SEMI-GLOSS: Magazines, motherhood and misadventures in having it all

In the mood for a breezy romp through the world of fashion magazines—and much more? The former editor of Elle Australia delves into her personal history as a mixed-race child, as a teenager obsessed with magazines, and as a young woman pursuing her dreams by becoming first beauty, and then fashion, editor.

Cullen has a sharp wit that is never mean, although I greatly enjoyed her characterization of “clones of Kylie Jenner… selling the astonishing amounts of make-up required… for living your life almost exclusively on Instagram.” These essays are sometimes hilarious, often heartfelt, and frequently tackle serious subjects such as relationships gone wrong, the demands of a career while trying to raise four sons to become good men, women’s friendships, and sexual harassment.

As she writes, “I’ve been a Surfer Chick and a Russian Mafia Moll, lived out all my Almost Famous fantasies on tour with a musician and his band, bored myself to distraction playing Corporate Wife…” as well as girlfriend to a hugely famous English soccer star. An American audience might not be familiar with the Aussie slang and cultural references, but those won’t get in the way of enjoying her misadventures and sharp observations.