Didn’t inhale this issue as fast as I usually do. I think a lot of the reason why I struggled is because I didn’t really understand some the articles Didn’t inhale this issue as fast as I usually do. I think a lot of the reason why I struggled is because I didn’t really understand some the articles due to having not read a particular book or seen a particular film. I really enjoyed the articles about seeing faeries and about Dante Rossetti and William Blake. Not my favourite issue but still very interesting....more
I absolutely bloody loved this book. Irreverent, exploratory, informative and funny, 'A Curious History of Sex' absolutely obliterated my post-travel I absolutely bloody loved this book. Irreverent, exploratory, informative and funny, 'A Curious History of Sex' absolutely obliterated my post-travel reading slump and gave me much to think about and laugh about over the last couple of days. If you’ve ever followed Kate Lister on social media, you’ll already have a rough idea of what you’re getting into. I’ll never think of the humble bicycle in quite the same way again.
This was a very excellent overview of the history of sex which which covers off a wide-range of sex-related topics at a very high level (vaginas, clits, penises, orgasms, sex toys, reproduction, contraceptives, language, legislation, medicine, sex workers…). The history Kate delves into is pretty Western, cis, and hetero-centric, but she gives a little disclaimer/explanation at the beginning and also does try to discuss and bring in other cultures and sexualities where possible. Although I’d have personally loved a bit more in-depth intersectional analysis of certain topics, there is an extensive bibliography provided along with further reading suggestions, so I mostly just strapped myself in and enjoyed the ride.
And what a ride! Some of the things human have made up or surmised with regards to sex over the centuries are truly mind-boggling and laugh out loud hilarious. Of course, on the flip side of that, humans have done a lot of fucked up, batshit crazy stuff to do with sex as well. Kate Lister drags it all out in the open and presents it with its pants down for all of us to see. Despite her academic credentials, her writing style is very informal, littered with historical slang and sprinkled with her own wry observations that I personally found very easy and an absolute delight to read. For those who don’t know Kate Lister, she is a very sex-positive and outspoken feminist who is absolutely not afraid to give her (very informed) opinion on contentious issues such as abortion and prostitution. I personally love this about her writing, but if you’re seeking a drier, more academic and objective tone when it comes to your sex history, you probably won’t find it here.
My edition of this book is also packed full of beautiful colour images that really enhanced my reading experience. They’re not at all safe for work, obviously, but definitely made me smile or wince upon multiple occasions.
Speaking of wincing, this is an adult non-fiction book about the history of sex—which is often disgusting and brutal. Expect graphic scenes of sexual and medical content, accounts and instances of sexual violence, horrifying contemporary sources packed full of sexism, misogyny and more, and an entire chapter dedicated to FGM which still managed to trigger a vasovagal syncope episode from me, despite in-text warnings from Lister.
A very thought-provoking and compulsively readable popular science book that I cannot recommend highly enough. Loved it....more
I have been visiting Breckenridge as a skiing tourist on and off for the last 20 years. My parents own a timeshare there, so, when I do go, it feels lI have been visiting Breckenridge as a skiing tourist on and off for the last 20 years. My parents own a timeshare there, so, when I do go, it feels like a second home. In all the time I’ve gone there however, I’ve never given the rich mining history or Wild West origins of the town much thought.
That changed this year when my partner and I decided to explore the local area and attend one of Gail Westwood’s walking ghost tours. We also did her Voices from the Grave tour which focused more on the town’s history using residents’ graves in Valley Brook Cemetery as a starting point. Both tours were excellent and Gail was a wonderful host; very knowledgeable and full of stories of the town’s residents, both in the past and present. When she mentioned she had a book, I knew I had to buy it.
I’m delighted to report this book contains all the wonderful stories Gail told us on her tour, plus many she did not. ‘Haunted Breckenridge’ contains a lovely mix of real history mixed with the paranormal happenings reported by those that live there, and presents a completely different side of this tiny little ski resort town I’ve grown to love so much. It was also very vindicating to read that a restaurant I’d previously visited and gotten a weird eerie vibe from (called Mrs E and Me, now Twist) is indeed haunted by a woman named Mrs. Charles Hardy. Ha! I knew it!
