TV Series Review: “Girlboss”

Image Source: Netflix

“Adulthood is where dreams go to die“, Sophia Marlowe declares in the series premiere of Netflix original “Girlboss”. Edgy, abrasive, brazen, the series is about a lost 23-year-old who had no idea what her talents were, before stumbling across an East West calfskin jacket for $9 in a local vintage shop. “Know what you s— is worth. You just got played” Sophia tells the vintage shop owner, before flipping the jacket on eBay for $600.

“Girlboss” is inspired by the best-selling memoir of the same name, by real-life rags-to-riches mogul, Sophia Amoruso. The series is a “real loose” telling of how the Nasty Gal entrepreneur built a clothing empire, worth $300 million in sales, from nothing. The 13-episode dramedy was created by screenwriter, Kay Cannon (Pitch Perfect), along with Amoruso herself, and Charlize Theron as executive producers.

Sophia is a strong, sassy, savvy hustler, who doesn’t care if she is likable or not. We are introduced to Sophia as a dumpster diving, shoplifting, entitled, and narcissistic millennial. Despite this, you can’t but help root for Sophia’s success throughout the series. As “Girlboss” progresses, Sophia recognises the error of her “garbage person” ways, both leading her on the path to grow as a person, and to further her success.

Book Review: “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult

The Lowdown:

“Small Great Things” is told with frank honesty, thus is quite a heavy, challenging read. In true Jodi Picoult style, the novel deals with a compelling moral dilemma and intractable social justice issues. Set in contemporary America, the novel tackles racism, inequality and prejudice. Ruth, an innocent African-American labour and delivery nurse, finds herself faced with the consequences of a medical incident involving the death of an infant child belonging to white supremacists. Offering very different angles of events, and insights into differing life circumstances that have each led the characters to be who they are, the story is told from three different points of view – the African-American nurse, Ruth; her Caucasian lawyer, Kennedy; and the late infant’s white supremacist father, Turk. Throughout Ruth’s trial, she and Kennedy work on gaining each other’s trust –  great introspection is achieved through each of their perspectives in the novel; both Ruth and Kennedy have to question their beliefs and what they have been taught about others and themselves. Through Turk’s perspective, Picoult explores the radical ideas behind white supremacy, and beliefs behind their immoral social behaviours. Overall, the novel is quite thought-provoking, brutal at times, and an important narrative.

Book Review: “My (Not So) Perfect Life” by Sophie Kinsella

The Lowdown:

Named on the Goodreads 2017 “Reading Challenge: Top New Releases” , I thought I should give another Sophie Kinsella novel a read – and I am glad I did!

Katie Brenner, a country farm girl from Somerset, has had one goal her whole life – to succeed in London. The protagonist struggles to find her identity in a world that is obsessed with the images that people portray online and in real life. Working as a research associate at a large branding agency in London, Katie changes her image and even her accent to reinvent herself as “Cat”. Persisting to remain optimistic – through her long city commute, tedious work tasks, her tight budget, a tiny room whereby an overhanging hammock is her closet, and oddball roommates – Katie’s expectations of the “perfect London life” fall short. Despite this, Katie is adamant on remaining upbeat and portraying an image of perfection on her Instagram page. 

Book Review: “The Undomestic Goddess” by Sophie Kinsella

The Lowdown:

A high-powered, respected lawyer Samantha Sweeting, runs away to a small country town unexpectedly, to pursue a vocation as a housekeeper because of a horrible mistake at work. Groomed into workaholism from a young age by her mother, Samantha successfully rose above the ranks to the point where she was about to make partner at the top-tier law firm in London. Dazed and in the middle of a meltdown due to the huge mistake that could cost her successful career, Samantha jumps on a train to a small country town in the middle of nowhere. Keen for a glass of water and directions, Samantha walks up to the first house she sees. There she is mistaken for an interviewee for the position of a housekeeper, where she hired. Here’s the catch – Samantha cannot cook or clean, to the point where she has no idea how to make toast or use a washing machine!

Magazine Review: Collective Hub

Collective Hub is a magazine that never ceases to inspire me. Filled with passionate content, it is aimed at “Game changers, thought leaders, rule breakers and style makers”. The magazine has a sense of making a difference by motivating people to find their purpose, and provides interesting real life examples through success stories.