If You Don’t Like to Read, You Haven’t Found the Right Book

Monday, 17th May 2021

It has been widely reported that 2020 was a bumper year for booksellers. Someone at the BBC certainly had a light-bulb moment when early on during the first lockdown the corporation commissioned a TV book club show to be hosted by Sarah Cox. Between the Covers launched in October 2020 with a simple concept. Each week a panel of guests and the host would have read a book which they then proceeded to have a discussion about. All of the titles for the coming weeks were advertised in advance of the show so that the audience at home could have the opportunity to read the books too. 

The show was a success. So much so that the first episode of Series 2 was aired last Monday. The guests included Oti Mabuse, Rick Edwards, Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Giedroyc, the latter confessing that much to her chagrin she had never been invited to join a book club despite family and close friends all belonging to one. She must have been over the moon to have been asked to appear on a book club show. 

The panel discussed two books – a new publication (The Fine Art of Invisible Detection by Robert Goddard), and a ‘Big Hitter’ from 2020 (The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett – currently on the shortlist for best novel at this year’s Nibbies). Having the combination of the two books is  a great idea as it gives the viewer the option to either buy (or borrow from the library) the cheaper and already proven to be popular paperback of the 2020 book rather than the potentially more expensive hardback copy of a book that could turn out to be less of a sure-fire hit.

Up until now, the guests have been generally positive about all the books selected. Unsurprising really as the books have, after all, been chosen with care by the researchers for the show. They generally offer very good critiques and observations of the books, and there are probably a fair few viewers at home nodding along in agreement with their comments. 

(No guest has yet to say they dislike a book although there was one in the last series where they discussed probably my favourite book of 2020 and it was noticeable – to me at least – that one particular guest didn’t say very much at all. It may have been the editing but I got the impression that they hadn’t taken to it. Oh well, you can’t please everyone).

All details of the books being discussed in the episodes to come can be found here. Inspiration for some summer reading perhaps?

YA Book Prize
Speaking of book awards, the YA Book Prize 2021 has been announced. Loveless by Alice Oseman has been described by the judges as a “joyful book that truly promotes celebrating our differences”. 

Loveless tells the story of Georgia who has never been in love, kissed anyone or had a crush but is a romantic at heart and is sure she’ll find someone someday. As she begins university, she thinks this is her time to find love but it seems as elusive as ever. 

“With new terms thrown at her – asexual, aromantic – Georgia is more uncertain about her feelings than ever. Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along?”

Many of the people reviewing this book mention how relatable it is.  

Awards Season Continues 
LRC staff member Alison has her fingers crossed that the 2021 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival will go ahead in Harrogate in July. It’s been a fraught year for most events companies and Harrogate International Festivals must have fingers and toes crossed that the gradual reopening of UK society is able to continue into the summer and that there are no setbacks in getting their festivals back on track. The Crime Writing Festival is only one of many arts festivals that run throughout the year.

Whatever the situation come July, there is one certainty – that there will be an announcement on July 22nd of which crime writer has won the coveted miniature oak beer cask that goes along with their work being named Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. 

The longlist for this year contains books from veterans of the genre and debut authors – some of which have been reviewed in previous blog entries (no surprises who contributed them!). Last year’s winner, Adrian McKinty for his book The Chain, received his award virtually whilst sat at home in the US. Let’s hope the country is in a good place come July and the 2021 winner will be able to safely receive theirs in person.

Book Review 
Wonder by RJ Palacio
Rating: 5/5

This book is about a fifth grader called August (Auggie) Pullman who lives with his mum, dad, sister and dog in North River Heights in Upper Manhattan. He is like any other kid, apart from the fact that he was born with a syndrome/combination of syndromes in which his face has severe differences to other people’s. This resulted in his parents homeschooling him. But now that he is approaching fifth grade, his mum wants him to go to school like everybody else. Cue storylines about bullying, friendship, coming of age, school plays, residentials, teachers and parents. What I like about this book is the fact that each chapter is written from the point of view of the main characters. It gives you an insight into the thoughts and feelings that each person experiences. The author writes this book in such a beautiful way that you can’t help but to have a soft spot for Auggie and it makes you want to fight his battles for him. It is very funny in places, but is also very, very emotional. A lovely book.   

– Sian 

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biophobia 17th May

“Taking place on 17th May every year. Campaigning for a prejudice-free world”

On 17th May 1990, the World Health Organization made the decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. It seemed appropriate to choose this day to celebrate sexual and gender diversity, and to continue the campaign against the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally. There are still over 70 countries in the world where same-sex relationships are illegal, and in around 10 of these countries the punishment could be death. 

You can read more about the campaign here.

World Meditation Day 21st May

We love…

Surrey Libraries Lego Club is simply joyful. Short Youtube videos of how to combine Lego bricks with a little bit of youthful imagination in order to create a huge variety of models. Obviously aimed at children, it’s appeal surely knows no boundaries?

Students

Book Loans
Worried about fines during lockdown? No problem. All loans have been renewed and fines waived whilst the LRC was closed. Book returns can now be returned to the Library Desk or renewed by email/telephone.

Students are now allowed to browse our book collection as long as they adhere to simple Covid rules.

E-Book of the Week

Each week, the LRC will be highlighting an e-book that we feel will be of special interest to certain students. This week, it’s an e-book for our Health & Social Care students.

Simply click the Brooklands College Login link here and access the book using your College student ID and password.

Tip of the Week

Access our virtual library online
You can search for e-books on the library catalogue or directly through our e-book providers.. Click on the Shibboleth login if requested and select Brooklands College. If you have any problems please do not hesitate to contact us at library@brooklands.ac.uk.

Heritage Online | Proquest | VleBooks

Contact us with an area you are interested in or your assignment title and we can suggest some resources for you.

LRC website 
The LRC website contains links to our resources, our online catalogue and is full of information about LRC use, plus there are book reviews, links to our displays and other items of interest. It is only available to College members (sorry) and can be found through links on the LRC Google Classroom, and on the staff and student intranets.

LRC Google Classroom page
Tutors have been invited to join the Classroom and will be passing the joining code on to their students. It’s full of links to resources, and helpful advice and tips.

Please contact us at library@brooklands.ac.uk if you need support with e-books, e-resources or anything else.

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