As with any book about real-life ghost stories, one has to take what is written with a pinch of salt, but Gail’s writing is matter of fact, to the point, and rooted in real history so there’s still plenty to learn hidden among all the reports of paranormal happenings. This is definitely something to be enjoyed as a companion piece to the excellent ghost tour, but it’s also a lovely keepsake to have as a tourist with the intention to return. I look forward to exploring some of the buildings and museums described in here someday in the future.
This was an unflinchingly honest and very moving book. I used to watch iCarly with my sister sometimes (Jeanette McCurdy played Carly's best friend anThis was an unflinchingly honest and very moving book. I used to watch iCarly with my sister sometimes (Jeanette McCurdy played Carly's best friend and co-star, Sam Puckett). Reading about Jeanette's actual experience of being on the show vs. my perception of her when she was playing Sam is absolutely stark. Jeanette's mother controlled absolutely every single aspect of her life. Not just her career, but also money, education, food intake (which gave her several eating disorders), cleanliness (she showered her daughter right up until adulthood), health (she performed regular breast and vaginal exams to 'check for cancer') and was generally speaking very emotionally and physically abusive.
I listened to the audiobook which is read by Jeanette herself, and it was honestly the best reading experience for me. Who better to imitate family members and colleagues than the author recalling what they sound like? There are also a few moments where Jeanette cries on the recording as well, which in turn made me cry. Her writing is very very good: witty, sharp and biting, and shies away from nothing. Her words are shockingly sad, but told with such a dry, dark, self-depracating sense of humour that makes for very compelling reading. I didn't laugh once and I think blurbs that try and market this book as humorous clearly read a different book to me, because it's not really very funny. The humour is just there to mitigate the effed up nature of what's being said.
Overall I wouldn't say I enjoyed reading this book—because it really is quite horrible subject matter—but I'm really glad I read it and I'm so pleased Jeanette has quit acting and moved into writing now. She is a brilliant writer and a great talent, and I look forward to seeing what she does next.
Another interesting read from Hellebore. This issue was perhaps not my favourite as I hadn't seen or read any of the books or films around which the aAnother interesting read from Hellebore. This issue was perhaps not my favourite as I hadn't seen or read any of the books or films around which the articles centred, so it was a bit harder for me to actually get the point of some of the articles. Beautiful illustrations, as always. I very much enjoyed the chapter about labyrinths....more
It’s been quite a while since I read an issue of Hellebore, but it is always a delight to return to their pages. Some of these articles are the best IIt’s been quite a while since I read an issue of Hellebore, but it is always a delight to return to their pages. Some of these articles are the best I’ve ever read from this little independent magazine. The 2021 Samhain issue concerns summoning rituals, objects used to summon, and of course, historical figures famous for the act of summoning.
‘Hell Is Other Readers’, ‘The Devil’s Prayer Book’, ‘Spinster Satanism’ and ‘The Land Between God and the Devil’ are all excellent and tap into my personal interests of feminism and heresy. Meanwhile, I personally found ‘Dr Dee’s Ottoman Adventure’ quite inaccessible and difficult to follow, being so unfamiliar with its subject, Dr John Dee. It’s always going to be the case that you get along with some articles rather than others, but I greatly enjoyed the majority here that were included.
The final article concerning the inversion of Guy Fawkes from villain to a figurehead of rebellion is particularly wonderful, and hands down my favourite Hellebore article to date.
Onto the next issue… I have a lot to catch up on!...more
Simply brilliant investigative journalism. If you are not familiar with the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her medical/tech startup company, Theranos, Simply brilliant investigative journalism. If you are not familiar with the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her medical/tech startup company, Theranos, then I promise you, you are in for a wild ride. Prior to reading this, I had listened to ABC's true crime podcast, 'The Dropout', which tells the story of Holmes' rise to power and subsequent downfall. I think that's a good place to start if you're a bit wary of picking up a whole book on a subject you know nothing about, and it includes a bunch of interviews with key players as well. If however you're ready to dive in, John Carreyrou—the author of this book—has you covered. He is the Wall Street Journal journalist who cracked the case after being contacted by whistleblowers from within Therenos.
