"She walks in beauty like the night..." By Lord G Byron

She walks in beauty like the night,
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright,
Meet in her aspect and her eyes,
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies,
One shade the more one ray the less,
Had half impaired that nameless grace,
Which waves in every raven tress,
And softly lightens over her face,
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure how dear their dwelling place!
And on that cheek and o'er that brow,
So soft so calm yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow
And tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Lord. G. Byron

Another sweet-sounding poem, from a not so-sweet poet!

Jemima's new poetry season!

I have been getting the taste for poetry, so I thought I would share some favourite pieces with you all. Find your own favourites in the following days.

I care not, fortune what you me deny!
You cannot rob me of free nature's grace,
You cannot shut the windows of the sky
Through which Aurora shows her brightening face,
You cannot bar my constant feet to trace
The woods and lawns by living stream at eve,
Let health, my nerves, and finer fibres brace,
And I, their toy, to the great children leave,
Of fancy, reason, virtue, nought can me bereave!

James Thomson

I hope you enjoyed this opening verse, as much as I did when I first read it. Full of the beauty of freedom, and the joy of the natural world. A wonderfully uplifting first verse.

Poetry Corner!

Just thought I'd add some beautiful poetry into the mix!

Can death be sleep, when life is but a dream,
And scenes of bliss pass as a phantom by?
The transient pleasures as a vision seem,
And yet we think the greatest pain's to die.

How strange it is that man on earth should roam,
And lead a life of woe, but not forsake,
His rugged path; nor dare he view alone
His future doom which is but to awake.

John Keats


A short and sweet composition, that lingers in the mind long after.
One to remember.

"Little women" by Louisa May Alcott

This was one of those books, that I had been meaning to read for ages. I was expecting it to be boring, and quite difficult to get through. The beginning starts out a little slow, but stick with it, beacause it definitely gets better.

Jo March's character is probably now one of my favourites, She's a bit of a tomboy, and the novel follows her, and her sisters: pretty Meg, saintly Beth, and precocious Amy. There's also a very charming Laurie-their neighbour next door. Alcott uses a very strong moral undertone in her book, which can be quite off-putting in other books, but for some reason, you don't notice it so much here. The story is written with so much truth and sincerity, that it's not surprising to learn it's mainly based on facts from the author's life.

By the end of the story, you are so invested in the characters, that you can imagine everything that happens after the last full-stop.

"The prime of Miss Jean Brodie" by Muriel Spark

I've just finished this book, and I have to say it is quite strange! Set in Edinburgh, at Marcia Blaine academy-a girls school, the story follows the formidable Miss Jean Brodie, as she attempts to teach and manipulate 6 girls, into her small clique. Is Jean Brodie all she seems? Or is she working to a darker purpose? I liked the characters of Miss Brodie, and Sandy, the others I felt lacked depth, although I think this may have been for a reason.

A clever tale of women in their "prime", with added mystery as to who betrays Miss Brodie in the end.

This will have you thinking, long after you turn the last page.

"The lollipop shoes" by Joanne Harris

Mouth-watering or what!? This book is the little-known sequel to the famous 'Chocolat'. Join Vianne Rocher through the streets of Paris, and watch her as she stirs up chocolate truffels and macaroons, homemade fudge, hot chocolate with cardamom and chilli, florentines, etc, etc...I'm breathless already!

A story of identity, and the importance of family and individuality. Jam-packed with colourful characters, and everyday magic, this book will definitely leave you wishing for a sequel (another film for Johnny Depp perhaps?!)

One word-Yum!

Bona-fide book reviews: "I capture the castle" by Dodie Smith

Bona-fide book reviews: "I capture the castle" by Dodie Smith


If you liked the book, try the film adaptation

"I capture the castle" by Dodie Smith

For my first ever review, on my first ever blog, I thought I would start by telling you about my Favourite book: Ever heard of '101 dalmations?' No, don't get too excited! I'm talking about Dodie Smith, author of the disney classic and novel 'I capture the castle'.

Avoiding the cliched "a coming of age tale", I must tell you that the story revolves around the Mortmain family, and their struggle to live in a dilapidated castle in the middle of Suffolk. Rose and Cassandra must contend with an eccentric father suffering from severe writers block, and two handsome Americans, moving in next door, as well as a step mum who likes to dance around naked at full moons! I've never read a book with such eloquent prose, nor felt such a connection with the characters. "I write this, sitting in the kitchen sink..."

Strongly recommended!