She Said

This book is the gold standard of what it means to be a good journalist. Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohy have essentially written a textbook on reporting. It's brilliant!

The book actually reads more like a thriller than a non-fiction book. It's a total page-turner. There's so much I learnt – from styles of reporting to politics of reporting to machinations of the newsroom in New York Times (or for that matter any news room), the procedural aspects of reporting – how to talk to victims and abusers, how to deal with sensitive information and dicey situations, how to deal with legal ramifications of reporting facts (yes, apparently even solid facts can land you in court!). There's a lot that I could write about this book because it's just so so so good! 

However, the reporting isn't the crux of the book although it does form the core part of the narrative. The book is essentially about the case that ignited the #MeToo movement. It chronicles two men – Harvey Weinstein and Brett Kavanaugh – who were accused of sexual abuse. It's a harrowing read. Yet, even more harrowing is witnessing the trauma of the victims, both in the immediate aftermath and the years after the abuse.

If you're an young budding reporter/journalist or an avid news junkie, you owe it yourself to read this book. Even if you aren't either, you still need to read it. Correction: YOU HAVE TO. 

SPOILER ALERT: Weinstein has been found guilty by court in New York. Kavanaugh denies assaulting Ms Ford and has been elected to the SCOTUS (he has never been tried).