December Winners

Congratulations to two students who have won prizes this month: Joe Smith was the winner of the Readers' Raffle and Magdalena Teichert won the Six Book Challenge monthly draw.  Both received chocolate goodies from Thorntons.


And we hope all the Six Book Challengers who came to our Diary Signing Days on the 11th and 12th December enjoy (reading) their free gift too.

Not sure what to read next?

Click on the Your Favourite Reads above and see what your fellow students recommend. All the books are in the College Library and some come with a student review - so you are guaranteed a good read.

Six Book Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Sinead Behan - not only has she read her first book of the Challenge but she's won this month's prize raffle.  The next Diary Signing day is 16th November - finish a book by this date and you too could be in with a chance to win a prize.

Book Review Winner

Congratulations to Robyn Wilson who has won our Book Review Competition.  She reviewed her favourite book, "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult.  There's a copy in the Library if you'd like to read it too.


Robyn's prize was a £10 Amazon voucher - hope she buys another book!

Favourite Reads - On Order

Our Favourite Read Survey has now closed.  I'm pleased to say that lots of your best books are already available to loan from our Library.  "Recommended by you" stickers will be appearing on them shortly - together with your great reviews. 

Your reviews are so good it's taking me a little time to pick a winner but I hope to announce the news later this week.

I have already ordered 11 new titles from your lists including love, history, fantasy,dystopian and human interest stories - something for everyone, I hope.

Favourite Book Survey 2014

We want to know what you like reading - so we can buy the books you like.  Please complete this short survey.  And if you write a review of your favourite book you'll be entered for a prize draw to win a £10.00 Amazon voucher.


Favourite Read Survey

Get reading

Every year we run the Six Book Challenge - it's an incentive scheme that encourages you to read for pleasure.  We'll officially launch it in October, but it's never too early to start - so if you are interested please speak to Kerry or Tracey for details.

2014 Best Borrowers

Congratulations to our top ten Leavers who, between them, borrowed 1138 books:

Georgina Daffern (243), Lauren Elliott (128), Laura Collins (114), Bethonie Waring (105), Caroline Russell (102), Lydia Ellis (98), Nabeeda Bakali (95), Amy Markley (86) and Abigail Palmer (83).

Small prizes were given on Leavers Day. I hope all that reading leads to even bigger rewards on exam result day!

Big Book Weed

100s of our unwanted books are being boxed up for a charity that works with the African Children’s Educational Trust (A-CET) and SchoolAid "to give thousands of children in Africa the vital chance to get an education”.  They will be collected on the 24th June - I'll be sure to take some photos.
 

Six Book Challengers

Some the students who completed this year's Six Book Challenge with their certificates.  Well done!

Readers are Winners

Congratulations to our Six Book Challenge winners: Lucy Parlett (overall winner); Melissa Burrows (best reviews); Susan Frappell (reading breadth); Jake Jerrard Din (personal achievment); Rachael Brown (personal achievement); Mariam Mahood (joy of reading); Eleanor Powell (joy of reading); Tim Myton (first completer).

Certificates were awarded, prizes given and cake eaten on 9th May.  Pictures were taken too - and will be posted soon with some of the best reviews. 

And well done to all the other students who read their Six Books.  I hope you enjoyed the Challenge and are looking forwarding to reading lots more after your exams have finished.

Six Book Challenge Deadline

Waterstone Gift Card

Friday (2nd May) is the deadline for the completion of this year's Six Book Challenge.  80 of you started, but how many will finish? 

Please read those final pages, complete your reading diary and hand it in this week ... then wait to hear if you are one of the lucky prizewinners. 

Certificates and prizes will be distributed on Friday 9th May.

Website - LibraryThing

Got a shelf groaning with books?
Ever wanted to try your hand at being a Librarian?

Now's your chance: Library Thing let's you catalogue your books online, easily, quickly and for free.  It's also a  community of 1,700,000 book lovers.
"LibraryThing connects you to people who read what you do"



 

News - Win Books with Caboodle

Caboodle has lots of free books to giveaway and it's free to join too.  Here's just one of the titles you can win:

"The 50 Most Influential Books in Human History
We've got the perfect prize for book lovers! Books about books! Quercus Books have given us 10 signed copies ...  plus one lucky winner will get an additional bundle of fantastic books worth over £150!
"Books That Changed the World" tells the fascinating stories behind 50 books that, in ways great and small, have changed the course of human history. Andrew Taylor sets each text in its historical context and explores its wider influence and legacy. Ranging from The Iliad to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the Kama Sutra to Lady Chatterley’s Lover, this is the ultimate, thought-provoking read for book-lovers everywhere. Every bookshelf should reserve a space for this book! "

The competition will end on Thursday 1st May 2014. Good Luck

Book News from "The Day"

Choose the Book: Businesswomen or Mount Everest? This week, instead of asking you to Choose the News, we would like you to choose which book you would most like us to review after the Easter holidays … Cast your vote

News - Books in Prisons

"The news that books can no longer be sent to UK prisoners has caused outrage, notably among authors.  Aren't books useful tools in the task of reform?"

