A Busty Review of The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order

By Mary Phillips-Sandy
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April 3, 2000 | Page 1

Like a breath of fresh air, like a kick in the pants, like a fuzzy warm bear hug, like finding a quarter on the sidewalk, like a box of lemon drops... it's Bust. Say it again. It's Bust. Louder now. I wanna hear you.

Do I sound like a cheerleader? Fine, I'm okay with that. I'll cheer for Bust, and I'll keep up the chant until it receives the fame and glory it deserves. Every female on earth should read Bust. And she should share it with her boy friends, too.

Perhaps you've seen Bust (the magazine) at your local Barnes and Noble. Perhaps you've even picked up a copy - in which case, you're already know about one of the best periodicals currently in publication. For those who are new to Bust (or for those who can't get enough), this book - a "greatest hits" compedium - should satisfy.

Founded by editors Michelle Karp and Debbie Stoller (aka Betty Boob and Celina Hex), Bust is equal parts riot grrrl and lipstick, half sharp social commentary and half pure fun. Have you ever wanted to read Cosmo and Ms., like, simultaneously? Raise your hands. I thought so. This is the book for you.

The articles in The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order are an excellent sample of Busty writing, with topics ranging from "Sex, Lies, and Tampax" to "What to Expect When Your Best Friend is Expecting" to "Desperately Seeking Farrah." The common threads that tie this book together are honesty, wit, intelligence, and good old girl power.

In between the essays are some brief fiction pieces and interviews, with the [male!] proprieter of the Museum of Menstruation, with adult film star Nina Hartley, with Judy Blume. The famous "Don'ts for Boys" is included too ("Don't call me if you haven't gotten over your last girlfriend/boyfriend/mother. I'm not an understudy for a psycho-romantic-drama." "Don't order me diet food while I am in the bathroom. Order me cake. Something with chocolate fudge would be great." "Don't tell me you are having lunch with her so you won't hurt her feelings. You're not that nice, she's not that weak, and I am not that stupid.")

But is this just a book for girls? No, not at all. Frankly, if I were of the male persuasion, I'd rush out and buy myself my own personal copy of The Bust Guide. Boys, you want to get the straight dope on the XX experience from a bunch of smart ladies? You want to know what it's like to be a girl? You could do a whole lot worse than starting here.

And, you know, being a girl can be damn hard sometimes. Growing up, being female in this strange society we live in - there are pressures to be resisted, identities to be forged, battles to be waged, mascara to be pondered. From pre-teen to mommy, females of all sizes, shapes, and colors are represented in the pages of The Bust Guide. You can call me a third-wave feminist, if you want; you can call me a chick or a gal or a broad. I call myself a Bust girl, and I'm proud of it.

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Author Profile: Mary Phillips-Sandy is a PopPulse editor. She's also the Assistant Director of the Maine International Film Festival.
E-mail: mary@poppulse.com