Friday Favourites :: 6 May

Now that I’m making weekly trips out into the world again, I’ve also been taking the opportunity for a regular pop in to my local library. I honestly missed the library so much while we’ve been working from home. We’re so lucky in Canberra to have a fabulous library service – it’s so easy to reserve books, and have them transferred to my local branch, and I regularly borrow not only books but also dvds. Over the past few weeks I’ve borrowed a bunch of novels and non-fiction books for both me and my daughter (it has been perfect for feeding her Dogman addiction!). Today I thought my library a bit of love and share my current reads.

The Women of Troy by Pat Barker

I am on a bit of a Greek myths kick at the moment, having recently read Elektra (which I loved – check out my review here), and when I saw Pat Barker’s The Women of Troy at the National Museum a few weeks ago I just had to put a reservation on it so I could borrow it to read.

Troy has fallen. The Greeks have won their bitter war. They can return home as victors – all they need is a good wind to lift their sails. But the wind has vanished, the seas becalmed by vengeful gods, and so the warriors remain in limbo – camped in the shadow of the city they destroyed, kept company by the women they stole from it.

The women of Troy.

Helen – poor Helen. All that beauty, all that grace – and she was just a mouldy old bone for feral dogs to fight over.

Cassandra, who has learned not to be too attached to her own prophecies. They have only ever been believed when she can get a man to deliver them.

Stubborn Amina, with her gaze still fixed on the ruined towers of Troy, determined to avenge the slaughter of her king.

Hecuba, howling and clawing her cheeks on the silent shore, as if she could make her cries heard in the gloomy halls of Hades. As if she could wake the dead.

And Briseis, carrying her future in her womb: the unborn child of the dead hero Achilles. Once again caught up in the disputes of violent men. Once again faced with the chance to shape history.

The Key to Tarot by Sarah Bartlett

I love a reference book and always have an eye out for new tarot books. I find borrowing non-fiction books like this, or like recipe books, is such a great way to check out titles before deciding whether to buy them or not. I haven’t had a chance to have a good look at this one yet, but I am planning to start sharing some more tarot stuff here so will try to remember to let you know how it goes.

I’d love to know if you’re a library lover too! Let me know in the comments your favourite thing about you local library (whether that’s a library in a physical building, or somewhere online for borrowing ebooks and audiobooks!

xo Bron