The Corset by Laura Purcell Book Cover Image Sticky post
Historical Fiction

The Corset by Laura Purcell: Feminist Historical Fiction with a Magical Realism Twist

Rating: 3.5 stars

Genre: Historical fiction

Summary: Dorothea has enough of her own worries – trying to continue her studies of phrenology under the disapproving eye of her father, dodging her simpering stepmother-to-be at society balls, and dissuading men with matrimonial hopes. Yet when visiting a woman’s prison on charitable errands, she feels drawn to the tragic story of Ruth Butterham, a maid and seamstress condemned to death for the murder of her mistress.

Ruth is an enigma, a girl of only sixteen who has already endured a lifetime of suffering. Always refusing to become a victim, this young prisoner holds onto a burning core of vengefulness that allures and repels Dorothea in equal measure. Is Ruth guilty, or is her confession the product of her own disturbing delusions? Continue reading The Corset by Laura Purcell: Feminist Historical Fiction with a Magical Realism Twist

Florence @ Miscellany Pages2 Comments
Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch Book Cover Image
Non-Fiction

Most Important Lessons from Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch

I recently finished listening to the audiobook of Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch, an exploration of what it means to be mixed-race in Britain that is both broad and deeply personal. A traditional, analytical review felt as though it would somehow detract from the invaluable messages that are at the core of this book. With that in mind, I am instead going to list the 5 most important lessons that I took away from reading Brit(ish). Continue reading Most Important Lessons from Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch

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External link to A Dose of Empowerment: My Top 5 Memoirs Written by Women (Magazine Article)
Magazine Articles

A Dose of Empowerment: My Top 5 Memoirs Written by Women (Magazine Article)

I wrote this article for ‘We Love Memoirs Day’ which apparently happens every year on 31st August! It features some of my favourite memoirs by women writers, from Audre Lorde to Raynor Winn. I hope you enjoy reading… Continue reading A Dose of Empowerment: My Top 5 Memoirs Written by Women (Magazine Article)

Florence @ Miscellany Pages6 Comments
Stress Free Book Blogging Tips Cover Image
Blogging, Bookish Lifestyle, Features

Stress-Free Book Blogging: 7 Personal Tips

I think we can all agree that before starting book blogging, we had no idea how time-consuming it would turn out to be! As well as actually reading books and writing posts, there are social media platforms to manage, photos to take, websites to design and emails demanding responses. It’s no wonder that many bloggers (myself among them!) have found themselves getting overwhelmed.

Over four years of book blogging, I’ve developed a number of strategies focussed on keeping me sane above making my blog uber-successful! I thought I would collect these tips together into an ultimate guide to stress-free book blogging… Continue reading Stress-Free Book Blogging: 7 Personal Tips

Florence @ Miscellany Pages11 Comments
The Book of Pride by Mason Funk Book Cover Image
Non-Fiction

The Book of Pride ed. by Mason Funk: Get Inspired by LGBT+ History!

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Non-fiction

Summary: Feeling a debt of gratitude to his queer community’s elders, and determined not to let their stories be lost to history, Mason Funk established Outwords, a charity dedicated to travelling the length and breadth of America to interview LGBT+ elders. From swanky offices to rural snowstorms, the Outwords team seek queer stories wherever they can find them, determined to record as many of the movement’s perspectives as possible.

The result is The Book of Pride, a collection of interviews with LGBT+ pioneers, including John S. James (HIV treatment campaigner), Diana Rivers (author and women’s rights activist) and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (trans community leader). Continue reading The Book of Pride ed. by Mason Funk: Get Inspired by LGBT+ History!

Florence @ Miscellany Pages2 Comments
External link to A Beginner Enters the True Crime World (Magazine Article)
Magazine Articles

A Beginner Enters the True Crime World (Magazine Article)

Rather than a list of recommendations, this article is more of a personal reflection on my experience with the true crime genre. While I initially felt a bit dubious about true crime and its ethical issues, I’m now utterly addicted to the genre and I think it has the power to transform how we think about justice. I hope you enjoy reading… Continue reading A Beginner Enters the True Crime World (Magazine Article)

Florence @ Miscellany Pages2 Comments
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson Book Cover Image
Literary, Memoir

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson: Quirky Lesbian Coming-of-Age Tale

Rating: 3 stars

Genre: Literary, Semi-autobiographical

Summary: Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a semi-autobiographical bildungsroman novel that draws upon the author’s own childhood and life experiences. In a small Northern town in the 1950s and 60s, Jeanette is being raised by her formidable mother as a good Christian girl who dreams of becoming a missionary.
However, after falling in love with one of her female converts, Jeanette embarks on a series of lesbian love affairs that will force her to confront the darker sides of her community. Determined not to choose between her love of women and her calling as a preacher, she must fight to retain her identity, sexuality, and faith intact. Continue reading Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson: Quirky Lesbian Coming-of-Age Tale

Florence @ Miscellany Pages9 Comments
Blogging

Miscellany Pages Turns 4!

This week I’m celebrating 4 years of blogging here at Miscellany Pages! To be honest, I started this blog because I thought it would look good on my personal statement when I was applying for university. I had no intention for it to become a significant part of my life. But I fell in love with the writing process and the ever-inspirational book blogging community, … Continue reading Miscellany Pages Turns 4!

Florence @ Miscellany Pages18 Comments