My chosen poem this week is by Lewis Carroll and is an acrostic poem.
A Boat, Beneath a Sunny Sky
A boat, beneath a sunny sky,
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July -
Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear -
Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and memories die:
Autumn frosts have slain July.
Still she haunts me, phantomwise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.
Children yet, the tale to hear,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Lovingly shall nestle near.
In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream -
Lingering in a golden gleam -
Life, what is it but a dream?
Lewis Carroll
Happy Reading
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Lilibet: The Girl Who Would be Queen by A. N. Wilson
Blurb
Looking back through her long life on the eve of her Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II reflects on the pivotal moments that made her the monarch – and the woman – that she is today, in Wilson’s lovingly crafted work.
Review
I bought this book to read over the Queen’s Jubilee but I am rather behind on my book reviews so that is why I am reviewing it now.
This short little book focuses on the moments in the Queen’s life that helped her to be the monarch she is. I found this book really cleverly written because it reads as the Queen dreaming in her bed surrounded by her beloved dogs. Her dreams are memories from her life. Right from when she was a child on holiday with Grandpa England to present day. It includes her love of horses and dogs and her family and not just moments from her reign.
I really enjoyed this book as it is full of love and reflection. It is at times funny, tender and sometimes even tragic. It is beautifully written and written in such a way that it is suitable for children and adults to read. It also contains some wonderful illustrations. There is a lot packed in to such a small book and one that I give 4 out of 5 Dragons.
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About the author
Andrew Norman Wilson is an English writer and newspaper columnist, known for his critical biographies, novels, works of popular history and religious views. He is an occasional columnist for the Daily Mail and former columnist for the London Evening Standard, and has been an occasional contributor to the Times Literary Supplement, New Statesman, The Spectator and The Observer.
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This month I am hoping to go away on holiday for 4 nights. So it was time to dust off and charge up the Kindle. The poor Kindle has not been used for quite a while, as I much prefer physical books, but I always use it for holidays as physical books weigh too much and take up too much room. This has also meant that I needed to get some new books on the Kindle so I thought I would share my holiday reading list.
The Wildeacre trilogy by Philippa Gregory – I do like Gregory and this is one series of books that I haven’t read by her. I probably won’t read all three whilst on holiday but I bought them as a bundle.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells – I have read so many good reviews of this series that I can’t resist reading it for myself any longer. If I like the first book I can easily buy the next one whilst on holiday. My husband also has it lined up as a holiday read as well.
The Day of the Storm by Rosamunde Pilcher – Pilcher is one of my favourite authors so I thought I could read some of her books whilst on holiday.
The Empty House by Rosamunde Pilcher
The Woolworths Girls by Elaine Everest – I read the Christmas book from this series last Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed it so I have decided to read the rest of the series.
Cliff’s Descent by Dianne Duvall – I have read all of the books in this series so far and loved them so I am really looking forward to this.
So there are my holiday reads so far. I probably won’t read them all and I also have many other books on my Kindle so I could easily change my mind but I hope to read at least some of these books.
Please feel free to recommend any books that you think I might enjoy reading on my holiday.
Happy Reading
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I hope everyone has had a good week so far and have some exciting plans for the weekend.
My chosen poem this week is one that really made me giggle when I read it, so I thought I would share it. The poem is by the American children’s poet Kenn Nesbitt (1962).
Einstein's Brain
I heard that they've got Einstein's brain
just sitting in a jar.
I don't know where they keep it,
but I hope it isn't far.
I need to go and borrow it
to help me with this test.
I've answered twenty questions
but on every one I guessed.
If someone asks you where I've gone,
then kindly please explain
I'll be right back; I've just gone out
to look for Einstein's brain.
Kenn Nesbitt
Happy Reading
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June has not gone well reading wise. I am bogged down with Dombey and Son but I am making slow progress with it and really enjoying it still which is the main thing.
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 hope everyone is having a good week so far. My reading is not going well at the moment, for some reason I have the attention span of a gnat. I think it is because I am ploughing towards the end of term and exhaustion is most likely setting in.
Anyway, back to the books…
What I am Currently Reading
I was hoping to have finished Dombey and Son by the end of this month but that is not going to happen, so now I am hoping I will finish it before I go on holiday. I am loving the Alison Weir and Richard Buxton books, I struggle to work out which one to read all the time.
What I have Recently Finished Reading
Yay! I have finally finished a book. I really enjoyed this and found it some light relief from my other books which are fairly heftier. Review will follow shortly.
What I Think I will Read Next
As usual I am never really sure what I will read next but it maybe one of these.
Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.
Happy Reading
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. For more info please check out Jana’s blog.
Hello!
This prompt is perfect for me this week because I have been trying to work out what to read this Summer. I am going away in July and I need to decide what to read because I am planning a nice relaxing time with plenty of chilling by the pool but I have no idea!
So here is what I have come up with.
Scenes of Clerical Life by George Eliot – This is my next book to read off my The Classics Club list. Hopefully I will get to it soon.
The Lady Catherine and The Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon – I have been wanting to read this for ages as I just love The Countess of Carnarvon’s writing.
The Witcher: Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski – I am determined to start this series this year so the Summer seems like a good time as I might have more time.
The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan – Next one that I have to read in the series. I won’t finish the series this year but I am determined to make a good push on the series.
Meet Me in Hawaii by Georgia Toffolo – Another book that has been stuck on my TBR for far too long and it looks like a good book to read whilst on holiday.
A Three Dog Problem by S. J. Bennett – I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I am looking forward to this one.
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell – I bought this on the day it came out and I have still not read it! I must remedy this.
Star Trek Picard: Rogue Elements by John Jackson Miller – I have been reading the Picard and Discovery books because I really enjoy the TV series but I will be honest I am not so keen on Miller as an author. I find he tends to write 300 words when it can be said in 150 words but hopefully this won’t be the case this time.
Nemesis Games by James S. A. Corey – My next book in The Expanse series. I love this series and each book just seems to get better and better.
Olive and Mabel by Andrew Cotter – Another book I bought on the day it came out. I also bought a copy for my niece and she has read and loved it so I really should get reading.
So there is my list. I doubt I will get around to all of the books (the curse of being a mood reader), but I hope to read as many as possible.
What books do you have on your Summer TBR?
Happy Reading
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Lady Book Dragon 