Rowling or Shusterman?

If you have not found anything in the ebooks at West Lothian libraries or the previous suggestions I’ve given  (see below) then perhaps you might find something suitable amongst the two- yes two suggestions I have for you today.  So most of you will have heard on the news yesterday JK Rowling announced  on twitter that she is releasing on a daily basis this story she once read to her children. "The Ickabog". Just a fairytale? Or will there be something more satirical? A story about "truth and the abuse of power." Well we will see where this goes but enjoyed the first two chapters.

       The Ickabog

Then found out that Neal Shusterman is reading some of his short stories (very hard to get hold of short stories). For those of you who don’t know his books he wrote the Arc of the Scythe series (dystopian teen fiction) and also  “The Dry” , a book which has  come to my mind several times over the past few weeks as we have gone through lockdown. Highly recommended.

You will need around half an hour for each reading.

Shusterman reads The Bob Squad

This was the first one which I listened to about a kid who sees all seven of his guardian angels. At the end he talks about where the story comes from. Story 2 is only 5 mins long, an experiment on perspective.

If I was technically capable I would put in a vote Rowling or Shusterman. Oh where is my ICT support when I need it? Just message me what you prefer.  

Pun of the week- can you do better?

I almost hate to say it but I am really missing the weekly onslaught of library puns from one of our wonderful young learners. 

So just for my amusement we are going to have a weekly library pun. I have chosen one for this week but feel free to send me a library related pun for next week.  And if I am sent thousands then... I get to choose the best!

eMagazines

  

Just to highlight that you can access these for free through West Lothian libraries. You will need to have a library card for West Lothian libraries and you will have to download the rbdigital app and register with that. Once done though you can read a range of magazines for free. This month they are highlighting the New Scientist, though I may be more tempted to dream of far away places or even just get busy in the kitchen!

   

Mental Health Awareness Week

This year the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is kindness. And that is more important than ever before in these challenging times, when just the smallest act of kindness can make all the difference. 

And if there is one book to recommend on the theme of kindness, it has to be  "Wonder" by R J Palacio. Let us know any other suggestions.

Run out of books to read?

You can  borrow  e-resources for  free from West Lothian Public Libraries. If you are already a member of the Pubic Libraries use that card to access and download resources such as eBooks and eTalking Books with the BorrowBox App. 

If you don't have a membership card for the Public Library ebook service I can set you up with a Card using your school barcode. Email me on the Request form and I will send the card with instructions to on how to use BorrowBox to your English teacher.

 

Other options

Project Gutenberg; Great for reading free out of copyright classics such as Dickens (eg A Christmas Carol, Oliver, Great expectations etc) or Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice, Emma etc). Why not listen to the classic tale of a dog in "Call of the Wild", the last book read by our book group. Note they also have titles in other languages

Audio books -  where to find them.

During lockdown Sync  https://www.audiobooksync.com/    and

Audible: were offering free services. These have now finished but you might still be interested in what they have to offer.  

Neil Gaiman with the help of friends has been reading Coraline and the Graveyard book.

And for some light relief why not listen to David Walliams and his daily chapters in Elevenses. See also the post about Harry Potter books from last Friday. 

Great Book Trailers

As some of you might have noticed I am updating this blog. On the side bar I have provided space for book trailers. Those who are regular attenders to AA school library will know I like to put the occasional book trailer on at break time and have even been known to encourage, persuade (ok bribe) the book group into making their own trailer.

Send me your recommendations for any book trailers you have enjoyed. Make sure you have watched the book trailer to the end! And hopefully we will get the best of them added to this blog.

Calling all Harry Potter Fans

This week Bloomsbury is launching Readings of Harry Potter at Home. Many well known faces will be recording videos of themselves reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

And who else but Daniel Radcliffe to read the first chapter "The Boy Who Lived."
Watch it here  or listen to it on Spotify if you want the audio only version.
Each week a new chapter will be added with a new reader. Find them at   harrypotterathome.com  Seventeen chapters between now and the middle of the summer!

You can also visit the Harry Potter books website to try some of the crafts and activity sheets or if you are really keen to test yourself in the quiz!

Authors Live: Catch up.

If you have some time in lockdown and have run out of books to read then here is a suggestion on  finding information on top authors. You can watch some of the authors who have appeared on authors live in front of an audience of Scottish school pupils.

 

Scottish Booktrust Authors Live events

This week an interview with Kwame Alexander was highlighted. If you remember he was shortlisted last year in the Carnegie Medal for "Rebound". Hear what he has to say on sport, on race and the future.

To find other author talks click on the link to Authors on demand. If any of you find an author clip you particularly enjoyed then please let us know.