Ted Hughes The Hawk in the Rain

 

I decided to read Ted Hughes' first poetry collection. I already read "Selected Poems" earlier. The best poems from this were in that collection like "The Casualty" and "The Thought Fox." This collection goes between nature and war poems. The war poems are just ok, but his nature poems are where he shines. I think Ted Hughes early period is worth reading. In "Selected Poems" the older he grew the less interesting his poems were. His poems from his youth are more full of ideas and there's more enthusiasm. I might just read "Lupercal", another one of his early poetry collections.  

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales

 

This collection of fairy tales was ok. It involves Scottish creatures like brownies and selkies.  There are also retellings of known fairy tales like Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin.  I liked the stories that involved the folklore of Scotland more since it was new to me. I don't really know much about their culture. It's nice to learn something new. The illustrations were good too. I like reading mythology or folklore every day. When I hear a reference to a mythological creature on a tv show or movie and I actually know what the show is talking it makes me feel special.    

The Women of Brewster Place

 I love this book about a neighborhood of African American women. The characters are flawed but real, interesting, and likable. I liked the story about Cora Lee, a woman who has babies and doesn't see them as much different as dolls. I also liked the story about the lesbian couple. I'm already reading another book by Gloria Naylor. I love reading African American literature. I have a list I plan to read of them on Amazon. Gloria Naylor is pretty talented.