Audiobooks- Amanda Knox and Sheryl Sandberg

Two quick audiobook reviews on two very different women:

Waiting to be Heard by Amanda Knox

For those who have been living under a rock, Amanda Knox is a young American woman who was studying abroad in Italy when she was accused of murdering her roommate. She spent a few years in jail and eventually had her case appealed, returning to America (her case is actually back on trial, though she refuses to return to Italy). 

After listening and trying to be objective, I came to a few conclusions. First of all, she's incredibly immature, even now. During the time of the murder she was not only immature but just plain stupid at times, making ridiculous choices in terms of her behavior. Even as she reflects, she's a bit pompous and self-righteous.  Also, this is a prime example of needing to be a critical reader/listener. Knox makes some valid points and does all that she can to prove her innocence. But so what? Maybe she is, maybe she isn't- the book is completely one-sided.  I will say, the evidence is in her favor, and hearing the way that the Italian judicial system works makes me thankful for ours in the US.

Overall, it was an interesting listen and went by incredibly fast. If you have been interested in the case at all it would probably be a fascinating perspective for you.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

Lean In by Facebook COO Sheryl is a plea for women to commit themselves to obtaining equal footing in business by asserting themselves strategically. She urges women to not back away from climbing the corporate ladder while still starting families and being mothers, and voices her frustration towards a society that refuses to support women's simultaneous career and familial advancements. 

I downloaded this book several months ago, after I missed out on her reading. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but  didn't think it was going to be quite so "you go girl" as it was. I mean, I'm the girl that didn't change her last name and has been a huge supporter of separate bank accounts, but for me there's a difference between being vocal and being vocal. Women already have a reputation for being nags; bitching constantly about inequality is not necessarily the way to go. And this might be a result of listening as opposed to reading, but I thought it lacked any sort of cohesive structure. Eliza Donovan, from Clueless, read it, which I thought was incredibly strange (her younger, nasaly voice didn't match the content).

While there were definite negatives, I thought that Sandberg's discussion of what it means to be a feminist was interesting and I did appreciate her candor (like when she realized on a Google corporate flight to a conference that that she brought her kids along that her daughter had lice). I do think this would be a great read for both men in managerial positions, and women struggling to balance work and family.