Younger Son has returned home so I will now get back to the usual pattern of posting on here. We had a lovely time and it was wonderful to see him again after 17 months. I managed to liven myself up a bit and we actually went out for a meal as a family. For the occasion, I wore my gorgeous blue Hermès Plumes en Fête 90cm scarf in a beautifully coordinated outfit (if I say so myself!!), but in all of the excitement I forgot to take photos. With the ensemble, I carried the white Massaccesi handbag that I bought recently – the white and blues looked lovely together.
The photos below are of the pretty handbag and a very similar outfit with the Plumes en Fête scarf:
Massaccesi’s Midi Modena in white pebbled leather.
Outfit of the day 20/03/20 with Hermès’ Plumes en Fète scarf
Here are the photos of some other looks from the week, in a slideshow format:
Grand Manège Love Bandana
Au Coeur de la Vie by Aline Honoré for Hermès
The scarves in the slideshow are Au Coeur de la Vie (90cm) and Grand Manège Love silk bandana (70cm), both by Hermès.
Now that the weather has become so warm and humid, I am not sure if I will wear any of my expensive scarves until it cools down. It is time to change over to linen dresses, and trousers with t-shirts plus minimal jewellery. My new Massaccesi leather wrap bracelets will certainly be useful as well as beautiful:
Massaccesi Persian Green, Silver and Cobalt “Diamond” calf leather bracelets
Well, I think that’s all from me for the week. I now have to return to sorting out the house after The Visit – so much washing!
I do hope that you all have a great weekend.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
💕💗💖💗💕
P.S. I am sorry if some of the proportions of these images look a bit strange. I am still struggling with this new WordPress editor! Any hints and tips would be very welcome.
Hello everyone, it’s good to be back posting on the blog! With all of the excitement in the house, Younger Son being home for the first time in ages, I didn’t get the chance to do any sustained reading. So, the books I am writing about today were read a fortnight or so ago.
The Gates of Athens by Conn Iggulden
I just had to choose my first book: The Gates of Athens (Athenian #01) by Conn Iggulden. Of course it is years since I studied Classical Greek History at University, but I do remember some of it and this book brought back some memories from my youth! Anyway, here is the blurb:
“490 B.C.
Two great empires are about to go to war . . .
The momentous struggle between Athens and Sparta as rival powers and political systems will last for twenty-seven years (431 to 404 BC).
It will end in the fall of a dynasty.
Filled with cunning political scheming and astonishing military prowess, invasions and treacheries, plagues and slaughters, passion and power, Conn Iggulden brings to life one of the most thrilling chapters of the ancient world.”
This was such a detailed work that it took a while to finish the book! Here is my review as posted on Goodreads:
It was very interesting for me, as a former student of this period in history, to read a fictionalised version. As I read, so many familiar names emerged and I found myself looking up a lot of the characters to remind myself of their stories. Because I already knew a lot of the historical background, I began to anticipate much of the action, both in terms of the battles, but also the political manoeuvring of the time. So, I feel that Iggulden did a pretty good job in bringing all of this to vivid life.
I particularly enjoyed his detailed descriptions of what a Greek warship might have been like to sail into a sea battle. The restrictions on the rowers in terms of space and how difficult it must have been to manoeuvre them, were depicted very well.
My one issue – and this will always happen with books about the Ancient Athenians – is how few female characters there are. Women’s lives were so restricted to the domestic sphere, that there are few known women to write about!
This first book of the series finished at a very exciting place in the tale, so I am really looking forward to reading the second part. I hope that my library decides to purchase the ebook!
Devolution by Max Brooks
My second book was Devolution by Max Brooks. This is the blurb:
”As the ash and chaos from Mount Rainier’s eruption swirled and finally settled, the story of the Greenloop massacre has passed unnoticed, unexamined… until now. But the journals of resident Kate Holland, recovered from the town’s bloody wreckage, capture a tale too harrowing – and too earth-shattering in its implications – to be forgotten.
In these pages, Max Brooks brings Kate’s extraordinary account to light for the first time, faithfully reproducing her words alongside his own extensive investigations into the massacre and the beasts behind it, once thought legendary but now known to be terrifyingly real.
Kate’s is a tale of unexpected strength and resilience, of humanity’s defiance in the face of a terrible predator’s gaze, and inevitably, of savagery and death.
Yet it is also far more than that.
Because if what Kate Holland saw in those days is real, then we must accept the impossible. We must accept that the creature known as Bigfoot walks among us – and that it is a beast of terrible strength and ferocity.”
