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).