Puss in Books by Paul Magrs (Review #44)

Puss in Books: Our best-loved writers on their best-loved cats by Paul Magrs

Blurb

A charming collection of quotes about cats from our favourite authors, accompanied by artwork in the trademark style of Paul Magrs (author of The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy ). ‘I love them, they are so nice and selfish’ – L.M. Montgomery This collection of quotes from the literary greats explores just why cats have fascinated, mesmerised and often infuriated writers for centuries. Celebrating the mystery of these daydreaming, snarky, selfish, watchful, contemplative and changeable creatures, Puss in Books helps cat and book lovers to understand these beings who have intrigued great thinkers and writers since the dawn of time. Quotes ‘Time spent with a cat is never wasted’ – Colette ‘Those who play with cats must expect to get scratched’ – Miguel de Cervantes ‘If cats could write history, their history would be mostly about cats’ – Eugen Weber

Review

I will be honest when I bought this book I thought it was going to be more about particular writers and their cats but instead it is just quotes from writers about cats. Each quote is accompanied by a lovely picture of a cat which has been drawn by Magrs.

This little book only took me 20 minutes to read because it is mainly cat pictures and not much to read but it is a book that I will happily go back to especially if I need a cat related quote.

The highlight for me with this book was the beautiful drawings of cats and I loved seeing how Magrs has captured each cat’s character. The quotes were also well chosen.

The thing that let the book down for me and this entirely down to my preferences was that I didn’t like the font that the quotes were written in. I know it is handwriting but I found it hard to read and the quote that was upside down really annoyed me. I suspect the upside down quote was to represent the nature of cats but when you are trying to read a book it is rather annoying to suddenly have to turn the book upside down.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and will happily read it again. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Paul Magrs (1969) is an English writer and lecturer who owns two cats called Fester and Bernard and lives in Manchester.

Etsy

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Goodreads Monday: 6/11/2023

Goodreads Monday is now hosted by Budget Tales Book Club. All you have to do is show off a book from your TBR that you’re looking forward to reading.

Hello!

I hope everyone has had a good start to the week so far. I have been back at school today which has been nice but rather a shock to the system after a week off.

During my holidays I bought a few books and the one I have chosen to feature today is one of those books. I fully intend on reading all of the published works by Alison Weir one day and this is another book I have added to my TBR.

At his death in 1547, King Henry VIII left four heirs to the English throne: his only son, the nine-year-old Prince Edward; the Lady Mary, the adult daughter of his first wife, Catherine of Aragon; the Lady Elizabeth, the daughter of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, and his young great-niece, the Lady Jane Grey. These are the players in a royal drama that ultimate led to Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne–one of the most spectacularly successful reigns in English history.

Please drop me a link with your Goodreads Monday and I will head over for a visit.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

The Weekly Brief

Hello!

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend so far. I’m back at school tomorrow and to be honest I really don’t feel ready for it.

Blog Posts

Currently Reading

I’m thoroughly enjoying this book so far and I am really enjoying all the facts I am learning.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Waterstones Challenge: Gloucester

Hello!

On my recent adventures I managed to tick off another Waterstones store. I found the Gloucester store really nice and I loved the layout of the ground floor. Sometimes the ground floors can be a little cramped like the one in Lincoln but this one was laid out really well with plenty of room to move around and not get in each others way.

I only purchased one book as I am trying to be good as Christmas is just around the corner. However, the book I purchased is rather beautiful and one that I look forward to reading soon.

So there is number 16 off my list. Still many many more to go.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Friday Poetry: William Allingham

Happy Friday!

I hope everyone has had a good week so far. I have just returned from a couple of days away which has been a lovely break and involved some book shopping. I am also thoroughly enjoying my non fiction reading.

My chosen poem today is by the Irish writer William Allingham (1824-1889).

The Fairies

Up the airy mountain,
Down the rushy glen,
We daren't go a-hunting
For fear of little men;
Wee folk, good folk,
Trooping all together;
Green jacket, red cap, 
And white owl's feather!

Down along the rocky shore
Some make their home,
They live on crispy pancakes
Of yellow tide-foam;
Some in the reeds;
Of the black mountain-lake,
With frogs for their watchdogs,
All night awake.

High on the hill-top
The old King sits;
He is now so old and grey
He's nigh lost his wits.
With a bridge of white mist
Columbkill he crosses,
On his stately journeys
From Slieveleague to Rosses;
Or going up with the music
On cold starry nights,
To sup withe the Queen
Of the gay Northern Lights.

They stole little Bridget
For seven years long;
When she came down again
Her friends were all gone.
They took her lightly back
Between the night and morrow,
They thought that she was fast asleep,
But she was dead with sorrow.
They have kept her ever since
Deep within the lake,
On a bed of fig-leaves,
Watching till she wake.

By the craggy hillside,
Through the mosses bare,
They have planted thorn trees
For my pleasure, here and there,
Is any man so daring
As dig them up in spite,
He shall find their sharpest thorns
In his bed at night. 

Up the airy mountain,
Down the rushy glen,
We daren't go a-hunting
For fear of little men;
Wee folk, good folk,
Trooping all together;
Green jacket, red cap,
And white owl's feather!

William Allingham

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

November 2023 TBR

Hello!

November is going to be my non-fiction month. I might read some fiction as well but it will be mainly non-fiction. I don’t really have a theme for my non-fiction reading, I’m just going for subjects that interest me.

Books I hope to read in November

I really hope I have a good reading month in November as October was not that great.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Mid Week Quote: Terry Pratchett

Hello!

My chosen quote today is by one of my all time favourite authors, Sir Terry Pratchett.

This quote is from his book Thief of Time.

“Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying ‘End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH’, the paint wouldn’t even have time to dry.”
Terry Pratchett

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

WWW Wednesday: 1/11/2023

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you will read next?

Hello!

Happy 1st November! I hope everyone has had a nice week so far. I’m really hoping November will be a better month on the reading front but we will wait and see.

What I am Currently Reading

I’m enjoying certain chapters with this book and certain chapters are not so good. I just want to know more about the hauntings!

What I have Recently Finished Reading

I really enjoyed both of these. Puss in Books was a very quick read but one I will happily dip into on other occasions.

What I Think I will Read Next

I’m planning to read mainly non-fiction during November but I will need the occasional novel to help me relax from work.

Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.

Happy Reading

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you