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A Love Letter to Texas Women
The acclaimed author of Above the East China Sea and The Yokota Officers Club celebrates the uniqueness of Texas women in this beautifully designed gift book.
What is it that distinguishes Texas women the famous Yellow Rose and her descendants? Is it that combination of graciousness and grit that we revere in First Ladies Laura Bush and Lady Bird Johnson? The rapier-sharp wit that Ann Richards and Molly Ivins used to skewer the good ole boy establishment? The moral righteousness with which Barbara Jordan defended the US constitution? An unnatural fondness for Dr Pepper and queso?
In her inimitable style, Sarah Bird pays tribute to the Texas Woman in all her glory and all her contradictions. She humorously recalls her own early bewildered attempts to understand Lone Star gals, from the big-haired, perfectly made-up ladies at the Hyde Park Beauty Salon to her intellectual, quinoa-eating roommates at Seneca House Co-op for Graduate Women. After decades of observing Texas women, Bird knows the species as few others do. A Love Letter to Texas Women is a must-have guide for newcomers to the state and the ideal gift to tell any Yellow Rose how special she is."
What is it that distinguishes Texas women the famous Yellow Rose and her descendants? Is it that combination of graciousness and grit that we revere in First Ladies Laura Bush and Lady Bird Johnson? The rapier-sharp wit that Ann Richards and Molly Ivins used to skewer the good ole boy establishment? The moral righteousness with which Barbara Jordan defended the US constitution? An unnatural fondness for Dr Pepper and queso?
In her inimitable style, Sarah Bird pays tribute to the Texas Woman in all her glory and all her contradictions. She humorously recalls her own early bewildered attempts to understand Lone Star gals, from the big-haired, perfectly made-up ladies at the Hyde Park Beauty Salon to her intellectual, quinoa-eating roommates at Seneca House Co-op for Graduate Women. After decades of observing Texas women, Bird knows the species as few others do. A Love Letter to Texas Women is a must-have guide for newcomers to the state and the ideal gift to tell any Yellow Rose how special she is."
80 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
About the author
Sarah Bird
51 books576 followersSarah Bird is a bestselling novelist, screenwriter, essayist, and journalist who has lived in Austin, Texas since long before the city became internationally cool. She has published ten novels and two books of essays. Her eleventh novel, LAST DANCE ON THE STARLITE PIER--a gripping tale set in the secret world of the dance marathons of the Great Depression--will be released on April 12th.
Her last novel, DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER OF A QUEEN--inspired by the true story of the only woman to serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers--was named an All-time Best Books about Texas by the Austin American-Statesman; Best Fiction of 2018, Christian Science Monitor; Favorite Books of 2018, Texas Observer; a One City, One Book choice of seven cities; and a Lit Lovers Book Club Favorites.
Sarah was a finalist for The Dublin International Literary Award; an ALEX award winner; Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a two-time winner of the TIL’s Best Novel award; a B&N’s Discover Great Writers selection; a New York Public Libraries Books to Remember; an honoree of theTexas Writers Hall of Fame; an Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a Dobie-Paisano Fellowship; and an Austin Libraries Illumine Award for Excellence in Fiction winner. In 2014 she was named Texas Writer of the Year by the Texas Book Festival and presented with a pair of custom-made boots on the floor of the Texas Senate Chamber.
Sarah is a nine-time winner of Austin Best Fiction Writer award. She was recently honored with the University of New Mexico’s 2020 Paul Ré Award for Cultural Advocacy. In 2015 Sarah was one of eight winners selected from 3,800 entries to attend the Meryl Streep Screenwriters’ Lab. Sarah was chosen in 2017 to represent the Austin Public Library as the hologram/greeter installed in the Austin Downtown Library. Sarah was a co-founder of The Writers League of Texas.
She has been an NPR Moth Radio Hour storyteller; a writer for Oprah’s Magazine, NY Times Sunday Magazine and Op Ed columns, Chicago Tribune, Real Simple, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Salon, Daily Beast, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, MS, Texas Observer; Alcalde and a columnist for years for Texas Monthly. As a screenwriter, she worked on projects for Warner Bros., Paramount, CBS, National Geographic, Hallmark, ABC, TNT, as well as several independent producers.
She and her husband enjoy open-water swimming and training their corgi puppy not to eat the furniture.
Her last novel, DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER OF A QUEEN--inspired by the true story of the only woman to serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers--was named an All-time Best Books about Texas by the Austin American-Statesman; Best Fiction of 2018, Christian Science Monitor; Favorite Books of 2018, Texas Observer; a One City, One Book choice of seven cities; and a Lit Lovers Book Club Favorites.
