Month: September 2026

SWIFTYNOMICS by Misty L. Heggeness

September 15, 2026 / aylah234@hotmail.com / 0 Comments

A feminist romp through pop culture that illuminates how women influence and shape the economy.

Taylor Swift isn’t just a pop megastar. She is a working women whose astounding accomplishments defy patriarchal norms. And while not all women can be Beyoncé or Dolly Parton or Reese Witherspoon, the successes of these trailblazing stars help us understand the central role of women in today’s economy.

Swiftynomics assesses the complex economic lives of everyday American women through the stories of groundbreakers like Taylor Swift, Misty L. Heggeness digs into the data, revealing women’s hidden contributions and aspirations—the unexamined value they create by pursuing their own ambitions. She highlights the abundance of productive activity in their daily lives and acknowledges the barriers they still face.

Exploring critical reforms regarding caregiving and gendered labor, this book offers advice for women to thrive in an economy that was not built for them.

Thanks to University of California Press and NetGalley for this review copy!

Swiftynomics takes an unconventional approach to economics by using Taylor Swift’s career as a lens through which to examine women’s labor, financial independence, and the often-overlooked economic value of caregiving. Author Misty Heggeness blends Swift’s career milestones with historical examples of influential women and economic research, encouraging readers to rethink traditional ideas about work, power, and success. Even readers who aren’t die-hard Swifties will find an engaging discussion about the intersection of economics, history, and culture.

I loved how the book celebrated women who have shaped history despite significant obstacles, and appreciated learning more about trailblazers such as former US Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, singer Dolly Parton, English aristocrat Lady Idina Sackville, and economist Phyllis Deane. These stories added depth and context, reminding readers that progress has often come through the determination and resilience of women whose contributions deserve greater recognition. The book’s positive message about women’s autonomy and potential resonated with me throughout.

While I appreciated the research and many of the historical discussions, I occasionally found myself less persuaded by some of the author’s conclusions. The economics sections became dense and academic, causing the pace to slow at times, and certain phrases (particularly ‘long game’ and ‘lean in’) were repeated often enough to become distracting. I agreed with many of the problems the author identified but wasn’t always convinced that her proposed solutions allowed enough room for differing family dynamics, individual priorities, or personal choice. Those moments prompted me to stop and reflect, even when I disagreed.

One of the book’s most compelling arguments is that many forms of labor traditionally performed by women, particularly caregiving, household management, and raising children, remain largely invisible despite their enormous economic value. Heggeness also examines persistent issues such as the gender pay gap, unequal expectations surrounding unpaid domestic work, and the structural barriers that can limit women’s financial independence. Throughout the book, Taylor Swift’s willingness to continually reinvent herself serves as a recurring example of how adaptability, creativity, and determination can empower women to gain greater economic agency and the freedom to shape lives that reflect their own goals and priorities.

Overall, Swiftynomics is a thoughtful and well-researched work that challenges readers to think differently about economics, caregiving, and women’s contributions to society. Although I didn’t agree with every conclusion, I appreciated that the book challenged me to examine my own assumptions and articulate why I felt differently. Any nonfiction book that teaches me something new, introduces me to remarkable historical figures, and continues the conversation long after I’ve finished the final page has earned its place on my bookshelf (and a solid four-star rating).

Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, Swiftynomics is the kind of nonfiction that encourages readers to think critically, question assumptions (including their own), and continue the discussion long after turning the final page.

This book would be a great fit for:

Taylor Swift fans looking for thoughtful cultural analysis rather than celebrity gossip.
Readers interested in feminist nonfiction and women’s history.
Students and professionals in economics, public policy, marketing, or labor studies.
Book clubs seeking a nonfiction title that encourages lively discussion.
Anyone who enjoys books that blend biography, history, economics, and social commentary.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.

THINK LIKE A DOG by Dr Jen Golbeck, PhD

September 1, 2026 / aylah234@hotmail.com / 0 Comments

The surprising science that explains how and why your dog thinks and acts from Jen Golbeck, the “internet’s dog mom” behind the popular Golden Ratio Squad online community and the author of the “fascinating” (First for Women) The Purest Bond.

Do dogs’ brains work the same as humans? Are they capable of the same spectrum of emotions as us? Do they have a sense of self? What the heck is wrong with this crazy dog?

Like many of us, Jen Golbeck looked at her rescue golden retrievers and affectionately wondered what exactly was going on in their cute, fuzzy heads. But as a left-brained scientist, Golbeck set out to seek concrete answers—research and data—to back up the hunch that there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface of our pups’ funny looks and adorable, occasionally destructive, behaviors.