When my workplace book club selected 'Bad Blood' as its pick for November, I was a bit concerend I'd get a bit bored, being familiar with the case already. Not so! Being so close to the case and having already put in the work, Carreyrou is able to go into so much more detail than any podcast or televisual documentary about exactly what went wrong with Theranos. He's also really good at providing clear and concise descriptions of complex science, so you never get lost. The end result is a powerful, damning indictment of not only Theranos, but corporate investment and the legal system. How many other companies like Theranos are out there, preying on vulnerable people and terrorising their employees into secrecy?
Despite being a non-ficton book, the sheer contents of this case read like a compulsive thriller. It really does beggar belief just how far social engineering will get you in the business world and how unscrupulous people can be when it comes to people's health and lives if money is involved. It also highlights the importance of investigative journalism, media literacy, and why freedom of press is so essential.
Just all round good stuff. Can't recommend this book enough....more
This was a really interesting, morbid little read. The overall tone is pretty light-hearted for a subject that’s often upsetting and gross, making it This was a really interesting, morbid little read. The overall tone is pretty light-hearted for a subject that’s often upsetting and gross, making it really easy and quick to get through. My main criticism would perhaps be that it’s very American-centric, but then Caitlin herself is American and is pretty open about the fact she’s talking from her own experience; she makes no secret of the fact she isn’t overly au fait with other cultures’ attitudes and their rituals surrounding death.
This is probably my least favourite of all the ‘Hellebore’ magazines I’ve read so far, as a few of the articles just weren’t all that interesting to mThis is probably my least favourite of all the ‘Hellebore’ magazines I’ve read so far, as a few of the articles just weren’t all that interesting to me. However, there are a couple of absolute standout articles: ‘The Hexham Mystery’ (about a couple of cursed heads supposedly from the Iron Age, but more likely from the modern era, that terrified everyone) and ‘The Abyss of All Being’ (about the terror of the discovery of “deep time” and the knowledge of how truly insignificant the human race is by the Victorians). Both of these articles were amazing and among the best I’ve read in the magazine series so far!
I also really appreciated that we get a bit more diversity in this book from the writers and contributors themselves. It makes the whole thing feel so much more rounded with the variety of perspectives....more
I really enjoyed reading this very light, breezy and enlightening collection of female pirate stories. It genuineActual rating 3.5 stars rounded down.
I really enjoyed reading this very light, breezy and enlightening collection of female pirate stories. It genuinely did introduce me to pirates I’d never heard of before, and spans from as early as Ancient Greece to 1920s New York. Jeanne de-Clisson, Rachel Wall and Sadie Frost were particularly enormous fun, and I always enjoy reading about my faves Anne Bonny and Cheng I Sao.
That being said, the details really are very fleeting and the prose is overly simplistic. I didn’t realise this was a YA non-fiction book when it was gifted to me, but it definitely skews very young. I also thought the decision to frame all these women as role models was very odd. Female pirates definitely need their stories to be told and they are every bit as important to pirate/naval/military/economic history as their male counterparts… but at the end of the day, most of them were still violent criminals who terrorised, tortured and killed people.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this. I would definitely have liked more detail, but that’s because I love reading about pirates and can’t get enough of them. This isn’t meant to be an in depth pirate history, and there’s a large bibliography to encourage further reading. I appreciate it for what it is and love that I have it in my collection....more
I think this is my favourite issue of ‘Hellebore’ so far. I loved all but two of the eight articles featured here. I found ‘The HaunActual rating: 4.5
I think this is my favourite issue of ‘Hellebore’ so far. I loved all but two of the eight articles featured here. I found ‘The Haunting of Cold Christmas’ particularly interesting and thought-provoking, and ‘Children of the Snow’ made me very nostalgic for all the wintry books I loved as a child. I really recommend this offbeat magazine....more
Really enjoyed this issue of 'Hellebore', which focuses on malefice practises in witchcraft. As always, some articles are more interesting than othersReally enjoyed this issue of 'Hellebore', which focuses on malefice practises in witchcraft. As always, some articles are more interesting than others. My favourites were 'The Deadly Doll of Combe' and 'The Museum Of Shadows'. I love this magazine, it's so interesting and off-beat....more
