Like Other Girls - Britta Lundin

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⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

I didn't expect to love this book, but it hit me pretty deep. Mara is a closeted butch lesbian, more comfortable hanging out with the boys. When she needs to join a team sport to get her place on the basketball team back after a fight, she decides to play football. She unintentionally inspires other girls to play football as well, but doesn't want to be lumped in with those girly girls. She just wants to play football, not get articles written about her. But the way the team and others react to the girls on the team has her rethinking her relationships with both boys and girls.

As someone who was tomboyish as a teen and very much didn't want to be "like the rest of the girls" because of internalized misogyny, this book had me considering the ways I've acted as well. Seeing Mara change in the way she saw other girls was great, and echoed a lot of my own internal work. It felt like the best kinds of girl power - one where we all have our own strengths and personalities, and every version of femininity is valid.

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