This is a fun, mostly light-hearted, analysis of women in pop music from the years 2000 through 2010 (give or take). I am older than the author so was more of the college/young adult age during this time, so my connection to the music is different, however I still enjoyed reading it. I received a digital arc of this book via NetGalley.

My very first reaction to this book was- “Has anyone told Nora Princiotti that she writes like she talks?” My second reaction was- “Damn the audiobook version would have been AMAZING!” but in my stupidity I didn’t realize this is an essay collection (I thought it would involve lots of pictures for no reason at all. It was picture-esque though.

This is a series of essays about women pop stars in the past 20ish years. It starts with the author placing herself in this pop culture landscape as a child (born into a family of concert hall capital M musicians) at a book fair buying a _Mateamorphosis_ CD. It immediately got me hooked (as a child who brought a CD of Gujarati songs at a book fair because I couldn’t find what I really wanted- a Hannah Montana CD). It ends with the author telling us how amazing it s to have newer pop stars reflecting the same cycle (musically not topically, thank god), how Good 4 U is very similar to Misery Business but only sonically and thankfully without the slut shaming.

Honestly this book doesn’t really tell you anything groundbreakingly new about the world, but it synthesizes so much information about the world in such a fun package that it’s absolutely a blast to read through.

Really interesting to see the threads running through the popularity of female music artists

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Hit Girls is a nostalgic, insightful, and thoroughly entertaining look at the women who defined pop music in the early 2000s. Nora Princiotti does a fantastic job weaving together music history, cultural shifts, and personal anecdotes to show how artists like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Rihanna reshaped not only pop but the entire music industry.

The book shines in its analysis of how technology, media, and changing attitudes toward female artists fueled the evolution of the genre. Princiotti's writing is engaging and accessible, balancing deep research with a conversational tone that makes the book feel like an extended discussion with a fellow pop music enthusiast. The exploration of fandom culture, particularly Taylor Swift’s empire, is especially compelling.

That said, at times the book feels like it could go deeper—certain artists and trends are covered in broad strokes, leaving some stories feeling a bit rushed. A bit more critical analysis of industry pressures and the darker sides of fame would have added even more depth.

Overall, Hit Girls is a must-read for pop lovers, especially those who grew up in the era of TRL, MySpace, and early viral stardom. It’s a fun and thoughtful tribute to the women who shaped a decade of music and continue to influence today’s biggest stars.

As a millennial pop girlie, this was the book for me. Such a fun read! I'm a HUGE fan of Nora Princiotti from her podcast Every Single Album that she co-hosts with Nathan Hubbard, and I was ecstatic to be among the first to read this. Princiotti revisits the mega female pop stars of the 2000s, devoting a chapter to each (including Britney Spears, early Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Lady Gaga, early Taylor Swift — of course! - and more). While the pop stars and the big hits weren't new to me, this was a terrific exercise in nostalgia. I also loved learning more about the cultural context of these artists and songs. At the time, I wasn't thinking about cultural or historical context, of course; my childhood and adolescent self was just enjoying the pops. Princiotti finds a great balance between well-researched, thoughtful commentary and infusing her deep connection to the music. Her unique voice so clearly comes through, and because of the pod, I could literally "hear" her voice in my head as I read some of this,

Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!