I received “Hit Girls” as an advanced readers copy from NetGalley to review and wow was this fun! The main reason I have this 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ is because a lot was information I already knew but it is very well written . The author is hilarious and so witty and the nostalgic walk down pop music lane from my high school and early college years was so much fun! I highly recommend especially if you’re a fan of the 90/2000’s pop era and the women who made it

Thank you Nora Princiotti, Ballentine Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars rounded down

As someone who grew up in the early aughts, I have a interesting relationship with pop music. There's really nothing like playing Just Dance on the Wii while your parents argue about the 2008 financial crises (during which I asked for said Wii and every single Webkinz that hit the shelves). It was a time to let loose and party like there's no tomorrow- because there might not be a tomorrow. Then, it wasn't cool to like pop music and I made the switch over to the male-validation worthy indie and classic rock genres. And shit, I like those too! At the end of the day though, I can't quite shake my ass to The Shins. So forgive me, pop-loving women, for being a total croon. I'm gay and shaking my ass to Charlie XCX now if that's any consolation.

Now, as an adult, I can see this coming back with the rise of pop princesses like Chappell, Sabrina, Charlie, and Addison Rae. This time though- let's hope we don't torture them under the public's eagle eye of scrutiny. One thing I really liked about this book was that it emphasizes the often cruel way we treated these women who quite literally DEFINED pop music for what it is today.

It's interesting to reflect on where we were culturally at this time, and that's exactly what this book does. Princiotti is masterful at zooming in and out of discourse and the history that went on into producing these pop princesses of the aughts. Each chapter focuses on a cultural aspect of the era and a star that best represents these emerging trends. I didn't even mind the Taylor Swift chapter (yes, I did end up reading it) because it also discusses the rise of stan culture and the beginnings of being permanently online. Even though it was written by a clear Swiftie, she managed to make it interesting and somewhat neutral.

As I was reading, I kept thinking things like "I hope she mentions X,Y,Z..." and then she WOULD. Truly, I don't think any stone was left uncovered and the resulting book is a truly fascinating account of music history. I truly recommend anyone interested in the era pick this one up.

I loved this book! Nora's voice is unique and definitely shone through. It had touches of Nora's commentary from Every Single Album, how I know her originally, and this was such an interesting look at the hit girls who defined the 2000s. Totally recommend this book to anyone interested in music of the era!

I received an advanced copy through NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are truthful and my own.
Not only is the subject matter fun to read about but Nora Princiotti has such a fun voice. This book makes you feel like you went out to coffee with your best bud, and she's telling you all about her hyperfixation on Pop music. It's the best.

Wow the way I never wanted this book to end! A wonderful trip down memory lane to the musical artists of my growing up. Reads more like fiction than non-fiction, which was a pleasant surprise!

Hit Girls was so well done, I also listened to the audio and it was easy to listen to. I appreciated the author's way of dissecting certain female pop idols and how society treated them in the 2000s. It was thorough and entertaining

Nora has done an excellent job creating an analysis of something once seen as silly! As a long time listener of her podcasts, I was not surprised by the blend of her personal experience and the musical history. Overall I think I’ve heard a lot of these ideas before, but it was still a fun time and I’ll support Nora in everything she does!

This was a fun trip down memory lane remembering artist and songs that soundtracked my youth. A nostalgic and entertaining read thanks to the authors fun and playful writing. I have not listened to this author before but interested in looking up her podcast she was very engaging especially in the audiobook. I will say if you were a fan of pop in the early 2000s you aren’t going to learn anything new but it was fun to remember. I flew through this book in a day and look forward to reading or listening to more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Nothing says “Y2K” like the pop stars who defined the decade. After grunge broke the mold of the music industry in the 1990s, a return to glittery pop was due, with Britney Spears leading the pack. But it wasn’t only pop dominating the charts. In “Hit Girls,” Nora Princiotti explores the genres women in music were exploring at the turn of the millennium, from punk to rave to country, and why the stars still fascinate us. (Recommendation sent to readers of WordSmarts.com email newsletter)

I don’t know what to say about Nora Princiotti at this point except that she’s pretty much a must-read/must-listen no matter what subject she’s tackling, and this book feels like the apotheosis of that.

I’ve been following Princiotti’s career since she was a football writer at The Boston Globe, and I love that she now devotes so much of her work to music and pop culture.

Much has been written about pop in the aughts (both the music itself and societal treatment of pop stars), but I don’t think any text has done a better job of capturing the moment as well as explaining what it precipitated in the industry than Hit Girls does.

This is a relatively short and quick read, yet it hits on some finer detail than most books on the subject, both in terms of musical nuance as well as the inclusion of artists who don’t typically get much attention in historical examinations of millennial pop.

Princiotti is really good at being conversational and wryly funny without ever coming off as a clown playing for laughs, and it really helps the book maintain an appropriately lighthearted tone while still packing in a lot of information.

This book felt like it was written to be the perfect examination of the music that shaped my childhood and teen years. I love Nora's insight on her podcast on Every Single album and extends to what she has written in this book. This is an examination that, while critical, comes from a place of deep love, which makes it hit even harder for me.

Hit Girls by Nora Princiotti was a great read!
I’m 36 and still have my pop music list of the 2000s!
And I listen to it everyday.
A fun and nostalgic read for anyone who grew up with 2000s pop stars.
This had great insights, was well researched and informed, and was a lot of fun to read.

