21st July 2026
Hi Guys,
I hope you are all okay?
I have missed you my fellow bookworms.
I know it has been a while since I have been able to give you an update.
Here goes…
On the 25th of June 2026, I no longer had to dream of a pain free right hip. I just wanted to thank everyone for being my absolute rocks through that time. I promise we are coming out the other side. I am in Swanage recovering at the minute with my beautiful team of Angels and my fantastic family. Whilst I am here I have some massive thank yous to hand out; this doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate everyone else, these people just need a mention. Firstly, Mr. Caesar Wek, thank you for not turning me away and taking me seriously and giving me my life back. Secondly, the amazing nurses and fellow patients on Ridgeway Ward and the Physio department who are helping me work so hard. Thank you for helping me to find an inner strength through my panic.
Thirdly, a double thank you to Bethan, thank for holding me together on that day, and Nicki, thank you from the bottom of heart for keeping me calm when I felt like I was about to lose control. Every single Angel I work with is super important to me, but these two deserve to stand in the limelight today. I now don’t have to wonder what I can achieve because whatever it is just around the corner.
Now, reading has been a major part of my fast recovery. As you will have maybe seen, Hatty’s Reading Corner has expanded to include a lot more in the Library. If you haven’t, go back a few pages and bookmark it. Basically, I felt the Library needed some new shelves. We have some Book Clubs to chat about now and a new piece of furniture to snuggle on…
But don’t worry the Reading Corner is staying where it is.
Talking of going back in time, I want to take you back to an old Book Club I joined. The Science Fiction and Fantasy one at Waterstones. I will give a double review. I no longer attend but the books were still interesting.
Library Reading Group
Chapter 25 Book Club
Series Sofa
I want to give a sneak peek into what the future will look like when we are away from The Reading Corner. What better way to start than to return to one of my favourite bookshops, Waterstones. I don’t know if you remember when I reviewed Rewitched and Gliff, but that was the last time we were here. Each of those reviews were separate. They will be there in the Corner if you want to revisit them.
Today though we will be discussing A Language of Dragons (A Language of Dragons Book 1) by S.F. Williamson and The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August. I will try and keep these brief so I don’t get burnt by a dragon or lose the gifts I have been given.
Book 1
Author 1 S. F. Williamson
Book & Audiobook info for A Language of Dragons (A Language of Dragons # 1)
Publisher HarperCollins Children’s Books
Imprint HarperFire
Narrator Kristin Atherton
Review deep dive
Ways of reading: Audiobook/Hardcover
Number of pages: 480
Audiobook length: 12 hrs, 47 mins (unabridged)
Genre: Fantasy/Science fiction
Publication date: 2nd January 2025
Original language: English
Dedication for both reads
Thank you Kate Stanton for introducing me to the Fantasy and Science Fiction Book Club. It certainly opened my eyes to some different authors and narrators.
Started on: 3rd November 2025
Finished on: 15th November 2025
Read rating: ****
Enjoyment level: 1/5
Reading ease: 1/5
I struggled with this. It had so much potential. In it’s layout The Language of Dragons was giving me Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon A Broken Heart series vibes. It was particularly in the reports on the dragons and their movements.
The way they were different on the page reminded me of the letters Evangeline receives and replies to.
I loved how beautifully narrated the accents for each dragons and other characters were voiced when it came to the audiobook. They really flew off the page.
The dragons and accepting them is the most powerful thing about this book.
‘The learning of languages- and translation in particular – is about giving a voice to people, to species and countries who have yet to beard by the world. To learn nothing but human tongues would be to turn in on ourselves, would be like erasing the dragons and their history.’
I don’t think I will be picking up the next in the series but I thought this is a super important message about not isolating anyone and leaving them behind. It’s important to make sure everyone feels heard and seen.
From dragons to universes.
Book 2
Author Riley August
Book and Audiobook info for The Last Gifts of the Universe
Publisher Cornerstone a division within Penguin Random House
Imprint Del Rey
Narrators Robyn Holdaway
Ayesha Antoine
And Chris Thompson
Genre: Science Fiction
First published: 1st October 2024
Original language: English
Number of pages: 288
Audiobook length: 5 hours, 43 minutes
Read rating: **
Reading ease: 4/5
Enjoyment factor: 1/5
The thing I liked most about The Last Gifts of the Universe was the different voices that narrated the audiobook.
The idea of the world and civilians becoming reduced to holograms was hard for me to get my head around, but not impossible with the fast advancement of AI.
I am kind of glad of glad I read it because it was something I wouldn’t normally choose. The story also had an important message about appreciating what life we have.
‘”Life is a gift, Scout,” my mum told me. “Yours is just for you. Every moment. Every second. Run with it. Cherish it. Breathe it all it in, Scout. That’s how you say thank you.”’
Thank you for taking me out of my reading comfort zone Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club in Bournemouth Waterstones.
I am almost done with all of my Waterstones Book Club books, but we will have one more fairly soon. Next time I see you we will return to Lord John Grey and see what supernatural situation he faces next. I hope that is okay with you, my Lords and Ladies?
I will see you really soon in the Reading Corner. I hope you enjoy what is left of the summer.
Love Lady Hatty
Xxx
Hatty’s Reading Corner 
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