Review: Women in the Picture: Women, Art and the Power of Looking by Catherine McCormack (#Ad)

I received this eProof for free from Icon Books via NetGalley for the purposes of providing an honest review.

Links with an asterisk (*) are Ad: Affiliate Links, which means if you make a purchase through them, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Women in the Picture: Women, Art and the Power of Looking by Catherine McCormack

Published: 6th May 2021 | Publisher: Icon Books | Source: NetGalley
Catherine McCormack's Website

Art historian Catherine McCormack challenges how culture teaches us to see and value women, their bodies, and their lives.

Cultural archetypes have long been used to subjugate women, binding them within the restrictive roles of Venus, bride, wife, mother, and monster. These portrayals echo throughout the paintings and sculptures of western art―Titian, Botticelli, and Giambologna―and more contemporaneously in fashion photographs, ads, and across social media. By society empowering men to represent women, women imbibe a distorted vision of themselves and their bodies, coming up against notions of impossible beauty, idealized passivity and violence, and horrifying Medusas.

In this impassioned work, art historian Catherine McCormack evaluates the production and display of portrayals of women, exposing the underlying meanings, whether overt or symbolic. She counters them by turning to women artists like Berthe Morisot, Beyoncé, Suzanne Lacy, and Faith Ringgold. These women have been overturning confining depictions of identity, sexuality, race, and power to explore the breadth and multiplicity of women’s visions of their own lives. From The StoryGraph.

Purchase from Bookshop.org*
The StoryGraph | Goodreads

Trigger/Content Warnings: This book discusses sexism, rape, racism, slavery, violence, violence against women, women in the moment of death/women's dead bodies, and their representation in art.

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Review: Christmas: A Short History From Solstice to Santa by Andy Thomas

Christmas: A Short History From Solstice to Santa by Andy Thomas

Published: 1st October 2019 | Publisher: Quarto Knows | Source: Gift
Goodreads

Have you ever wondered where Christmas comes from? Or why and how it has been celebrated throughout the centuries? This book takes you on an intriguing and entertaining journey through its social history.

Learn about the:

• astrological associations
• symbolism of the Nativity
• excesses of the Roman festival of Saturnalia
• Puritan ban of Christmas
• Victorian-era revival
• introduction and rise of gift-giving
• origins and developments of Father Christmas
• food and traditions from around the world
• history of its stories, songs and symbols

Beautifully illustrated, this book tells the fuller story behind the sparkle and the merriment, and shows why Christmas has survived and still has meaning for us today. From Quarto Knows.

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Review: Craft by Gabriela Herstik

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Craft by Gabriela Herstik

Published: 15th March 2018 | Publisher: Ebury Press | Cover Designer: | Source: Bought
Gabriela Herstik's Website

Infuse a drop of magick into your everyday life.

Writer, fashion alchemist and modern witch, Gabriela Herstik, unlocks the ancient art of witchcraft so that you can find a brand of magick that works for you.

From working with crystals, tarot and astrology, to understanding sex magick, solstices and full moons; learn how to harness energy, unleash your inner psychic and connect with the natural world.

Full of spells and rituals for self-care, new opportunities and keeping away toxic energy, Craft is the essential lifestyle guide for the modern woman who wants to take control and reconnect with herself.

After all, empowered women run the world (and they’re probably witches). From Goodreads.

Book Depository | Wordery | Goodreads

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Books on My Intersectional Feminist TBR Pile and Wishlist

I am a feminist, but I am fully aware of very privileged life I have. There is so much I don't know about the sexism and misogyny experienced by women and non-binary people who are also from marginalised groups. To be a feminist is to fight for and speak up for all women and non-binary people who experience sexism and misogyny, so I need to be an intersectional feminist, but I can't do that if I don't understand the specific experiences that come with being marginalised.