I love my pop girlies and I am someone who enjoys feeling nostalgic and this book didn’t disappoint! This book tackled allll the eras from Britney to Sabrina Carpenter. I appreciated the way this was structured and that each chapter tackled a different identifying feature of the musical landscape from like 1998-2023, however, I don’t feel like it added much to the conversation.

A lot of this book was the author mentioning big songs/situations we are all probably familiar with, and there would be a fun tidbit here and there, but I was left wanting more. I enjoyed how this started with the author grabbing a copy of Metamorphosis from the Scholastic Book Fair as a kid and there were so many anecdotes I truly enjoyed, but this still fell a bit flat for me.

There were a few things that were new to me - like how Max Martin put together the hits he did and how stars like Ariana Grande complained about lines genuinely not making any sense - but much of this was truly just a recap of the biggest moments our favorite pop-stars had and how it impacted society as a whole. I enjoyed how the author kind of leaned on the feminism of it all, too.

Overall, this was an easy read with some new info I’m glad to now know. If you don’t know much about the evolution of pop music and how our favorite female singers got their big breaks this is definitely worth a read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine, for this ARC! This is out now!

As a loyal Every Single Album pod listener, I was SO excited to read this one! I usually don't read much non-fiction, but I found this to be a perfect summer non-fiction beach/poolside read. Nora did a wonderful job walking through all the Hit Girls of the early aughts in a way that any music fan will appreciate. I learned so much and really enjoyed hearing more behind-the-scenes tidbits behind some of my favorite songs. Will be recommending this to all my pop girlies!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

An introspective look at the music of the ladies who topped the charts in the early 2000s and the impact they and their music had.

I was older than the author when the music and artists discussed in the book came out, so they weren't as formative for me. However, good music is good, no matter your age, and the ladies discussed in Hit Girls all had some bangers that rocked. They're also pivotal songs that stand out for how they've (mostly) stood the test of time and the impact they had on the music industry in general. It's easy for people to dismiss pop music and artists, but a proper dive into the nuts and bolts of it shows how formative it is to culture in general. Add some background on the artists and the behind-the-scenes details that you didn't really get as much of back then, and you've got an excellent read that will leave you with a greater appreciation of pop music and a killer playlist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the fun read!

✨ The Vibes ✨
A nostalgic romp through the pop songs that defined the early 2000s

📖 Read if…
✨ Every Single Album is your favorite podcast
✨ Your playlists always include some early 2000s pop
✨ You’re interested in learning about the intersection of pop culture and the music business

I’m a day one Every Single Album listener, so when I heard Nora Princiotti was writing a book about pop music, I immediately added it to my TBR and started counting down the days until I could get my hands on it. And now, I can definitively say it’s going to be one of my favorite books of the year.

One of my favorite things about Every Single Album is how the podcast seamlessly blends fandom and business, discussing fan theories and financials with equal passion and fervor. This style carries over into Hit Girls. Each chapter covers a different artist (sometimes multiple artists) and shows how one laid the foundation for the next, starting with Britney Spears and ending with Olivia Rodrigo. There’s so much information packed into each chapter, from basic history to critical analysis and pop culture references, but the writing remains tight, concise, and digestible.

Additionally, I loved the way Princiotti worked her own voice and asides into each chapter. Those little quips made it feel like I was listening to an episode of Every Single Album (and also made me want to reread the book via the audio). The way she’s able to blend history and fact with personal anecdotes makes for a really entertaining book that is difficult to put down.

Obviously, any pop superfan will eat this book up, but I also think it’s a fantastic introduction to early 2000s pop and the artists that defined that era for anyone who is just starting their pop star journey.

Hit Girls is out June 17. Thanks to Ballentine and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading Hit Girls by Nora Princiotti. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Names of icons like Britany Spears, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson are known to many.

Guy by name of Max Martin? Not so much.
His influence with some of these icons is far reaching and how sometimes nonsensical lyrics fit the music was something was unaware of until now. This was an informative read in the making of those songs that have cemented themselves in our minds.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#HitGirls #NetGalley

I am a late Gen-Xer/early Millenial (whatever we are called) so the early 2000's was a wild time music.

I really appreciated Nora's writing style and her take on the ladies of the 2000's. I learned many things I didn't know. It really gave me a new perspective on the music of these artists.


Thank you to NetGalley, Random Publishing House Ballantine, and Nora Princiotti for this e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

One of my favorite podcasters wrote a book about the music of the early 2000s? Say less. I’ve been listening to @noraprinciotti on @everysinglealbumpodcast and now on @wereobsessedpod for years, and I’d read just about anything she wrote (maybe not football stuff?), but this book is so firmly in my wheelhouse it was a no-brainer.

And it totally delivered. HIT GIRLS is written with a conversational tone that still had the occasional word I needed to look up. I was excited for whatever the book brought to the table, but I was surprised in a good way by how meaty the musicology analysis got. I’m a classical musician, but I don’t know much about production and have lately been curious about it, so I loved the inside look into the popular music machine and the production teams that helped shape it behind the scenes.

And of course, I loved learning more about the hit girls themselves—I’m an unabashed pop culture fanatic, and this book starts the year I started middle school and ends the year I gave birth to my first child, effectively spanning my adolescence and early adulthood in a neat and nostalgic package.

If you enjoy pop culture, you’ll find something here and learn something new. If you want to go deeper with how music works, I think you’ll find it here too. HIT GIRLS was a delightful and nostalgic journey into what is to me the golden era of pop music.