Really enjoyed this issue—even more so, perhaps, than the first. The ‘Wild Hunt’ and ‘Voodoo Drums in Cornwall’ articles were particularly good, and IReally enjoyed this issue—even more so, perhaps, than the first. The ‘Wild Hunt’ and ‘Voodoo Drums in Cornwall’ articles were particularly good, and I loved the interview with Alan Moore. A couple of features left me baffled, and I really wish ‘The Pagan in my Blood’—an examination of feminists claiming the god Pan for their own—had been longer because it was so interesting, but overall, I really love this weird little magazine. Looking forward to reading the ‘Malefice’ issue!...more
Very much enjoyed this first issue of Hellebore; a small-press magazine dedicated to British folk horror. Some of the articles in here were more interVery much enjoyed this first issue of Hellebore; a small-press magazine dedicated to British folk horror. Some of the articles in here were more interesting than others (‘From His Blood the Crops Would Spring’, ‘The Bodies In The Bog’ and ‘The King of Terrors’ were my favourites), but overall it was really well put together. Looking forward to reading future issues....more
I feel like this book set up a premise that it didn't deliver on. I've read one other Jon Ronson book before this one (So You've Been Publicly Shamed)I feel like this book set up a premise that it didn't deliver on. I've read one other Jon Ronson book before this one (So You've Been Publicly Shamed) and I can definitely say he maintains his trademark informal, curious, empathetic voice on the subject of psychopaths. Ultimately though, it's not really clear what it is he's trying to say, or indeed if he's trying to say anything at all.
Is it possible to diagnose a psychopath? Should we, as lay people, be diagnosing them in our everyday lives for our own safety? Are we all a little bit guilty of psychopathic traits? What is normal? Do we also—both wittingly and unwittingly—exploit people, namely the mentally ill? Are psychopaths actually mentally ill people who need our help, or should we lock them away and throw away the key?
Ronson wanders down several meandering paths to try and answer these questions, including criminal psychopathy, corporate psychopathy, media exploitation and big pharma. Ultimately though, he seems to be heaving a big metaphorical shrug. This "eh" conclusion worked quite well for So You've Been Publicly Shamed, but I don't think it worked so well here, namely because: for a book called 'The Psychopath Test', there was a disappointing amount dedicated to actual psychopathy.
A surprisingly large chunk of this book is dedicated to media exploitation of the mentally ill, Scientology, and 7/7 and 9/11 conspiracy theorists. The first chapter talks about a weird viral marketing campaign involving a handmade book, whilst the final chapters explore the profitability of over/under/misdiagnosis of children. Whilst these chapters are all absolutely fascinating and definitely relevant to the book's subtitle—'A Journey Through the Madness Industry'—they were not remotely relevant to the subject of psychopathy. On top of that, the profitability of business derived from defining, diagnosing and incarcerating psychopaths wasn't really explored as a topic either. This was despite the figure of Bob Hare, renowned psychopathy expert, being portrayed in a pretty negative light. I yearned for Ronson to take the leap and dive down deep into the nitty gritty underworld of psychopathy and mental health, but he never did. Everything was very surface-level and safe.
Nevertheless, I remain consistently surprised (and impressed) by how successfully Jon Ronson secures his interviews. He's a really good journalist capable of asking incisive, sometimes potentially offensive questions in such a warm and empathetic way that his subjects can't help but open up.
On the whole, this was a really quick, engaging, surface-level read that ponders a lot of questions about mental health and exploitation, but I would encourage readers to perhaps lower their expectations a bit when it comes to the subject matter (namely, don't go in expecting to learn anything about psychopathy). Like So You've Been Publicly Shamed (but less successfully), it's a springboard for discussion, but it didn't quite go far enough, for my tastes....more
I am lowering my rating for this book from 3 stars to 2, as it does not even touch upon the possibility of embedded infection or chronic UTI, whicETA:
I am lowering my rating for this book from 3 stars to 2, as it does not even touch upon the possibility of embedded infection or chronic UTI, which I have now been diagnosed with 6 months later. Although Kilmartin is highly skeptical of the reliability of dipstick and culture tests in her book, and believes that Interstitial Cystitis is not a real condition, she doesn't touch upon the topic of embedded infection or chronic UTI at all (despite alluding to Professor Malone-Lee's clinic and work in the IC section). Ergo, although I found this book quite useful in terms of managing my condition, I was never going to find any 'cure' here.