I have read a number of feminist non-fiction books in order to educate myself, but they're all written by privileged women, and will have just a chapter on intersectional feminism, and how sexism can intersect with religion, race, sexuality, gender identity, disability and other marginalisations. Those chapters aren't enough, and I need to educate myself further.

Continue reading Books on My Intersectional Feminist TBR Pile and Wishlist

Mental Illness in YA Month Reading List: Teen Non-Fiction on Mental Illness and Mental Health

Having representation of teens with mental illness is important, but it's also important to understand our mental health and how to look after ourselves, and also to hear from those who have made it through. So today for Mental Illness in YA Month, I'm sharing with you teen non-fiction titles that cover mental illness/health.

Mind Your Head by Juno Dawson

We all have a mind, so we all need to take care of our mental health as much as we need to take care of our physical health. And the first step is being able to talk about our mental health. Juno Dawson leads the way with this frank, factual and funny book, with added information and support from clinical psychologist Dr Olivia Hewitt. Covering topics from anxiety and depression to addiction, self-harm and personality disorders, Juno and Olivia talk clearly and supportively about a range of issues facing young people's mental health - whether fleeting or long-term - and how to manage them, with real-life stories from young people around the world.

With witty illustrations from Gemma Correll. From Goodreads.

Continue reading Mental Illness in YA Month Reading List: Teen Non-Fiction on Mental Illness and Mental Health

Review: Red: The Natural History of the Redhead by Jacky Colliss Harvey

Red: The Natural History of the Redhead by Jacky Colliss Harvey (Bought) - Red is the first book to explore the history of red hair and red-headedness throughout the world.

With an obsessive fascination that is as contagious as it is compelling, author Jacky Colliss Harvey begins tracing the redhead gene in prehistory as it made its way out of Africa with the early human diaspora, only to emerge under Northern skies. She goes on to explore red hair in the ancient world (from China to the Islamic kingdom of the Khazars), the prejudice manifested against red hair across medieval Europe, and red hair during the Renaissance as both an indicator of Jewishness and the height of fashion in Protestant England, thanks to Elizabeth I.

Colliss Harvey also examines depictions of red hair in art and literature, looks at modern medicine and the genetic decoding of red hair, and considers red hair in contemporary culture, from advertising to 'gingerism' and bullying.

More than just a book for redheads, Red is a fascinating social and cultural celebration of a rich and mysterious genetic quirk. From Goodreads.

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Review: Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates (bought) - Award-winning campaigner, groundbreaking writer and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura Bates writes a pioneering examination of sexism in modern society. From the blurb.

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Review: Be Awesome by Hadley Freeman

Be Awesome by Hadley Freeman (bought) - Hadley Freeman, Guardian features writer and author of the popular ‘Ask Hadley...’ column, reminds the modern lady to ‘Be Awesome’.

‘Being single is often awesome. You can leave a party when you want to, whether that be 9pm or 9am; you don't have to live in fear of ever hearing yourself described as “my better half”; and you can spend all day lying on the sofa in your pajamas watching “Murder She Wrote” and eating peanut butter straight out of the jar.’

Covering topics vital for any modern woman to consider (from ‘How to read women’s magazines without wanting to grow a penis’ to ‘Beyond the armpit: a guide to being a modern day feminist’), ‘Be Awesome’ tackles body image, sex, dating and feminism head on.

With an attitude that is unfalteringly funny, smart and surprisingly heartwarming, Hadley Freeman is a voice of sanity that every woman should hear. From Goodreads.

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Review: I Call Myself a Feminist, ed. by Pepe, Holmes, Annette, Stride & Mosse

I Call Myself a Feminist: The View From Twenty-Five Women Under Thirty, edited by Victoria Pepe, Rachel Holmes, Amy Annette, Alice Stride & Martha Mosse (review copy) - So why did we title this book I Call Myself a Feminist?

Because this book - for everyone, everywhere - is a statement of intent. Because the word 'feminist' remains under siege, cast aside by some for being too inclusive and broad and because there are many who refuse to identify with it. Because 'I call myself a feminist' is an active, personal and powerful phrase.

