Last night we attended a launch party for Rookie Yearbook One–edited by current BUST cover girl Tavi Gevinson!–at McNally Jackson Books in New York City. The room was packed with amazing girls, good vibes, lots of love, candy, and endless outfit inspirations.
Many of the Rookie regulars were there to read excerpts from the book, which is a compilation of the first year’s posts from rookiemag.com. The quality of the writing on Rookie is impressive, and we loved seeing the writers (both girls and guys) read their deeply personal stories for the crowd. At some points it got emotional: Arabelle Sicardi read a heartbreaking story about coming out to her parents and Sarah Sophie Flicker talked about life as a learning process regardless of age. Emma Straub lightened the mood with a giggle-inducing reading about her high school experience.
When Lena Dunham made a surprise appearance, everyone just about died! Lena graciously stuck around afterwards to meet her legions of fans and even asked us what we wanted to see on TV. Awesome doesn’t even begin to describe it.
The star of the night, of course, was Tavi herself, and all her teenage fans (and even some moms) sat attentively at her feet to hear her speak.
We’re just so happy that Tavi exists and that she and her Rookie co-writers have created an amazing, positive space for teenagers who are not afraid to call themselves feminists. Tavi is making Feminism cool for young girls and that is important. After all, it’s something we do here for older girls at BUST, and it can change lives.
The Rookie Yearbook One is published by Drawn and Quarterly and available here and at bookstore near you.
Want even more Tavi? Check out our interview with the teenage blogging phenom here!
Supercute! sang a few songs including this cover of “Melanie’s Brand New Key”.
Lena greeted her scores of fans after the reading.
Writer Amy Rose wore an adorable apron!
