Hello!
I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. I’m still not doing very well with my blog but I am hoping to get back into routine soon and back to reviewing more regularly.
Blog Posts
Currently Reading
Just started this today and it is good to get back into The Expanse series.
Happy Reading
Hello!
I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. I’ve had a good week of blogging and reading this week which has been lovely.
Blog Posts
Currently Reading
Really enjoying this so far. So happy to finally be learning more about Haymitch.
Happy Reading
Hello!
I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far. I am sadly on the last day of an amazing holiday and I really don’t want to go home. I’ve managed to get loads of relaxing reading done by the pool and it has been absolute bliss.
Apologies if this post comes out a bit strange. I’ve had to do the post on my iPad rather than my laptop and for some reason the iPad and WordPress are just not playing well together.
Anyway, here is what has been happening on the blog
Blog Posts
Currently Reading
Really enjoying this so far and most likely will finish today.
Happy Reading
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!
Happy Monday Everyone! I hope everyone is going to have a glorious week filled with fabulous books and all the treats you can manage.
My chosen book to feature this week is one that has been sat on my TBR pile for a couple of years and I have no idea why as I absolutely love Kate Mosse’s books.
In the Pyrenees mountains near Carcassonne, Alice, a volunteer at an archaeological dig, stumbles into a cave and makes a startling discovery-two crumbling skeletons, strange writings on the walls, and the pattern of a labyrinth. Eight hundred years earlier, on the eve of a brutal crusade that will rip apart southern France, a young woman named Alais is given a ring and a mysterious book for safekeeping by her father. The book, he says, contains the secret of the true Grail, and the ring, inscribed with a labyrinth, will identify a guardian of the Grail. Now, as crusading armies gather outside the city walls of Carcassonne, it will take a tremendous sacrifice to keep the secret of the labyrinth safe.
What are your thoughts on this book if you have read it?
Please drop me a link with your Goodreads Monday and I will head over for a visit.
Happy Reading
Stone Blind: Medusa’s Story by Natalie Haynes
Blurb
Medusa is the only mortal in a family of gods. Growing up with her sisters, she quickly realises that she is the only one who gets older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.
When desire pushes a God to commit the unforgivable, Medusa’s mortal life is changed forever. Her punishment is to be turned into a Gorgon: sharp teeth, snakes for hair, and a gaze that will turn any living creature to stone. Appalled by her own reflection, Medusa can no longer look upon anything she loves without destroying it. She condemns herself to a life of solitude in the shadows to limit her murderous range.
That is, until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .
Review
This is my first Haynes book but I have been wanting to read one of her books for ages, hence why I have so many of her books on my TBR pile. However, what made me choose this book first was because I have always had rather a soft spot for Medusa. Medusa in my opinion is extremely badly treated for something that is not her fault. Like a lot of females in Ancient Greek mythology they quite often are treated unfairly.
The thing I really liked about this book is that it covers the whole of Medusa’s life, right from when she is a new born baby to the inevitable conclusion. I loved how when Stheno and Euryale found their mortal infant sister they knew that it was their job to look after and care for Medusa. This meant the two sisters had to learn to farm sheep for milk and wool to feed and clothe Medusa. They had to watch mortals to learn how to look after Medusa. The two sisters love Medusa without question and will do anything to protect her.
Medusa grows up knowing only love and safety from her sisters. She doesn’t see her sisters as monsters but as beautiful women who love her. This means that Medusa loves even those she doesn’t know and doesn’t see beauty as only skin deep but what is inside people.
The other element I loved was how Haynes had written Perseus. I have always found Perseus to be rather a pompous arse and Haynes obviously agrees because that was how she had created Perseus. The Gods were also brilliantly written especially Zeus.
This book was a really good read and I will definitely be reading more of my Haynes books soon. The only issue I had was that at times I found the storyline dragged slightly but overall I loved the book. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.
🐲🐲🐲🐲
Purchase Links
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About the author
Natalie Haynes, author of THE FURIES (THE AMBER FURY in the UK), is a graduate of Cambridge University and an award-winning comedian, journalist, and broadcaster. She judged the Man Booker Prize in 2013 and was a judge for the final Orange Prize in 2012. Natalie was a regular panelist on BBC2’s Newsnight Review, Radio 4’s Saturday Review, and the long-running arts show, Front Row. She is a guest columnist for the The Independent and The Guardian. Her radio series, Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics, was first broadcast in March 2014.
Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It is all about sharing the books that you have recently added to your bookshelves. These books can be physical books, ebooks and of course audiobooks.
Hello!
So I know I said last week that I wouldn’t be buying anymore books anytime soon but I had a stressful week with work and I just accidentally found myself on the Waterstones website. I went on there initially to do some book preorders but then I ordered some other books as well.
Now the book buying ban is back in place whilst I read some of these new books. Hopefully I don’t have another stressful week as my bank account needs to recover.
Have you added any new books to your bookshelves recently?
Happy Reading
Hello!
How are we already in May? I really can’t believe how fast this year is going or how far behind my book challenges are. I think I have been in a bit of a slump but I have been trying to push through but I am still way behind.
Anyway, here is how April went.
Statistics
As you can see the stats are far better than March but they still need work.
Books
Pages: 390
Format Read: Paperback
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲
Pages: 880
Format Read: Hardback
Review to follow
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲
Pages: 384
Format Read: Hardback
Review to follow
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲
Pages: 352
Format Read: Paperback
Review to follow
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲
Pages: 154
Format Read: Paperback
Review to follow
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲
Pages: 224
Format Read: Paperback
Review to follow
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲
Goodreads Challenge: 21/80
As you can see I rather enjoyed the books I read in April but I am also way behind with my reviewing. Something I plan on correcting in May.
Hopefully, in May I catch up with my reviews and get back into regular blogging and also do better with my reading.
I hope everyone had a good reading month in April. What was your favourite read?
Happy Reading
Hello!
I hope everyone is having a good week so far. I have had a lovely day out today but I must admit I am rather tired now. Anyway, here is what I have been up to recently that isn’t book related.
Shugborough Estate
We do love our National Trust property visits and this is one we have visited in the past but is such a beautiful property we are always happy to visit it again. I also love the library at this property.
Spa Day and Afternoon Tea
This week I also met up with my best friends and we treated ourselves to a spa day at The Elms which included afternoon tea. This was a belated birthday celebration for my best friend and it was so good to spend time together after not seeing each other for a while.
Burwarton Show
I spent all day today at Burwarton Show and absolutely loved it. My feet are rather sore now from all the walking but it was worth it. Very cute animals, good food, good drink, vintage tractors and much more. All my favourite things.
The rest of my time has been the usual work, reading, walking with a little bit of housework.
I hope everyone is having a good week.
Happy Friday!
My chosen poem for today is by an anonymous author but one that I think is rather amusing.
Bookworm A worm ate words. I thought that wonderfully Strange - a miracle - when they told me a crawling Insect had swallowed noble songs, I night-time thief had stolen writing So famous, so weighty. But the bug was foolish Still, though its belly was full of thought. Anon
Happy Reading
Hello!
I found this quote and I really think it is words to live by and so I thought I would share it with you all.
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
Lao Tze
Happy Reading.
Lady Book Dragon 