What she finds is a surprising relationship between positive psychology and how we might learn to think about how our dogs think in a whole new light. She introduces a mold-breaking concept that shifts our focus from solving problems and scolding “bad behavior” to building on strengths based on qualities like focus, vitality, and curiosity. Through fascinating case studies, real data, and paws-on-the-ground research and with Golbeck’s signature “encouraging” (Library Journal) prose, Think Like a Dog shows how to apply these ideas thoughtfully, consistently, and with compassion, to help our dogs not just behave better, but to truly thrive.

Thanks to Atria Books and the author for this advanced review copy!

What if, instead of focusing on correcting our dogs’ shortcomings, we intentionally nurtured the qualities that help them succeed? Drawing inspiration from positive psychology, Dr. Jen Golbeck asks readers to look beyond obedience and behavior problems to the character strengths that make dogs (and people) resilient, curious, kind, persistent, and joyful companions.

The book is grounded in the influential work of psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, whose landmark volume Character Strengths and Virtues identified universal character traits associated with human flourishing. Golbeck takes those same ideas and asks an intriguing question: if these strengths help people thrive, might they also help us better understand our dogs?

Much of the book centers on the author’s ever-changing “rolling cast” of rescued Golden Retrievers. Rather than trying to “fix” every quirk or behavioral issue, Golbeck chooses to identify each dog’s strengths and create an environment in which those strengths can blossom. Their stories become the foundation for exploring the seven traits throughout the book.

Although the writing remains highly accessible, Golbeck draws from an impressive range of research. She weaves together findings from human and canine psychology, functional MRI (fMRI) studies, animal cognition research, behavioral science, and the work of trainers and behaviorists to paint a richer picture of how dogs think, feel, learn, and interact with the world.

Each chapter explores one of seven traits (chosen by the author out of 24 total): Focus, Vitality, Fairness, Curiosity, Kindness, Persistence, and Humor – and demonstrates how those qualities appear in dogs. One of the things I appreciated most was that the book never became overly academic. The science is presented in a conversational style that would be comfortable for almost any reader, even someone with little background in psychology. However, the book occasionally leaned a little too heavily on explanation at the expense of forward momentum.

Some of the most memorable moments came from the behavioral science. I was fascinated to learn that dogs tend to wag their tails slightly to the right when responding positively and to the left when responding negatively; other dogs can actually read those subtle differences, much like we interpret facial expressions and body language. Working in veterinary medicine, I found those discussions especially rewarding because they reinforce just how nuanced canine communication really is.

The standout fact for me, though, was the explanation of “time-sniffing.” Rather than somehow magically knowing when we’re coming home, dogs appear to combine familiar routines with the gradual fading of our scent in the house, along with visual and auditory cues throughout the day. It’s such a clever and scientifically grounded explanation that I’ll probably think about it every time my dog Ricky is waiting for me at the door.

I also enjoyed that the author didn’t limit her discussion to pet dogs. She incorporates examples from show dogs, flyball competitors, police dogs, and other working dogs to illustrate how these character strengths appear across different roles and environments.

What makes Think Like a Dog enjoyable isn’t that it claims dogs and humans are identical, but that it thoughtfully explores where our emotional lives overlap, and what we can learn from one another.

My biggest criticism is that the examples rely very heavily on the author’s own Golden Retrievers. They’re clearly beloved family members and make wonderful ambassadors for the concepts she’s discusses, but after four or five chapters I found myself wishing for a wider variety of stories. Likewise, the frequent humorous asides, (usually in parentheses) began to interrupt the rhythm of the writing for me. Neither issue ruined the book, but both made it feel a little longer than necessary.

Overall, Think Like a Dog is an engaging, approachable introduction to positive psychology through the lens of canine behavior. It won’t satisfy readers looking for an in-depth scientific textbook, but it succeeds beautifully as an accessible exploration of why dogs think and behave the way they do. I closed the book having learned several new facts, looked at familiar canine behaviors a little differently, and gained an even greater appreciation for the remarkable minds of our four-legged companions.

Recommended for readers who enjoyed Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz, The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, or The Genius of Dogs by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. If you enjoy popular science that is approachable, optimistic, and centered on our relationships with dogs, you’ll likely find plenty to appreciate here.

However, readers looking for an in-depth textbook on canine behavior or animal cognition may find this a little light. However, dog lovers who enjoy accessible science, positive psychology, and learning why their companions do the quirky things they do will likely have a great time with this book.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.