Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl

Carrie Brownstein has long been considered something of a Renaissance woman - leading the vanguard of the politically-infused Riot Grrrl movement with Sleater-Kinney, then later writing and starring in much-loved TV sketch satire Portlandia - and she now proves a dab hand at prose with her memoir Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl (the title taken from Sleater-Kinney track Modern Girl). The book focuses on her music career, given insightful context through the lens of her Pacific Northwest childhood, school years and fledgling romantic steps.

After a comfortable (albeit slightly unorthodox) upbringing the rudderless Brownstein's life blossoms amidst her first discordant forays with Sleater-Kinney, the band providing much-needed clarity and purpose. Going against the grain introduced plenty of challenges as they fought for acceptance amidst the male-dominated hegemony they were railing against, and ultimately the most touching moments come as the internally dysfunctional band crumbles under the pressures of constant touring, which erode not only the individuals' health and willpower but also the group dynamic itself.

Brownstein proves insightful, witty, self-deprecating and fiercely intelligent, happily placing her neuroses and insecurities front-and-centre, but it's an overwhelmingly endearing read which focuses on humanity rather than issues (without denouncing those causes' importance). A fascinating insight into a great person of our time.