Bad Feminist Is Good

Although Roxane Gay's newly released collection of essays is titled Bad Feminist, there are plenty of other adoring adjectives that could be used to describe her wonderful presence on this planet. Gay's blog posts about baking Ina Garten recipes are sandwiched between elegantly somber prose and her musings on the Sweet Valley High series. Bad Feminist showcases not only the scope of Gay's talents, but also her desire for inclusiveness. In doing so, Gay has carved a path for her readers and students (yeah, she's a PhD) to follow her wherever she leads, whether it be articles for Salon, the New York Times, or popping up between inspirational kitten memes on Tumblr. Gay's voice is unique and honest -- her flavor of feminism includes flaws as well as triumphs. She reads from and discusses her work at 7 p.m. tonight at Left Bank Books (399 North Euclid Avenue; 314-367-6731 or www.left-bank.com). Admission is free.
Fri., Aug. 29, 7 p.m., 2014