The Grateful Book Dragon

 Ireland Reads is a public libraries initiative, in partnership with publishers, booksellers, authors and others under the Government’s  Keep Well Campaign The idea is to take time to squeeze in a read in order to do something you enjoy and in doing so look after your mental well-being. At the time of publication 527,045 hours of reading had been pledged. Reading for even just 30 minutes has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels. Check out this amazing initiative and pledge to squeeze in a read over at  Ireland Reads Did you know you can join the library online and use the Borrowbox App to read a wide variety of amazing books or listen audiobooks for free on your mobile, kindle or other smart device.

This Is Yarrow by Tara Bergin (Peotry) I vowed last year that I would read more poetry and for the most part I'm loving it and have even been inspired to write my own little verses here and there. I don't know what I expected from This is Yarrow I think something a bit more witchy and earthy and although it has a touch of that about it, it just didn't grab me the way I wanted it to. That being said there is a lot of merit in it and a handful of pieces did stand out enough to make it a worthwhile read for me. This Is Yarrow is also short, an excellent book to pick up if your looking for something to read in one sitting. 3/5 Charlotte by Helen Moffett (Austen Inspired) Probably my favourite book this week. Where to begin, I don't think I can say enough good about it. I was pleasantly surprised by Charlotte. For those who haven't read Jane Austen Pride & Prejudice this novel is about Elizabeth Bennett's neighbor and best friend Charlot...

A Memory Of Violets by Hazel Gaynor Historical fiction This signed copy of A Memory Of Violets was bought many years ago in Waterstones Drogheda. Since then it has waited patiently almost forgotten amoung a stack of books I was never quite in the mood to read. My reading style is instinctive. I rarely plan what I am to read next, instead I read whatever I am drawn to. Im also a believer that sometimes books find you when your ready for them. A few nights ago I was reading Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly when my Kindle died. Desperate for an alternative I reached for A Memory Of Violets and it did not disappoint me. There is something to be said for the convenience of the e-reader but a physical copy never runs out of battery, it also has the added benefit of smelling wonderful and I do love the feel of the pages between my fingers ,but if I were to only read physical copies I fear my house would most certainly end up on an episode of hoarders or possibly explode. A Memory Of ...

Poems To Save The World Chosen & Illustrated by Chris Riddell Beautifully put together collection of poems and illustrations by the wonderfully creative Chris Riddell. Features poems by Emily Dickinson, Neil Gaiman, Nikita Gill, Lewis Carroll, Brian Bilson to name but a few. There are even a few poems about Lockdown in the mix.  5/5 Black Widow Deadly Origin Found this a bit lacking. Some elements of the story where excellent but the beginning was a bit irritating. Felt like it was trying hard to be mysterious but just came across as all over the place.  3/5 Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Historical fiction at its finest. (More in-depth review to follow) 5/5 Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet I love Black Panther but this was hard to get in to. There are elements I loved namely the women's stories but I kind of wasn't digging T'Challa in this. I will seek out volume 2 however to see if as this story progresses my opini...