If you've been diagnosed with IC and/or have received repeated negative cultures back from the lab, please look into getting tested for chronic UTI by a chronic UTI specialist first (details of which you will NOT find in this book). There's lots of information out there about it on the internet, and any reputable bladder health charity (e.g. Bladder Health UK) can put you in touch.
Note: I praise my urogynecologist in the below review. 4 1/2 months later, I rescind all my praise; she confused me, gaslit me and contradicted herself every single time I saw her, made me cry on numerous occasions, and then told me I was making myself unwell and that my pain was all in my head/caused by hormones. Although she did prescribe me with the medicine I needed at the time I wrote the review (i.e. ANTIBIOTICS), she prescribed it for the wrong reasons (to "treat inflammation, not infection") and then took me off them. What I needed was to stay on them!
Original review:
Probs a TMI review. I don't even care at this point. I've been so unwell for so long that any embarrassment about my illness has long-since evaporated and I want to talk about it all the time. This is a hugely common, female-specific health issue that is misunderstood, overlooked and not talked about. It should be talked about, because suffering through this has been the loneliest experience I've ever had, and I don't EVER want another woman to suffer as I have—alone and lost and suicidal. Angela Kilmartin had the same ethos back in the 70s, and it's why she wrote this book.
I confess to not reading this book from back to front (it's an encyclopedia, after all; I'm not pregnant, do not have a child and am not menopausal, so why would I bother reading those parts?), but I did read the parts that applied to me in full, and dabbled elsewhere for more info. It's split into 3 parts: urinary tract infections, sexual cystitis and the chronic condition, interstitial cystitis—known more commonly as IC.
I'm currently in recovery for an absolutely horrendous case of cystitis that cut short my holiday in Italy, led to a month off work and essentially brought my life to a screeching halt. I'm still suffering with inflammation 1 month and 19 days after my symptoms first appeared, and have to watch what I eat whilst I heal up, lest I spend the next day hunched over a hot water bottle and sobbing into my decaf. At its peak, I truly believed I'd wrecked my body completely, that I'd developed IC (as informed by Dr. Google, repeatedly) that nothing would ever work again and that I'd never get well... My mind went to some dark, dark places, much to the despair of my poor, poor partner, who quite frankly has been amazing throughout this entire ordeal. How else was I meant to feel when I was in constant pain 24/7 and no one could give me a definitive answer as to why? No one I knew had suffered as badly as this for as long as I had. All my tests came back negative, so I had to battle with numerous GPs to agree to prescribe me antibiotics. They tried to write me off with overactive bladder and told me to put it out of my mind. Honestly? Nothing has opened my eyes up more to the lack of knowledge and support in female-specific health-issues than this entire experience with my poor, poor bladder.
In her book, Angela Kilmartin lists all possible causes of cystitis under the sun, how to prevent yourself from getting it, and how to treat it yourself if and when it strikes. She basically did what I needed her to do: filled in the gaps of my knowledge obtained through friends who are nurses (well-meaning, but sometimes misinformed), numerous visits to the GP (also well-meaning, but scarily more misinformed than the nurses), my urogynecologist (an absolute ANGEL who finally prescribed me the medication I needed) and Dr. Google (THE WORST, oh my God, 0/10, would not recommend). This book explains some very key things I wish I'd known 2 months ago:
1) Why cystitis so unbelievably painful, and why it takes so long to heal up when you've had a really bad infection (long story short, your bladder is a giant bag of nerves that's in constant use, so filling it is a bit like rubbing salt-water on a healing burn wound). 2) Reassurance that I will get well, and how to be patient/help yourself in recovery and not aggravate the bladder further. 3) Why my tests always came back negative, and how to prevent them from coming back negative in the future. 4) Best practise to stop infections recurring (I'm extremely fortunate that I've never suffered with cystitis before this year and I absolutely do NOT ever want it to recur again, so I'll definitely be using some of these; I can't believe some woman put up with this and accept it as normal, my God). 5) Why a negative test result does not necessarily mean a lack of infection. 6) How to deal with an attack to give yourself the most relief. 7) Most importantly (backed up by some very reassuring information from my urogynecologist), I don't have interstitial cystitis, Dr. Google, FFS!!!
