Friday Poetry: Ford Madox Ford

Hello!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Here is my chosen poem. This week’s poem is by Ford Madox Ford, although I’ve never got on very well with the novels by Ford, I do rather like his poetry.

In Tenebris

All within is warm,

Here without it’s very cold,

Now the year is grown so old

And the dead leaves swarm.

In your heart is light,

Here without it’s very dark,

When shall I hear the lark?

When see aright?

Oh, for a moment’s space!

Draw the clinging curtains wide

Whilst I wait and yearn outside

Let the light fall on my face.

Ford Madox Ford

Happy Reading!

Mid Week Quote: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hello!

I can not believe it is Wednesday already. Is anybody doing anything for Lent? I’m eating smaller portions, giving up chocolate and aiming to do at least 10 minutes of Organ practice a day. Think the chocolate one will be the hardest for me.

Anyway, back to the quote. This quote is attributed to the great F. Scott Fitzgerald.

“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1938)

Happy reading!

Star Trek Cats by Jenny Parks (Review)

Star Trek Cats by Jenny Parks

About the author

Jenny Parks is a scientific illustrator that also happens to be a shameless nerd, with a penchant for drawing animals, dinosaurs, imaginary creatures… and occasionally, people as cats. Somehow, she found herself with a bit of internet fame with the illustration ‘Doctor Mew’, and has been baffled ever since. With a BFA in illustration from the California College of the Arts, and a graduate degree in Science Illustration from UC Santa Cruz, she now resides in Denver, CO as a freelance illustrator, fulfilling her destiny to make a living drawing cute, fuzzy things.

Blurb

Captain’s log: We have entered a galaxy where beloved illustrator Jenny Parks has conjured an astonishingly vivid homage to the original Star Trek series with an unexpected twist: a cast of cats. Featuring a hilarious new take on iconic characters and scenes—from Kirk in the Captain’s chair to Spock offering his Vulcan wisdom—this eye-opening adventure stays true to the tone of the classic TV show. Playful, loving, and from a strange new world, Star Trek Cats is the perfect gift for fans of, well, Star Trek and cats.

Review

I could not believe my eyes when I accidentally discovered this book and I immediately bought it for my husband for Valentine’s Day, obviously I had to read it myself. I love Star Trek and I have seen every episode of the original series and I am now working my way through the films so I was overjoyed to read this book.

The book doesn’t follow a story and is instead snapshots from different well known episodes of the series. The book doesn’t have a lot to read as it is mainly the amazing illustrations but that does not matter as the book is a joy to behold. Every scene is brilliantly done but a few are my favourites. One is Scotty holding his bottle of Scotch Milk and the other is a scene from the episode The Trouble with Tribbles.

This book is brilliant for Star Trek fans and cat fans alike. The illustrations are amazing and very cleverly done as the cats have been chosen to reflect the Star Trek characters perfectly. I will never see Scotty the same way again after seeing his cat version. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a giggle and a quick read to brighten up their day. I give this book a massive 5 out of 5 Dragons.

P.s. Lyra my cat likes the book as well.

Purchase Links

Waterstones

Book Depository

Waterstones Challenge: Norwich

Hello!

It has been ages since I have visited a new Waterstones and ticked another store off my list but finally I have managed one. This week has been half term so I visited my best friend and her husband and their new little boy who is currently 9 weeks old and extremely cute. This meant I had the opportunity to take the little Book Dragon to his first bookshop and buy him a nice book. He slept through the whole experience but I bought him a book and his parents also bought him some books. A very lucky little Dragon!

The book I chose to buy was Winnie the Pooh! I have a beautiful book of Winnie the Pooh that a work colleague of my mom’s bought me when I was little and she told my mom that no child should be without a copy of Winnie the Pooh so I followed her advice.

I did also treat myself to a book that has been on my wish list for quite some time. I also bought a Waterstones bag that I really liked the look of.

The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths

I really liked the Waterstones in Norwich. It was very nice and the cafe was excellent, one of the best soya hot chocolates I have ever tasted.

Well worth a visit for all Book Dragons.

The photo outside the store features my best friend who you will have spotted in another Waterstones picture and her husband and their little Book Dragon in his pram. Sadly it was raining at the time. Massive thank you to Lord Book Dragon for taking the picture.

To see the list so far of my Waterstones visits please click here

Friday Poetry: Christina Rossetti

Happy Friday!

I’ve gone for another of my favourites today.