To read the full story go to The Day Headlines (no login required in College).

News - Book Club

Library Volunteer, Anisa and her friend Josh have co-founded a book club.  The eight members share a love of Sci-fi. stories ... instead of meeting to discuss the books they are reading ... they Skype!

Poem of the Day - Beguiling by Roger McGough

She is so beguiling
That when she beckons
I can run a mile
in twenty seconds

A poem to raise a smile for International Day of Happiness ... and Sports Relief

News - Six Book Challenge Deadline

Congratulations on the books you've read so far. But make sure you finish the last one or two. We need your Reading Diaries by Thursday 1st May.  There will be certificates plus prizes & an award ceremony on Friday 9th May.

Tracey Pinfold

Walking Books

Can't find a novel to read in the Library - then try one of our Walking Books.  Pick one up, read it, put it back.  You'll find new additions in the browser outside the Library but there are plenty more on the big bookshelf near the Canteen.

Kerry York

Film Review - Book Thief

Books can change lives and this is certainly true for 9-year old Liesel. Her story is narrated by Death - and Death has never been busier because Liesel lives in Nazi Germany. And Liesel steals books ...

The film is based on Zusak's best selling novel. The WW2 setting feels very relevant: a reminder that people & books continue to be suppressed in some parts of the World. However, there is little sense of threat or danger in the film, despite its Nazi backdrop -which devalues the original story and makes the film seem a little slow in places.  It is beautifully shot though, and the characters endearing.  But what really shines through is how words and books can save souls and heal wounds. An important message for our own dumbed-down, fast-paced, technology-driven, celebrity-based culture! 
 
Kerry York

News - World Book Day Swap

Joy of reading is spread a little further with our book swapping event

News - World Book Day

"To celebrate World Book Day on Thursday, we (The Day) have gathered together a collection of stories about the writers and tales that have inspired generations. Sylvia Plath and JD Salinger’s stories about teenagers coming of age are modern classics, but Jane Austen still enthrals. Which are your favourites? And why do we care so much about the characters and their fates"?

If you are in College you can click on The Day to be inspired too.

 

News - World Book Day

Free Stuff

To celebrate World Book Day we are holding a Book Swap today and tomorrow.

• Wrap a book
• Bring it to the Library
• Swap it

We also have £1.00 book vouchers to give away.  You can use them to claim a free Young Adult Novel or to get money off any book you want.

You can also get your hands on lots of free e-novels by downloading the WBD App from the AppStore.  For full details click on the World Book Day weblink above. 

But if you prefer a "real" book - check out our new arrivals .... and borrow one.

Happy Reading.

Kerry York          

New Novels

15 new novels including two by the ever popular John Green (of "Fault in our Stars" fame) and others by Stephen King, Kate Atkinson, Meg Rosoff and Patrick Ness have been added to our collection and are on display in the Library.  One has already flown off the shelf so be quick.

Kerry York

Book Review - Next by Michael Crichton

 

The author holds a medical doctorate and has been responsible for many books, film and TV shows – what a busy guy! This controversial book is written about genetic engineering. It uses fictional characters and situations to highlight the real-world issues associated with genetic engineering. After the book there is a section about the author’s thoughts on the topic too. You don’t have to be a biologist to understand the storyline, so give it a go.

Paul McCarroll (Science Technician)

Paul is doing the Six Book Challenge - and this is his fifth read.  So only one more to go!

Young Adult Fiction

Check out all the "cool stuff" on the WBD Young Adult (YA) page.  I liked all the links to the YA book websites (samples below) and facebook pages - great way to keep up-to-date with what's new in the world of fiction, to find out about your favourite authors are and to share your reading experiences.

       

"Shelfies"

Did you guess who this "Shelfie" belonged too?

John Goodman - one of our IT technicians & real ale drinker.

World Book Day Events

Bad news - we've not been selected to give away free novels on World Book Night (April).  So no lovely new novels to hand out. We've been lucky the past two years so I guess I should n't feel too disappointed.

Good news - we are still going to give away free books on World Book Day (6th March).  But we need your help.  Please have a look through your own novels and if there's a book or two you no longer want - and someone else might enjoy  reading it - wrap in up in paper (like a birthday present) and bring it to the Library on Thursday 6th or Friday 7th March.  You can then swap it for a someone else's parcel and take home a surprise read!

Kerry York

Poem for Valentine's Day - from Valentine

Not a red rose or a satin heart

I give you an onion.
It's fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like,
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.