Although informative, Kilmartin is very shouty and self-congratulatory in her delivery, which... fair play, the woman revolutionised UTI prevention back in the 70s, so she's absolutely earned the right to shout and brag. That being said, it can come across as very off-putting. I felt like I was being lectured the vast majority of the time, and that can undermine reader confidence in what she's saying; a real shame, because what she's saying is worth knowing!
I also found her advice regarding sex particularly patronising, outdated, kink-shaming and incredibly heteronormative. I know that Kilmartin is giving best practise advice, but I've seen her leave angry responses on Amazon reviews insisting women MUST follow her advice to the absolute letter, or woe betide them, they will definitely get a UTI. I've been wearing jeans my entire life, for example (an absolutely 'no, NEVER, EVER' in Kilmartin's book), and it's only just this year I've experienced real trouble with cystitis; there's no way jeans were the cause. Therefore, despite what Kilmartin says, you absolutely can pick and choose from this book what best applies to you—you know your body better than she does (though I'm sure she'd say otherwise!).
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone who suffers with either recurrent UTIs, or—like me—if you're suffering from a particularly bad bout, are looking for answers the doctors can't give and/or you feel like your pain will never end. Angela Kilmartin is here to tell you how to ease your suffering, and reassure you that it can, and will end.
Short, punchy and to the point... just like a good synopsis should be! I'm currently prepping to enter a writing competition which requires me to writShort, punchy and to the point... just like a good synopsis should be! I'm currently prepping to enter a writing competition which requires me to write a synopsis. This book provides valuable advice in a calming, encouraging way that doesn't shy away from tough love. Definitely recommended! I'll be coming back to this book a lot over the coming days....more
What a fantastic and thought provoking book. Told in her own words, ‘Man Into Woman: The First Sex Change’ tells the remarkable story of Lili Elbe; thWhat a fantastic and thought provoking book. Told in her own words, ‘Man Into Woman: The First Sex Change’ tells the remarkable story of Lili Elbe; the first trans woman to ever undergo gender affirmation surgery and be fully and legally acknowledged as a gender other than the one assigned to her at birth.
At the time of Lili’s transition, so little was known or even acknowledged by the scientific community about gender dysphoria. Lili had no pre-existing words, context or anything to understand or explain how she felt. The surgeries she underwent were largely experimental and fatally dangerous, but they were also completely pioneering and, despite ultimately costing Lili her life, saved it. The relief, joy and wonder Lili conveys in her new life as a passing woman is truly lovely and wondrous to read. She had little to no psychological support following the culture shock of transition and her prevailing strength and fortitude in the face of such hardship is inspiring. Her death was a tragedy, and the closing pages of this book are desperately bittersweet. What a thing it is that Lili shared her journey with us; that we have this unique and insightful document into a journey so few of us take.
I was also eternally struck during my reading how loving and accepting Lili’s friends and family were of her predicament and how willing they were to help. In present day 2023, trans people in the U.K. (thanks She Who Will Not Be Named) are still so vilified and mistrusted by the media and general public, and face so many obstacles to simply live as themselves. How can pre-Nazi Germany in 1931 have so much to teach us about empathy, love and strength? I wish I could gift this book to every radicalised TERF. It saddens me so much that it’s so hard to get hold of a copy of this book now. I think a friend bought this one for me off of eBay many moons ago.
I should mention that this is very much a book of its time with lots of misgendering and deadnaming by its very design. Several outdated terms are also used, and there are elements of gender essentialism and internalised misogyny in Lili’s thinking. It’s clear Lily was very privileged and wealthy and that is what ultimately enabled her to travel so widely and seek the best care she could get. It’s also worth mentioning that the narrative suggests Lili may have been intersex instead of trans, but this has apparently been disputed. In any case, this is a fascinating and important historical document, and I am so very glad to have read it....more
