Girling Up

How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular

By: Mayim Bialik

Narrated by: Mayim Bialik

Length: 3 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Mayim Bialik, Jeopardy! host and star of The Big Bang Theory, puts her PhD to work as she talks to teens about the science of growing up and getting ahead. A must-have audiobook for all teenage girls.

Growing up as a girl in today’s world is no easy task. Juggling family, friends, romantic relationships, social interests and school...sometimes it feels like you might need to be a superhero to get through it all! But really, all you need is little information.

Want to know why your stomach does a flip-flop when you run into your crush in the hallway? Or how the food you put in your body now will affect you in the future? What about the best ways to stop freaking out about your next math test?

Using scientific facts, personal anecdotes, and wisdom gained from the world around us, Mayim Bialik, the star of The Big Bang Theory, shares what she has learned from her life and her many years studying neuroscience to tell you how you grow from a girl to a woman biologically, psychologically, and sociologically.

Want to be strong? Want to be smart? Want to be spectacular? You can! Start by listening to this audiobook.

©2017 Mayim Bialik (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Bialik is encouraging without being preachy...many teens will be drawn to this engaging and useful book." (Booklist)

"Combining her personal experiences and academic credentials, Bialik - television star, mother of two, and neuroscientist - tackles six aspects of what she calls 'girling up', 'the transition from girl to young woman'. When discussing widely covered topics that include body and image, the importance of a balanced diet, exercise, and growth, Bialik adds a few novelties - for example, yoga poses that relieve menstrual cramps and the introduction of mindfulness to eating and stress management." (Publishers Weekly)

"Ultimately, the author stresses that 'Girling Up' does not end with adulthood - it is a lifelong journey. Thanks to Bialik, readers have a road map to make this trip memorable." (School Library Journal)

"Written in conversational style...the tone remains understanding, supportive, and respectful of the reader’s individuality throughout the text." (VOYA)

Covered everything

I really appreciated this book. Dr. Bialik emphasizes that it is ok to be yourself, who you are, and what you are. I listened to it in the car with my daughter and this is one of the books she stayed in-tuned to it. We did stop it every once in a while to address questions she had, but I really like the message that it is better to be yourself than someone you are not.

Excelente lectura para madres de todos los sexos

Perfectamente narrado, entretenido, divertido y educativo, tanto para madres como para hijo/as en crecimiento que quieren estar bien informados.

great for preteen and teen girls

I started this thinking it was an empowerment book for women. it really is geared more for girls going through or getting ready for puberty but I wasnt disappointed. it is positive and educational and a great way to build positive self image and develop healthy habits. I wish I would have had this book as a preteen girl.

Educational for All Ages

What made the experience of listening to Girling Up the most enjoyable?

Mayim narrates in an easy breezy manner that is enjoyable and informative.

What about Mayim Bialik’s performance did you like?

She comes off as very down to earth which is welcoming

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I like how she explained everything including transgender. She spoke with knowledge and respect. I like how she stated the facts honestly and openly without providing an opinion as to her beliefs.

Any additional comments?

I love Mayim's character on The Big Bang Theory and the fact that she portrays exactly what she is. I also subscribe to her YouTube channel and have come to think of her as the friend in my head since I'm in a traditionally all male field (software engineer) and feels as though I can relate. She is inspiring and so is this book. I would recommend to all girls and women.

Great delivery! Easy listening!

Easy to understand at any age, male or female. I bought paperbacks for my nieces and will re-listen this audible with both my sons.

Great delivery and easy listening, especially for today's teens.

I highly recommend this book.

A clear, informative book

What does Mayim Bialik bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

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Any additional comments?

I got this one to "preview" in case I wanted to give the book to my daughter in a few years. I found it to be well thought out and informative and Bialik does a great job of narrating it. However, I do think that I would give the print book to my daughter, only so that it can be used more easily as a reference.

Thank you, for this book, Mayim!

I recently discovered Mayim's YouTube channel and got really into it. I love the topics she talks about and the way she addresses and acknowledges different points of view. When I ran out of interviews and videos of her to watch, I decided to get the audio book of "Girling Up" even though I am 23 and not within the suggested age range.
I loved this book! I bought it this morning and just finished listening to it, so it is not too long.
Mayim touches on some really big topics in this book, which I think, she does in a wonderfully tasteful and appropriate way. I especially loved the mix between talking about sex, hormones puberty and so on from a scientific perspective, as well as from a personal and emotional one.
I felt like, even as a 23 year old biology student (or maybe BECAUSE of that), I still learned some things I didn't know or hadn't yet considered.
There are also a lot of significant resources in her book, such as websites for domestic violence, anonymous alcoholics, eating disorder websites, ... and of course an easy guacamole recipe ;)

Even if you are not a girl 10 - 18, you can enjoy and learn from reading this book and if you are a Mayim fan (like me now) you will definitely find it very interesting and entertaining.

5/5 stars for my favorite Amy Farah Fowler actress :)

Loved the audio version

I previewed by listening to the audio version & loved that the recording was done by D. Bialik because it makes it seem like she's talking to you personally.

Excellent for females of all ages (and males too)!

This is an absolutely awesome book from Mayim Bialik who became a dedicated scientist and then resumed her acting career as Amy on The Big Bang Theory. (Yes, Mayim really is a neuroscientist - she doesn't just play one on TV.) Mayim's unique training, perspective and life experiences - including her time as a child actor on Blossom - offer rare insight into the world of becoming a woman.
At first glance, this book seems to be written for a younger audience. But adults like myself who have an interest in science will also learn a lot from the eloquently shared information. Mayim uses plain-spoken words to make difficult concepts easy to understand for girls and boys of any age and education level. She also uses physiologically and psychologically appropriate terminology when discussing information and processes concerning food, exercise, health, cultural, spiritual, and lifestyle choices. Her accurate descriptions of fetal development, physical / hormonal changes as maturation occurs, and basic reproduction are scientifically sound. Mayim also discusses the physiological and psychological effects of peer pressure, stress, depression, anxiety, etc; these are offered with compassion and without moral judgment. She does encourage all females to respect themselves, their bodies and minds, and to have confidence in setting boundaries.
The style and cadence of Mayim's narration makes this book an easy listen. Her delightful celebration of life as a woman is contagious and is bound to boost your spirit. Her anecdotes and insights offer wisdom for women of all ages (and men too)!

awesome read

loved it! She hit every topic right on point. i wish there was a book like this when i was a little girl.