"Rose in bloom" by Louisa May Alcott

Sorry to continue in the 'classics vein', but there really are lots of good ones out there. "Rose in bloom" is a sequel to "Eight cousins" by the same author. Not being able to get hold of a copy, I tried the sequel instead.

The heroine of the story is Rose Campbell, adopted by an uncle, and raised among 7 male cousins, and endless aunts and uncles. To be honest, she's a little prim and maybe a bit too 'good' (who picks philanthropy as a career?) but the sentiments are there, and the other characters try to lead you in the right direction. Reckless Charlie is more realistic, but sadly meets a tragic end...Mac is another decent character, and quite enigmatic.

A pretty little story, from someone who has probably done better. Nevertheless, heartfelt and sincere in its ideals, and touching at its end.

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

This book is definitely in my top three. Having gone through a stage when I read lots of classics, I was beginning to become a little disillusioned with them all. Some tend to drone on a bit, and spend chapters describing a field/a sunrise. This however was different.

Elizabeth Bennett's character is extremely likeable and relatable, someone who wouldn't seem out of place in the real world. Mr. Darcy is a complete arse, when we first meet him, but soon changes, and Austen writes with so much wit, and insight, that this book doesn't feel nearly 200 years old! Anyone who has read much Jane Austen, can tell you that "Pride and Prejudice" is the best of the bunch, and some may even go so far as to say that it's almost as though it was written by a different person!

"Lady Lazarus" by Sylvia Plath

This is a poem that I only discovered quite recently, whilst flicking through a book at work. The language is incredibly powerful, and feels as though there is a tangible energy running through each line-even each word.

Due to the length of the poem, I will only put in a few of my favourite verses (these are not necessarily in order):

Them unwrap me hand and foot
The big strip tease
Gentlemen, Ladies

As a sea-shell.
They had to call and call
And pick the worms off me like sticky pearls

Ash, ash-
You poke and stir.
Flesh, bone, there is nothing there-

A cake of soap,
A wedding ring,
A gold filling

Herr God, Herr Lucifer
Beware
Beware.

Out of the ash
I rise with my red hair
And I eat men like air

Sylvia Plath

A haunting poem, illustrating Plath's own experience with suicide. Not easy to forget.

"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.