Sarah was a finalist for The Dublin International Literary Award; an ALEX award winner; Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a two-time winner of the TIL’s Best Novel award; a B&N’s Discover Great Writers selection; a New York Public Libraries Books to Remember; an honoree of theTexas Writers Hall of Fame; an Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a Dobie-Paisano Fellowship; and an Austin Libraries Illumine Award for Excellence in Fiction winner. In 2014 she was named Texas Writer of the Year by the Texas Book Festival and presented with a pair of custom-made boots on the floor of the Texas Senate Chamber.
Sarah is a nine-time winner of Austin Best Fiction Writer award. She was recently honored with the University of New Mexico’s 2020 Paul Ré Award for Cultural Advocacy. In 2015 Sarah was one of eight winners selected from 3,800 entries to attend the Meryl Streep Screenwriters’ Lab. Sarah was chosen in 2017 to represent the Austin Public Library as the hologram/greeter installed in the Austin Downtown Library. Sarah was a co-founder of The Writers League of Texas.
She has been an NPR Moth Radio Hour storyteller; a writer for Oprah’s Magazine, NY Times Sunday Magazine and Op Ed columns, Chicago Tribune, Real Simple, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Salon, Daily Beast, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, MS, Texas Observer; Alcalde and a columnist for years for Texas Monthly. As a screenwriter, she worked on projects for Warner Bros., Paramount, CBS, National Geographic, Hallmark, ABC, TNT, as well as several independent producers.
She and her husband enjoy open-water swimming and training their corgi puppy not to eat the furniture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 23, 2016
An adorable book that makes a great gift for any Texas woman, or wanna-be Texas woman. Wonderful writing!
January 14, 2017
Not so much a book as an essay in hardcover, this slim Valentine to Texas women will make you proud to be one if you are, whether natural-born or "got here as fast as you could." And if you're not one, it's still a fun little history lesson that will make you want to seek out full-length biographies of Lady Bird, Laura Bush, Barbara Jordan, Molly Ivins, and Ann Richards, as well as read any of Sarah Bird's novels you might have missed. To quote Sarah quoting Lyle Lovett, "that's right you're not from Texas, but Texas wants you anyway."
February 19, 2021
Why I put off reading this book for so long I don’t know. It is absolutely charming. Her experience mirrors mine. I am an army brat and landed in El Paso, Tx from Alexandria, Va. and was unprepared for those formidable and friendly young women. I didn’t however meet the mighty three Molly Ivins, Ann Richards and Barbara Jordon as did Sarah Bird. Her description of Laura Bush and Lady Bird touched my heart.
I love Sarah Bird’s writing - always have - always will. So glad she stayed here in Texas. Lucky us.
You can read it in a day and it will make your smile and be glad you are in Texas.
I love Sarah Bird’s writing - always have - always will. So glad she stayed here in Texas. Lucky us.
You can read it in a day and it will make your smile and be glad you are in Texas.
December 24, 2020
This short little book (80 pages) would make a great gift for women from Texas, or those who love women from Texas. It's sort of a combination of a memoir of how Bird ended up in Texas, and her subsequent life there and quick glimpses of famous Texas women like Lady Bird Johnson, Laura Bush, Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards. My mom was 5th generation Texan, and although I didn't grow up there, I lived there 30+ years, so I feel like I can claim the heritage, and this book gives me something to be proud of.
May 6, 2016
Imagine my surprise when I went to pick up this book (er, almost booklet) from the Reserve Shelf at my library. There was a little bit of disappointment, too, that it wasn't longer.
But, I found the book to be funny and engaging and a mini autobiography of sorts. Ann Richards and Molly Ivans are the best, the funniest and most Texan of Texans women. I myself am one, a woman of Texas, being a fifth generation Texan. However, I would not put myself in the same class with those two wonderful women. And then there is Ladybird Johnson and Barbara Jordan. All impressive women. I would add just one other, Oveta Culp Hobby. Oh, and the women who drove their cattle herds up to the north in the late 1800's. They were no pushovers either.
But, I found the book to be funny and engaging and a mini autobiography of sorts. Ann Richards and Molly Ivans are the best, the funniest and most Texan of Texans women. I myself am one, a woman of Texas, being a fifth generation Texan. However, I would not put myself in the same class with those two wonderful women. And then there is Ladybird Johnson and Barbara Jordan. All impressive women. I would add just one other, Oveta Culp Hobby. Oh, and the women who drove their cattle herds up to the north in the late 1800's. They were no pushovers either.
May 22, 2016
But TOO SHORT!
March 21, 2021
I so enjoyed this delightful fun read.
June 24, 2021
Was a little leery about this gift, as there are plenty of Texas women with whom I do NOT relate. But Sarah Bird managed to hit upon the ones that even I find great. A short, fun read.
October 2, 2018
As a wayward Yankee who never took Texas History in 7th grade, I found this book quite interesting and inspiring. I too love Texas, though I am not a native. This was funny but still most certainly a love letter.