Brooks’ book, World War Z, is a favourite (BTW, the book is miles better than the film, in my opinion), so I was pleased when I saw this one on our ebook catalogue. Here is my response:
I was really excited when I saw that this book was available as I really rate World War Z. OK, it didn’t live up to the standard of the previous work, but I did find it an exciting and absorbing read.
The style of the writing was obviously meant to echo that used in World War Z, but was less successful when writing about a smaller number of characters and scenarios. The “green and sustainable” lifestyle sought by the characters was clearly intended to be idyllic and peaceful, but was also quite amusing: provisions brought by drones, for example. I did enjoy the development of the characters throughout the book: with some who previously appeared weak and self-absorbed becoming brave and resourceful and others becoming quite the opposite!
Anyway, it all served to remind me to make sure I am fully provisioned at all times just in case we have either a Zombie Apocalypse or an attack by a family of Yetis…
I have a few book waiting in line for me to read, but I cannot yet decide which one to choose. All will become clear in next week’s Reading Roundup post.
At last, I am able to write about my haircut, which I had over a week ago! I have been struggling this week, in various ways, but I will not go into details as I really don’t want to moan. So, here are the before and after photos…
Left: before, right: after!
I eventually decided on quite a drastic change! I was tired of managing longer hair and just wanted to get it all out of the way, so I asked the hairdresser for a much shorter cut and to dry it without using curling tongs. It’s a bit strange that my hair only seems to curl at the front when it is longer.
For the trip to the hair salon, I wore a Lands’ End cotton mix top in purple, dark navy jeans and the lovely Hermès’ scarf L’Arbre du Vent in blue, fuchsia and turquoise, tied in a simple bias fold held by my MaiTai purple scarf ring. I also carried my new purple handbag from Massaccesi.
Early this week, I managed to wear another nice outfit based around purples after I had washed my hair for the first time since the cut. Here it is:
Outfit of the day 17/05/21
As you can see, the details of the outfit are the same as above, but the scarf was Hermès’ Dans Un Jardin Anglais and I wore the Sainsbury’s Tu silver butterfly earrings given to me by Elder Son.
Next week, I should have some new nightwear to show you. As I wear it so much, a lot of my collection has been giving up the ghost and so I needed to replace quite a lot.
I had great fun with a really entertaining book this week! As it was long, I haven’t had enough time to finish another, so it’s just one I am writing about.
The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
After two exciting series set in the same “world”, this is the opening book of a trilogy which takes place in a totally new setting: The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne (#01 The Bloodsworn Saga). This is the blurb:
”This is the age of storm and murder. After the old gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrio.
Now, power-hungry jarls carve out petty kingdoms, and monsters stalk the shadow-haunted woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power, promising fame and fortune for those brave – or desperate – enough to seek them out.
As whispers of war echo over the plains and across the fjords, fate follows the footsteps of three people: a huntress searching for her missing son, a jarl’s daughter who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who has cast off his chains and now fights alongside the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.
All three will shape the fate of the world, as it once more teeters on the edge of chaos.”
And here is the review that I posted on the Goodreads website:
Whoooooop! Another exciting, pulse raising, heart pounding, sword and axe raising blood-fest! When you are beset by worries, this is just the kind of book you need to take your mind away from them.
Here, three different characters take inter-woven journeys in a fantasy Viking universe. This first book in the series really sets the scene of a brutal world with heroic characters and evil villains, hacking their way across the sea and land towards….
…. well I am sure we will find out in subsequent volumes!
I am fast becoming a fanatical follower of John Gwynne’s work as I love his ability to create such immersing worlds, characters and plots. I can’t wait until the next book!
One small niggle (and why I didn’t award the full five stars). The repetition of certain phrases does occasionally get on my nerves e.g. the belt holding the weight of the chain mail. There were several others like this, repeated so often throughout the book – just not necessary!
On the other hand, I am so pleased by the balance of strong female and male characters. This is, in my experience of fantasy writing, quite unusual. So, well done!
What do you and your children recommend I read to fill in the time before your next book, John?
Also, I must confess that I was rather excited when John Gwynne himself “liked” this review! Whilst waiting until I can enjoy his next book, I have to keep myself busy and entertained, so I have chosen my next book: The Gates of Athens by Conn Iggulden (#01 Athenian series). I will let you know how I get on in next week’s Reading Roundup.
I had planned to show you my new haircut today but, unfortunately, I am really struggling with my health. Apologies for the number of times that I have to start a post like this. Anyway, I will try to write about it later in the week and also take a photo when I have washed my hair. I am not sure how it is going to look! I am too weak to wash my hair daily, so it has to wait until I can raise enough energy to shower instead of having a quick strip wash.
