Hello!
My chosen quote this week is by the American poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).
“Hope is the thing with feathers
Emily Dickinson
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
Happy Reading
Sudeley Castle: Royalty, Romance and Renaissance by James Parry and Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe
Blurb
Set in the beautiful Gloucestershire Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle exemplifies popular perceptions of the romantic English country house. The final resting place of King Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr, it is partly castellated and its centuries-old ruins are festooned with roses. This book, the first comprehensive publication about this remarkable castle, traces over 1,000 years of illustrious history from the time of King Aethelred the Unready through the castle’s Tudor heyday and its subsequent decline and fall, before its dramatic rescue during the second half of the 19th century by the Dent-Brocklehurst family, whose descendants still live there. Sudeley’s architectural heritage, art and gardens are all described and illustrated by historical material as well as stunning new photography.
Review
I went to visit Sudeley Castle during half term and absolutely loved it so I was very pleased to see they had a new book out.
The book is mainly the history of the castle right from before it was a castle to present day and it is interspersed with memories from Lady Ashcombe. The castle has a fascinating history and I love the Tudor connections. I also love how the book doesn’t hide the more grizzly history of the castle. The castle’s story during the Civil War is rather brutal.
The memories Lady Ashcombe shares are wonderful and really give an insight into the castle as a family home as well as a tourist attraction. I particularly like the stories of the pranks that Lady Ashcombe’s children pulled on the visitors when they were young.
The book isn’t long at only 160 pages and contains some wonderful pictures of the castle, maps from history and treasures from inside the castle as well as images of the people who have lived in the castle. It is a perfect coffee table book.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The history chosen to feature in the book is well thought out and well written and is perfectly paired with the relevant photos. I will definitely be revisiting this book as well as the castle. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.
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Purchase Links
Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | Wordery
(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)
About the authors
James Parry
James Parry is a Norfolk-based writer and consultant. After training as a conservation officer with English Heritage, he joined the British Council, working in East Africa and the Middle East before returning to the UK to study for a Masters in Architecture. He was then appointed by the National Trust as its academic editor, and was responsible for developing a specialist art and architecture publishing programme. He now writes on art, heritage, natural history and conservation for a wide range of publications and takes a particular interest in the Islamic world.
Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe
Living in Sudeley Castle for over 50 years, making her the longest residing Chatelaine to date, Lady Ashcombe is responsible for opening Sudeley to the public in 1970 and continuing to ensure its success and intrigue to this day. Lady Ashcombe and her family are committed to the continued preservation of the castle, its treasures and the ongoing restoration and regeneration of the gardens, for future generations of visitors to enjoy.
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. The first book I read and reviewed this year was The Box of Delights by John Masefield but I still haven’t read the first book in the series. I’m really hoping I get to read this book before the end of the year.
Young Kay Harker lives in an old house in the country, filled with portraits of his ancestors. His only companions are his unpleasant guardian Sir Theopompus and his governess Sylvia Daisy Pouncer (who, Kay suspects, has stolen all his toys). Life is lonely and dull, until one night Kay’s great-grandpapa Harker, a sea captain, steps out of his portrait to tell him about a stolen treasure that belongs to Kay’s family. The evil Abner Brown is searching for it too, but Kay is helped by the midnight folk: creatures like Nibbins the cat and Rollicum Bitem Lightfoot the fox, and even his lost toys, who will join him on his dangerous quest.
The Midnight Folk is a feast of imaginative story-telling, a glorious cornucopia of pirates and witches, lost treasure and talking animals. Although it was published in 1927, it evokes an older world: houses are lit by oil lamps, and travel is by horse, carriage – or broomstick. Masefield perfectly captures a child’s perspective, from the terrors of tigers under the bed to the horrors of declining a Latin adjective. Yet there is also plenty of humour that adults will appreciate, from Miss Piney Trigger, who swigs champagne in bed and prides herself on having backed a host of Derby winners, to Kay’s lessons: ‘Divinity was easy, as it was about Noah’s Ark. French was fairly easy, as it was about the cats of the daughter of the gardener.’ This mingling of past and present, reality and fantasy, has made this one of the most rewarding and influential children’s books ever written.
Please drop me a link with your Goodreads Monday and I will head over for a visit.
Happy Reading
Hello!
I hope everyone has a had a good weekend so far. I have hurt my back so I couldn’t get to work today so instead I did loads of reading which was nice but I wish my back would get better. This week has also been better blogging and reading wise which I hope continues.
