out the obvious with a wicked wit. I chuckled out loud several times and then read whole sections aloud for Utah Dad's enjoyment and enlightenment.

Bloom's advice is brilliant and simple and frankly rather straight forward if you think about it. Following her suggestions and using your brain more will help you be happier, smarter and will even help the world be a better place. You have a brain. Use it.

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Jun 27, 2011 AllAmerican IndianGirl rated it 3 of 5 stars

At last week’s Book Expo America, I had the chance to meet Lisa Bloom, the attorney, television journalist, and author of the new book THINK: Straight Talk for Women To Stay Smart In A Dumbed-Down World. Just finished the 242-pager this morning and here’s what I think…

Driven to pen “a call to intellectual arms” after decades of watching America dumb itself down, Bloom succeeds in revealing a lot of facts I wouldn’t otherwise have known, makes arguments I hadn’t previously considered, and repor...more

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May 27, 2011 Bookseller Cate rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked up this book thinking that it would be a fun "preach it, sister!" read for me. Every now and then you need that. But lo and behold, I found Bloom was pretty often pointing a finger directly at me.

Bloom's argument is basically this: as first world women, how dare we be unappreciative of our opportunities and education. They are hard-fought and there are many still fighting for them. There are girls who are in physical danger every time they set out to school to get the most basic of edu...more

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Oct 02, 2011 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, but have to admit it is in many ways preaching to the choir. Women (or men for that matter) who don't already see dumbing down as a big problem won't even pick up this book. True to her word, Bloom does not just rail at the problem (although she does this extensively and with great relish), she offers specific solutions. Again, I felt myself nodding because I am already an avid reader. She does address the specific issues of women's schedules and excuses for not being more i...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Lostshadows rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction, do-not-own, read-2012

I really wanted to like this book. In fact, I'd say I loved the first part of the book, which details the problem, and found it very informative.

The solution section, however, just got more disappointing the further I read.

Depending on who you are, there are some very practical ideas in this book for carving out more free time, improving your mind, and making yourself happier and more involved in the world around you. However, the further you get from her apparent assumption that you're able-bo...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Sarah Mikayla rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was attracted to this book based on Ms. Bloom's highly circulated post on HuffPost "How to talk to Little Girls." The book is toned differently. The start was weak. I didn't know if I wanted to continue, but it was reading so quickly, I stuck with it. The beginning reads "Pundit." Even though she's liberal and preaching to choir with me, it borrowed too many tools from cable tv for my taste - over the top, screed worthy, endless repetition, statistics. Moving into the middle section, I found m...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Darlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have admired attorney Lisa Bloom for many years. I have enjoyed her commentary on various trials covered on Court-TV. When I discovered that she had written a book about one of my pet peeves.. the dumbing down of our society (women in particular), I couldn't wait to read it!! Ms. Bloom wrote this book exactly as she speaks and I very much enjoyed it. I was astonished by some of the statistics she provided.. especially about plastic surgery and the lengths women go to to change their bodies. I...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Leah rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I first started this book I couldn't put it down. I was really fascinatied and intriguded by the amount of information given in the first half. It was a real eye opener to learn how many people are obsessed with looks and fame rather than intellect. I appreciated the advice that Bloom had to offer, but felt that it came across as one sided. That her way was the only way to do things. For example, I am certainly not vegan, but I have reduced my carbon footprint by not buying any sort of anim...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Krista rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have felt compelled to give a review on and for good reason. This book celebrates reading to further one's knowledge and understanding! My favorite thing to do!

In the first section Lisa Bloom dissects our culture's obsession with looks and celebrity and the effect it has on women. She cites statistics showing just how uninformed adult women are and (even more unnerving) how unashamed they are about it. She attributes this to our society's rewarding of the "hot and thin"...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Colleenish rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-fun

I quickly changed back and forth from hating this book to being okay with it. The whole idea is that most women are not reading and thinking enough. How does writing a book help solve that problem? This has to be all about making money then, yes? Also, the writer was talking about thinking, but a lot of the statistics and examples she used were very biased and rarely told the whole story. That really frustrated me.

She doesn't think women should waste their time doing housework, where I don't al...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Ilana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: educational

An enjoyable and thought-provoking read. While I don't necessarily agree with every little thing in the book most of the major points hit home and I am definitely more conscientious of them now. I appreciate the calling-out of gossip addicts, seriously, there are better things to do with our time. An occasional 'treat' is one thing but a daily addiction is quite another. The comments about being more aware of world issues and doing more to help those in need across the globe really stuck with me...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Kat Reed rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lisa is one of my sheros of this generation. She gives me hope in a big world that keeps getting smaller. This book is one that I have given to young women and recommend to every woman who reads...tell me, Lisa, how do I get the others (who don't read) to pick up a book?

Thank you for writing something that not only inspires but motivates me to pay attention to every single word I say to young girls and women. At 46 years old, I recognize how the words from older women affected me in my young li...more

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Dec 03, 2011 Rebecca Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I can't believe I'm giving this book 5 stars. I got it on a whim after seeing it make the best of 2011 Goodreads list. The cover, with its Farrah-style glamour, struck me as totally trite, and I expected the content to be, as well. I had never heard of Lisa Bloom, and had no expectations as to what she could possibly teach ME about being smart.

I was totally wrong, and loved every word. I simultaneously marveled at how inspiring her words were while remaining incredulous that this cartoony "you...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Jillian rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Jillian by: Janice Rakos

Shelves: favorites, green-living, health, philosophy, politics, self-help-how-to-s

This is one of those books that may change your life. I've always respected Bloom and was excited to learn that she's a bookish, adventure-seeking, vegan-environmentalist. Perhaps because she and I have so much in common, her words spoke to me. I ended up underlining about half of the book, and although I don't have the patience to write down every fact or quote that I loved, I agreed with 99 percent it (except for the anti-plastic surgery section). I feel that people should enhance whatever the...more

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Aug 27, 2011 Cosmo rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a phenomenal book on a much-needed subject. I really enjoyed it, and made some significant changes to my life because of it. However, Lisa makes the two mistakes most commonly made by liberals: she decries the US military's use of force (in Iraq and Afghanistan), but, feels they should have been used to clean up Somalia, Sri Lanka, etc. You can't have it both ways, dearie...Then, she insists that there is a preponderance of evidence to support "global climate change" ignoring that there...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars

The need-to-read book of the year. A book that will light a fire underneath you and make you want to do, read, and say so more more in this world.

Funny, endearing and blow-your-mind educational, THINK makes you do exactly that. I have regurgitated quotes and ideas from this book to others over and over again. The way Ms. Bloom writes - it sticks with you. I dig it.

I found solace in this book as well, as I stumble away from my "early-twenties-what-the-hell-am-I-doing" and trip into my "i'm-almo...more

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About Lisa Bloom

Author of the New York Times bestseller, Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World, and #1 parenting bestseller, Swagger: 10 Urgent Rules for Raising Boys in an Era of Failing Schools, Mass Joblessness and Thug Culture.
Host of her own national live daily talk show on Court TV for eight years, Lisa is now a regular legal analyst on CBS News, CNN and HLN, appearing frequent...more

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title link	preview: Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World
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