ABC Book Challenge: G

This post should have been last week but I was sadly behind posting, thankfully I have all caught up now.

So here is the next letter in the ABC Book Challenge, if you would like to see my previous posts please click on the links below:

A | B | C | D |E | F |

Books I have loved beginning with G

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Gin O’clock by The Queen [of Twitter]

The Gods Trilogy by Terry Pratchett

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott

Gooseberries by Anton Chekov

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

Books on my TBR list beginning with G

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracey Chevalier

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

If anybody has read any of these books please drop me a comment with your thoughts.

Happy Reading.

Matilda by Roald Dahl (Review)

Matilda by Roald Dahl

About the author

Roald Dahl was born on the 13th September 1916 and was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter and fighter pilot. He passed away on the 23rd November 1990.

Blurb

For hundreds of kids “The Trunchbull” is pure terror—for Matilda, she’s a sitting duck.

Who put superglue in Dad’s hat? Was it really a ghost that made Mom tear out of the house? Only sweet, gentle Matilda knows. Because she’s the one playing all the jokes! She’s a genius with idiot parents—and she’s having a great time driving them crazy. But at school things are different. At school there’s Miss Trunchbull, two hundred pounds of kid-hating bully. Pull a trick on “The Trunchbull” and she’ll string you up. Get rid of The Trunchbull and you’ll be a hero for every kid in Crunchem Hall. But that would take a superhuman genius. Or may a sweet, gentle—crafty—genius?

Review

This is another book off my summer reading challenge and a childhood favourite. I must admit it was nice to read a book I have not read since childhood. I still remember when my big sister bought me this book, most of my Roald Dahl books I got off PG Tips boxes but Matilda my sister bought from the local bookshop and I remember wanting to read it straight away. My copy is very well read and getting very fragile.

I love the story of Matilda, I always loved the fact that a small child could reek revenge on adults who think they know more than a child just because they are adults and quite frankly most of the time that adult is an idiot. I remember quite clearly as a child not being listened to or ignored because I was a child and I always swore that I would listen to children when they want to tell me something, and as a teacher I always try to do this and hey I have actually learned a lot.

Matilda is a very gifted young girl who is very different from her family and because of this her family especially her parents do not understand or appreciate her. Matilda soon realises life is unfair but to make it bearable she decides to get revenge in a way the adults would not work out it was her.

The main message of this story was to stand up to bullies and when you do you will realise they are cowards. This is a delightful story that I will always love and I highly recommend it to children and adults because it gives you a feel good feeling and makes you realise that against the odds you will triumph. I gave this book a massive 5 out of 5 Dragons.

Purchase Links:

Waterstones

Book Depository

Friday Poetry: Christina Rossetti

Hello everyone,

I do hope everyone has a very bookish weekend planned ahead.

This week I have chosen another poem by one of my favourites, Christina Rossetti. This poem is about spans of time and to be honest this week I have been thinking a lot about time, working out how long I have before I’m back teaching and also realising that in September I will have very little spare time. As per usual as I have taken on too much and need to sit down and think about how I am going to sort through everything and make it more manageable for myself.

How Many Seconds in a Minute?

How many seconds in a minute?

Sixty, and no more in it.

How many minutes in an hour?

Sixty for sun and shower.

How many hours in a day?

Twenty-four for work and play.

How many days in a week?

Seven both to hear and speak.

How many weeks in a month?

Four, as the swift moon runn’th.

How many months in a year?

Twelve the almanack makes clear.

How many years in an age?

One hundred says the sage.

How many ages in time?

No one knows the rhyme.

Christina Rossetti

Happy reading.

My Cat is a Dick by Malcolm Katz (Review)

My Cat is a Dick by Malcolm Katz

About the author

Malcolm Katz is a distinguished feline behaviourist and author. Some of his most famous work includes peeing in his owner’s school bag, bringing in a bat someone else had killed, and sniffing the eye of anyone who comes close enough.

Blurb

No matter how much of a cat lover you are, you have to admit those loving feelings can be pretty one-way. Cats are total dicks. And here is the photographic evidence.

Review

A few Christmases ago I bought this book for my husband and since then I had forgotten about it until friends who visited for a few days spotted it and commented about it, so then I decided to kill ten minutes and give it a read along with a cup of tea.

Now since living with two cats I have come to realise more and more that cats can be complete jerks! I must admit I am a dog person because a dog always shows love and affection and a cat just ignores your existence.

There is not much to read in this book as it is just photos of cats with a catchy caption to go with it. The pictures are very funny and have some very cute cats however in my opinion some of the captions do not quite fit and are not very amusing.

Some pictures and captions were a bit disappointing and the book could have done without them but overall it was a good book and filled a quick ten minutes. This book would be an excellent gift for cat and animal lovers, especially people who watch a lot of cat videos. I gave it 3 out 5 Dragons.

Lyra thinks the book is great!

Purchase Links:

Waterstones

Mid Week Quote: Sophocles

Greetings fellow readers.

