8th June 2025
Hello Sassenachs,
How are you?
I am okay thank you. I know you’re probably thinking Hatty is writing to us a lot lately. I wonder why? It’s because I have a lot to share with you.
I think I mentioned last time we chatted that I have a right hip that is not playing ball and is causing a lot of pain. Well, talking to you and saying what I have been up to recently, keeps me busy and takes the pain away for a while.
One of the other things that takes it away is attending Rock Choir. We have been working on some great songs this term.
- Blondie – Call Me – This song has some of the strangest lyrics. ‘Colour me your colour baby, colour me your car.’ What? I am glad we are all confused as a choir. It doesn’t make any sense.
2. Oasis – Roll With it – I’m not a massive Oasis fan but I like the dance moves we do for this song as it involves a lot of swaying.
3. Foo Fighters – Learn To Fly – this is a tough one for me to sing but a great song for all the harmony parts
4. Phil Collins – Two Hearts – Again I am not a big Phil Collins lover but this one is growing on me. The more we perform it, the more I like it. For ages I went around singing ‘I like tea but I don’t like coffee, I don’t like coffee, I don’t.’ it was the way we were taught the oohs and ahhs at the beginning of the Rock Choir version the song. (I do love both beverages by the way).
5. Sam Ryder – Mountain – This is a song made for a choir. It has such an important message about coming out of hard times. It makes me appreciate all the wonderful people and have had and still do, have the privilege the work with and know. I have amazing people in my family and the strength they show me every day is what I think of when we sing, ‘I am a mountain and down in the valley below is all that I’ve overcome.’
6. Natasha Beddingfield – Unwritten – We haven’t started this one yet but I can’t wait for next week! This is a song that reminds me my teenage years; back then, I didn’t think I had something to write that was worth reading. Maybe I was wrong because here I am, writing the blog in front of you. I want to tell my teenage self ‘Everything is going to be okay. You have people that want to hear your voice now.’ Girl power.
Now, speaking of songs, before we look at the review of the next installment of Outlander, I want to show you the difference between the main series titles for season 2. This one covers Book 2.
The first version of The Skye Boat Song is half in French to show that Jamie and Claire have gone to Paris. The second version of the titles goes from Paris to Scotland and the song is back in English to signify a return to home for them.
Paris
Scotland
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Series Outlander Book 2
Book Title: Dragonfly in Amber
Publishing House: Penguin Random House
Imprint: Arrow Books
Review
Jamie and ‘Bonny Prince Charlie.’
Dedication
Brilliant Barbara. Thank you for taking me through the stones,
History Hideout
1745 – The battle of ’45 + the Jacobite Rising – this was Charles Edward Stuart’s attempt to reclaim the thrones of Scotland and England for the House of Stuart. It was the most famous of the Jacobite Uprisings, of which there were many. It ultimately led to the Battle of Culloden on 16th April 1746.
Ways of reading: Audiobook/paperback
Started: 1st May 2025
Finished: 14th May 2025
Read rating: *****
Number of pages: 963
Would I recommend: Aye
Originally published language: English
First published: 1st July 1992
Ease of reading: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Genres: Historical/romance
Years this book takes place in 1968 and 1744-46
Have you ever said, ‘I want to go to bed early because my book is so good I can’t put it down?’ Well, if you haven’t, welcome to my world right now. I don’t want to get up in the mornings anymore! I can’t wait to wake up and follow along with the race against time in my ears and hands.
Dragonfly in Amber had me hooked from the word 1968. I felt like I was watching an hourglass being turned and the sand running too fast to the bottom.
Jamie and Claire are on a mission to try to prevent the Battle of Culloden. They have so much to protect. History is inescapable. The love they have for each other will always be with them though, no matter what happens. My favourite quote from Dragonfly in Amber is said by Jamie, ‘Lord, ye gave a rare woman, and God! I loved her well.’
Well done Diana Gabaldon. How do you weave your magic every time.? I almost dropped the book when it started in 1968. When I left Claire she was in 1743, I sighed with relief on returning to her and Jamie in 1744 Paris, befriending Prince Charles.
In 1968 Scotland, Claire is coming to terms with her past with Jamie and looking for answers with her daughter about the aftermath of Culloden. Does she find what she expects?
I love how history is coloured in by Gabaldon. There were many times while reading this book and watching the series, where I wanted to punch ‘Bonny Prince Charlie’ in the face. If you say, ‘Mark Me’, one more time! Stop behaving like a petulant child, who wheedles when they don’t what they want.
This certainly was an action pack read. So much so, I’ve written in my review notes ‘I’m an emotional wreck.
I can’t wait to read the next one. In fact I am on it as we speak.
Thank you for reading this one.
When I see you next time we will be in The Cerebral Pantry baking some cookies.
We are also going to take a small Outlander break.
I have been reading some other things and joined a Book Club but more on that when we are next in the Reading Corner.
See you soon.
Love Hatts
Xxx
Hatty’s Reading Corner 
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