National Libraries Day

Today is 'National Libraries Day'!

Why not watch this YouTube video....

..... before going out and supporting your own local library!

Reading About Libraries

So, you've decided your a library addict. You've borrowed the books, signed the petitions but still want more. Well, why not read about libraries as well?! The following are some of the fiction  books I've come across about libraries (allowing you to dream that they're yours)- do feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments.


The City of Dreaming Books
Really gets to the heart of the joy (and obsession) of reading. Also felt some ressonance with my current writing situation. I found myself getting more and more into the book as it progressed until very near the end. However the pictures sometimes got in the way of this process, especially when they didn't seem quite as scary as what I already had in my head.  

The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde
Another ingenious tale of bookworld by Jasper Fforde, this tale satirises the very process of writing itself. Funny and witty, this book is often hard to put down. Fforde's work is pure genius, his characters are surprising despite (or maybe because of) many being well-known by many an avid reader. Its hard to classify what genre his work forms, but this particularly book is more closely related to the detectove genre than any other. Jasper's work is enhanced by the presence of imaginative credits, adverts and, on his website, behind-the-scenes footage (accessed via the book's very own password). Highly recommended. 

Voices by Ursula Le Guin
A gentle tale of what it means to discover yor talents and role in life, set within a place where rreading is banned. I really sympathised with the characters who had once had books- I couldn't imagine a world where I wasn't allowed to read! The character of Memer was well thought out and rounded, whilst the Waylord was interesting and thought-provoking. I also loved the way in which the relationships between the conquered and the conquerers was explored. This book is joining the other books in my Ursula Le Guin permenant collection.

Library closures

I've been talking about library closures quite a bit recently. I thought it was about time that I showed you what was actually happening here in the UK. So, here's a google map showing where libraries are set to be closed across the country at this time (its constantly changing as councils announce cuts or change their minds after protests).

Click here to view on the original webpage- with guide to colours.

Are any libraries closing in your area? Have you been part of campaigns to stop them closing?

Borrowed and bought books

I'd like to share with you now some of the books I've borrowed or bought at my local library. Whilst I don't use the library as much as I probably ought to I do enjoy using it to try out new books or to find the next in a series that I'm desperate to read, but am not sure if its worth buying. Other times I might just pop in to browse and find a real gem that I wanted to read. I've also been lucky enough to be able to buy cheap books at my library until recently and I've used this to get hold of extra copies of books I think would be good for bookcrossing. Where possible the following include reviews so that you can decide if this book is for you as well:


Borrowed Books

Star Warped

A very funny (and sometimes adult) take on the Star Wars Trilogy combined with all sorts of other science fiction and comedy references. Light-hearted, it made a change from my usual reading and was easy to read at the same time as another book.

Second Sight

An often moving story spanning several generations, Second Sight is hard to put down. I found myself feeling part of the extended family whose emotions and experiences we were told so much of. The only thing I wish for this book is that the story had carried on for just a few more pages.

A Theory of Relativity

Interesting story delving into the issues surrounding adoption and child custody. Was a little slow at the start and ocassional US references sometimes lost me. Final chapter, from child's POV, made a lovely ending.

The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde

Another ingenious tale of bookworld by Jasper Fforde, this tale satirises the very process of writing itself. Funny and witty, this book is often hard to put down. Fforde's work is pure genius, his characters are surprising despite (or maybe because of) many being well-known by many an avid reader. Its hard to classify what genre his work forms, but this particularly book is more closely related to the detectove genre than any other. Jasper's work is enhanced by the presence of imaginative credits, adverts and, on his website, behind-the-scenes footage (accessed via the book's very own password). Highly recommended.

Monsieur Pamplemousse and the Carbon Footprint by Michael Bond

A tale with an unexpected ending and some funny moments, 'Monsieur Pamplemouse and the Carbon Footprint' is a good light read. I couldn't help thinking, however, that I had missed something on several ocassions. Whilst the subject is adult at times, the telling keeps some resembance to the Paddington Bear stories for which Michael Bond is famous. I appreciated the story, but will not bother to read more in the series 

The Stupidest Angel

Hilarious, witty and perverse at the same time, this book is a must-read for any adult, especially if they're struggling with the stresses Christmas can bring. Picking up this book at the local library, I wasn't sure if it would be right for me, but it turned out to be so strange that it was good. Horror and humour put together with pure genius.
WARNING- THIS BOOK CONTAINS A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOUR!

Star Trek Destiny: Book 3 Lost Souls by David Mack

I wish I'd read the first two books before I read this one. A lot of the characters (and some species) were new to me and it took me a little while to settle into the plot. However, once I'd worked out what had already happened, this was a good journey back into the world of Star Trek. I loved the fact that a lot of characters from the TV series were featured and the interactions between them were obviously well thought out. There were several sub-plots interlinked which worked well and was especially well done considering that two completly diferent time periods were used. All in all, a very good book for Trekkies and a good escapist read for other sci-fi fans. Just one warning though, if you're a fan whose not watched the TV series to the end you may find a few spoilers in this one!  

