A beautiful compendium of universal wisdom that’s simple, wise, soulful and timeless. I fell in love with this book as soon as I saw it. The illustrations and words are by my wise and kind friend Googie McCabe who wrote this book for her two beloved daughters, as a way of healing and dealing withContinue reading “Book Review: Two Sisters: Unsolicited Advice to my Daughters by Małgorzata ‘Googie’ McCabe”
Tag Archives: Book review
Book Review: Widow Basquiat: A Memoir by Jennifer Clement
A mesmerising portrayal of New York City’s art scene in the early 80s and one its luminaries: Jean-Michel Basquiat seen through the eyes of his partner Suzanne Mallouk. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Canongate Books 2014 If you are expecting a stock-standard art biography you are in for surprise. This is a strikingly different biography that is written inContinue reading “Book Review: Widow Basquiat: A Memoir by Jennifer Clement”
Book Review: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
A snail-paced story of everyday magic in Victorian England with footnotes aplenty. *Contains no spoilers Rating: 🌟🌟 Bloomsbury Publishing 2017 Reading this book was like wading through knee deep mud. I got to page 300 out of 1000 or so and I had to stop. This is a bestselling fantasy novel and a global sensationContinue reading “Book Review: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke”
Book Review: Colour A Journey by Victoria Alexander
Genre: Non-fiction, Reference Publisher: Murdoch Books Rating: 🌟 This book looked promising from the high-quality appearance of the cover and the imagery in this book. This could be a pleasant coffee table book if you ignore the words. Written by a former fashion editor of Vogue Australia and Cosmopolitan. There is a surface appreciation forContinue reading “Book Review: Colour A Journey by Victoria Alexander”
Book Review: The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction. Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Publisher: Virago Press *No spoilers. This is a magnificent journey into Renaissance Florence that you can sink into like imbibing a glass of Chianti. It’s the story of Alessandra Cecci, a precocious and intelligent 15 year old girl who adores painting and lives in RenaissanceContinue reading “Book Review: The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant”
Book Review: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
A thought-provoking and powerful story of race in modern America Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Bloomsbury Publishing 2019 Although I am not American, I delved deeply into this book and gained a new understanding of the subtleties of race relations in this country. There is surprising layers of depth to this book, not only about race but alsoContinue reading “Book Review: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid”
Book Review: Into the Silent Land by Paul Broks
Genre: Non-fiction, Neuropsychology, psychology. Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Publisher: Allen and Unwin *No spoilers. Into the Silent Land is a non-fiction book about neuropsychology that explores the vast and unknowable terrain of people’s minds. Paul Broks is an English neuropsychologist and writer. This book was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book award. InContinue reading “Book Review: Into the Silent Land by Paul Broks”
Book Review: Words of a Kaumātua by Haare Williams
A compelling, rich and lush blend of essay, poetry, reflections and personal stories by one of New Zealand’s most preeminent Māori writers. I have to admit that I didn’t know much about Haare Williams before picking up this book in Te Papa Museum in Wellington. This is a definitive collection of Māori wisdom that isContinue reading “Book Review: Words of a Kaumātua by Haare Williams”
Book Review: Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss
*contains a few spoilers (sorry I couldn’t resist) Iceland has always held a unique fascination for me. Driven by a love for Sigur Rós and Björk, along with the vague romance of going to a remote and icy place. In Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss, you get to actually explore the nuts andContinue reading “Book Review: Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss”
Book Review: The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
Robert Greene has written best-selling books on seduction, power, war, self-mastery and now knowledge. Although the sum and total of his output of books gives the wrong impression about the man. He’s not an evil and Machiavellian type jockeying for power – rather his books are about understanding the lesser-known shadowy parts of ourselves toContinue reading “Book Review: The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene”
