pickComprised of three books (“My Childhood,” “In The World,” and “My Universities”) by the famed Soviet writer Maxim Gorky. It‘s touted as one of Russian literature‘s best autobiographies, which I agree with. Gorky (a pseudonym meaning “bitter”), who grew up in ghastly poverty, is a fantastic observer of Russian peasant life and its hard-bitten cruelties alongside its simultaneous spiritual raptures, all under the last half-century of tsarism.
so-soThis memoir offers a look behind the scenes of one of the most private First Ladies in recent history. Melania has a quiet strength and protective nature. The book could have benefited from better editing. I wonder if this was due to challenges in finding an editor she trusted. (She notes how she was let down by people she relied on, leading her to take more control over her responsibilities.) An interesting, if imperfect, memoir. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚
pickLoved this book. I learned so much more about his life growing up. A really great book
pickMy favourite quote from Ken Done comes from the introduction and reads “I love it that people have a $20 poster in their bathroom.” because my Mum is the OG Ken Done fan in the family AND we had a framed Ken Done poster in the bathroom!
Great coffee table book.
pick4 Stars • I found this inside-peek to be very uplifting. Melania Trump published her memoir titled "Melania" in late 2024, which discusses her Slovenian childhood, modeling career, and life as First Lady. The book ends just after the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt on her husband, Donald Trump. The book has been both praised and criticized, with some seeing it as an inspirational account of resilience, while others view it as shallow.
My favourite Christmas present was from my Mum, I love Ken Done (half my wardrobe is dresses made from Ken Done fabrics and I have KD sheets on my bed too) - so this is all extremely 😍🤩 to me!!! (There was also a little nutcracker on the outside of the parcel that I forgot to add in - so she really hit on two things I absolutely adore)
Merry Christmas!
It‘s not Christmas without the Avengers 🌂🥂
pickGrace Tame was Australian of the year in 2021 for her advocacy for legal reform regarding sexual assault survivors being able to speak publicly #LetHerSpeak. She was also responsible for changes of the wording of the crime noting that “the word relationship has connotations of consent”. What a fierce and inspirational woman.