 

Bought Books


The True History of Paradise
 
Girl Meet Ape
 
Oxford Knot

Well-written, this book was very enjoyable to read. Its portrayal of a novelists life was very convincing and the mystery was enough to keep you reading. I would certainly recommend this book. 

The Truth
Stone Cold


Which of your reviewed / bought books have come from your library?

Local library changes

There have been so many changes in my local library recently that I thought it was about time I dedicated a post to them. Against the tide of closing libraries that has sprung up accross the country recently, my town's branch has had a makeover. The result is the feel of a modern and spacious library, much more welcoming to the general public. So, what changes have they made:

1. The large checkout desk which dominated the entrance space has been moved to the side of the room and reduced in size. There are still staff there to help out, but the importance of the desk to the room as a whole seems to have decreased.
2. New shelves have been placed where the library desk used to be. These are of a low height so that you can see the rest of the library easily. On them are displayed a whole range of 'highlighted' books, encouraging readers to try something new.
3. There is now an automated checkout system. I must admit that I was a bit worried about this when I first heard it was going ahead, because a lot of the library users seem to be quite old and might not be technically minded. However, I am really impressed with how easy the system is to use. To return a book or books you simply place it/them ontop of the machine. That's it! Easy! To check-out books is a little bit harder, but only slightly as it just involves scanning your library card first. You even get a nice receipt to help you remember when to return the book (which could double up as a useful bookmark if you were desperate). 
4. Some of the non-fiction books have been moved downstairs. This is fantastic as hardly anyone ventures upstairs, so they'll hopefully be used a lot more now.
5. The for-sale shelves have been got rid of. Now, this is the only thing I'm disappointed by. I loved popping in and feeling like I was supporting the library's finances by buying up books cheap that they no longer used.

I'm really pleased with my library's revamp. Now you've had a taste of what my local library is like, why not tell me about yours as well?

National Library Week in the US!

Happy National Libraries Week to all my american followers! Libraries are a very special thing, incredibly valuable and useful in my opinion. I'd like to spread the love of libraries around the world by making it Library Week on my blog as well. So, all this week, I'm going to be posting about libraries over here in the UK. I'd love it if you'd join me, no matter where you live!

To start us off, I'm going to repost an evaluation of the value of libraries to me personally for those who missed it. Later in the week I'll be telling you some more about my local library (and its recent revamp) and sharing some of the books I've borrowed from the library with you.

How the library has impacted my life (first posted 5th Feb 2011)

So, I turn on the TV this morning and hear on the news that today is a national day of campaigning against library closures. Right, I think, I wish I didn't have other plans for today so that I could join in. And then I realise that with only a few moments I too can join in- for I have a blog and a wealth of followers who appreciate the value of books. And so this post was born.
Books have always been a part of me, and so have libraries. My Dad's a librarian, so they were always bound to be an important aspect of my life. From a financial viewpoint, without libraries I wouldn't have a roof over my head or food on th table. Please spare a thought for those who could become unemployed during hard financial times should our libraries close.
My personal obsession with libraries started young. I used to visit the local library with my Mum to pick out my favourite books and as I grew up I became an avid fan of the mobile library that stopped down our street. In primary school I was a library prefect along with my best friend. Our job was to look after the books (including reepairing them), make sure they were returned on time, stamp them and shelve them. I really felt that I was helping the school by doing this job since the pupils needed the library for reference books as well as a literary education.
When I was at secondary school the local library became a place to hang out and wait for my mum to finish work. This allowed us to have some quality time together walking home, going out for coffee or going swimming. I used the librar computers to access the internet and enjoyed browsing the shelves for undiscovered treasures. I did my homework on the large tables that they provided and made use of reference books which we didn't have at home.
During sixth forrm I used the library to access maps for my coursework. And, of course, I continued to enjoy reading fiction books.
Whilst at university discovered the joys of a really big public library. With a small flat and little money it was impossible to buy all the books I wanted to read. Almost all my reading, therefore, was in the form of library books. I went regularly between and after classes and soon I had read nearly all the science fiction books.
The library also helped me to find funding during my gap year through its register of organisations with grants.
Nowadays I visit the library less often (I am lucky to be able to store plenty of books I want to read and get more through bookcrossing), but it is still an important part of my life. I buy cheap books to bookcross, especially those which I have already enjoyed reading. I check the shelves for books which online bookclubs I belong to are reading. I ocassionally pop in when I'm passing to see if they have the next book in a series or a random book I might enjoy. And I check the noticeboard in the foyer to see if there are community events that I am interested in.
For me the library has been a source of books when there were none, I place to relax and wait when I needed it, an educationally tool essential to my schooling and a source of information. Of course these are not the only uses of the library- my local also has story-teller, children's holiday clubs and DVD rental to name a few- but they are the ones that have been most important to me.
How has the library impacted your life?

Star Trek Destiny: Book 3 Lost Souls by David Mack (A Review)

I wish I'd read the first two books before I read this one. A lot of the characters (and some species) were new to me and it took me a little while to settle into the plot. However, once I'd worked out what had already happened, this was a good journey back into the world of Star Trek. I loved the fact that a lot of characters from the TV series were featured and the interactions between them were obviously well thought out. There were several sub-plots interlinked which worked well and was especially well done considering that two completly diferent time periods were used. All in all, a very good book for Trekkies and a good escapist read for other sci-fi fans. Just one warning though, if you're a fan whose not watched the TV series to the end you may find a few spoilers in this one!

