Adult Fiction
Meet the Newmans Jennifer Niven
If you enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, then this may be the book for you. Set in the 1960s and television. For the last twenty years Del & Dinah Newman and their sons Guy and Shep have been America’s favourite family. Americans tuned into their TVs to watch the Newman family cook dinner, deal with High School issues and have family arguments. But as the ‘swinging’ sixties is fast approaching are the Newman’s a bit old fashioned? Ratings are sliding and the Newmans themselves are spiralling with secrets of their own.
Then Del has a mysterious car accident, and Dinah decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires a young, hip reporter – Juliet Dunne – to write a final episode. Cultures clash and questions are asked about what it means to be a woman and a family in the 1960s. Will the last episode go out? This is a really thoughtful book, especially in its portrayal of women in this time and you are really rooting for Dinah.
Adult Non-Fiction
Empire of the Elite: Inside Conde Nast, the Media Dynasty that reshaped America Michael M.Grybaum
I saw this book in Bristol Central Library and thought it might be a bit boring but as I read the first few pages, I was hooked and had to borrow it. It is a rollicking ride through the 1950s to early 2000s USA publishing house Conde Nast. Conde Nast publications include Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair magazines. This book explains the cutthroat start of the publishing house. Its meteoritic rise, especially in the 1980-90s as a style bible for millions to the beginning of the online world when sales started to fall.
Famous names pop up all the time – from the powerhouse editors Tina Brown and Anna Wintour. Models such as Kate Moss and designers like Versace, Hollywood stars, and even Donald Trump get a mention. There are wild parties and excessive company spending, and then things start to crumble with the internet and social media. It is the story behind “The Devil Wears Prada” – well written and fascinating.
Dracula Bram Stoker
A classic horror story for Halloween. Written in 1897, full of gothic eastern European descriptions. Jonathan Harker makes his way to Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania and meets the sinister Count with many secrets. Then moving to England with the magical description of the Count’s coffin arriving in Whitby. Professor Van Helsing, Jonathan Harker and his sister trying to prevent the Count from spreading his curse. It’s the original vampire novel, full of fear and horror that sparked hundreds more books and films. Enjoy!
Children’s Fiction Books
Little Badman and the Rise of the Punjabi Zombies Humza Arshad & Henry White
Here’s a fun book for Halloween, full of horrible zombies – well not so scary really. Lets start at the beginning – meet Humza. A little rapper/hero/samosa-eater Eggington’s ever known but he has just started ‘big’ school and it is not what he expected. In fact life begins to get pretty weird for Humza. There is an ancient magical orb, plus a zombie uprising and his Dad is even more madder with him than usual. Can Humza and his friends save the world from destruction – read on and find out! This is a cracker of a book, well written and really funny.
Witch Watch Sibeal Pounder
Welcome to the world of Sinkville and the witchy city of Ritzy City and our heroine Tiga Whicabim. Tiga is over the moon about learning the name of her missing mother and now she must search for her in Silver City. However soon things start to act strangely – weird colours come back into the black and white world of Sinkville, including a horrible orange dress her old guardian – Miss Hecks – starts to wear. Can Tiga find out what is going on or will evil Celia Crayfish stand in her way.
A delightful series about the life of a community of witches who get up to some witchy adventures.
Jonathan the Magic Pony Stuart Heritage & Nicola Slater
A delightful magical picture book for under 4s. Jonathan is a very special pony – he is a magician. With a wave of his wand, things disappear with a BOOMF! But do not worry with another wave of the wand they will reappear. Though when he makes Sarah’s bear disappear, the trick goes horribly wrong! Chaos reins trying to get the bear back!
Library News:
2026 is the national Year of Reading. Look out in all the local Libraries for some exciting displays and great book suggestions. 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. Joining the library costs nothing, so pop in or visit www.librarieswest.org.uk to also access thousands of eBooks.