With the subtitle: “A journey into the Secret History of Fairy Tales”, it was inevitable that I would pick this up. I found out about this book from an excerpt on Travel Writing World, so I was very intrigued about the combination between fairy tale history and travel writing. Spoiler alert: This book was heavier… Read More Book Review: The Fairy Tellers by Nicholas Jubber
I had pretty much forgotten why I had this book on my TBR list but I needed a few more books to read and this was available. Turns out, I was fooled by the subtitle “A book of Storytelling” because this is really a book about biographies and people. Facts and Fiction is a collection… Read More Book Review: Facts and Fiction by Michael Holroyd
After reading Two Years in the Forbidden City, I thought it was time to read about the woman who wrote the book, “Princess” Der Ling. Der Ling, who was also known as Elisabeth Antoinette White, was a fascinating woman. She claimed to be part of the Manchu ruling class, that she was fluent in multiple… Read More Book Review: Imperial Masquerade by Grant Hayter Menzies
I first heard about Der Ling when a friend mentioned that there was a Manchu “princess” who spoke English, Chinese/Manchu, and French. She was given the title “Princess” when she served as Lady-in-Waiting to Empress Dowager Cixi, and she also lived overseas for a significant period of time before and after entering the palace. Her… Read More Book Review: Two Years in the Forbidden Palace by Der Ling
After yesterday’s review of how social media and influencing could harm someone, I thought it would be interesting to review another book on influencers; this time looking at how influencing can harm others. This book is about Belle Gibson, the wellness influencer who was found to have faked a cancer diagnosis (meaning her story of… Read More Book Review: The Woman Who Fooled the World by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano
I’ve forgotten what I expected when I bought this book – probably a witty book of Wodehouse Quotes, à la The Wit and Wisdom of Discworld. Well, this was a little different. P. G. Wodehouse In His Own Words tries to tell the story of Wodehouse’s life mainly through his own writings, with Barry Day… Read More Book Review: P.G. Wodehouse In His Own Words edited by Barry Day & Tony Ring
I found this book at a Church yard sale and of course, I had to buy it. It’s only 1 euro and you can never know too much about Jane Austen! This biography of Jane Austen is a rather slim volume that tells her story by focusing on her relationships and how that might have… Read More Book Review: Jane Austen by Carol Shields
I read A LOT of Enid Blyton when I was a kid, and I definitely meant to capitalise A LOT. Enid Blyton was the reason I: Wanted to go to boarding school Wanted to live on an island/lie on heather (this stopped when I realised I only like nature from a distance) Wanted to eat… Read More Book Review: The Real Enid Blyton by Nadia Cohen
[A]ttacking to me is a proof of goodwill and, in certain circumstances, of gratitude. By means of it, I do honour to a thing, I distinguish a thing; whether I associate my name with that of an institution or a person, by being aginst or for either, is all the same to me.” Friedrich Nietzsche,… Read More Book Review: Ecce Homo by Friedrich Nietzsche
After some pretty good experiences with other Alison Weir books, I was pretty confident in buying more of her biographies. I’ve read a bit about Isabella of France from Helen Castor’s book, She-Wolves, so I was excited to delve into the life of this fascinating woman. Born to a royal line, French Princess Isabella is… Read More Book Review: Queen Isabella by Alison Weir