2021 Blog header Shout out Saturday
Posted on by Debbie

#ShoutoutSaturday 5 – books and a song to make you smile

Welcome to shout-out #5

It’s time to share something that’s had an impact on you during the week.

welcome to #shoutoutsaturday
welcome to #shoutoutsaturday

1. Lockdown fun…in song

This video made me smile for many reasons. Thanks to my sister-in-law for sharing, and for tagging my sister in it, as she was in lockdown (again).

2. A writing challenge that turned into one of my favourite ever posts

I wrote a poem!

After having a chat with some other bloggers about where we come from, one of the group shared a template she had used a few years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of putting my memories and thoughts down, sort of following the template guidelines. Anyway it’s something that made me smile and I’m proud of my efforts. You can read more here by clicking this link – and maybe you’d like to join in:

Where am I from?

3. Jimmy has done it again! Meanwhile in Australia Part 13….

4. Books I’ve loved lately

Hamnet -by Maggie O’Farrell

Blurb on Goodreads: Hamnet is a novel inspired by the son of a famous playwright. It is a story of the bond between twins, and of a marriage pushed to the brink by grief. It is also the story of a kestrel and its mistress; flea that boards a ship in Alexandria; and a glovemaker’s son who flouts convention in pursuit of the woman he loves. Above all, it is a tender and unforgettable reimagining of a boy whose life has been all but forgotten, but whose name was given to one of the most celebrated plays ever written.

Suffice to say – I loved this book! It transported me wholly and solely back in time, it was a perfect example of ‘time travel’ by reading. The writing was mesmerising and so descriptive, the characters realistic and the premise of the book had me hooked from the first page. The family dynamics and living arrangements were an eye opener. And the main theme of grief was so well done, I couldn’t help but be caught up in it all. Honestly the best book I’ve read so far this year.

Sam Bloom: Heartache and Birdsong by Bradley Trevor Greive, Cameron Bloom and Samantha Bloom

Have you read this one or the earlier book Penguin Bloom about a mother of three boys who had a tragic accident while travelling overseas and became paralysed as a result? It tells the story of her comeback from the brink of despair thanks to a baby magpie – so, so good!

This is a true story and so honestly written – it made me cry more than once! It’s now been made into a movie with Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, Jackie Weaver and Rachel House.

Sam Bloom
Sam Bloom

You can keep up to date with all the books I’ll be reading in 2021, by clicking on my 2021 Reading Challenge page, where list what I’ve read and also my star rating. I also give links to the books in Goodreads, in case you’re over there as well 🙂

What’s my Shout-out Saturday all about?

Shout Out Saturday is where I invite you to join me by leaving a link or a comment, to something that has had an impact on you recently.

We need all the good vibes we can get at the moment, don’t we?

You can read more about #ShoutoutSaturday in this post I wrote last year.

You can leave a link to a post on your blog, or maybe something you’ve read on someone else’s blog, or simply share some good news, something you’ve read, or watched or just drop in to say hello. Join me for #ShoutoutSaturday

Anything really – it’s up to you!

Thanks again for all your support, here’s wishing you a great week ahead!

Becoming BOLDer is my plan for the year!

Deb 🙂

You can find all my Shout Out Saturday posts here.

You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.

Everyone has a story to tell!

Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here

Copyright © 2024 debs-world.com – All rights reserved

22 Replies to “#ShoutoutSaturday 5 – books and a song to make you smile”

  1. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #231 – Thistles and Kiwis

  3. I too enjoyed Hamnet and love love love the Marsh Family. I don’t know how I missed Meanwhile In Australia – Sarah usually pins these to show me. My shout-out this week is to good friends, surprise gifts, and Dottie Wombat.

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  4. Pingback: happy place, happy space: Artistic Bake – All things bright and beautiful

  5. Hi Deb – I’m so glad you enjoyed the “Where I’m From” Challenge and that it inspired you to write so much from the heart. When I read my original attempt it still makes me smile with the little memories.
    Interesting that you are another Hamnet and Judith fan – I HATED that book (as I mention in my post due out on Monday) I found it over-written, over-descriptive, florid, and I didn’t really care about any of the characters. I stopped reading it part way through and deleted it from my kindle because I found it so irritating – just shows how we all have different tastes. I’ll stick with fast moving books with adult characters and leave the meandering ones to the more literary readers! 🙂

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    1. Just on a funny note – the book reminded me of the death scene from Buffy the Vampire slayer (see how literary I am!) where the guy lingers and lingers and it becomes ridiculous – that’s how I felt about the book 😀

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  6. Hi Deb, I lost myself in the Marsh Family’s videos one evening. A great deal of wit and talent. The children’s mischievous eyes and grin really get to me. I greatly enjoyed your poem. “Hamnet” is getting a thumbs up from all of the readers. I agree with Donna about shout out to Melanie! A lovely surprise that warmed my heart and made my eyes leak. xx Thank you!❤️

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    1. Yes Erica, that’s so easy to get lost listening to their fun videos, happy to have introduced you to them :). I’m also thrilled you enjoyed your surprise gift and appreciate Dottie Wombat’s unique style. Love that I could warm your heart and make your eyes leak xx

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  7. Hi, Debbie – I always look forward to your #ShoutoutSatuday posts — and this week was no exception. I especially liked the lockdown video. Surprisingly true — especially now since we’ve had 4 solid months of not being allowed to socialize outside of our own households. It is beyond old!
    My shoutout this week is to Melanie Harris of Dottie Wombat. (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DottieWombat). I just received her “I am so organised” notebook and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, I always look forward to your comments! Thanks also for the shout-out to Dottie Wombat, such a fabulous little venture by my clever daughter 🙂

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  9. I remember when I read the first Where I’m From poem by George Ella Lyons (written, I think, in the early 90s) being struck by its intimate, yet universally appealing message. It has been used as a writing prompt for many years since then and I’m so happy to read your version. I encourage everyone to try their hand at their own version – it can open up memories and help us get to the truth of who we are.

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    1. That’s fabulous you read the original challenge and know all about it Janis, it’s new to me so I’m loving the comments and interaction with people. It was intimate but in a non-intrusive way and without getting ‘too personal’ of that makes sense! I’d also encourage others to do their own version 🙂

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