Happy Wednesday!
My chosen quote today is by Lemony Snicket. Lemony Snicket is the pen name of American author Daniel Handler (1970). Handler has published several children’s books under the name, most notably A Series of Unfortunate Events.
“Reading is one form of escape. Running for your life is another.”
Lemony Snicket
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 went back to school today which was a bit of a shock and sadly I was still coughing all the time but at least I actually had the energy to do a school day. I thoroughly enjoyed my hour lunch break of reading though.
What I am Currently Reading
I’ve started reading Hauntings by Neil Oliver again after taking a little break. I’m still finding it frustrating and interesting in equal measure. Twelve Caesars by Mary Beard so far is absolutely fascinating.
What I have Recently Finished Reading
Goodbye Mr Chips was a lovely quick read and I know it wasn’t a nonfiction book but as it was only a small book I thought I would sneak it in. The Private Lives of the Tudors was an excellent book that I really enjoyed.
What I Think I will Read Next
Still keeping to my nonfiction theme for November one of these books is highly likely.
Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.
Happy Reading
Goodbye Mr Chips by James Hilton
Blurb
Mr Chipping, known fondly to his students as Mr Chips, is the beloved Latin master at a quiet boy’s school. For forty-three years he acts as the heart and the soul of his institution, proving that dedication, love and good sense of humour can make all the difference to generations of children.
The classic story of a quiet, unassuming man and the many lives he touches, Goodbye Mr Chips has sold over two million copies and has never been out of print.
Review
Oh what a beautiful little book!
I picked up this book whilst in Cheltenham and thought this will be a nice quick read. My husband has seen the film but I’ve never seen it so had no idea what the story would be like. Thankfully, I was not disappointed.
I could have easily read this book in one sitting but because of work and sleep I read it over two days. The story is focused on Mr Chipping, who is affectionately known as Mr Chips. Mr Chips is the Latin master at an all boys school but becomes so much more than just a teacher to everyone at the school.
This little book is all about a very quiet man who doesn’t seem to make a big impression on the world but who in his own small way touches so many lives in a big way. Mr Chips is a man that so many people treasure and remember and so many still want to meet.
This beautiful book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me ponder and so much more. For such a small book it certainly packs a punch and I must admit I would have loved it to be longer and sometimes more detailed. I would have loved to have learned more about certain times in Mr Chips’ life but sadly it was not to be and I was left to imagine instead.
I loved this book and will happily read it again and again. It gives you a perfect little snippet of England between the World Wars and the time before WWI. I happily give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.
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Purchase Links
Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith
(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 author
James Hilton (1900–1954) was a bestselling English novelist and Academy Award–winning screenwriter. After attending Cambridge University, Hilton worked as a journalist until the success of his novels Lost Horizon (1933) and Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1934) launched his career as a celebrated author. Hilton’s writing is known for its depiction of English life between the two world wars, its celebration of English character, and its honest portrayal of life in the early twentieth century.
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 spent the day reading as sadly I was too poorly to go to school. I’m really hoping I can start to feel better soon as I’m quite fed up of this cough and cold.
My chosen book this week is by one of my favourite authors but one I haven’t read for a very long time. I went through a huge Philippa Gregory phase a few years ago but for some reason it has been a couple of years since I have read any of her books. However, I picked this book up at Sudeley Castle and it has gone straight on my TBR pile and very near the top.
Fleeing rebels in Scotland on Queen Elizabeth’s false promise of sanctuary, Mary Queen of Scots finds herself imprisoned as the “guest” of George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and his indomitable wife, Bess of Hardwick. Soon the newly married couple’s home becomes the center of intrigue and rebellion against Elizabeth, and their loyalty to each other and to their sovereign comes into question. If Mary succeeds in seducing the earl into her own web of treason, or if the great spymaster William Cecil links them to the growing conspiracy to free Mary from her illegal imprisonment, they will all face the headsman. Using new research and her passion for historical accuracy, Gregory places the doomed queen into a completely new tale of suspense, passion, and political intrigue.
Please drop me a link with your Goodreads Monday and I will head over for a visit.
Happy Reading
Hello!
To be honest this week hasn’t been great for blogging. Sadly, I have caught a rather nasty cold which has left me exhausted most evenings so I haven’t managed to find the energy to blog. I’m still feeling pretty rough but I am hoping I will get back into blogging next week. Thankfully, I have still managed to get some reading done.
Blog Posts
Currently Reading
Really enjoying this so far and can’t put it down. Henry VIII had some fascinating toilets!
Happy Reading
Hello!
I hope everyone is having a good week so far. I have managed quite a bit of reading today which has surprised me as I really thought I wouldn’t manage to fit any in.
My chosen quote today is by the American novelist and screenwriter Walter Stone Tevis (1928-1984).
“I feel free and strong. If I were not a reader of books I could not feel this way.”
Walter Tevis
Happy Reading
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.
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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.
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
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
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
Lady Book Dragon 