I picked up Todd Alexander’s memoir Thirty Thousand Bottles of Wine and A Pig Called Helga because, to put it simply, because wine and pigs are few of my favourite things. The memoir also takes place in cities and regions where I grew up, and I wanted to feel that nostalgia of having my hometown … Continue reading
Tag Archives: book review
Shark Week: Let’s talk about bleeding with Emma Barnett’s new book, “Period”
When I talk to fellow humans about the female reproductive system, I am always shocked at the misinformation or blatant ignorance people have. Whether you experience periods or not, the chances are that you know someone who does. And to not know how that system works does a disservice to those who experience periods. Emma … Continue reading
Margaret Atwood’s “The Testaments”: did we need this sequel?
Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale was ground breaking when it was published. The story still resonates today, and the novel being turned into a T.V. series only further solidifies its importance in contemporary culture. When Margaret Atwood said she would follow up her novel with a sequel, The Testaments, I was pretty excited to … Continue reading
Understanding Black Hair Culture: a review of Emma Dabiri’s “Don’t Touch My Hair”
Emma Dabiri’s part memoir part scholarly investigation of African hair culture in and outside of African countries is close to my research heart. I have always been fascinated by female hair and beauty and the culture around it. So much so, that I wrote my master’s thesis on Black hair. You can read my journal … Continue reading
A Review of “Be the Change” by Gina Martin: activism, writing, and social media
When I saw Gina Martin’s activism guide, I was intrigued. I spent most of my early life and teenage years volunteering, raising money for charities, and working with different NGOs to spread awareness and help raise funds. It was an extremely rewarding time in my life, and I was able to raise over 40,000 AUD … Continue reading
Women in racing: a review of Clare Balding’s memoir “My Animals and Other Family”
“Be consistent. Be fair and honest.” p161 Clare Balding’s memoir My Animals and Other Family was first published in 2012. At the heart of it, Balding’s memoir is an exploration of the importance animals can have on our childhoods and our lives in general. Each chapter is a different animal that left a mark on … Continue reading
“Anxiety: the missing stage of Grief”: a review and personal exploration of Claire Bidwell-Smith’s grief self-help book
When my father died in 2011, my whole world was flipped on its head. I have spent most of my 20s coming to terms with death, loss, and grief, and this is also evidenced in the types of books I have read throughout this time. This can be seen in my reviews of fiction works … Continue reading
“Running with Scissors”: a review of Augusten Burroughs’ memoir
Running with Scissors is one of those books that I have wanted to read for such a long time, but somehow never managed to find the book at the right moment. When I found a second-hand copy of the memoir at a second-hand book fair in Geneva, I decided to pick it up. The book … Continue reading
Complicated families and letting go: a review of Sarah Haywood’s “The Cactus”
The Cactus is the debut novel from Sarah Haywood which is about letting go of who people want you to be and who you have made yourself become because of your past experiences. It is about family conflict, death, grief, secrets, and forgiveness. It is not your typical contemporary fiction novel for all the right … Continue reading
5 Life Lessons from Amy Poehler’s “Yes, Please”
Most people know Amy Poehler as the hilarious comedy queen and beloved friend of Tina Fey. Her career achievements are too long to add here, but let’s just be clear that she had made some of the funniest stuff on television. I have always felt that comedy is a great way to have hard conversations … Continue reading