How the library has impacted my life

So, I turn on the TV this morning and hear on the news that today is a national day of campaigning against library closures. Right, I think, I wish I didn't have other plans for today so that I could join in. And then I realise that with only a few moments I too can join in- for I have a blog and a wealth of followers who appreciate the value of books. And so this post was born.
Books have always been a part of me, and so have libraries. My Dad's a librarian, so they were always bound to be an important aspect of my life. From a financial viewpoint, without libraries I wouldn't have a roof over my head or food on th table. Please spare a thought for those who could become unemployed during hard financial times should our libraries close.
My personal obsession with libraries started young. I used to visit the local library with my Mum to pick out my favourite books and as I grew up I became an avid fan of the mobile library that stopped down our street. In primary school I was a library prefect along with my best friend. Our job was to look after the books (including reepairing them), make sure they were returned on time, stamp them and shelve them. I really felt that I was helping the school by doing this job since the pupils needed the library for reference books as well as a literary education.
When I was at secondary school the local library became a place to hang out and wait for my mum to finish work. This allowed us to have some quality time together walking home, going out for coffee or going swimming. I used the librar computers to access the internet and enjoyed browsing the shelves for undiscovered treasures. I did my homework on the large tables that they provided and made use of reference books which we didn't have at home.
During sixth forrm I used the library to access maps for my coursework. And, of course, I continued to enjoy reading fiction books.
Whilst at university discovered the joys of a really big public library. With a small flat and little money it was impossible to buy all the books I wanted to read. Almost all my reading, therefore, was in the form of library books. I went regularly between and after classes and soon I had read nearly all the science fiction books.
The library also helped me to find funding during my gap year through its register of organisations with grants.
Nowadays I visit the library less often (I am lucky to be able to store plenty of books I want to read and get more through bookcrossing), but it is still an important part of my life. I buy cheap books to bookcross, especially those which I have already enjoyed reading. I check the shelves for books which online bookclubs I belong to are reading. I ocassionally pop in when I'm passing to see if they have the next book in a series or a random book I might enjoy. And I check the noticeboard in the foyer to see if there are community events that I am interested in.
For me the library has been a source of books when there were none, I place to relax and wait when I needed it, an educationally tool essential to my schooling and a source of information. Of course these are not the only uses of the library- my local also has story-teller, children's holiday clubs and DVD rental to name a few- but they are the ones that have been most important to me.
How has the library impacted your life?

The Stupidest Angel (A Review)

Hilarious, witty and perverse at the same time, this book is a must-read for any adult, especially if they're struggling with the stresses Christmas can bring. Picking up this book at the local library, I wasn't sure if it would be right for me, but it turned out to be so strange that it was good. Horror and humour put together with pure genius.
WARNING- THIS BOOK CONTAINS A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOUR!

Monsieur Pamplemousse and the Carbon Footprint (A Review)

A tale with an unexpected ending and some funny moments, 'Monsieur Pamplemouse and the Carbon Footprint' is a good light read. I couldn't help thinking, however, that I had missed something on several ocassions. Whilst the subject is adult at times, the telling keeps some resembance to the Paddington Bear stories for which Michael Bond is famous. I appreciated the story, but will not bother to read more in the series.

I borrowed my copy from my local library!

The Well of Lost Plots (A Review)

Another ingenious tale of bookworld by Jasper Fforde, this tale satirises the very process of writing itself. Funny and witty, this book is often hard to put down. Fforde's work is pure genius, his characters are surprising despite (or maybe because of) many being well-known by many an avid reader. Its hard to classify what genre his work forms, but this particularly book is more closely related to the detectove genre than any other. Jasper's work is enhanced by the presence of imaginative credits, adverts and, on his website, behind-the-scenes footage (accessed via the book's very own password). Highly recommended.

My copy was borrowed from the library and is therefore not available for BookCrossing or BFB purposes- sorry for any disappointment.

I've bought some more books!

I know what you're thinking, what a surprise!

Popped into the library to borrow a few books and couldn't resist buying some at the same time (it's that amazing 5 for £1 offer they have!) Incidentally, I bumped into fellow BookCrossed Molyneux whilst I was there. She said that they may put up some sort of BookCrossing display, will let you all know when (and if) I spot it up and running.

Anyway, here's what I got.

To read and then (probably) bookcross:
The True History of Paradise
Girl Meet Ape
Oxford Knot

To release:
The Truth (maybe as part of Terry Pratchett ring)
Stone Cold (4 elements wild release)

Rented library books

Felt a bit guilty not utilising my local library as much as I used to, so while I was in town today I took the opportunity to borrow a few books:
Star Warped
Second Sight
A Theory of Relativity

I would also like to mention the brand new option they had of borrowing a mystery book. These were wrapped up so that you couldn't see what they were. I may try out the system at some point (when I've not got so many BookCrossing books on the go)