Showing posts with label Magda Szubanski. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magda Szubanski. Show all posts
1/06/2016
Favourite Reads of 2015: Part Two
2015 may be done and dusted but judging by the state of my subscription boxes, the favourite declarations are nowhere near over. Today I'm finishing up my favourite reads for 2015. There's a fair few YA novels in the mix and also some of the best, diverse memoirs I have read in a long time. Enjoy!
Am I Normal Yet by Holly Bourne, not pictured-This was a library book, hence the lack of photographic evidence that it was read but trust me, it was! Am I Normal Yet is another book that explores the topic of mental illness, this time anxiety along with obsessive compulsive disorder and to an extent, depression. I remember really enjoying this and found myself identifying with aspects of this story as well as my own high school experience. There's something very special about Holly's writing, I have read two of her books now and I highly recommend you give them a read.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed-I really wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did but I loved it. Given I know next to nothing about tramping and the American outdoors I've found it extremely interesting. Cheryl Strayed sets out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in an attempt to rediscover herself and reflect on the last few years of her life, since her mother's passing. It's a true story which makes it all the more amazing and inspiring. The movie is just as good as the book too.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell-From memory this was one of the first books I read last year but I remember soaring through it because it was such an addicting, captivating read. Set in the eighties, minus all those pop culture stereotypes we know and love, it tells the story of two teenaged outcasts whose paths cross on the school bus. They bond over a love of mixtapes and comic books and the rest as they say is history.
Reckoning by Magda Szubanski*-There were quite a few memoirs read by me last year which isn't that surprising given it's one of my favourite genres. Magda's book explores two key threads of her life; her Dad's polish upbringing and involvement in WW2 and her sexuality. In among that there is snippets about how she became one of Australia's most-loved comediennes. It's one of the most interesting, insightful memoirs I've read in a long time and it was one of those books I couldn't put down from the beginning. Forget what you know about Magda already, there is so much more to her.
Submarine by Joe Dunthorne, not pictured-Thanks to Emma for going on about this book+movie because it got me intrigued and this ended up being one of my favourite books of the year. Dunthorne's writing reminds me a lot of Nick Hornby which is a good thing, obviously. Submarine tells the story of Oliver Tate, a British high school student in the midst of his GCSE's and on the path to understanding the complexities of the teenage girl brain, or in his case, Jordana's mind. Each chapter is constructed as a diary-like entry so it's a quick read. This book is so hilarious though and at times a bit sad but the dialogue and Oliver's thought process were so entertaining to discover. I highly recommend you give this one a read if you haven't already done so.
You Deserve A Drink by Mamrie Hart-I really have Joan Rivers and Grace Helbig to thank for the discovery of Mamrie Hart. She's one entertaining lady and she makes a rather extraordinary cocktail, if her videos are anything to go by. You Deserve A Drink is presented as a book of boozy misadventures and tales of debauchery. To accompany each story there's a cocktail so if you wanted you could become the Julie and Julia equivalent of cocktail creation. Drink responsibly kids. I'm really looking forward to starting this and am expecting hilarity.
-Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?
*Review Copy
11/02/2015
November Reading List
October was a pretty darn good month for new releases so it's no surprise that three of the four books featured here were released during that month. I actually acquired nine new release books last month which is probably the most of the entire year. Today it's all about the memoirs, the classics and a new spin on an old favourite. Here's what's on November's Reading List..
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath-Classic books rarely make their way into my hands, which is bad. I feel like you have to be in the right mood for them, especially if they're a bit more demanding. Austen, here's looking at you. This semi-autobiographical novel follows Esther, a young woman who receives an internship at a prominent magazine in New York but ends up having a mental breakdown during her time there. I'll be honest, I don't know much about this book but I think it was one of the first to explore mental illness, which is why it was so revolutionary for its time.
Binge by Tyler Oakley*-Tyler Oakley has long been one of my favourite YouTubers. There's just something about him that is so appealing, maybe it's his constant positivity. He always seems happy and like such a nice guy. I'm yet to find someone who doesn't like Tyler so maybe it's a universal truth. Well, he's released a book where he reveals all. Just when you thought you knew everything about him from his videos. There's so much more to Tyler and a heap of stories that he reveals for the first time in Binge. I'm reading this at the moment and it's fantastic. Hilarious, at times a little bit cringe but so real and refreshing.
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell-Now I wasn't going to read this book because in all honesty, I don't remember enjoying the fanfiction segments of Fangirl, where this story originated. Something about it intrigued me though and the booktube community seem to love it so I'm trusting their opinions. Carry On tells the story of Simon Snow, a young wizard at the Watford School of Magicks. It all sounds somewhat Harry Potter inspired which I am keen for. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.
Reckoning by Magda Szubanski*-Many of you will know Magda as Sharon Strezelecki from Kath and Kim. It holds a special place in my heart as the show I watched growing up and really formed my appreciation for comedy. Anyway, she's bought out a book and there is so much more to this comic legend than her comedic skills. She has a whole heap of stories, from growing up in Australia with her Polish father and Irish mother, to coming to terms with her sexuality. It's such a fascinating, insightful read and I've not read a memoir quite like it before. This is one of those books to take away to the beach or gift someone for Christmas. They'll love it.
-What will you be reading during November?
*Review copy
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