Carol Ann Duffy (1955-)

I chose this one because its not a traditional love poem.  It also reminds me of the scene in Shrek when the ogre tries to explains to Donkey that he has layers - just like an onion!

Kerry York

Book Review - A Child Called It by David Pelzer

David was horrifically abused by his own mother and I this book has affected me the most of all the things I have read. It stayed with me for months afterwards, with haunting images of the defenceless young boy fighting for his life. Not only is the story-line so engrossing that it is impossible to put down, the descriptive language is so intense that the image that Pelzer is trying to portray is will near enough explode into your mind, scarring it for a long while. I recommend this book to everyone, with a strong warning that it will almost definitely change your way of thinking about life forever. Faint-hearted people I would tell to stay away, but those with a strong stomach for emotions and heart-ache should, without a doubt, give this story a go.

Haydon Meek

Poem of the Day - from Library Poem

Everyone is welcome to walk through the door.
It really doesn't matter if you're rich or poor.
There are books in boxes and books on shelves.
They're free for you to borrow, so help yourselves.

Come and meet your heroes, old and new,
From William the Conqueror to Winnie the Pooh.
You can look into the Mirror or read The Times,
Or bring along a toddler to chant some rhymes.

The librarian's a friend who loves to lend,
So see if there's a book that she can recommend.
Read that book, and if you're bitten
You can borrow all the other ones the author's written.

There are students revising, deep in concentration,
And school kids doing projects, finding inspiration.
Over in the corner there's a table with seating,
So come along and join in the Book Club meeting.

Yes, come to the library! Browse and borrow,
And help make sure it'll still be here tomorrow.

Julia Donaldson (written to celebrate this year's National Libraries Day)

Want can you do for National Libraries Day?

I doubt if any of us will be rushing to our local library on Saturday 8th Feb. to join in the "fun" but you can still show your support in other ways.

Why not tweet National Libraries Day or use the hashtag #NLD14 ‘I love my library because…’, ‘like’ National Libraries Day on our Facebook page or upload a picture of you & your library to Flickr

Of course, you could just borrow a book from our Library. Or even join the "Six Book Challenge" - its not too late to get involved.  And to make things easier for all our Challengers (new & old) we'll be showcasing short reads (including magazines) this Thursday & Friday (don't forget to bring your Reading Diary).

You loved your last book ...

... but what are you going to read next?

Lovereading will help you find new books to keep you entertained and inspired. And it's all FREE.

Sign up to receive personalised e-mailed newsletters.  If you love reading, this is a great way to keep up-to-date with what's new in the literary world.  Your email will include a selection of titles from your favourite categories and you can download opening extracts. All you have to do is give them your email address, say what books you'd like to hear about and how often.

Poem of the Day - My life closed twice before its close

My life closed twice before its close -
It yet remains to see
If immortality unveil
A third event to me

So huge, so hopeless to conceive
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Poem of the Day - from To a Mouse

Wee, sleekit, cowran, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murd'ring pattle!

Robert Burns (25th Jan 1759-21st July 1796)

Enjoy your haggis on Burns Night.

Book Review - Gone by Michael Grant

"Gone" is a page-turning book, an enticing read about the lives of orphaned teenagers: a fantasy thriller of mystical powers, raw emotions and cryptic cliffhangers. In this bubble, dream-like world, you learn how the teenagers cope without the security of their parents. It truly is a thought-provoking book that plays with the reader's mind. One reason why I love it so much, is that it made me think of life's luxuries and the plentiful indulgences which most of us take for granted. Really worth a read, a superb nailbiting book/series that will certainly toy with your emotions!

Sarah Brown

New Books - Library of Unrequited Love

Published this month - Looks like I'm going to have to treat myself (nice bun!)

"One morning a librarian finds a reader who has been locked in overnight. She begins to talk to him, a one-way conversation full of sharp insight and quiet outrage. As she rails against snobbish senior colleagues, an ungrateful and ignorant public, the strictures of the Dewey Decimal System and the sinister expansionist conspiracies of the books themselves, two things shine through: her unrequited passion for a researcher named Martin, and an ardent and absolute love for the arts. A delightful divertissement for the discerning bookworm"
 

 

Kerry York (Librarian)

Book Review - Just After Sunset by Stephen King

'Just After Sunset' is a good read because there are many different components to the book. Stephen King is a multi-talented writer and has the power to, not only intrigue the reader, but also to keep them hypnotically hooked. This is a short story collection; my favourite isWillow. King is an impeccable writer . He doesn't make the audience so terrified that they can't read on. However he does have them on the edge of their seat so they're dying to turn the page. Although horror-based, these stories are more chilling than terrifying; they stay with you after you've read them. King provokes all sorts of emotions, from anxiety to empathy, happiness to nostalgia. He will always be one of my favourite authors but this book especially shines through. These short stories,are good for people who don't have the motivation to read a full book; they're only a few pages long, thus making the book a wonderful read for everyone.

