Ugh this book was a tough read, but I liked it so much. A touching tale about growing up in the American South as a Black child. I will never understaUgh this book was a tough read, but I liked it so much. A touching tale about growing up in the American South as a Black child. I will never understand as long as I live. There was some stuff in this book that made me gasp when I read it, though I know it to be unequivocally true. Maya Angelou has been through a lot in her life, even in the few years this book covers. I'm glad she was able to tell her story. ...more
An incredible read. Selena's story is definitely tragic, but in this book, Chris Perez manages to show the life and beauty of the real Selena, rather An incredible read. Selena's story is definitely tragic, but in this book, Chris Perez manages to show the life and beauty of the real Selena, rather than focusing on her tragic end. He does a wonderful job of showing her talent, beauty, humanity, and selflessness, portraying her as a true human being instead of just a celebrity. ...more
Yikes. This book had so much potential. Hedy Lamarr is a very interesting historical character with an interesting story to tell. However, this whole Yikes. This book had so much potential. Hedy Lamarr is a very interesting historical character with an interesting story to tell. However, this whole book, titled "Hedy's Folly", was mainly about the men surrounding Hedy. The information presented in the book was interesting and the author clearly took his time researching the different inventions of George Anthiel (who co-invented the missile navigation tech with Hedy), it just pissed me off that the whole book was basically about him when it's made to look like a book about Hedy. The author also mentions several times how beautiful and thin Hedy is. Emphasis on thin. He even said, "She was sick with influenza and had lost weight, enhancing her beauty". Like, gross. Even though Hedy Lamarr has said on record that her looks are unimportant to her and her work, that is still all the author talked about. This book was highly disappointing, and Hedy would be rolling in her grave....more
I love reading about these iconic women of America's past, but damn is it sad. Bettie Page, like most of the women I've read about so far, was an incrI love reading about these iconic women of America's past, but damn is it sad. Bettie Page, like most of the women I've read about so far, was an incredibly influential person and was well-known across the country. However, she ended up dying poor and alone because society tossed her to the wayside. I've seen a pattern of women like Bettie Page, women who use their bodies shamelessly and enjoy doing so, are simultaneously wanted and unwanted. Society creates a demand for women like Bettie Page, but then shames them and destroys their lives for supplying that demand. Even today, men are jacking it to Bettie Page, so why was she treated so poorly in her later life?
Society (and men) are a recurring problem in these biographies I'm reading. ...more
This book was a truly wild ride. Though titled "Vampira", this book is more about American society in general in the 1950's and how she satirized it. This book was a truly wild ride. Though titled "Vampira", this book is more about American society in general in the 1950's and how she satirized it.
Vampira was an incredibly influential character that came out about seemingly out of nowhere. Her impact, at the height of her popularity, was massive. However, she only was in the spotlight for about a year. This book goes on to explain her time in Hollywood, and how society went on to ostracize her for doing the very thing they loved. She was a completely subversion of modern society and though was widely popular, she went on to die alone and had a hard life after she was blacklisted from Hollywood. This is a very touching story and shows how fickle society can be. I would highly suggest reading it. ...more
Cassandra Peterson's life has been NUTS to say the least. This book was a great telling of her life growing up in the 60's and 70's and of Oh my god.
Cassandra Peterson's life has been NUTS to say the least. This book was a great telling of her life growing up in the 60's and 70's and of course, her life as Elvira. It was really giving "On the Road" vibes and I loved it. I'm heartbroken to see how many people mentioned in this book were rapists and pedophiles though (I looking at you Wilt Chamberlain). Horrible stuff happened to this woman, even from an early age.
Cassandra, I love you and your work so much. Keep on going!...more
I am a die-hard Disney fan. This book was an incredible eye-opener for me. I love to see how much women truly did for the Disney company, but I hate tI am a die-hard Disney fan. This book was an incredible eye-opener for me. I love to see how much women truly did for the Disney company, but I hate to see how hard they had it and how nonexistent their recognition was. It's disheartening the way that women were treated by a man and company that I have revered for a lifetime. I love how Nathalia Holt wrote about these; she was incredibly detailed, and I love that she talked about their lives and careers as a whole and not just how they contributed to Disney. It really rounded these women out and let them be seen as actual humans instead of just cogs in the Disney Machine....more