Month: May 2025

Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Lore by Catherine Nappington (Review)

Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Lore by Catherine Nappington

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | WH Smith

Blurb

A hilarious celebration of cats in artwork from medieval times

From the year 500 to 1500 numerous medieval manuscripts and works of art portrayed cats as lazy, selfish, and vicious. Centuries later, these masterpieces live on, shining a bright light on the dark age of cats and telling a brand-new story of their glory. Medieval Cats celebrates more than two hundred cats who are up to no good.

Also included are cat facts from the Middle Ages as well as poems and excerpts from literature where cats were mentioned. Both a humorous book and a peek into medieval art and literature, Medieval Cats will appeal to cat and art lovers everywhere.

Review

My husband had this fun little book as a Christmas present so as soon as he had read it I knew I had to read it as well. 

I read this book in one sitting because there are a lot of pictures but there are also some very interesting facts about cats. Some of these facts are quite gruesome so this book isn’t for the faint hearted. I didn’t realise just how cruel people could be to cats between year 500 and 1500. 

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. There were also some very humorous facts about cats. The chosen manuscripts to feature were also excellent and very amusing. Monks had a real love for cats and managed to slip a cat picture into their manuscripts in very cunning ways. 

This is a fun little book that is perfect for the coffee table and one that you can always dip into for some beautiful cat pictures and some fun facts. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons. 

🐲🐲🐲🐲

Etsy

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Goodreads Monday: 19/5/2025

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. I have been back at school today but I did manage a little bit of reading when I had a break.

My chosen book to feature today is one I am very excited about because I finally get to read a Miss Marple book on my Agatha Christie challenge.

The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

‘Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,’ declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, ‘would be doing the world a large favour!’

It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which comes back to haunt the clergyman just a few hours later – when the Colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman’s study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe.

The first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction.

Happy Reading

Etsy

The Weekly Brief

Hello!

My blogging this week hasn’t been brilliant but my reading has been going well.

Blog Posts

Currently Reading

I am thoroughly enjoying these books so far although I suspect they will take a while to finish.

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 Wordsworth

Happy Friday Everyone!

My chosen poem this week is by William Wordsworth (1770-1850). 

The Green Linnet

Beneath these fruit-tree boughs that shed
Their snow-white blossoms on my head,
With brightest sunshine round me spread
Of spring's unclouded weather,
In this sequestered nook how sweet
To sit upon my orchard-seat!
And birds and flowers once more to greet,
My last year's friends together.

One have I marked, the happiest guest
In all this covert of the blest:
Hail to Thee, far above the rest
In joy of voice and pinion!
Thou, Linnet! in thy green array,
Presiding Spirit here to-day,
Dost lead the revels of the May;
And this is thy dominion.

While birds, and butterflies, and flowers,
Make all one band of paramours,
Thou, ranging up and down the bowers,
Art sole in thy employment:
A Life, a Presence like the Air,
Scattering thy gladness without care,
Too blest with any one to pair;
Thyself thy own enjoyment.

Amid yon tuft of hazel trees,
That twinkle to the gusty breeze,
Behold him perched in ecstasies,
Yet seeming still to hover;
There! where the flutter of his wings
Upon his back and body flings
Shadows and sunny glimmerings,
That cover him all over.

My dazzled sight he oft deceives,
A brother of the dancing leaves;
Then flits, and from the cottage-eaves
Pours forth his song in gushes;
As if by that exulting strain
He mocked and treated with disdain
The voiceless Form he chose to feign,
While fluttering in the bushes. 

William Wordsworth

Happy Reading

Etsy

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

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Review)

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | WH Smith

Blurb

When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

Review

I had this book preordered from the day it was first announced and I was so excited for it to arrive. Thankfully my waiting was rewarded with an absolutely amazing read. It was so good to be back in the world of Panem. 

This book answered all my questions regarding Haymitch. Haymitch was always a favourite of mine in the Hunger Games books and I always wanted to know about his story. In this book we find Haymitch as a teenager who is just hoping to survive the day of reaping and then spend the rest of the day with his girlfriend Lenore. However, things don’t go according to plan and Haymitch finds himself shipped off to the Capitol with 3 other tributes from District 12. 

Haymitch soon realises that District 12 is set up to fail but a part of him decides to fight the odds. I loved the story being told from Haymitch’s point of view and found him quite different from Katniss. Haymitch is very quiet, he watches and plans, he weighs up his options. Katniss was very in your face rebellion and didn’t always see everything that was going on but Haymitch notices everything. 

I adored the District 12 tributes but my favourite after Haymitch was Maysilee. She was so badass but was never rude. She was very stuck up but she was determined that people would see District 12 tributes as refined and not the animals people from the Capitol thought they were. She even ate sandwiches with a knife and fork! Maysilee was determined to rebel but in her own unique way. 

I also loved meeting younger versions of the characters I came to love in the Hunger Games books. Mags was brilliant and the kindness and care she showed Haymitch was exactly what I expected after meeting her in Catching Fire. 

I loved this book and it has made me want to reread all the books again as it has been a few years since I read them. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons. 

🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲

About the author

Suzanne Collins (born August 10, 1962) is an American television writer and author. She is known as the author of The Underland Chronicles and The Hunger Games trilogy.

Etsy

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

WWW Wednesday: 14/5/2025

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!

I have had a good day of teaching and reading during my breaks which has been lovely.

What I am Currently Reading

I just started Under the Dome today and so far it is very different from the TV series but I am enjoying it. Starshine is going really well.

What I have Recently Finished Reading

I just finished this today so my review will be posted soon hopefully.

What I Think I will Read Next

I am currently obsessed with sci-fi at the moment but if my mood changes I will probably go to another genre so one of these books might be a contender for my next read.

Happy Reading

Etsy

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

Top 5 Tuesday: Books with a star on the cover

Top 5 Tuesday was created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, and now being hosted by Meeghan reads.

Hello!

I thought it was high time I took part in another Top 5 Tuesday as I haven’t done one in ages. I’m currently reading a lot of sci-fi so this topic is perfect.

Four of these books are sat on my TBR pile but I have just recently started Starshine and so far I am really enjoying it.

Happy Reading

Etsy

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

Goodreads Monday: 12/5/2025

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.

Happy Monday Everyone!

I have had a wonderful day of reading today. Usually I am teaching but because of SATs there are no music lessons in my school so I have had a day off for reading and walking.

My chosen book to feature this week is another recent addition to my TBR pile and one I plan on reading over the summer.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation. 

The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best—and worst—that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.

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 is having a good weekend. I’ve done quite well this week with my blogging and reading but I am still way behind with my book reviews.

Blog Posts

Currently Reading

Starshine has been sat on my Kindle since 2018 so I thought I would give it a read. I’m finding it a little bit confusing so far but quite interesting. Tuf Voyaging is going well and I am loving all the cats!

Happy Reading

Etsy

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