We hop that there is at least one essay here that makes your heart beat in recognition, one that you'll want to thrust in front of your friends and family and bellow: 'THIS! This is EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SAY!'

Young feminists - whether you call yourself one or not - this is for you.

This one's for us. From the blurb.

Continue reading Review: I Call Myself a Feminist, ed. by Pepe, Holmes, Annette, Stride & Mosse

Review: Asking For It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding

Asking For It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding (proof) - Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s arrest. Congressman Todd Akin’s "legitimate" gaffe. The alleged rape crew of Steubenville, Ohio. Sexual violence has been so prominent in recent years that the feminist term "rape culture" has finally entered the mainstream. But what, exactly, is it? And how do we change it?

In Asking for It, Kate Harding answers those questions in the same blunt, bullshit-free voice that’s made her a powerhouse feminist blogger. Combining in-depth research with practical knowledge, Asking for It makes the case that twenty-first century America—where it’s estimated that out of every 100 rapes only 5 result in felony convictions—supports rapists more effectively than victims. Harding offers ideas and suggestions for addressing how we as a culture can take rape much more seriously without compromising the rights of the accused. From Goodreads.

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Review: Start Your Day With Katie by Katie Piper

Start Your Day With Katie by Katie Piper (review copy) - A beautiful gift edition of Katie Piper's popular page-a-day affirmations book.

'Positive affirmations helped me in my darkest times to focus on my health and happiness, and to remember I was not alone. I know how well they worked for me in regaining my life, and now I want to share them with you.'

Be inspired by the uplifting thoughts, quotes and mantras that helped give Katie Piper courage and hope after her rape and acid attack. They are one of the tools she used to rebuild her life. With Katie's guiding messages, you can begin every day on the right track. Keep this book by your side or give it to a loved one, for positive inspiration and inner strength whenever times get tough. From Goodreads.

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Review: Girls Will Be Girls by Emer O'Toole

Girls Will Be Girls by Emer O'Toole - Emer O'Toole once caused a media sensation by growing her body hair and singing 'Get Your Pits Out For The Lads' on national TV. You might think she's crazy - but she has lessons for us all. Protesting against the 'makey-uppy-bulls**t' of gender conditioning, Emer takes us on a hilarious, honest and probing journey through her life - from cross-dressing and head shaving, to pube growing and full-body waxing - exploring the performance of femininity to which we are confined.

Funny, provocative and underpinned with rigorous academic intelligence, this book shows us why and how we should all begin gently to break out of gender stereotypes. Read this book, open up your mind and, hopefully, free your body. GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS is a must-read wake-up call for all young women (and men). From Goodreads.

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Review: True Face by Siobhan Curham

True Face by Siobhan Curham (review copy) - Don’t show me your tweet-face
Or ur txt spk
Show me your True Face
And let your heart speak

It’s time to unmask the real you.

We are living in the age of the image – the perfect image. From the constant bombardment of air-brushed photos, to the dubious lifestyle choices promoted by celebrities and the obsession with social media, young women are under pressure as never before to project a persona of perfection. And this is having a catastrophic effect, with girls as young as seven developing eating disorders and female self-loathing reaching epidemic proportions.

True Face is part mystery, part adventure. The mystery comes in working out who you truly are, the adventure comes in planning the life you really want to lead. From body image, bullying and social media, to love, sex and more, plus expert advice on how to silence your inner voice of doom, Siobhan Curham encourages women and girls to be honest, dream big, and create lives that are happy and fulfilling.

Keep Calm and Carry On is replaced by a new mantra: Forget the Fake and Keep it Real. From SiobhanCurham.co.uk

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Review: A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis - A Grief Observed comprises the reflections of the great scholar and Christian apologist on the death of his wife after only a few short years of marriage. Painfully honest in its dissection of his thoughts and feelings, this is a book that details his paralysing grief, bewilderment and sense of loss in simple and moving prose. From Amazon UK

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Review: Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey by Katherine Formosa Bown (#Ad)

Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey by Katherine Formosa Bown

I was sent this review copy for free by Katherine Formosa Bown for the purpose of providing an honest review.

