February sees the launch of our Festival of Libraries (7th February – 21st February). Please pick up a programme at your local Library
Adult Non-Fiction
For two weeks we celebrate all things library, with this in mind:
Reading Allowed – Chris Paling
I love this book and re read it all the time. The author went for a job at his local library expecting a quiet life surrounded by books. Within two weeks that illusion was shattered. He describes his average day as dealing with toilet blockages; the homeless, those who are mentally ill; a venue for all things community such as knitting groups and book groups and of course a busy, buzzy children’s area. Throughout the chapters he also describes the history of the Dewey decimal system in libraries. It is a bit of a busman holiday read for me, but it is very funny and very heartwarming book. It really describes how Libraries have become an integral part of a community.
Wild: A Journey from lost to found by Cheryl Strayed
This was a major film starring Reese Witherspoon and is a story of one women’s 1100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in USA which covers the Mojave Desert through California, Oregon and finally Washington State. A powerful memoir: at 22 Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything following the death of her mother and the end of her marriage. Her life went into freefall but four years later, a chance browse at a brochure on the Pacific Crest Trail at a grocery shop and with nothing to lose, she decides to hike the Trail, alone. She had no long-distance hiking experience but sells all her belongings and buys an overlarge rucksack stuffed with all the essentials! She faces rattlesnakes, bears, intense heat and record snowfalls. She has to face physical agonies, intense loneliness but also the kindness of strangers and the healing nature of travel.
Adult Fiction
The Winter Belle – Dilly Court
Dilly Court books are very popular and regularly top bestseller lists. This is one of her latest stories. Set in a snowy London in the 19th Century we meet Kitty. Kitty is a talented artist and makes a few pennies with her portrait paintings. It is just her mother and her sisters who live with Kitty in Soho Square. However, there is always danger lurking around the corner and one of Kitty’s sisters is drawn into a reckless affair with the son of Lord Bracklesham. Her mother is then swindled out of all their money. C
North & South – Elizabeth Gaskell
A classic story by the Victorian author, Elizabeth Gaskell who was a great friend of one of the other great 19th Century authors, Charlotte Bronte. Margaret Hale has to reluctant leave her idyllic Hampshire home when her father leaves the church on a matter of “conscience”. They move to the industrial town of Milton. At once Margaret is repulsed by the ugliness of the town but soon becomes friends with one of the mill workers and develops of a strong sense of social justice. He father begins to teach literature to one of the mill-owners, John Thornton, and so begins one of the great romantic relationships.
Children’s Fiction
Middle School: House of Robots – James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein
What a riot of a book this is. Meet Sammy Hayes-Rodriquez. You would think he is just a “normal” boy in a “normal” family. Well, it all began when he brought a robot to school. Now the robot thinks he is Sammy’s brother. Sammy’s life is full of robots – there is Blitzen, the huge lawn mower robot; Mr Moppenshine, the crazy robot butler and even McFetch, a robot dog. His mum is a serious scientist! But for Sammy the worst robot is Einstein who is convinced he is Sammy’s brother, and is really annoying. Read on to see how Sammy gradually becomes to really appreciate “E” particularly after a kidnap and he sees how great his unique brother is.
Asterix in Britain – R Goscinny & A Uderzo
This is my favourite Asterix story. Asterix is a very popular with both children and adults. I still love reading them and spotting all the funny cultural references. Here Asterix and his indomitable friend Obelix are joined by Asterix’s far removed, British cousin Anti-Climax – who drinks a cup of hot water with a spot of milk!! His cousin needs some magic potion to help defeat the Romans. So an adventure begins with the Gauls going to the wilds of Britannia.
Library News:
Look out for the BookTrust storytimes this month for our younger readers. We will be showcasing a selection of books in our Storytime sessions and you will get a chance to vote on your favourite.
As always there is so much going on in all our libraries, and it’s all free. So drop in and see what’s on offer. Tuesday 9.30-10am & 10.30-11.00am term time only 0-5 years, for families with children, sing along at Baby Bounce and Rhyme, or get comfy whilst listening to stories at our ever-popular Storytime. Thursday at 10.30am at Keynsham Library – term time only and for 0-4 years.
Come along, with a cushion and listen to some fantastic new stories. For adults, we’ve got book clubs, writing classes, and much more throughout the year. Joining the library costs nothing, so pop in or visit www.librarieswest.org.uk to also access thousands of eBooks, eMagazines, Audiobooks, and a wealth of other resources! Our ‘Virtual Library’ has loads going on, including the latest library news, competitions, book reviews and, all our digital offers. Search ‘Bath and North East Somerset Libraries’ on social media or visit bathneslibraries.wordpress.com
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
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