Synopsis: (as told by the back of the book)

Sophia Amoruso spent her teens hitchhiking, committing petty theft, and scrounging in dumpsters for leftover bagels.  By age twenty-two she had dropped out of school, and was broke, directionless, and checking IDs in the lobby of an art school – a job she’d taken for the health insurance.  It was in that lobby that Sophia decided to start selling vintage clothes on eBay.

Flash forward ten years to today, and she’s the founder and executive chairman of Nasty Gal, a $250-million-plus fashion retailer with more than four hundred employees.  Sophia was never a typical CEO, or a typical anything, and she’s written #GIRLBOSS for other girls like her: outsiders (and insiders) seeking a unique path to success, even when that path is windy as all hell and lined with naysayers.

#GIRLBOSS proves that being successful isn’t about where you went to college or how popular you were in high school.  It’s about trusting your instincts and following your gut; knowing which rules to follow and which to break; when to button up and when to let your freak flag fly.

Morgan’s thoughts:

My lovely friend Allyssa lent me her copy of this book months ago (I mean, an embarrassingly long time ago) but other books just kept getting in the way.  Then, I did something highly unlike me: I watched the TV show before I read the book.  I know, shocking.  But I was home sick from work and I don’t think I realized they were connected until I texted Allyssa saying she would love the show.  She replied that she did, that’s why she gave me the book (oops).  I loved the show and would highly recommend it (and am pissed it didn’t get renewed for a second season).  However, the TV show does not simply copycat the book, so I’d recommend you pick up both.

This book is just plain awesome.  Amoruso’s writing style is entertaining and quippy, but the message hits home: if you want something, go out there and make it possible for yourself.  I’d endorse this book for any woman thinking she wants to make something of her life, but she’s not quite sure what or how.  This book and Amoruso’s story made me want to get up and do something: lead a team, make something, who knows what but I’ll figure that out as I go.

This is not an “anyone can do anything” kind of book.  This is an “anyone who gets off their ass and puts in the time, sweat, and tears can do anything but it’s on them to get it done” book.  And I’m here for that.

Interested in this book?  Click here to buy it on Amazon or find it at your local independent bookstore.  This would also make a great gift for any woman (or man) looking to make changes in her professional life.  Thanks, Allyssa, for lending me your copy!