I will, instead, show you this lovely photo that I saw on Twitter the other day:
Japanese wisteria
As many of you will know:
I love purple!
If anyone knows the source of this image I will, of course, acknowledge it properly.
Love and best wishes,
Anne
💕💗💖💗💕
P.S. Many thanks to those of you who have left such lovely comments recently. I promise that I will answer them this week. Apologies for my tardiness XXX
Yes, I did go to the hairdresser’s yesterday, but I am saving that post until next week. Today, I am going to show you the outfit that I wore earlier in the week, before I had the haircut.
Outfit of the day 11/05/21 with Hermès’ Baobab Cat gavroche
Outfit details:
Purple short-sleeved cotton top – Lands’ End (photo is of a similar top in a darker purple).
Navy cotton joggers – Cotton Traders.
Grey crystal and gold drop earrings – Swarovski Crystal.
Purple enamel and gold Salamander bangle – Halcyon Days.
Silk scarf, 45cm, in bright pink, grey, purple, white and black – Baobab Cat. Tied in a loose cowboy knot using the device (see below).
I do love these cute gavroche scarves and plan to wear mine more often – perhaps next week? Anyway, this image should remind or inform you about the device I made from Hermès bolduc ribbon and four brass D-rings to lengthen smaller scarves:
I have finished one book in time to write about it today and I was rushing to finish another one. But then I slowed down and thought for a while.
Why do I read?
To be able to count how many books I finish in a year, or to really savour and enjoy a fantastic plot and interesting characters?
To gallop through a book as quickly as possible or to wander through a magical experience that draws me in, away from my fears and worries?
My current book is definitely drawing me in and helping me to forget my situation – so why spoil that experience?
The decision is made and I am going to write about one book this week and leave the other for next week, or even the week after if it takes me that long to finish!
Turncoat by Anthony J Quinn
So, my book this week was Turncoat by Anthony J Quinn. Here is the blurb:
”The sole survivor of a murderous ambush, a Belfast police detective is forced into a desperate search for a mysterious informer that takes him to a holy island on Lough Derg, a place shrouded in strange mists and hazy rain, where nothing is as it first appears to be.
A keeper of secrets and a purveyor of lies, the detective finds himself surrounded by enemies disguised as pilgrims, and is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the purgatorial island, where he is forced to confront a series of disturbing secrets and ghosts in his own life.
Haunting and unsettling, Turncoat is a story of guilt, survival, and the terrible price of self-knowledge, told through the voice of a detective with a double life. Descending into paranoia and self-doubt, he uncovers a sinister panorama of cover-ups and conspiracies. The closer he edges to the truth, the deeper he is drawn into the currents of power, violence and guilt engulfing his country . . . “
I wrote this short review on the Goodreads website:
Yet again, I seem to be almost alone in my reaction to this book. Most of the reviewers on here seem to love it and have gained a great deal from reading it. Well, not me!
I found the book tedious. After the first half, I kept waiting for something momentous to happen, so I kept on reading. At the two-thirds mark, it was the same. I felt as if I was also walking around and around the same features, just as the main character was. Towards the end, a few things did happen, so at least I can add a star for that. Perhaps, as a non-religious English woman, I am missing some deeper meaning?
As you can see, I awarded the book only two stars. Perhaps you can now see my reasons for savouring my current book! It is John Gwynne’s latest: The Shadow of the Gods, #01 in his The Bloodsworn Saga – excellent so far and really doing the trick of distraction from my worries and cares.
I do hope that you had a great weekend. Mine was OK, although I spent most of it in bed watching the final episodes of Scandal and the first of series 16 of Grey’s Anatomy, thanks to my iPad and a subscription to Amazon Prime.
I also managed to take some photos of my latest purchase from Marco Massaccesi with a few suitable Hermès scarves. First of all I will show you a collage:
Clockwise from the large image: Massaccesi Midi-Selene in Deep Purple Africa leather, Jaguar Quetzal, Dans un Jardin Anglais, Baobab Cat, La Promenade du Platon, L’Arbre du Vent.
As the images are quite small, I have added them to a slideshow so that you can see them better:
I am so happy that this handbag fits into my wardrobe so well! Perhaps another purple Autumn/Winter scarf would be nice?
Former professional school librarian, now retired through chronic illness. Trying to keep cheerful by reading, drinking lots of tea, blogging my new life, and my love of bling!
The Librain
The Librain......retired 
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