Months

January cold and desolate;

February all dripping wet;

March wind ranges;

April changes;

Birds sing in tune

To flowers of May,

And sunny June

Brings longest day;

In scorched July

The storm-clouds fly

Lightning torn;

August bears corn,

September fruit;

In rough October

Earth must disrobe her;

Stars fall and shoot

In keen November;

And night is long

And cold is strong

In bleak December.

Christina Rossetti

Happy reading!

Mid Week Quote: Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Hello my fellow readers!

I found this quote just recently and thought it was lovely so I thought I would share it with you all.

“Experience shows us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking together in the same direction.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1939)

Happy Reading!

Friday Poetry: Catullus

Happy Friday!

I have been reading the complete poems by Catullus for my Masters recently and must admit I have been really enjoying them so I have chosen one of my favourites to share with you today.

XLV

Septimius, his belovèd Acme

In his lap, said ‘Acme darling,

If I’m not desperately in love

And set to go on loving you

Forever in utter desperation,

Then lone in Libya or scorched India

I’ll face a lion with green eyes.’

At this Love sneezed, first on the right,

Then on the left, approvingly.

But Acme, lightly tilting back

Her head and kissing her sweet boy’s

Drunken eyes with that rosy mouth,

Said ‘Septimillus, so, my life,

May we always serve this one master

Surely as burns in my soft marrow

A bigger far and fiercer fire.’

At this Love sneezed, first on right,

Then on the left, approvingly,

Now, setting out from this good omen,

With mutual minds they’re loved and love.

Poor Septimius prefers his Acme

To all the Syrias and Britains.

Faithful Acme in her Septimius

Finds all desires and delights.

Who has seen any happier people?

Who a Venus more starry-eyed?

Catullus (translated by Guy Lee)

Happy Reading!

Mid Week Quote: Ella Fitzgerald

Hello my fellow Book Dragons!

It is time for a quote. This quote I have chosen is one of my personal favourites. I hope you all enjoy it and it inspires you today.

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996)

Happy reading.

Emma by Jane Austen (Review)

Emma by Jane Austen

About the author

Jane Austen born 16th December 1775 died 18th July 1817 was an English novelist known for her six major novels. Austen’s novels are known for social comedy and accurate depiction of human relationships.

Blurb

Emma Woodhouse is one of Austen’s most captivating and vivid characters. Beautiful, spoilt, vain and irrepressibly witty, Emma organises the lives of the inhabitants of her sleepy little village and plays matchmaker with devastating effect.

Review

This is a reread for me and thankfully a better read than when I first read it in 2002. I must admit when I first read Emma I swore never to read it again as I really did not enjoy the book. However, this year I plan on giving some books another chance and this was the first one on the list. In 2002 I rated this book 2 out of 5 stars.

I really enjoyed reading this book for about the first third of the book but I must admit the middle did drive me a little insane. It comes across as long winded and rather overly written and I must admit I just wanted it to get to the happy ending.

The second time of reading I felt rather differently about the characters, I still disliked the Elton’s greatly and found Frank Churchill a spoilt brat who should never have been forgiven for his awful behaviour. Mrs Bates I felt very sorry for living in ever increasing poverty and with a daughter who means well but does not give anyone a moment’s peace. Miss Bates’ dialogues I will be honest I skipped over in places because they just made me cringe.

Mr Woodhouse bless him was more of an old fuss pot than I remembered but he made me smile. Emma was her annoying vain self but thankfully Mr Knightley as usual rescued the situation. Harriet I found very endearing this time and it was nice to see her journey through the book.

I must admit I enjoyed Emma but my rating has only increased slightly to 3 out of 5 Dragons. I will be watching the new film adaptation this year to see if it beats my favourite adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Still my least favourite Austen novel but I do not hate it and would read it again.

Purchase links

Waterstones

Book Depository

Friday Poetry: A. E. Housman

I’m back!

Hello everyone!

I’m so sorry I have been away for so long. Studying and assignment writing as well as working has taken its toll and sadly my poor blog has suffered. However, I am back now but I will admit that the blogging might be a bit sporadic. I am looking forward to reading everyone’s blogs again and being a part of the blogging community.

Yonder See the Morning Blink

Yonder see the morning blink:

The sun is up, and up must I,

To wash and dress and eat and drink

And look at things and talk and think

And work, and God knows why.

Oh often have I washed and dressed

And what’s to show for all my pain?

Let me lie abed and rest:

Ten thousand times I’ve done my best

And all’s to do again.

A. E. Housman

Happy Reading.