If someone you love and care about has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and you’re feeling a little helpless, scared and not sure what to do next, then this is the book for you. ‘Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey’ will provide you with what you need to know right now. Everything from diagnosis and treatment to coming out the other end and most importantly, this book explains clearly how you can make a difference. Written by a recent breast cancer survivor, this book will give you first hand information on how you can support her with easy-to-understand explanations, tips and advice so you can be there every step of the way for the person that you love. From Amazon UK

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Review: A New Dawn: Your Favourite Authors on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series

A New Dawn: Your Favourite Authors on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series, edited by Ellen Hopkins - A New Dawn invites readers to join some of their favourite YA authors as they look at the phenomenal Twilight series with fresh eyes. Edited by bestselling author Ellen Hopkins, it is packed with the debates readers engage in with their friends: Should Bella have chosen Edward or Jacob? This collection also goes further to compare the Quileute werewolves with Native American wolf myths, the Twilight series with Shakespeare. With contributions from Megan McCafferty, Cassandra Clare and many more, this is a clever, fresh perspective on the popular series. From Amazon UK

I don't normally review non-fiction, but seeing as it's full of essays by YA writers, talking about a YA novel, I thought a review made sense.

Back in 2008, I took a course at uni called Young Adult Fictions. It was pretty much English Lit, but for YA fictions (which included movies, TV, etc, but mostly books). It was in this class that I first read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Not only did I fall in love with that book, but YA in general. I picked up New Moon. Then I picked up Eclipse. And when I wasn't reading other books for my class, I started them again. And again. I just loved them. As you can guess, I ended up writing my essay on the series. In the same year, A New Dawn was originally published - I say originally because it was an exclusive for Borders. In America. Which meant I couldn't buy it, even though it would have been FANTASTIC for my essay. A few weeks ago I discovered that the book had been re-released in this form when on the Smart Pop's website. Finally I could buy it! Although I enjoyed reading the series, I enjoyed having to look at the books analytically for my essay, which made this book a must buy for me.

It's just so good! It's so interesting to see what other people got from a book you've read, and the different topics that can be - and have been - discussed. There are essays that discuss whether or not Edward is a sociopath, using the seven official criteria used to diagnose Antisocial Personality Disorder, why girls fall for the bad guy, comparisons to the classics mentioned in the books. There are two really fun essays I want to mention in particular.

Dear Aunt Charlotte is an essay by Cassandra Clare, where she acts as agony aunt and replies to a "fangirl's letter" asking who is the better choice for Bella, Edward or Jacob. She answers by looking at the vampires and werewolves in movies over several decades. Then there's The Great Debate by Rachel Caine where she discusses the argument that vampire-themed fiction represents thinly veiled sexuality and violence - ergo, vampire fiction, specifically the Twilight series, which has brought vampire-themed young adult fiction to the forefront, is not suitable for young adults. What's brilliant about this essay is that she writes it as a transcript to a TV programme called The Great Debate, where two professors of literature argue against two fangirl bloggers - and she writes with the brilliant skill of capturing the teen voice like she does in her Morganville Vampires series. Not only is it detailed with theories on both sides, it's also very funny!

There are also brilliant essays that look into Native American wolf myths, and compare the Quileute beliefs and wolves to them, one that looks into the history of vampires in literature, and another that explores real life Forks. There is a wealth of interesting things to read for both those who are fans of the series, and those who like reading with their analytical hat on.

However, being someone who has read the books numerous times, I did spot a few errors, like the reason behind why Edward feels he's lost his soul, and confusing the meadow for where they play baseball. They're not overly major errors, but they are there, and there are around five, if not more. This may bug some hardcore fans, but it doesn't change or effect the points the authors are trying to make.

A really interesting read, one I would really recommend. The authors that contribute to this unauthorised anthology are Ellen Hopkins (editor), Susan Vaught, Megan Mc/cafferty, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Anne Ursu, Linda Gerba, Ellen Steiber, K. A. Nuzum, Cara Lockwood, Cassandra Clare, James A. Owen, Robin Brande, Janette Rallison and Rachel Caine.



Published: 29th September 2009
Publisher: Smart Pop
Buy on Amazon US

Continue reading Review: A New Dawn: Your Favourite Authors on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series

Review: Evidence of Angels by Suza Scalora with Francesca Lia Block

Evidence of Angels by Suza Scalora with Francesca Lia Block (review copy) - Open your eyes. Open your mind. Open your heart. They are with you every day. They are everywhere. They are angels. Open and begin your journey.... From Amazon US.
Suza’s own spiritual journey is reflected in her powerful new book, EVIDENCE OF ANGELS, in which she chronicles her path from dark and difficult times to living in the light of awareness and Love through the support and wisdom of angels. From Myth.com

I don’t normally review non-fiction, but when emailed by Suza Scalora asking if I would like to review Evidence of Angels, I thought I would give it a go. I have an interest in art and photography, so this sounded like something I could appreciate.
This review is going to be a little different from my normal reviews, as I feel I need to explain a bit about me for you to understand my views of the book. I was baptised Church of England when I was younger, and I went to a Catholic school, but I lost my faith along the way and I am now an atheist. I am of the opinion that, although I don’t believe, if other people find peace or joy from their faith, that can only be a good thing. I am fascinated by religion and people’s beliefs, and I’m envious of what people get from their faith.

I was quite interested in reading Evidence of Angels; as I said, I’m fascinated by what people believe, and was looking forward to reading Suza’s story. It’s full of joy, hope, and peace of mind, and I’m sure those with faith will find it a book full of miracles and comfort. It’s a wonderful story, and the idea that there are all these angels that one can call on in times of need is just lovely.

Even those without faith who have no interest in spirituality will still find enjoyment in Evidence of Angels; the striking photos are just amazing! Suza is a professional photographer, all the images in the book are her own, and one could look at Evidence of Angels as an art book as well as a spiritual book. The photos are absolutely magnificent, so bright and colourful, and just so beautiful. Suza was nice enough to include a note to me on a promotional postcard when she sent me the review copy, and it’s just gorgeous! It will definitely be going on show. This is the type of book you would pick up time and again, if just to look at the wonderful photos.

I could be wrong, but my interpretation of the book is that Suza's story isn't supposed to be a story of "this is exactly what happened", but a story of a fictional journey written to explain an internal journey, so it's half fictional half non-fictional; you're not supposed to believe the words written as fact, but as Suza's spiritual truth. To explain what I mean, it's made clear that the photos have been set up, as explained in the extract below, from an interview with Suza which was included with the review copy, where as the story claims the photos were taken of what was actually physically there at the time.

"I use photography as a tool to communicate something, which is very difficult to see without human eyes. The photography of angels are representations of the angels I have experienced in my own life... The reason I titled this book Evidence of Angels is because photographs are evidence. And quite honestly, some of the best examples of 'proof' lie beyond something that we can hold in our hands because it transcends the material world. Rather, it is a deep sense of knowing within your own self that something larger and more beautiful than we can imagine exists in this world."

Evidence of Angels is such a beautiful book with Suza’s photos and certainty in her beliefs and the existence of angels. It’s a great book, and brought a smile to my face.

Thank you to Suza Scalora for sending me a review copy.



Published: 29th September 2009
Publisher: Harper Collins
Buy on Amazon US
Suza Scalora’s Website

Other Reviews:
The Story Siren
Tales of Whimsy

Continue reading Review: Evidence of Angels by Suza Scalora with Francesca Lia Block