I am a major Barbara Kingsolver fan. I first came to her literature in high school when my English class had to read Poisonwood Bible, which is one of my favourite books when it comes to the plot as well as the characterisation and narrative techniques. When I found Pigs In Heaven, which I feel … Continue reading
Tag Archives: book reviews
A Review of “The Dead Wife’s Handbook”: Moving through grief with the aid of fiction
I bought this book in the first few months after arriving in Switzerland at the giant English bookshop, that used to be located on the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich. I was so intrigued by the idea of a dead person narrating a book. The dead couldn’t talk. I tried to read the first chapter of the … Continue reading
The Heart and the Home: the meaning of place in Ann Patchett’s “The Dutch House”
This last week has been filled with a lot of joy and a lot of sadness. I spent the beginning of the week exploring Tasmania which was so breathtaking. And then the end of the week was spent mourning loss after loss. That is just how life goes sometimes. Rather than keep to my usual … Continue reading
A review of “My Friend Anna”: the seduction of money
My Friend Anna has been one of the most unsettling memoirs that I have read recently. It made me think not only about friendships and close personal relationships, but also how money equates power. Anna Delvey, a con artist who went to prison for her crimes, was able to con half of New York’s elite. … Continue reading
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
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. Female hair and beauty are … Continue reading
Making Sense of Loneliness: a review of Olivia Laing’s “The Lonely City”
After living in Switzerland for six years, I have been thinking a lot about loneliness and what it means for us humans. I have been thinking about whether loneliness is ever good for us? Are their ways that we could harness our lonely moments to learn more about ourselves? I have wondered about the difference … 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
Review of Sayaka Murata’s “Convenience Store Woman”: fitting into the capitalist ideal
I am a lover of Japanese literature. I studied Japanese in primary school (but it sadly is not one of the languages that stuck in my head), and I have had an affinity for Japanese culture, art, and food. When I came across Sayaka Murata’s work, Convenience Store Woman, I knew I had to get … Continue reading
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