The Bibliollama

Title: The Mini ADHD Coach
Author: The Mini ADHD Coach
Dates read: 29/04/25 - 01/05/25

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publisher: Vermillion
Number of pages: 204

Fiction or non-fiction: non-fiction
Subject or genre: adhd, psychology, self-help

Book blurb:

When Alice Gendron was diagnosed with ADHD aged 29, she knew she didn't fit the usual ADHD stereotypes. And she knew she wasn't alone. With 10 percent of the population worldwide living with ADHD, it's still highly misunderstood.

Can you have ADHD and still be able to focus? Do you have to be hyperactive to get a diagnosis?

The Mini ADHD Coach will set the record straight. Through Alice's much-loved illustrations, you'll learn:

- How ADHD can impact your daily life, from getting dressed and commuting to dating and making dinner
- How to deal with strong emotions after your ADHD diagnosis
- What ADHD expressions, such as analysis paralysis, hyperfocus and time blindness, really mean
- And how to finally understand yourself

Full of insider tips, daily hacks and an important glossary of ADHD language, this book will show you that you are not alone and that by with working with your brain, not against it, it is possible to thrive with ADHD.

How I discovered or acquired this book: It jumped off the library shelf, waving emphatically at me!

My thoughts: Reading The Mini ADHD Coach felt like a deep exhale — like someone had finally cracked open my brain and gently said, “Hey, that’s valid.” Alice Gendron has written an incredibly kind, affirming, and practical guide to understanding ADHD, especially as it presents in adults who might have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.

What makes this book stand out is its friendly tone, the adorable and spot-on illustrations, and the way it captures both the frustrations and the magic of an ADHD brain without judgement. It doesn’t talk down to the reader. Instead, it holds your hand through everything from executive dysfunction to rejection sensitivity to the joy of hyperfocus.

For me, the real beauty of this book lies in how seen and understood I felt while reading. It wasn’t just educational — it was emotional. Every page was like a hug that said, “You're not lazy, broken, or weird — you're wired differently, and that’s okay.”

This is an ideal read for anyone newly diagnosed, self-diagnosing, or simply wanting to understand themselves or someone they love. It's also a gentle, approachable resource for those who might be overwhelmed by more clinical texts.

Title: How to be a Renaissance Woman
Author: Jill Burke
Dates read: 30/03/25 - 21/04/25
Rating 3/5

Publisher: Wellcome Collection
Number of pages: 338
Fiction or non-fiction: nonfiction
Subject or genre: art, feminism, history

Book blurb:
Plunge into the intimate history of cosmetics, and discover how, for centuries, women have turned to make up as a rich source of creativity, community and resistance

The Renaissance was an era obsessed with appearances. And beauty culture from the time has left traces that give us a window into an overlooked realm of history - revealing everything from sixteenth-century women's body anxieties to their sophisticated botanical and chemical knowledge.

How to be a Renaissance Woman allows us to glimpse the world of the female artists, artisans and businesswomen carving out space for themselves, as well as those who gained power and influence in the cut-throat world of the court.

In a vivid exploration of women's lives, Professor Jill Burke invites us to rediscover historical cosmetic recipes and unpack the origins of the beauty ideals that are still with us today.

How I discovered or acquired this book: I searched the 'art' section of Borrowbox for something that would fit the prompt 'Nonfiction about visual art or an artist' on The StoryGraph's Genre Challenge 2025

My thoughts This one was an interesting but slightly uneven read for me. Jill Burke’s How to Be a Renaissance Woman is a fascinating look at the lives, expectations, and realities of women in Renaissance Europe - challenging the polished, often idealised image that history books (and art galleries!) have offered us for years.

There were parts I found genuinely engaging, especially when Burke zoomed in on the day-to-day details and individual women’s stories. The blend of art, history, and social commentary was thoughtful, and I appreciated how the book tried to cut through the romanticism of the period.

But I struggled a little with the flow and structure — at times it felt more like a collection of loosely connected essays rather than a cohesive narrative. While the content was definitely informative, it didn’t always hold my attention the way I hoped it would.

Overall, I’m glad I read it - it offered fresh perspectives and plenty to think about - but it didn’t completely click for me. A solid 3 stars!

A dark and compelling fantasy about sisterhood, impossible tasks and the price of power, from award-winning author T. Kingfisher

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra―the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter―has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince―if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.