Apologies I have been a bit quiet over the last few days, I have had friends visiting, so I have been having way too much fun visiting places, eating out, chatting and most importantly talking about books! I know I should have done some scheduled posts but I have fallen rather behind on that front. Hopefully I will catch up soon.

My chosen quote for today is by Ancient Greek tragedian Sophocles. Sophocles (c. 497/6-405/5 BC) wrote over 120 plays during his lifetime but sadly only 7 of these have survived. The quote below is from one of his plays that only fragments remain.

“Do nothing secretly; for Time sees and hears all things, and discloses all.”

Sophocles

Happy reading.

Blog Tour for Death of Darkness by Dianne Duvall

Death of Darkness by Dianne Duvall

Delve into the most eagerly anticipated book in New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall’s “utterly addictive” (RT Book Reviews), “fast-paced and humorous” (Publishers Weekly) Immortal Guardians series.

Seth has led the Immortal Guardians for thousands of years. With them fighting by his side, he has protected humans from psychotic vampires, defeated corrupt mercenary armies, defended military bases under attack, and more. But the latest enemy to rise against the Immortal Guardians has proven to be a formidable one, wielding almost as much power as Seth. His goal is simple. He wants to watch the world burn. And he will use every means at his disposal to accomplish it. Seth and his Immortal Guardians have succeeded thus far in staving off Armageddon despite heartbreaking losses. But they have never before faced such danger. Seth has only one wish: to protect his Immortal Guardians family and ensure the continuation of humanity by defeating his foe. But then Leah walks into his life and sparks a new desire.

Leah Somerson has suffered losses of her own. It has taken her a long time to rebuild her life and find some semblance of peace. Then one night a tall, dark, powerful immortal with what appears to be the weight of the world on his shoulders stumbles into her shop, and everything changes. Peace and contentment are no longer enough. Now she wants more. She wants to find happiness. She wants to erase the darkness in Seth’s eyes and replace it with love and laughter. She knows he’s different in ways that make most fear him. Even some of his immortal brethren keep a careful distance. But Leah will not. Nor will she shy away when danger strikes.

The Immortal Guardians Series:

Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians, #1)

Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, #2)

Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians, #3)

In Still Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #3.5)

Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians, #4)

Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians, #5)

Phantom Embrace (Immortal Guardians, #5.5)

Shadows Strike (Immortal Guardians, #6)

Blade of Darkness (Immortal Guardians Book 7)

Awaken the Darkness (Immortal Guardians Book)

About the Author

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians series and The Gifted Ones series. Reviewers have called Dianne’s books “fast-paced and humorous” (Publishers Weekly), “utterly addictive” (RT Book Reviews), “extraordinary” (Long and Short Reviews), and”wonderfully imaginative” (The Romance Reviews). Her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and are routinely deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews,and/or Night Owl Reviews.

Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn’t writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books.

For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com. You can also find Dianne online . . .

Tour-Wide Giveaway:

1 — $50 Amazon Gift Card

1 — $25 Amazon Gift Card

1 — Immortal Guardian & The Gifted Ones Prize Packs that includes; a Death of Darkness tote bag, signed paperback copies of Blade of Darkness and Awaken the Darkness, 13 bookmarks, 13 collector cards, and 5 postcards.

Open to residents of the US and Canada.

Click the picture below to enter.

Author Post

Hello! Thank you for joining me here at Lady Book Dragon. Today we’re celebrating the upcoming release of DEATH OF DARKNESS. If you’re new to my Immortal Guardians series, don’t worry. Each novel and novella can be read as a stand-alone. You’ll just know more about the secondary characters if you read them in order. So if you like powerful preternatural heroes who adore strong women, intense action scenes that will keep you flipping pages well past your bedtime, and romance that is alternately steamy, tender and laced with humor, I think you’ll enjoy Seth and Leah’s book.

I have been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories of elementary school is of anticipating with a great deal of excitement the arrival of the Book Bus, which would offer us a beautiful buffet of shiny new books every month. How I loved those Fridays. 🙂 My appetite for the written word continued to grow over the years. So much so that I’m thinking my current TBR pile could now fill a football stadium. Here is a little glimpse of…

What’s on my TBR List

Lara Adrian’s BREAK THE DAY. I’ve enjoyed Lara’s Midnight Breed series for many years and look forward to devouring the latest installment.

Anna Hackett’s HEART OF EON (Eon Warriors Book 3). I’ve been delving into sci-fi a lot lately—movies, TV shows, and books. And while doing so, I found this series. The heroines are strong and courageous. The heroes are, too. I really enjoyed the first two books and can’t wait to read the third.

Laurann Dohner’s next NEW SPECIES book. And the one after that. And the one after that. I love Laurann’s New Species series and have reread the books or listened to the audiobooks countless times. So whenever I hear she’s releasing another one, I can’t wait to get my greedy little hands on a copy.

Cynthia Sax’s THE CYBORG’s SECRET BABY. I’ve heard very good things about this sci-fi romance and can’t wait to read it.