July 14, 2016
Loved everything about this little book, other than it ended too quickly. It is very short (more like an essay--or long feature for Texas Monthly), but it has every bit of the sass and heart that are trademarks of the ladies from my home state. Funny and inspiring, one of the book's passages about the "immortal" Barbara Jordan resonated with me particularly as I still grapple with all the troubling things happening in our world this week, especially my neighbors living a few hours north in Dallas. Sarah Bird reminds us of Jordan's "sublime" words: "What the people want is very simple. They want an America as good as its promise." Yes. Yes, indeed we do.
January 2, 2017
I had the privilege of seeing Sarah Bird at this year's Texas Book Festival. I was so enamored with her reading of this book that I went out and bought it. Worth every penny. So funny and spot on in describing the women of Texas. I hope that I make Lady Bird, Laura Bush, Ann Richards, Molly Ivins, and Barbara Jordan proud as I attempt to carry on the Texas Woman legacy. I'll certainly try my best!
Read
January 16, 2017I happened across this tiny book at my local library's New Books shelf and couldn't pass on that title. What it's done is expand my already over-flowing TBR pile to include books on Molly Ivins, Anne Richards, and Barbara Jordan.
January 26, 2020
I loved this little ode to Texas women....but I'm aware that my being a Texas woman makes me extremely biased. Either way, this little book is a cute, fun read. If you have an affinity for Texas (I do!), then you'll enjoy it!
June 22, 2017
Call me biased, but this was endearing and made me proud to be from Texas. I liked the interesting perspective Bird brought to women like Lady Bird Johnson and Laura Bush. It's more of an essay than a book, but it should be a fun read for anyone who is (or loves) a Texas Woman.
May 23, 2016
I have to admit I was expecting a book and I just felt this was more of an essay. It was still delightful.
March 28, 2017
This is a tribute to both unknown and famous women written by Sarah Bird, a Texas transplant. It is humorous and truthful and would make a lovely gift to a Texas friend.
January 6, 2018
If I weren’t already a Texas woman, I’d run right out and become one!
February 25, 2018
Pretty accurate, in my experience. Nice read that reminds me of many of my friends' mothers.
May 4, 2018
She makes me want to write again.
December 30, 2019
"The bigger the hair, the closer to God." The characters of "Dallas" and "Dynasty". The Dallas Cowboys' cheerleaders. Yes, the worldwide brand of Texas women is strong, but not necessarily endearing – or accurate. Sarah Bird, a Texas woman by way of New Mexico (and who once worked in proximity to the archetype of Texas women, Lady Bird Johnson), shares deeper truths – some she learned the hard way.
December 30, 2020
This was much shorter than I expected; I bought it quickly after reading a review and didn’t pay much attention to the details. Aside from being pleasantly surprised to see the author and I went to the same Catholic school, this Texas woman found this essay to be just okay. It definitely feels more suited for someone about 25-30 years older than I am, whose experience of Texas was more urban, especially Austin/Houston/Dallas, and upper middle class.
February 16, 2019
Sarah Bird's A Love Letter to Texas Women is humorous and witty. As a Texas transplant also living in Austin, I found her observations about Texas women to be accurate. I enjoyed her writing style as well as the local Austin references. I highly recommend this relatively short book to Austin readers.
August 30, 2019
A Love Letter to Texas Women is a beautiful demitasse of pure smiles, nods, and laughs. Sarah Bird is an amazing writer who makes me churn with envy...but in a good way! This little book is some kind of portal because once you open it, you're transported into a far, far bigger world. Standard words like delightful and amazing aren't sufficient, but they're a start.
July 17, 2023
An absolutely delightful essay on what makes a true Texas Woman. Bird’s writing style here is downright fun to read and honestly made me very proud to be a TW myself! I have a list of women I’m gifting this to for various holidays and I can’t wait to share it; I know they’ll love it too. What a precious ode to the Yellow Rose! 🤠
October 8, 2018
Wonderful little book which tells how the author unexpectedly found herself in Texas and fell in love with Texas Women, yearning to be one. She shares her experiences with the most fascinating Texas women of her time.
May 22, 2019
Short cute read on the great women of Texas. After recently meeting Sarah and hearing her speak, I could picture her writing and sharing these stories. Loved the Ann Richard’s quote......”the higher the hair, the closer to God.” Glad I was able to meet her as well.
January 15, 2021
I picked this up after seeing it mentioned as one of Austin Kleon's comfort reads of 2020 and I have to agree. Having family roots and many women of Texas in my bloodline, this book reached into my collective unconscious and soothed me with its neighboring.
August 6, 2022
4 stars only because I wanted more! There’s nothing I love as much as reading about Texas and bygone eras. The pictures and section on the Hyde Park Beauty Salon alone were enough to endear this book to me.
January 7, 2019
A very cute short read.
April 3, 2019
Being a born & bred Texas woman, I LoVeD it! Her writing, her story, her adventures are lovingly and respectfully for all Texas women that she encountered.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews