SHOCKAHOLIC by Carrie Fisher

Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While going through my Kindle books this afternoon, this one caught my eye. Then I started reading, and kept going until I reached the end.

Carrie Fisher never fails to capture my attention. She was quite the storyteller. She had such an eventful, and sometimes hard life, but it's impossible not to listen when she talks. Her words are like a spell that captivates the reader. So much that sometimes you forget you're actually reading about someone's real life.

In this book, she talks very honestly about her decision to have ECT to help cure her depression and soften her erratic thoughts. It was fascinating to read about what it involves and the side effect of memory loss. I was also shocked (pardon the pun!) to find out she had this procedure done quite a few times.

I enjoyed how easily she flowed from one thing to another. Nothing is off limits: her parents, step-parents, her drug use, the friendships that hurt the most, her daughter, her connection to Michael Jackson, Star Wars, being a celebrity, her weight... everything and anything.

It's entertaining, hopeful, and sad as well. She was a deeply troubled person who struggled with a lot, but she was also hopeful and interesting. Engaging, cared about people. She was larger than life, and absolutely hilarious.

This is the second Carrie Fisher book I've read but it won't be the last.


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LOVE, PAMELA by Pamela Anderson

 

Love, Pamela: Her new memoir, taking control of her own narrative for the first time by Pamela Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I'm not sure why I was interested in reading this memoir. I mean, I am from a generation that remembers the huge phenomenon that was Baywatch, and because of that, I was aware of Pamela Anderson. It was hard not to know who she was because for a while there, she was everywhere.

Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. Pamela Anderson and Kelly Slater. Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock. It seemed like she was known for the men in her life as much as she was for her work. Which might be why I'm not what you'd consider an actual fan.

Then, she faded away but resurfaced after that movie was released. The fact she wanted to tell her story, her way, is what drew me to this book. And I think it started out pretty strong. I enjoyed the way she blended poetry into the narrative, the introduction to her family's origins, and her honesty. But unfortunately, as the book moved along, I started to lose interest.

I think my problem is that sometimes, especially during the last half of the book, she seemed to speed through and skim past a lot. Everything moved too fast, and in the end, lacked emotional engagement. I just couldn't connect entirely.

The best thing about this memoir is that Pamela never hides behind her decisions and choices. Especially since she made so many questionable choices along the way. I mean, Tommy Lee? 😧

Anyway, maybe I wasn't the right audience. I don't know.

 

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ALL THE LIVING AND THE DEAD by Hayley Campbell

 

All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this book listed on Kindle Daily Deals and was instantly intrigued. I mean, I write horror stories, watch true crime documentaries and read a lot of thrillers, so of course I'm curious about the business of death and the people who do these jobs.

Actually, I wrote a novel featuring a funeral home (that needs revising) last year, so... yeah. I had to read this.

Before I say anything else, let me just mention how heavy this book is. Not only because it's packed with useful facts and figures, but emotionally. It's so emotionally taxing, I took my time reading it. But it was well worth my time.

Hayley Campbell isn't shy about her interest in death. She's fascinated by it, mostly because she wants the answers no one can provide. No matter what religion tells you, we have no idea what comes after and this is a question that haunts humans most of their lives. But more than that, she's on a quest to find out about the people who perform all the essential background duties. All the very important medical, clinical, physical tasks most don't want to think about. Who are these people who deal with death on a daily basis? How do they deal with it? Why did they sign up for these jobs? Are they kind and caring? Morbid and creepy?

Well, this book certainly puts a spotlight on a lot of very interesting and intriguing people. Hayley conducts detailed interviews and all of the professionals she speaks to explain a lot about what they do and why they do it.

These are the people she interviews or the places she goes: a funeral director, the Mayo Clinic, an artist who makes death masks, international emergency services, crime scene cleaner, executioner, embalmers, anatomical pathology technologist (APT), bereavement midwife, grave diggers, crematorium, cryonics, and a police officer.

She even mentioned Rotten.com. OMG. My husband and I (before we were even married) saw quite a few distressing images on this site. 😳

I also liked the way she rounded everything out with the pandemic.

This is a great book, but isn't for everyone because there are plenty of in-depth descriptions, disturbing topics, and imagery that sticks.

 

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YOURS CRUELLY, ELVIRA by Cassandra Peterson

The woman behind the icon known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, the undisputed Queen of Halloween, reveals her full story filled with intimate bombshells-told by the bombshell herself.

Yours Cruelly, Elvira is an unforgettably wild memoir. Cassandra doesn't shy away from revealing exactly who she is and how she overcame seemingly insurmountable odds. Always original and sometimes outrageous, her story is loaded with twists, travails, revelry, and downright shocking experiences. It is the candid, often funny, and sometimes heart-breaking tale of a Midwest farm girl's long strange trip to become the world's sexiest, sassiest Halloween icon.

I've had my eye on this book for quite a while, so I want to thank Hachette Australia for sending me a beautiful hardback copy.

Wow. After reading the first sentence, I knew I was going to enjoy this incredible and very interesting ride because Cassandra's voice hooked me instantly. I love her storytelling style and how easily and naturally she introduced the concept of Elvira, before taking us back to her early childhood.

Cassandra's life is fascinating, so I'm glad she finally decided to pen this amazing book. She wasn't even out of her teens and she'd already crossed paths with Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix! 👀

It doesn't get cooler than that. Especially when you add becoming a Vegas Showgirl, meeting Elvis, and having the misfortune of crossing paths with Tom Jones to the mix. And that's without considering her long and adventurous career.

She's open and honest about everything she went through—the good and the bad—and certainly doesn't shy away from anything. No matter how funny or scary. But most of all, I found her to be genuine and down to earth. For someone who survived a life in the celebrity spotlight, she sure is cool, nice and reasonable.

Yep. All of this drips off every page of her memoir and I couldn't wait to get back to read more to find out what happened next. Or who she met before they were stars. Not to mention the established stars she encountered. As well as the many fascinating places she worked, the opportunities she found along the way, and the many relationships/friendships she made throughout.

There are several sad and/or low points in Cassandra's life that made me sad or angry, because the unfair treatment of women in any industry never fails to enrage me. But I love her tenacity and that no matter how hard things got, she managed to keep going. Pretty much refused to give up, and I admire the hell out of that.

Yours Cruelly, Elvira turned out to be even better than I imagined. Sometimes when you highly anticipate something it lets you down, but not this book. Cassandra is one amazing and super talented lady with a horror-loving heart that I enjoyed spending time with. 🖤

Actually, I enjoyed it so much that I read most of it out loud to my husband. It was a great way for both of us to experience this awesome book.

This is definitely a memoir worth reading!

Yours Cruelly, Elvira, June 2022, ISBN 9780306874352, Hachette Books

CURSED OBJECTS Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items by J.W. Ocker

 

Cursed Objects: Strange But True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items by J.W. Ocker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This little beauty caught my eye for two reasons: that cover is amazing, and cursed objects intrigue me. Besides, I'm always looking for new research fodder for my own stories. 😁

I had a LOT of fun reading this book, and liked the awesome illustrations throughout. The hardcover edition is stunning and packed full of interesting info. As well as some unexpected humour, which I wasn't expecting but really enjoyed.

There were quite a few objects that I already knew something about, but so many I didn't. After all, I'm a huge fan of creepy dolls. And OMG, there's even a section that covers chain emails. I remember when these were huge and packed full of urban legends.

I also found the Antikythera Mechanism absolutely fascinating and will have to find out more.

This might look like a thick book, but it's a breeze to get through.

I'm adding this creepy volume to my Keeper Shelf! 💀

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THE MENOPAUSE MANIFESTO by Dr Jen Gunter

 

The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability. Factor in widespread misinformation, a lack of research, and the culture of shame around women's bodies, and it's no wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition and beyond.

Menopause is not a disease - it's a planned change, like puberty. And just like puberty, we should be educated on what's to come years in advance, rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information. Knowing what is happening, why and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring.

Frank and funny, Dr Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about: 

* Perimenopause

* Hot flashes

* Sleep disruption

* Sex and libido

* Depression and mood changes

* Skin and hair issues

* Outdated therapies

* Breast health

* Weight and muscle mass

* Health maintenance screening

* And much more 

Filled with practical, reassuring information, this essential guide will revolutionise how women experience menopause - including how their lives can be even better for it!

This is a book about a subject that is so often ignored and shamed, that as a woman, I couldn't pass up the chance to read something that helps shed some light on a very normal and natural transition.

No matter what the patriarchy tries to sell about this mysterious topic, menopause is just another fact of life.

So, the more we know, the better. 

“Menopause is puberty in reverse” is the best way to describe this next stage in a woman's life. And honestly, looking at it this way helps reshape how we feel about it and will hopefully eliminate some of the negativity.

Dr Jen Gunter sure has a way with words. Not only does she list all the scientific and medical terms associated with this transition, but she also informs us about the history. Of the condition, the actual word, and the sheer inconsiderate way men have mislabelled, dealt with, or stigmatised a part of life we should be talking about as easily as periods, pregnancy and sex.

But we know how this goes. We know how the patriarchal world tries to control the narrative to scare or excuse, not bothering to spend the time and money needed to research this thoroughly. To give women's health the attention it deserves.

That's why I wanted to read this book, to find out the truth and separate the myths from the facts. To understand what's going to happen. And most importantly, to be prepared rather than scared.

So much (of the little) I knew about this subject was tied to fear, and I wanted to change that. Sure, some of the symptoms sound awful and the possible complications even worse, but being properly informed will help change the way I look at what's to come. Instead of being terrified, I can now tackle whatever pops up in the future with knowledge. Both to know when it's an expected symptom, and when to consult a doctor because it could be more.

Having this reference book handy will definitely help.

The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism is a book full of very detailed and relevant information, because there's a lot to learn and consider. It helped me understand why menopause happens, how it happens and what to expect. 

This is a reference book ALL women should read. I know I'll be referring back to it when needed.

Thank you so much, Hachette Australia for sending me a copy.

The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism, May 2021, ISBN 9780349427607, Piatkus

UNWELL WOMEN by Elinor Cleghorn

 

'We are taught that medicine is the art of solving our body's mysteries. And as a science, we expect medicine to uphold the principles of evidence and impartiality. We want our doctors to listen to us and care for us as people, but we also need their assessments of our pain and fevers, aches and exhaustion to be free of any prejudice about who we are, our gender, or the colour of our skin. But medicine carries the burden of its own troubling history. The history of medicine, of illness, is a history of people, of their bodies and their lives, not just physicians, surgeons, clinicians and researchers. And medical progress has always reflected the realities of a changing world, and the meanings of being human.'

In Unwell Women Elinor Cleghorn unpacks the roots of the perpetual misunderstanding, mystification and misdiagnosis of women's bodies, and traces the journey from the 'wandering womb' of ancient Greece, the rise of witch trials in Medieval Europe, through the dawn of Hysteria, to modern day understandings of autoimmune diseases, the menopause and conditions like endometriosis. Packed with character studies of women who have suffered, challenged and rewritten medical orthodoxy - and drawing on her own experience of un-diagnosed Lupus disease - this is a ground-breaking and timely expose of the medical world and woman's place within it.

Just like The Menopause Manifesto, this is a book that I just had to get my hands on. Also, the cover is gorgeous.

As a girl who grew up to become a woman, I'm no stranger to being dismissed or harassed because of my gender. I've also experienced plenty of reactions from male doctors who either made me feel like I was complaining about nothing, overdoing it, or made it sound like every symptom in the world was somehow closely tied to my gender and weight. 

So, of course this book instantly caught my attention. Not just because I'm very interested in this subject, but because I can so relate to the concept of women's health being dismissed.

In this nice and thick book, Elinor Cleghorn lays out the many ways women's health issues are often ignored or misdiagnosed because not enough time and effort is devoted to research. She also shares her own experience after becoming an unwell woman.

I love how much history is packed into the book. Every page is full of handy information about everything. Some, I already knew about, but there's so much more that I didn't. I mean, it starts all the way back in Ancient Greece before covering every century between then and now.

There's a LOT of history and info packed within these pages, and I enjoyed reading about all of it.

Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine And Myth in a Man-Made World is an awesome book packed full of medical history that focuses on women. I found this refreshing, intriguing, and very interesting. 

This is another one of those books every woman should have on their bookshelf.

Thank you Hachette Australia for sending me a copy!

Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine And Myth in a Man-Made World, June 2021, ISBN 9781474616867, W&N

PAPERBACKS FROM HELL by Grady Hendrix

 

Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this gorgeous book for a long time. 👀 So when hubby ordered a copy, I couldn't wait and loved the hell out of it as soon as it arrived. 😍

Seriously, this is a beautiful book full of gory, excellent and cheesy covers. Every page is packed with SO MUCH AWESOME, sometimes it took me forever to turn the page.

Grady Hendrix sure has a way with words, and the way he introduces the many (many) books, authors, cover artists and publishers is outstanding. And hilarious. Plus very informative.

Not to mention how well he captured the way each time period was reflected in horror books from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

I actually had to skip a few story descriptions because I was surprised to find I have quite a few of the mentioned books on my TBR pile. It was also cool to see the many I've already read.

I took my sweet fucking time with this book, and it somehow seems fitting to have finished it on Christmas Day 2020.

Paperbacks from Hell is a must-have book for any and every horror fan's book collection. It's going to look amazing on my bookshelf next to my other, very pretty Hendrix books. 😈💕


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FORGOTTEN WOMEN: The Artists by Zing Tsjeng

The 48 talented and influential female artists that history should never have forgotten. 

 FORGOTTEN WOMEN is a new series of books that uncover the lost herstories of influential women who have refused over hundreds of years to accept the hand they've been dealt and, as a result, have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. From leaders and scientists to artists and writers, the fascinating stories of these women that time forgot are now celebrated, putting their achievements firmly back on the map.

As I mentioned in my previous post, earlier this year I reviewed the first two books in this wonderful and empowering series: The Leaders and The Scientists.

They were both so nice and full of interesting lives, that I just HAD to check out the latest additions.

Just like the others, the first thing that stands out about this book is how pretty the pages are. The words within are as colourful as the illustrations, but nothing shines brighter than the actual lives and talents of so many gifted, yet forgotten, women.

I'm not very good at art, but I've always been interested in many different artistic styles and find a LOT of inspiration in artwork. So discovering so many women I didn't know about, as well as their varied styles, is something I've really enjoyed doing.

Forgotten Women: The Artists is as informative as the previous books, and stunning in its presentation. Ranging from abstract, to performance, craft, photography and design, this edition covers a broad range of artistic flair and the women who create it.

This series deserves a place on my keeper shelf, but more importantly, they're history books that everyone should read!

Forgotten Women: The Artists, September 2018, ISBN 9781788400176, Cassell

FORGOTTEN WOMEN: The Writers by Zing Tsjeng

Putting 48 pioneering and innovative female writers firmly back on the modern map. The women who shaped and were erased from our history. 

FORGOTTEN WOMEN is a new series of books that uncover the lost herstories of influential women who have refused over hundreds of years to accept the hand they've been dealt and, as a result, have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. From leaders and scientists to artists and writers, the fascinating stories of these women that time forgot are now celebrated, putting their achievements firmly back on the map.

Earlier this year I reviewed the first two books in this wonderful and empowering series--The Leaders and The Scientists--so, of course I was interested in checking out the next two. ☺

The first thing I have to mention is that this hardback edition is beautiful. The pages inside are thick and colourful, rich with information about each writer's life and achievements. As well as accompanied by lovely illustrations. 

The design of this book is simply stunning.

I'm a writer myself, and a huge reader, so I was surprised to find that I hadn't heard or read the majority of women mentioned within these pages. So it's also a great introduction to a bunch of new potential authors to look forward to.

  

Forgotten Women: The Writers is both informative and gorgeous. It's a treasure trove of information about important women in history that deserve a lot more attention than they get. Ranging from poets, to novelists, historians and journalists, this book covers a lot of very cool territory.

This is another one I'm very proud to add to my feminist keeper shelf!

Forgotten Women: The Writers, September 2018, ISBN 9781788400183, Cassell

SHE: A Celebration of Renegade Women by Harriet Hall

You are cordially invited to celebrate inspirational women... 

SHE is a love letter to all the women who have thrown out the rulebook and threatened the status quo. It's a toast to the brave, bold and brilliant women who make us proud to be ladies. 

 From fashion icon Coco Chanel to Queen Cleopatra, from literary legend Jane Austen to trailblazer Michelle Obama and from kick-ass activist Malala Yousafzai to the one-and-only Beyonce, SHE honours 100 truly renegade women, from history through to present day. 

 Gorgeously curated and expertly written by Stylist journalist Harriet Hall, and filled with stunning illustrations and stylish typography, SHE is a thing of beauty to be worshipped, just like the women that make up its contents. 

Wow, this hardback book is gorgeous! I love the size, and that it doesn't have a dust jacket. I even love the way the 100 renegade women are featured: a two-page spread with illustration on one side and awesome information on the other. It's so neat and crisp and to the point.

I've been reading quite a few books about women who aren't household mames, although most should be, and am continually fascinated with how powerful and strong women have been throughout history. Even though many didn't get recognition until recently, they pushed on and got things done. 

The bravery these women possessed is inspirational.

I also like the diversity in this book. Not only are there women featured of all colours and from all over the world, but also through the ages and different fields.

SHE: A Celebration of Renegade Women is much more than a reference book about kick-ass women, it's a celebration. An inspiration to encourage the rest of us to keep creating, fixing, inventing--just do what feels right for you and make a difference in a world that often tries to stop us.

This is another keeper, and it's going right next to all the other books in my growing collection.

She: A Celebration of Renegade Women, March 2018, ISBN 9781472249852, Headline Home

FORGOTTEN WOMEN: The Scientists by Zing Tsjeng

Putting 48 pioneering and innovative female scientists firmly back on the modern map.

FORGOTTEN WOMEN is a new series of books that uncover the lost herstories of influential women who have refused over hundreds of years to accept the hand they've been dealt and, as a result, have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. From leaders and scientists to artists and writers, the fascinating stories of these women that time forgot are now celebrated, putting their achievements firmly back on the map.

THE SCIENTISTS celebrates 48 unsung scientific heroines whose hugely important, yet broadly unacknowledged or incorrectly attributed, discoveries have transformed our understanding of the scientific world. From Mary Anning, the amateur paleontologist whose fossil findings changed scientific thinking about prehistoric life and the Earth's history to Emmy Noether dubbed "The Mighty Mathematician You've Never Heard Of" and whose theorem is still critical to modern physics - these are the stories of some truly remarkable women. Chapters including Earth & Universe; Biology & Natural Sciences; Medicine & Psychology; Physics & Chemistry; Mathematics and Technology & Inventions profile the female scientists who have defied the odds, and the opposition, to change the world around us.

The other day I posted my review for FORGOTTEN WOMEN: The Leaders, and on that same day I actually received this very awesome book!

Just like LEADERS, this edition is absolutely stunning. It's hardback and the pages inside are colourful in both illustrations and knowledge. The way everything is set out kept me turning the page, wanting to consume all the information until I reached the end.

Although there are a bunch of women I do recognise listed here, there are too many I didn't. So I'm really grateful to this book for introducing me to these intelligent and innovative women in history.

I hate that these amazing ladies were considered forgotten at any time, because they deserve to be out there in the public eye. Every single one deserves their place in the history books!

Forgotten Women: The Scientists is another outstanding addition to my feminist reference books. I love learning about these very talented women and hope this series of books expands into every field so we can discover all of the pioneers left out for no other reason than their gender.

Love this book!

Forgotten Women: The Scientists, March 2018, ISBN 9781844039838, Cassell

FORGOTTEN WOMEN: The Leaders by Zing Tsjeng

The 48 influential and rebellious female leaders that history should never have forgotten.

FORGOTTEN WOMEN is a new series of books that uncover the lost her stories of influential women who have refused over hundreds of years to accept the hand they've been dealt and, as a result, have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. From leaders and scientists to artists and writers, the fascinating stories of these women that time forgot are now celebrated, putting their achievements firmly back on the map. 

THE LEADERS weaves together 48 unforgettable portraits of the true pioneers and leaders who made huge yet unacknowledged contributions to history, including Grace O'Malley, the 16th century Irish pirate queen; Sylvia Rivera, who spearheaded the modern transgender rights movement; and Agent 355, the unknown rebel spy who played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Chapters including Rebels; Warriors; Rulers; Activists and Reformers shine a light on the rebellious women who defied the odds, and the opposition, to change the world around them.

This is another book that caught my eye while checking out one of the many cool Hachette Australia catalogues I'm lucky enough to read. :)

Firstly, I want to mention how beautiful this book is. It's hardback and the cover is absolutely stunning. The pages inside are just as lovely. All the awesome (and some not-so awesome) ladies mentioned in this book are accompanied with beautiful artwork and different font sizes to highlight different facts. Plus the colours are bright and pretty!

The actual information is fascinating. There are so many strong and intelligent women from all the ages mentioned within, and every single one has their own interesting story to tell. Stories of leadership, sheer strength and determination, as well as pioneers so often kept out of the history books.

Oh gosh. I don't want to get started on how much this angers me. For so many years, history has pretended women didn't exist, so it's about time these stories got out and everyone can start reading about them.

Forgotten Women: The Leaders is another excellent book to add to my feminist book collection. It's also a book that I'll refer to many more times, and will no doubt inspire me for years to come.

So grab yourself a copy!

Forgotten Women: The Leaders, March 2018, ISBN 9781844039715, Cassell

THE WONDER DOWN UNDER by Dr. Nina Brochmann & Ellen Støkken Dahl

THE WONDER DOWN UNDER explains everything you ever wanted to know about the vagina but didn't dare ask. Learn the truth about the clitoris' inner life, the menstrual hormone dance and whether the vaginal orgasm really exists. The book helps you understand how different types of contraception work in the body, what a "normal" vulva looks like and how wearing socks can change your sex life. 

Medical students and sex educators Nina Brochmann and Ellen Stokken Dahl draw on their medical expertise to bring vagina enlightenment to the world. Their no-nonsense approach, written with great humour, makes this a must-read for women (and men!) of all ages. 

Say goodbye to the myths and misconceptions surrounding female anatomy, this is a timely and empowering book that will inspire women to make informed choices about their sexual health. 

When I spotted this title in a Hachette Australia catalogue, I was intrigued. So I asked for a review copy, and I'm glad I did.

This isn't just a very informative book featuring a bunch of stuff women are very familiar with, it's also quite funny. The illustrations alone cracked me up so much I had to show my husband. And couldn't stop cackling. 

There's a LOT of information within these pages. Ranging from normalising how important it is to get to know your own body, how to make informed choices about the many contraception options available, sexual health and how the female anatomy changes throughout a woman's life.

There's even a section about gender identity. But as the title states, this  very crafty reference book is about the vagina.

I really enjoyed it, and think that books like these should be shared with both boys and girls in school. There's too much mystery, misconceptions, and false information kept away from each gender. This creates problems, ignorance and distrust. We should be talking openly about our bodies and sex, instead of demonising everything.

But anyway, I could go on about this for ages...

The Wonder Down Under is a very cool book to have in your library because there's just so much packed inside. I'm going to file it with the rest of my feminist reference books.

Grab yourself a copy!

The Wonder Down Under: A User s Guide to the Vagina, February 2018, ISBN 9781473666900, Yellow Kite

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD by Rae Earl

What I hope you take away from this book: good Mexican food deserves to go viral; good underwear never features the word 'string'; good mental health is the single most important thing you need to live a happy life.

I don't have a psychology degree - in fact, I once tried to throw a typewriter at a child psychiatrist (this was in the days before MacBook pros) - but I do have experience, understanding and coping mechanisms to help you get your sh*t together. From anxiety and eating disorders to OCD and psychosis, I want to help break down taboos surrounding mental health conditions (which directly affect 1 in 4 of us each year - you are NOT alone) and help you come out the other side happier and healthier. I'd also like to gift you with a deeper understanding of what's going on in your head, and how to navigate through life without feeling overwhelmed or isolated. 

Where my lack of medical background becomes an issue, Dr Radha swoops in to the rescue. As a GP, mental-health expert and co-host of BBC Radio 1's The Surgery, I've worked with her to make sure all the information and advice is spot-on. She's clever, she's kind and she GETS it. I wish my teenage brain had had access to Dr Radha.

This was a surprise title I received from Hachette Australia. A book I hadn't expected and didn't know anything about, but it sounded interesting. So I decided to check it out and found myself squeezing in a bit here and there, between some of the other books I've read during the last month.

I wanted to take my time, and finished it tonight.

Rae Earl might not have a degree in psychology, but she's been through enough mental health issues and situations to know a thing or two. And that's why she wrote this book, which is a great way of presenting serious issues such as anxiety, OCD, depression, psychosis, and so much more in a way readers of all ages can both understand and relate to. 

This might be one person's account of a life full of mental health experiences, but there's a lot of familiar issues mentioned throughout, and even some very helpful coping mechanisms. It's also a book that engages the reader and talks to them on a level that feels more like a conversation. There's no judgement, preaching or pushing an agenda, which is essential when dealing with such delicate and sometimes taboo situations.

There were some things that had me nodding my head because I could totally relate, and others I've never experienced/seen. It's quite an eye-opener.

I thought the addition of an actual mental-health expert was a great idea, because it helps support all the things Rae Earl discusses.

The layout is very cool. The illustrations by Jo Harrison are excellent and totally capture so much of the important stuff. It even helps to break everything down so the information doesn't become overwhelming.

Every single person, for a variety of different reasons, will be affected by a certain degree of mental health issues during their life. Or at least know someone who is. So it's important to realise we're not alone, and that there are ways to make it out from under the dark cloud.

It's All In Your Head is a very cool book that deals with some very serious topics, yet is presented in such a fun, interesting and visual pleasing way that the reader is quickly drawn into a comfortable and safe environment. The familiarity in a lot of the experiences will also keep readers stuck to the page.

I'll be passing this over to my teenage daughter so she can check it out too.

It's All In Your Head: A Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together, September 2017, ISBN 978, Wren & Rook 

100 NASTY WOMEN OF HISTORY by Hannah Jewell

100 fascinating and brilliantly written stories about history's bravest, baddest but little known 'nasty' women from across the world. 

In the final debate of the 2016 US presidential election, Donald Trump leaned into the microphone as Hillary Clinton spoke about social security and called his opponent 'such a nasty woman'. The phrase has stuck around and has since become something of a badge of honour for women around the world. 

What better time than now, then, for us to look back and learn a thing or two from the 'nasty' women of the past? Compiled and written by BuzzFeed writer Hannah Jewell, 100 Nasty Women of History contains profiles of women from across every century, race and continent, united in the fact that they were all a bit 'nasty'. From 3rd-century Syrian queen Zenobia to 20th-century Nigerian women's rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, these are the women who were bold and powerful, but maybe put people (men's) backs up by being so. 

100 Nasty Women of History is an accessible, intelligent, hilarious (and sometimes sweary) guide to the history-making women whom you probably don't know - but definitely should.

As soon as I spotted this book listed in the Hachette Australia catalogue, I knew it was something I would definitely like to read. I thought it might quench my feminist heart's desire to learn as much as I can about the real history sexism has tried so hard to conceal.

I'm always interested in reading about women in history. Whenever we deal with textbooks and biographies about the people who helped shape and change our world, the focus is usually solely on men. And I find it very hard to believe that only men are responsible for absolutely everything. Well, except for senseless wars. I have no problem believing that. :P

There's a lot of historical erasure of the female species in our education system. So it's awesome to see that so many women from the past are finally being unveiled for the many important contributions and groundbreaking discoveries they made along the way.

This book focuses on some lesser known women. Some I'd never even heard of, and am now glad I have because of Hannah's research. 

The cover is eye-catching and gives the reader a sense of the book's tone instantly. There are many intriguing stories within these pages. Some about ancients, killers, geniuses and revolutionaries who dictated their own lives. The style is casual, comical and doesn't shy away from 'bad' language. 

So it's informative and fun!

100 Nasty Women of History is a nice addition to any (every, really!) woman's bookshelf. It not only informs, but also inspires and reminds us that when people say behind every great man is a great woman, they really mean: strong, clever and very capable women stand beside real men.

If you've ever wondered about some of the lesser known women--both good, bad and in-between--you'll probably want to check this out.

I'm shelving this book in my reference section, and will no doubt keep referring back to it for future research.

100 Nasty Women of History, November 2017, ISBN 9781473671263, Hodder & Stoughton