WRAP-UP | April 2018

Hello, bookish friends! Today is the last day of April, and you know what that means! Wrap-up time! I had a wonderful reading month, so let’s just dive right in! 🙂

 

 

“Trees, shrubs, and plants had an important place in Celtic spirituality. They provided shelter and protection, tools and weapons, food and fuel. They were therefore crucial to survival in everyday life, and this was in turn integrated with spiritual life.”

 

 

 

Shortly after becoming interested in tarot reading (thanks to The Raven Cycle), I found this in Half Price Books for just over $7, and it still has the full deck! I was super excited about this at the time, but it still took me a year to pick up this book and fully read through it. The content surprised me in the best way! I expected this to be a gimmicky sort of thing where the true value lie in having the cards. Not so! The book was fascinating and informative. It touched on an array of topics related to Celtic mythology and spirituality, not just the cards, and the section that was on the cards was detailed and beautiful illustrated. Additionally, the system of reading in Celtic tradition is a bit different from the tarot I had learned, so that was an exciting new element to practice. All in all, this was an unexpected gem of a read!

 

 

“I believe that I’m stronger than most girls—that I’m not so easily fooled by the sisters’ ethereal voices. My mother used to say that we are like the Swan sisters—she and I. Misunderstood. Different. Outcasts living alone on the island, reading fortunes in the cosmos of tea leaves. But I wonder if it’s even possible to be normal in a place like Sparrow. Perhaps we all have some oddity, some strangeness we keep hidden along our edges, things we see that we can’t explain, things we wish for, things we run from.”

 

 

Ohhhh my goodness you guys. THIS. BOOK. I’ve seen very mixed reviews on it, so I’m definitely not saying it’s an absolute must-read for everyone, but I LOOOOOOVED this book. It’s one of those ones that sucked me back in for a good chapter while I was just looking for the quote I wanted to use. When I was first reading this I couldn’t put it down, and I already want to pick it up again. I think a big part of my obsession with it was that it includes so many of the atmospheric elements I adore. Dark, seaside town. Witches. A somewhat psychic, outcast mother and daughter. Magic that is a huge part of the story, but remains abstract throughout. A mysterious, beautiful boy. UGH. Please excuse me while I return to my impromptu reread …

 

 

 

“It is possible to be heroic without ever wielding a sword, slaying a dragon, or dying for a noble cause. While heroism always involves the fight for something, the battle can take place within oneself as commonly as it can without. The battle within is the spiritual battle and requires making a choice about what is most important in one’s life. That done, then comes the challenge to protect it.”

 

Next up is this absolutely GORGEOUS little book of greek myths retold. I stumbled across this just a few weeks ago in 2nd and Charles, and I simply couldn’t resist picking it up and reading it in one sitting. I’m such a mythology lover, and this was truly enamoring for me. It featured many of my particular favorite myths, and the illustrations were breathtaking in the truest sense of the word. Like I’m not being dramatic when I saw that. I actually sucked in a breath and then squealed a bit when I first opened it in the store. So I mean, I was being dramatic then, but I’m not being dramatic in my use of the word breathtaking.

 

 

“They want to share their favourite books with as many people as they can so they sit down together and come up with a plan.”

 

 

 

I saw this on Instagram, and just had to order it despite the fact that it’s a children’s picture book, and I have no children. It was possibly the most endearing and beautiful picture book I’ve ever read, and I have now sent it off to be enjoyed by my mother’s first grade class!

 

 

 

“‘Fear not!’ said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skilful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land.”

 

 

And so continues our journey though Middle-earth! If you are reading this and don’t follow me on Instagram, a friend and I have been hosting a readalong for first The Hobbit and now The Lord of the Rings! I enjoyed The Fellowship of the Ring so much, and I’m continually thrilled to finally be reading through this epic, classic series. The first time I tried to read this (a few years ago), I found it a bit overwhelming and slow-moving. I can still see how I felt that way, but when taking it slowly and reading with friends, I’m found an immense appreciation for every little detail Tolkien includes, and I loved every page of this novel. I can’t wait to continue with The Two Towers, which we’ve just started! And by the way, if you’re interested in joining us, or if you just want to see some beautiful Tolkien-related photos, check out the #ReadingThroughMiddleEarth hashtag on Instagram!

 

 

 

What did you read this month?