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What I Read ~ JANUARY 2024


All my book reviews and everything I read in January 2024.


The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause by Dr Louise Newsom. Totally essential reading, and not just if you are a certain age... The author talks about everything menopause and perimenopause, including dispelling myths and practical, accessible and essential knowledge. Highly recommended. Published by Yellow Kite Find out more here - https://www.yellowkitebooks.co.uk/titles/dr-louise-newson-2/the-definitive-guide-to-the-perimenopause-and-menopause-the-sunday-times-bestseller/9781399705172/ and here - https://www.balance-menopause.com/dr-louise-newson/ 

Winter by Ali Smith. I'm not reading this Season's Quarter of novels in the "right"order, the order they were published in. But it doesn't matter. This one is the first, and is brilliant. And I'm just beginning to realise that there are subtle and hidden links between all 4 books. A bit like unfolding a mystery. This one was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize in 2018.   Published by Penguin Books Find out more here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/285178/winter-by-smith-ali/9780241973332 

Tribune issue 20 - Dystopian Britain. Why and how did Britain get broken? There's a great article explaining all. And 50 years since the military coup in Chile, we get some history too. These magazines are a great read for inspiration, fact and up to date knowledge.  Published by Tribune Magazine Find out more here - https://tribunemag.co.uk/issue/dystopian-britain 

Songs from a journey with a Parrot, from Brazil and Portugal, collected by Magdeleine Lerasle and illustrated by AurĂ©lia Fronty. A collection of lullabies and nursery rhymes from Brazil and Portugal that invites children on an authentic musical journey to explore the strong cultural ties that bind the two countries. Traditional songs about everyday life, work and play, courtship and love, travel from Porto to Rio and Lisbon to Bahia. The fifteen traditional songs blend samba, modinha, fandango and bossa nova, and are performed by an ensemble of women, men and children. This uplifting and enchanting production, featuring several indigenous acoustic instruments, captures the convergence of rich and diverse styles. Lyrics are presented in Portuguese and translated into English, followed by notes on the origin and cultural context of each song.  A lovely introduction to the diversity of music from around the world.  
Published by The Secret Mountain Find out more here - https://www.thesecretmountain.com/portfolio/songs-from-a-journey-with-a-parrot/.  Find the accompanying music here - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0mKQkmDXdYn10APMG3Lpwi?si=hbnr4cw4S4y1IzflX27gmA&pi=e-EOXpYxc_QnGb 


Songs in the shade of the Cashew and Coconut Trees, from west Africa to the Caribbean, collected by Nathalie Soussana, and illustrated by Judith Gueyfier. An enchanting collection of 12 traditional songs that pays homage to the rich cultural heritage and multilingual communities of West Africa and the Caribbean. Stories about children playing in the schoolyard at recess, sisters braiding each other’s hair at the beach, and parents dancing and singing late into the night mesh together thanks to the music. A wide array of styles—nursery rhymes from Gabon, lullabies from Cape Verde, rumbas from the Congo, work songs from Jamaica—are all performed exquisitely by men, women, and children in more than thirteen languages. Luminous artwork and homegrown instruments, such as the djembe, cavaquinho and Peul flute, round off this wonderful celebration of history, language, and culture. Lyrics appear transcribed in their original language and translated to English, followed by extensive notes describing the cultural background of each song and a world map.   A lovely introduction to the diversity of music from around the world.  Published by The Secret Mountain Find out more here - https://www.thesecretmountain.com/portfolio/songs-in-the-shade-of-the-cashew-and-coconut-trees-lullabies-and-nursery-rhymes-from-west-africa-and-the-caribbean/.  Find the accompanying music here - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1eWXvBXC0h3U5OADBo4l79?si=ZudmDCucQZCAuE7Qc9NaVQ&pi=e-3rzWpTf0SI6s .  And teaching resources here - https://www.thesecretmountain.com/resources/ 


Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree, from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and France, collected by Hafida Favret & Magdeleine Lerasle, and illustrated by Nathalie Novi. Presented in Arabic, Berber and French, this collection of lullabies and nursery rhymes from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia draws children into a musical journey across North Africa, from the Sahara Desert through the Atlas Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. In 15 songs about everyday life, children learn of the importance of rain, the communal aspects of meals, and the consequences of inappropriate behaviour. This uplifting, enchanting collection features traditional songs performed by women, men and children, and recorded with indigenous acoustic instruments. Capturing the meeting of ancient and modern styles, it’s an absolute delight to musical ears. Lyrics are provided in Arabic and translated into English, followed by notes on each song’s origin and cultural context.  A lovely introduction to the music and songs of diverse and far-flung places.  Published by The Secret Mountain Find out more here - https://www.thesecretmountain.com/portfolio/songs-in-the-shade-of-the-olive-tree/.  Find the accompanying music here - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Pr6pJK5lr8WzmpfgnY3gR?si=AMm3iiUHThKdT40eFYLJ_g&pi=e-ku8fhYFDTZeS 

Dad's oldest book, The Little Red Engine gets a Name by Diana Ross and pictures by Lewitt-Him. Lewitt-Him was a collaborative design partnership between Jan Le Witt and George Him. They illustrated poetry, picture books, and designed commercial work for London Transport, as well as wartime public safety and information posters. For more see - https://fishinkblog.com/2021/02/15/le-witt-and-him-3/

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