Blog Posts
Currently Reading
I’ve spent most of today reading Twelve Caesars and I’m finding it really interesting. I also love the coloured photographs in the book.
Happy Reading
Hello!
Now I will be honest my November TBR did not go to plan at all. In fact I read a total of one book from my planned list. Being a mood reader really does have its disadvantages sometimes. However, I am planning on a December TBR and I hope that I will manage some of the books. Usually, I go all Christmas themed for my December TBR but this year I am not sure I will be going fully Christmas. Maybe, a few Christmas reads will make an appearance.
Books I hope to read in December
Fingers crossed I manage to read some of these books.
Happy Reading
Happy Friday!
I hope everyone has some fun plans for the weekend.
My chosen poem for this week is by the Irish poet and playwright Frederick Louis MacNeice (1907-1963).
Snow
The room was suddenly rich and the great bay-window was
Spawning snow and pink roses against it
Soundlessly collateral and incompatible:
World is suddener than we fancy it.
World is crazier and more of it than we think,
Incorrigibly plural. I peel and portion
A tangerine and spit the pips and feel
The drunkenness of things being various.
And the fire flames with a bubbling sound for world
Is more spiteful and gay than one supposes-
On the tongue on the eyes on the ears in the palms of one's hands-
There is more than glass between the snow and the huge roses.
Louis MacNeice
Happy Reading
Hello!
How is it December tomorrow? I really can’t believe how quickly November has gone or in fact how quickly the year has gone. I hope everyone has had a good reading month. I wish I could have read a few more books in November but I am pleased I managed the amount that I did.
Statistics
Books
Pages: 120
Format Read: Paperback
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲
Pages: 400
Format Read: Paperback
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲
Review to follow
Pages: 367
Format Read: Hardback
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲
Review to follow
Pages: 96
Format Read: Hardback
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲
Pages: 444
Format Read: Kindle
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲
Review to follow
Pages: 160
Format Read: Hardback
Dragon Rating: 🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲
Review to follow
Goodreads Challenge: 63/70
Happy Reading
Hello!
My chosen quote this week is by the American author Stephen King.
“Good books don’t give up all their secrets at once.”
Stephen King
Happy Reading
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.
Hello!
I hope everyone has had a good week so far. I have had a lovely evening reading today and it has been lovely. Just sitting in front of a fire with a big mug of tea and a good book is simply the best.
What I am Currently Reading
I visited Sudeley Castle in half term and loved it and this book does not disappoint. The pictures are superb and the book is packed full of info.
What I have Recently Finished Reading
I’m still not sure about this book. Some parts I loved and some parts were very disappointing.
What I Think I will Read Next
I usually start thinking about Christmas reads around about now but to be honest I just don’t seem to be in the mood yet. I still want nonfiction!
Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.
Happy Reading
Cats in Medieval Manuscripts by Kathleen Walker-Meikle
Blurb
Cats were illustrated in medieval manuscripts throughout the Middle Ages, often in exquisite detail and frequently accompanied by their natural prey, mice. Medieval cats were viewed as treasured pets, as fearsome mousers, as canny characters in fables, as associates of the Devil, and as magical creatures. Featuring an array of fascinating illustrations from the British Library’s rich medieval collection, Cats in Medieval Manuscripts includes anecdotes about cats—both real and imaginary—to provide a fascinating picture of the life of the cat and its relationship with humans during the Medieval period. A great gift for all cat-lovers.
Review
I have been after this book for so long ever since I read Dogs in Medieval Manuscripts a few years ago. However, I couldn’t seem to get a copy but my wonderful husband managed to find me a copy for my birthday.
Just like the dog version of this book I was not disappointed. Each two page spread in the book contains beautiful examples and fascinating facts. I couldn’t believe some of the facts about cats living or trying to survive in medieval times. Cats in Medieval times were not safe and life was definitely not easy for them unless they found a loving home and were kept safe.
I loved the variety of images in this book and the fact that you can just dip in and out of this book and not have to read it from cover to cover. You aren’t bombarded with information and the information you do get is told simply and succinctly.
This little book is a perfect gift for cat lovers and will also look fab on your coffee table. I give this book a big 5 out of 5 Dragons.
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Purchase Links
Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith
About the author
Kathleen Walker-Meikle completed her PhD at University College, London on late-medieval pet keeping. She researches and writes on medieval and early modern animals and medicine.
Lady Book Dragon 