Tag: book review

Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee… by Charlie Higson

I found this to be a very pleasant surprise and I was honestly expecting it to be a little underwhelming and too similar to David Mitchell’s Unruly, but what a thoroughly enjoyable romp between 1000 years of English/British Monarchs.

Very readable and approachable and full of humour and interest. Is it clonclusive or detailed? No but there is enough for each Monarch to get a lot out of this book. Even the boring ones or who did little of note.

It is a book I would love to read again and I loved the illustrations by Jim Moir (Vic Reeves), especially the one of Wat Tyler and Richard II, and the one of Simon de Montfort with his balls on his nose!

Highly recommend this book.

Revolting by Terry Deary

A very fun and enjoyable history or Revolts and Rebellions from the creater of the much loved kids books Horrible Histories. This book is similar but for adults. I found it easier going and more enjoyable than “A History of Britain In Ten Enemies”.

A lot of interesting tidbits of hitory split into 10 sections and lessons like for the sections it could be Money, Religion, Slavery and for the lessons Get A Leader, Gather Intelligence.

On the whole it was good fun and a nice, light read if you don’t mind reading about molten metal down someone’s throat or people being hung, drawn and quartered.

I look forward to reading what is next from Terry Deary. He is alongside RL Stine and Roald Dahl as one of my early literary influences that got me into reading (and history) as a child.

The Magpie at Night by Li Qingzhau

A great collection of Chinese poetry recently re-published by Penguin Classics. The poems are by the poet Li Qingzhau from the 12th Century Song Dynasty.

It is a beautiful collection of poetry, some melancholy and highlights the poets feelings for life and nature around her, very evocative and touching writing. When you read about Li Qingzhau and the life she lived it is understandable why her poems took a turn to the melancholy.

It is the first collection of Chinese poetry I have read for a while and I quite enjoyed it.

Following The Moon by James Norbury

A wonderful and charming little read, a quaint graphic novel following the journey of a displaced pup taken under the paw of an aging wolf to reunite with her family.

Some sweet quotes about life and following your own moon, something we should all do more of. Beautiful illustrations.

The second book I have read by this author, my first was Big Panda and Tiny Dragon.