Victoria Cooper

Poem of the Day - from "It Couldn't be Done"

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't", but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face.  If he worrried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "couldn't be done" and you'll do it.

Edgar A Guest
(suggested by Vicky Fowler, Personal Tutor)

New Year's Resolution

I heard on the Chris Evan's Radio Show today that the nation's favourite New Year's Resolution is to READ MORE and that most people give up their resolutions by the 3rd Friday of the month (that's today)!  So if you want to Read More, don't give up - join the College's Six Book Challenge and we'll help you keep your resolution.

Kerry York

Book Review - 'Lolito' by Ben Brooks

Lolito is a captivating and estranged tale of the realities of teenage youth culture. The book follows a fifteen year old boy Etgar who following a betrayal by his girlfriend meets a middle aged woman on the internet and masquerades as someone he is not to gain her affection. There are some shocking twists to the novel and it shows the reality and consequences of children trying to grow up to fast.

Sophie Bishop

Book Review - 'I escaped from Auschwitz' by Rudolf Vrba

This book was an interesting and tantalizing read. As I went to Poland to visit Auschwitz half way through reading this book it painted me am impeccable image of what the living conditions and the over all life of a prisoner was like in a concentration camp. And gave another side of the catastrophe as he escaped. I could hardly put this book down and i think it is even more special that it was written by a man who had experienced first hand what the dreaded Auschwitz was really like.

Molly Coombes

Poem of the Day - Giving up Smoking

There's not a Shakespeare sonnet
Or a Beethoven quartet
That's easier to like than you
Or harder to forget.

You think that sounds extravagant?
I have n't finished yet -
I like you more than I would like
To have a cigarette.

Wendy Cope (July 21st 1945 - )

Poem Of The Day - New Every Morning

Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul to the glad refrain.
And, spite of old sorrows
And older sinning,
Troubles forecasted
And possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again.

Susan Coolidge (January 29th 1835-April 9th 1905)

World Book Night 23rd April, 2014

For the past two years we've been chosen to distribute free novels on World Book Night.  This year I've requested multiple copies of the following books:

Theodore Boon by John Grisham
Boy with the Topknot by Sathnam Sanghera
Today Everything Changes by Andy McNab
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
Whatever it takes by Adele Parks

We'll know on 23rd February if our application has been successful.  Fingers-crossed we get our hands on these great reads.

In the meantime, if you've read  any of these titles please tell us if you like them or not.


Kerry York, Librarian

Poem Of The Day - First They Came for the Jews

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me -
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Pastor Niemoller
January 14th 1892 - March 6th 1984

Book Review - Pride and Prejudice

An absolutely fantastic novel. It is not the same as other love stories - it shows loyalty to family and how a hard exterior can hide an awful lot of love - even the unlikeliest people can love and be loved. And you grow to love the two main characters - routing for them to get together even though they seem to hate each other.  And it’s funny too.

 

Susan Frappell

Book Review - A Thousand Splendid Suns

After reading 'The Kite Runner' for my AS Literature exam, I was very keen to read another one of Khaled Hosseini's books. 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' is set in Kabul just like in 'The Kite Runner' but this time, it follows the women of Afghanistan. Mariam is only 15 years of age when she is sent to Kabul and arranged to marry a man a lot older than herself. However, throughout the years to come, she meets a teenager called Laila, in which she develops strong ties with. The Daily Mail referred to it as 'A gripping tale.. It is, too, a powerful portrait of female suffering and endurance under the Taliban', which I feel sums up this novel completely. If you enjoyed reading/studying 'The Kite Runner' in English Literature, I really recommend giving 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' a read; this book is full of love, harrowing deception, fear and heroism. You will honestly find yourself turning each page, gasping and possibly weeping, and what Mariam and Laila endure. In my opinon, this book is not just as good as 'The Kite Runner', it is exceedingly better.

 

Emily Western

Book Review - The Fault In Our Stars

It immediately captures your heart because of Hazel's - the main character's - situation, and the unique view on how a teenager deals with cancer in today's world. You get sucked into the individual stories of all the characters and root for all of them to overcome their issues. They never pretend to be something special because of their situation, they tell it like it is and don't expect any sympathy for it. But be warned. It is a MASSIVE tear jerker. If you read this then you're going to need a box of tissues to get through it and some cake for afterwards.

Paige Ellis

Book Review - Lolita

It's beautifully written and twists the darkest of scenarios into fantastic pieces of literature. It's also full of hilarious black comedy and really engulfs you into the mind of the protagonist.

Sophie Bishop