Like a lot of bloggers this has been a quiet week for me. The horrific terrorist attack in Manchester that left 22 innocent people dead and many others injured meant that posting about books didn't feel right to me at the start of the week. There have been many words written since the attack, some in love, some with hate, many much wiser than anything I will say here. I'm not going to pretend I have any ideas about how global terrorism should be tackled, I only know how I choose to live in what often feels a frightening world. I choose to give my children as free a childhood as possible; I want them to have freedom from fear, freedom to go and explore the world, freedom from hatred. I try to teach them love, compassion and encourage curiosity and tell them not to look on other people as potential enemies but as potential friends. My heartfelt condolences to everyone who has been affected by terrorist atrocities, whether under the guise of religion, politics or nationalism, strip the cloak away and evil is as evil does. Throughout the world we are all forced to mourn our dead, taken by extremism. Having grown up in the 1970s and '80s, the years of countless terrorist attacks by the IRA, I am grateful I was raised to believe we are stronger united. I believe we owe it to our children to not allow terrorists the victory of fear and division now.
So to return to books and the power of the written word; they are our gateways into other lives, into understanding and empathising with those who seem to be very different but who have the same hopes, fears, loves, losses and secrets - whether in the past, present or future, in this world or another. This is what I've been reading and watching this past week.
Books
I finished all three books I was reading last week. You can read my reviews for Western Fringes and Nightblind but will have to wait until 11th June to hear what I thought about Wolves in the Dark as I will be hosting the blog tour that day.
I've now started two more books. both were sent to me by the authors. The first title is The Former Chief Executive by Kate Vane, I really enjoyed her previous book, Not the End and am already finding this one an engrossing read. The second book, We've Come to Take You Home is by Susan Gandar and partly set during World War One, one of my favourite periods for historical fiction so I'm really looking forward to delving deeper into this one.
Television
I've watched very little television this week, other than Doctor Who obviously! I really enjoyed this episode again, I always like the stories that are spread over a few episodes and thought The Pyramid at the End of the World had a good mix of intrigue, tension and humour. I watched it with my 9 year old daughter who adores Pearl Mackie's character, Bill. She summed up the episode as "Scary but cool, the Monks are a bit boring though. I like different monsters each week, except for the Daleks because they're the best." We're both in agreement that we're going to really miss Peter Capaldi's Doctor and that Bill and Nardole are fantastic companions.
Next Week
Talking of blog tours I'm looking forward to being the host for the Block 46 tour on Wednesday 31st May. I've already tweeted about how much I loved the book so it's not really a spoiler to say expect a glowing review! I'm actually going to be on holiday next week and may not have much access to wifi, my post is scheduled to publish and I hope HootSuite will do the rest but I'll be very grateful for any shares in my absence.
If I finish the two books I'm currently reading I will be starting Blood Moon by John David Bethel, another book I received from the author. I currently have quite a few books that have been sent to me but am still accepting requests to review as long as you are prepared to wait a few weeks for me to get round to reading it. My review policy can be found here.
Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim visitors and friends. I send you my best wishes for peace and health during the holy month and beyond.
So to return to books and the power of the written word; they are our gateways into other lives, into understanding and empathising with those who seem to be very different but who have the same hopes, fears, loves, losses and secrets - whether in the past, present or future, in this world or another. This is what I've been reading and watching this past week.
Books
I finished all three books I was reading last week. You can read my reviews for Western Fringes and Nightblind but will have to wait until 11th June to hear what I thought about Wolves in the Dark as I will be hosting the blog tour that day.
I've now started two more books. both were sent to me by the authors. The first title is The Former Chief Executive by Kate Vane, I really enjoyed her previous book, Not the End and am already finding this one an engrossing read. The second book, We've Come to Take You Home is by Susan Gandar and partly set during World War One, one of my favourite periods for historical fiction so I'm really looking forward to delving deeper into this one.
Television
I've watched very little television this week, other than Doctor Who obviously! I really enjoyed this episode again, I always like the stories that are spread over a few episodes and thought The Pyramid at the End of the World had a good mix of intrigue, tension and humour. I watched it with my 9 year old daughter who adores Pearl Mackie's character, Bill. She summed up the episode as "Scary but cool, the Monks are a bit boring though. I like different monsters each week, except for the Daleks because they're the best." We're both in agreement that we're going to really miss Peter Capaldi's Doctor and that Bill and Nardole are fantastic companions.
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| Is..is..this blue string pudding...? What would the Clangers say? (image from ign.com) |
Next Week
Talking of blog tours I'm looking forward to being the host for the Block 46 tour on Wednesday 31st May. I've already tweeted about how much I loved the book so it's not really a spoiler to say expect a glowing review! I'm actually going to be on holiday next week and may not have much access to wifi, my post is scheduled to publish and I hope HootSuite will do the rest but I'll be very grateful for any shares in my absence.
If I finish the two books I'm currently reading I will be starting Blood Moon by John David Bethel, another book I received from the author. I currently have quite a few books that have been sent to me but am still accepting requests to review as long as you are prepared to wait a few weeks for me to get round to reading it. My review policy can be found here.
Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim visitors and friends. I send you my best wishes for peace and health during the holy month and beyond.
Happy reading everyone!
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