Eerie Elan: April 2017

I will start my review of Cara Alwill Leyba's Girl Code by disclaiming that this was my first time reading a book fitting into the self-help category and had no idea what the format was going to look like. That being said, I'm not sure if self-help books are my cup of tea.

The spelling and grammatical errors were what put me off first, as they were evident not only within the first few pages, but up until the very last chapter of the book. I couldn't help but feel disappointed, because I felt like I couldn't take the author seriously if she didn't take the time to get a 140 page book edited properly. C'mon! I understand that this was not her first book published, so I can't help but wonder if this one was rushed to the printers to make a quick buck.

The book definitely carries a specific format throughout, with each chapter beginning with Leyba's "Girl Code Secret": a lesson relating to good business practices, followed by a short interview with a different female entrepreneur, and then a page or two for the reader to respond (in your own words) to the lessons in the chapter. (I cringe.) Perhaps I'm too cynical for self-help, but taking a pen to the pages of a paper-bound book literally makes the hairs on my back stand up. Maybe Leyba's "Champagne Diet" just doesn't resonate with the type of girl that I am? Don't get me wrong, I love a glass of champagne just as much as the next girl (ok, maybe not enough to wear a tee shirt proclaiming such love), but I felt like too much of the book revolved around the joys of expensive Chanel bags, blowouts and bubble baths. To be clear, I think it's perfectly normal to want these things, but they don't motivate me personally.

Maybe the point of the book was to think about your own versions of Chanel bags and bubble baths? Maybe my Chanel bag, bubble bath, champagne trio looks more like a vintage Coach backpack, scenic hike, gin and tonic with extra lime trio. But even still, these things don't actually motivate me. Don't get me wrong, I love material objects. They are nice luxuries to be able to afford, but I was disappointed by how much emphasis the book puts on "knowing you've made it" after being able to purchase a brand new designer handbag without a man's help. Isn't this idea antiquated by now? Haven't we moved past having to reassure a female reader that she can do things and buy things without a man? I was hoping for more. Less fluff and more real, hard life lessons a woman must battle on her own when starting a new business.

Leyba's takeaways from each chapter do focus a great deal on remaining positive no matter the circumstance. She talks about handling every situation with grace and understanding no matter how upset you are with a person or how sticky a situation thrown your way. In one chapter she describes an experience she has when one of her peers blatantly rips off her website design and branding, and how she responds by complementing her and giving her positive feedback. I'm not sure that I would have the same classy response if I were in her situation and I feel like I would need to let this approach really marinate in my mind before choosing my reaction. However, I do applaud her for taking the high road in many of her unfortunate experiences and did appreciate her positive outlook.

The interviews with her fellow peers did strike me as marketing pitches for each woman's business which was off-putting for me, even though I get it. As much as I wanted to be motivated by this book, it didn't do much for me. Maybe I respond better to tough love in order to get myself motivated. Perhaps I'm too cynical and stubborn to accept the lessons of this book, or maybe the book was too positive and girly to be adaptable for me? Whatever the reason, I had trouble taking this book too seriously, and I felt that a lot of the advice was pretty generic and uninspiring.

I would love to hear if you have any thoughts or opinions you'd like to add about Girl Code, or if you have other self-help books that you found to be helpful!

Thanks for reading!

Sarah

HAPPY WEEKEND!

BOOK REVIEW: GIRL CODE

WINTER // SPRING TRANSITIONAL OUTFITS