My chosen poem this week is by the minister, hymn writer, theologian and logician, Isaac Watts (1674-1748).
Against Idleness and Mischief
How doth the little busy Bee
Improve each shining Hour,
And gather Honey all the day
From every opening Flower!
How skilfully she builds her Cell!
How neat she spreads the Wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet Food she makes.
In Works of Labour or of Skill
I would be busy too:
For Satan finds some Mischief still
For idle Hands to do.
In Books, or Work, or healthful Play
Let my first years be past,
That I may give for every Day
Some good Account at last.
Isaac Watts
I’m going to try this TBR thing again. September went really badly as I actually didn’t read one single book off my planned TBR. I did read a book by one of the authors just not the one I had planned. I am a mood reader so planning my reads never works out brilliantly but I usually manage a couple of planned reads, but not in September it would seem. I am really hoping I manage some in October as I have some spooky reads planned!
Books I hope to read in October
Last month was a fantastic reading month for me so I’m really hoping October will prove to be as good.
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!
Reading has gone better today, the hour and twenty minute lunch break sat in my car always helps with my reading on Wednesdays.
What I am Currently Reading
I have just started this and I am finding it fascinating. It is really making me see the concept of the Greek gods differently.
What I have Recently Finished Reading
I do love my Dr Ruth Galloway books and this one did not disappoint. Hetty Dorval was an interesting read and a fab introduction to Ethel Wilson.
What I Think I will Read Next
I’m not sure why but I’m still being drawn to more nonfiction reading than fiction. This is quite unusual for me especially when work is in full swing as I usually find fiction more relaxing.
Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.
I hope everyone is having a nice week so far. I have had a busy couple of days teaching so far but I have managed a little bit of reading and guppy watching. Yes, I am obsessed with my new fish.
I thought it was time for a Reading Challenge update.
In September I managed to add 8 books to the pile.
The stack now measures exactly 46 inches. I now have just 21 inches left and I am feeling more confident that I might actually manage the challenge this year.
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!
I hope everyone has had a good start to the week so far. Mine has been rather exciting because we finally got some fish for our fish tank. We are now the proud owners of 6 male guppies.
My chosen book today is one that I have had preordered for ages and one that I will be reading next. I’m really excited to read this as it looks really interesting.
We meet Athene, who sprang fully formed from her father’s head: goddess of war and wisdom, guardian of Athens. We run with Artemis, goddess of hunting and protector of young girls (apart from those she decides she wants as a sacrifice). Here is Aphrodite, goddess of sex and desire – there is no deity more determined and able to make you miserable if you annoy her. And then there’s the queen of all the Olympian gods: Hera, Zeus’s long-suffering wife, whose jealousy of his dalliances with mortals, nymphs and goddesses lead her to wreak elaborate, vicious revenge on those who have wronged her.
We also meet Demeter, goddess of agriculture and mother of the kidnapped Persephone, we sing the immortal song of the Muses and we warm ourselves with Hestia, goddess of the hearth and sacrificial fire. The Furies carry flames of another kind – black fires of vengeance for those who incur their wrath.
These goddesses are as mighty, revered and destructive as their male counterparts. Isn’t it time we looked beyond the columns of a ruined temple to the awesome power within?
Please drop me a link with your Goodreads Monday and I will head over for a visit.
My chosen poem this week is by the English poet, performance poet, broadcaster, children’s author and playwright Roger McGough (1937).
A Good Poem
I like a good poem
one with lots of fighting
in it. Blood, and the
clanging of armour. Poems
against Scotland are good,
and poems that defeat
the French with crossbows.
I don't like poems that
aren't about anything.
Sonnets are wet and
a waste of time.
Also poems that don't
know how to rhyme.
If I was a poem
I'd play football and
get picked for England.
Robert McGough
The good, the bad and the mad – a lively text, accurate but full of fascinating detail and fun coupled with the outstanding innovative illustrations from some of the country’s most inventive illustrators. Kings and Queens have always provided their subjects with a great deal to talk about. But how much do we really know about them? For instance, who became king when he was only nine months old? Which king invented the handkerchief? Which king died on the toilet? And who is England’s longest reigning monarch?In this fascinating and witty look at kings and queens of England, Tony Robinson provides all the answers to these questions and many, many more.
Review
This book has been sat in a bag waiting to be read for quite a while and as I was having a particularly bad week I thought it looked like a book that would make me laugh and bring a smile to my face. Thankfully, it did not disappoint.
Robinson’s brief history of the monarchy starts right at the beginning and goes all the way through to Elizabeth II and it is accompanied by some fun illustrations as well. The other thing I really enjoyed is the little facts you also get of what else was happening in history during certain kings’ and queens’ reigns. For example, when the sandwich was invented and when afternoon tea became popular. There were also serious facts such as when America was discovered and when the slave trade was abolished. I really enjoyed the mix of serious and fun facts though.
This mix of serious and fun facts was also included in the history of the monarchs. We get the serious facts and the bizarre facts which I have never come across. I know this book is aimed more at older children/teenagers but I think it was a joy to read and a great little resource to dip into when trying to remember which one of the Henry’s did what. There were a lot of kings named Henry!
You all know I have an obsession with the Tudor period but by reading this book I have discovered several monarchs I would love to learn more about and so I think this book has fuelled some further reading. Due to the nature of the book giving brief and interesting biographies of each monarch it means it can fuel you a hunger to know more and so further your love of history.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I must be honest it did come across that perhaps Robinson is not a fan of the modern day monarchy. Although he has since stated that he is now a monarchist after seeing Elizabeth II’s dedicated service. I think this is a great little book for children and adults and give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.
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About the author
Sir Tony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, amateur historian, TV presenter, author and political activist. He is known for playing “Baldrick” in the BBC television series Blackadder and for hosting Channel 4 programmes such as Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History.
Lady Book Dragon 