The Wondrous Adventures at Puffin's Book Nook

I have a 5-year plan to read my way through all the works of Shakespeare, both reading and when possible watching good productions.  This is the 1st on my list, one of his tragedies. “What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” What's in a name? that which we call Shakespeare By any other name, would remain great. An easy one to start and a good introduction to the works of the Bard.  Is this a tale of love, or a tale of controlling ones passions that lead to impetus decisions with dire outcomes?

Much fun and delight and a great antidote to a hard week. I also watched the DVD with Kenneth Branagh and enjoyed that. A fine romp.

I knew next to nothing about Newfoundland before I read this well written book, but now I have an understanding of it's history, geography and people. One of the main characters is Joey Smallwood who was a real person; the main force that brought the Dominion of Newfoundland into the Confederation of Canada in 1949, and Newfoundland's first Premier. He worked throughout his life towards bettering the lot of the poor who lived in harsh living and working conditions. This is a book which I think one day will be seen as a classic alongside Dickens; with it's cast of characters and depicting the poor and downtrodden.  A 100 pages in and I am already drawn into the story. At this point the most memorable chapter for me was the episode of the sealers and the hard life they led. Having recently read Moby Dick I recognize the same tribute made to men who may have had to do a cruel hard job so as to save their families from starvation. People today complain so much about con...