Novelist Roxane Gay fell short of meeting the standards to be a feminist in the modern-day world.

In her new collection of essays, the first-generation Haitian novelist and editor explores the different ideas about feminism, among which is her favorite definition that feminism is "just women who don't want to be treated like s***."

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Gay employs her signature witty humor in "Bad Feminist," in which she weighs the value of being a true feminist in the modern world.

The writer admitted that she first shied away from the feminist label because she - and others like her - had associated it with the idea that there is a prescribed set of rules on how to be a proper feminist.

She wrote that she didn't want to be placed on the "Feminist Pedestal" in past because she was worried that the idea "wouldn't allow me to be the mess of a woman I knew myself to be."

But there's more to feminism than hating men and refusing to shave one's armpits, Gay said.

In one of her essays titled, "How to be Friends with Another Woman," Gay wrote that women must reject the culture of cultivating female friendships that are "bitchy, toxic or competitive."

Still, Gay said true friendship also means not letting friends "buy ugly outfits or accessories you don't want to look at when you go out."

The essayist also took a closer look at modern music and movies, wondering why women adore "abusive idiot" Chris Brown. On the other hand, Gay admitted that she loves Robin Thicke's song, "Blurred Lines," setting it as an example of her being a bad feminist.

She also mused about the books, "Twilight" and "Fifty Shades of Grey," which she said are essentially about controlling relationships. Gay wrote that the character of Christian Grey has finally found peace in his life because he now has "a woman willing to tolerate his bulls*** for long enough."

Throughout her book, Gay struggled to come to a definitive conclusion about the meaning of the word feminist. Gay set out on a journey to avoid being categorized as a feminist, despite knowing that it's an exercise in futility. Still, the writer believes that someday, being a feminist will stand for "the most honest of all things - human."

Tagsfeminism, novelist, Haitian novelist, essay, Roxane Gay, Bad Feminist