Kirsten's Reviews > Drinking with Men: A Memoir

Back about half a dozen years ago, I was lamenting to my now-husband that "there aren't many drinking role models for women." Which sounds strange, but what I really meant was that while I loved hanging out in bars and had my regular places, I often felt like I didn't quite belong, because when I looked around I didn't see too many women who had the same kind of relationship with drinking establishments that I did. It seemed like something Not Done.

These days I don't really think about that as much, because due to geographical and financial necessity, my own relationship with bars has changed. But reading Rosie Schaap was a bit like coming home. She GETS why a good bar is such a gorgeous thing. She also gets how becoming a regular somewhere is both glorious and sometimes can be a source of stagnation. And she gets the uneasy feeling of being someone who quite likes booze and hanging out with other people who drink, in a place and time where that is rather suspect.

This is a funny and sweet book that gave me shocks of recognition, both happy ones and ones that made me cringe in sympathy. I would happily have a drink or two with Rosie any time.