Stephen King’s THE BILL HODGES TRILOGY. I am a huge admirer of Stephen King. He has such an amazing way with words and is a wonderful storyteller. I just love his writing, so I’m very much looking forward to reading these books.
So what books are on your TBR List?

Thank you to Dianne Duvall for choosing me to feature on your Blog Tour, this is the first Blog Tour I have ever featured on my blog. I am very excited to read Death of Darkness and eagerly awaiting the 20th August.

Friday Poetry: Robert Graves

Happy Friday!

I hope everyone has a good weekend planned.

I am sticking with my fairy theme this week and have gone for another fairy related poem.

This poem is by Robert Graves (1895-1985) who was an English novelist and poet. He is perhaps most famous for his fictional autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius, I, Claudius.

I’d Love to Be a Fairy’s Child

Children born of fairy stock

Never need for shirt or frock,

Never want for food or fire,

Always get their heart’s desire:

Jingle pockets full of gold,

Marry when they’re seven years old,

Every fairy child may keep

Two strong ponies and ten sheep;

All have houses, each his own,

Built of brick or granite stone;

They live on cherries, they run wild –

I’d love to be a fairy’s child.

Robert Graves

Happy Reading

Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by Fereydoon Batmanghelidj (Review)

Your Body’s Many Cries for Water: You’re Not Sick; You’re Thirsty: Don’t Treat Thirst with Medications by Fereydoon Batmanghelidj M.D

About the author

Fereydoon Batmanghelidj M.D was born in 1930 in Iran and was a trained doctor who practiced medicine in the United Kingdom before he returned to Iran. He wrote many books related to health and wellness.

Blurb

You are not sick, you are thirsty! Don’t treat thirst with medications! This is an absolute must-read classic book on natural health. This ground-breaking book is the first of Dr. B’s You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty series of books. It introduces a new paradigm for preventing and treating many degenerative diseases. A self-help book that reveals the new knowledge of the amazing health values of natural, simple water in maintaining personal health.

Review

I got this book because it was part of the recommended reading for the Diet and Nutrition Diploma I am working on and whilst dipping into it for certain references I thought I would read it all. I am so pleased I did because I loved it.

I’ve always known since school that drinking water is beneficial to the body but after starting this course and reading more about the need for drinking water I have realised that it is critical for our bodies and must admit when I drink plenty of water I do feel more energised and focused.

This book has many interesting theories about just what water can do for you. A lot of these benefits I have heard of but the others in this book are completely new to me. The ones that intrigued me the most were the claims that asthma and allergies could be cured by being properly hydrated. As an asthma sufferer I was interested and found the chapter very interesting although I’m not sure I will give up my inhalers just yet and try using water and salt to cure an asthma attack.

The book was full of interesting points about water helping people to lose weight, help with arthritis, improve the brain functions, stomach ulcers and much more. I also loved the letters that were included from people who had started drinking more water and certain problems they had been having had started to get better or disappear due to water.

The other point that I appreciated and agree with in certain aspects is that modern medicine is far too eager to prescribe drugs to solve all problems. This book looks at the possibility that if we drink more water and our bodies are properly hydrated we will not have so many problems so instead of taking drugs to solve our health issues we should try water. After all, water is cheapest of all beverages.

I do not often read factual books and very rarely cover to cover, but I loved this book and since reading have been striving to drink more water and less tea. The writing style was easy to read and not too highfalutin to understand when you do not have a medical background. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is interested in their health and wellbeing and I have given it the full 5 out of 5 Dragons.

Book Details

Page count: 196

Format: Paperback

Published: 2008

Purchase Links

Waterstones

Book Depository

Mid Week Quote: Bill Watterson

Today’s quote is based on my love of tea and reading, because what is better than drinking a mug of tea whilst reading a good book?

The quote is by Bill Watterson and if you are regular reader of my blog you will realise I have used one of Watterson’s quote before.

Bill Watterson born July 5, 1958 is an American former cartoonist, he is best known for the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes.

“Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book.”

Bill Watterson

Happy Wednesday everyone and happy reading.

Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge: Update

I thought it was high time for an update on the reading challenge, and all I can say is Oh dear!

I am very far behind and it is not because I haven’t been reading, it is because I have been distracted by other books! I must be more focused!

So here is the list with the books I have read crossed out, if you click on the crossed out book it will take you to the book review.

Good as gold:- The Casual Vacancy by J. K Rowling

The Book is Better:- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

On the bandwagon:- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Attwood

~~Short and sweet:- The Turn of the Screw by Henry James~~

~~Actually want to read:- Jaws by Peter Benchley~~

Not from around here:- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

In a friend zone:- The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

Wheel of format:- Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Past love:- Matilda by Roald Dahl

Armchair Traveler:- A Room with a View by E. M. Forster

As you can see only two down so far, I am currently trying to finish The Goldfinch.

Wish me luck! If anybody has any advice on how to complete a reading challenge and not get completely distracted by other books please feel free to drop me a comment.