The staff of the ACT Library & Information Service wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.
Please visit the library web site for details of Christmas and January opening hours.
24 December 2007
Snap up something for the holidays
A short selection of festive titles ...
- Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson (adult fiction)
- A Christmas Beginning by Anne Perry (adult fiction)
- The Upside-Down Pudding: A Small Book Of Christmas Feasts by Colin Bannerman (non-fiction)
- Selby Santa by Duncan Ball (junior fiction)
- Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers by Lynley Dodd (picture book)
- The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
- Mistletoe: Four Holiday Stories by Hailey Abbott, Melissa de la Cruz, Aimee Friedman and Nina Malkin (young adult fiction)
And some holiday reading ...
- The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton (adult fiction)
- First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde (adult fiction)
- Atonement by Ian McEwan (adult fiction)
- The Key To Rondo by Emily Rodda (junior fiction)
- Ranger's Apprentice (series) by John Flanagan (young adult fiction)
- Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters (adult fiction)
- Fish by Peter Evans (non fiction)
- The Shaggy Gully Times by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley (picture book)
- Searching for Schindler by Tom Keneally (non fiction)
- Captain Bligh's Other Mutiny by Stephen Dando-Collins (non fiction)
20 December 2007
Summer Reading Club @ your library
Summer Reading Superheroes hit town on 14 December 2007 for this year’s Summer Reading Club program at the ACT Public Library.
This year’s theme is Read Around Oz – Superheroes Read.
The Library has organized fun activities to engage and occupy young people in reading. Children are encouraged to keep a record of books read during the summer holidays, and bookmarks and certificates will be given for participation in the Summer Reading Club.
WHAT: Summer Reading Club 2007– 2008
WHEN: 14 December 2007 to 24 January 2008
WHERE: All ACT Public Library branches
For further information, contact the ACT Public Library by phone on 62059000.
Click here for more information on Summer Reading Club as well as ideas for activities during the school holidays.
19 December 2007
Prime Minister's Literary Award
The Prime Minister's Literary Award, worth a tax-free $100,000 a year each for a fiction and a nonfiction book, has divided the literati.
The Australian Society of Authors and the Australian Booksellers Association both expressed pleasure at the initiative and the extra $100,000 for promotion of the award, which will give exposure (and, they hope, sales) to shortlisted books as well as the winners. "A prize of this stature and worth is testament to the fact that books are still the bedrock of our culture," says the booksellers' president, Fiona Stager.
However, Ivor Indyk, the publisher at Giramondo, expressed the view shared by David Malouf and others: "The prizes seem driven by symbolism rather than by practical need. They ignore poetry, a strange barbarism in a country which prides itself on being civilised. We already have plenty of prizes, and if the judges of those are any good the new prizes will go to writers who have just won prizes, unless there is an idea other than money behind them."
Indyk argues: "We desperately need money for school visits by writers, touring programs, international exchanges, educational materials in Australian literature, editorial positions in magazines and the smaller literary publishers, and familiarisation courses for teachers, booksellers and reviewers. That kind of support would be far more beneficial to writers."
The Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, was surprisingly hard to contact about his government's generosity. Undercover asked whether the Prime Minister's History Prize, initiated by John Howard, would continue or be replaced by the literary awards. "They're totally separate - the announcement of the literary awards has no bearing whatsoever on the history award," says Garrett's spokesman, suggesting that the answer will be at Kevin Rudd's whim.
The Australian Society of Authors and the Australian Booksellers Association both expressed pleasure at the initiative and the extra $100,000 for promotion of the award, which will give exposure (and, they hope, sales) to shortlisted books as well as the winners. "A prize of this stature and worth is testament to the fact that books are still the bedrock of our culture," says the booksellers' president, Fiona Stager.
However, Ivor Indyk, the publisher at Giramondo, expressed the view shared by David Malouf and others: "The prizes seem driven by symbolism rather than by practical need. They ignore poetry, a strange barbarism in a country which prides itself on being civilised. We already have plenty of prizes, and if the judges of those are any good the new prizes will go to writers who have just won prizes, unless there is an idea other than money behind them."
Indyk argues: "We desperately need money for school visits by writers, touring programs, international exchanges, educational materials in Australian literature, editorial positions in magazines and the smaller literary publishers, and familiarisation courses for teachers, booksellers and reviewers. That kind of support would be far more beneficial to writers."
The Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, was surprisingly hard to contact about his government's generosity. Undercover asked whether the Prime Minister's History Prize, initiated by John Howard, would continue or be replaced by the literary awards. "They're totally separate - the announcement of the literary awards has no bearing whatsoever on the history award," says Garrett's spokesman, suggesting that the answer will be at Kevin Rudd's whim.
18 December 2007
Podcast : Christmas Special - Books of 2007
Christmas Special: Books of 2007
The Guardian's literary editor, Claire Armitstead, and Sarah Crown, editor of Guardian Unlimited Books, ask the Guardian review team to pick their books of the year and give their tips for presents this Christmas
The Guardian's literary editor, Claire Armitstead, and Sarah Crown, editor of Guardian Unlimited Books, ask the Guardian review team to pick their books of the year and give their tips for presents this Christmas
Recommended - Partner in crime
Partner in crime J.A.Jance
J.A. Jance has already published a number of books featuring Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont, however in Partners in Crime she teams Beaumont up with the main character from her other Series featuring Joanna Brady. In Partner in Crime Joanna Brady is the local sheriff trying to solve the murder of a woman who was in the witness protection program. Sent to assist her is J.P. Beaumont. The book is written from the point of view of both main characters and their interaction, along with some background on Joanna’s family life and what we learn of Beau’s, enhances the story.
J.A. Jance has already published a number of books featuring Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont, however in Partners in Crime she teams Beaumont up with the main character from her other Series featuring Joanna Brady. In Partner in Crime Joanna Brady is the local sheriff trying to solve the murder of a woman who was in the witness protection program. Sent to assist her is J.P. Beaumont. The book is written from the point of view of both main characters and their interaction, along with some background on Joanna’s family life and what we learn of Beau’s, enhances the story.
15 December 2007
Recommended - Poison study
Poison Study (Fantasy) – Maria V. Snyder
http://www.mariavsnyder.com Yelena is about to go from the frying pan to fire. Condemned to death for the murder of a noble’s son, she’s been left to rot in prison until her execution. Then the Commander’s food taster dies and Valek (the Commander’s chief of security) offers the position to Yelena. Of course she takes it. Now she has to deal with the suspicion of the other castle staff, court intrigues, rebellion and, of course, being poisoned on a daily basis. An enthralling beginning to an interesting new series.
Please note the ACT Public Library only has this series as an ebook.
http://www.mariavsnyder.com Yelena is about to go from the frying pan to fire. Condemned to death for the murder of a noble’s son, she’s been left to rot in prison until her execution. Then the Commander’s food taster dies and Valek (the Commander’s chief of security) offers the position to Yelena. Of course she takes it. Now she has to deal with the suspicion of the other castle staff, court intrigues, rebellion and, of course, being poisoned on a daily basis. An enthralling beginning to an interesting new series.
Please note the ACT Public Library only has this series as an ebook.
Recommended - On cats
On Cats (Non Fiction) – Doris Lessing
http://www.dorislessing.org
This in not a book for the faint hearted. And don’t expect it to be full of sweet, cute stories about cats either. Although the stories are about cats, most of them are sad or shocking, from horrific (childhood) memories of cats being destroyed on the family farm in South Africa to the description of El Magnifico coping with only three legs. It’s worth mentioning that this book is a compilation of previously published stories and is unevenly divided into three sections. The first section describes the experiences (human and cat) with several cats over a number of years and the last two sections describe individual cats.
I’ve never read anything by Doris Lessing before but I love cats so I thought that I would try this. Despite crying my eyes out during the last two chapters I thought it was fantastic! But, as I said before, not for the faint hearted.
http://www.dorislessing.org
This in not a book for the faint hearted. And don’t expect it to be full of sweet, cute stories about cats either. Although the stories are about cats, most of them are sad or shocking, from horrific (childhood) memories of cats being destroyed on the family farm in South Africa to the description of El Magnifico coping with only three legs. It’s worth mentioning that this book is a compilation of previously published stories and is unevenly divided into three sections. The first section describes the experiences (human and cat) with several cats over a number of years and the last two sections describe individual cats.
I’ve never read anything by Doris Lessing before but I love cats so I thought that I would try this. Despite crying my eyes out during the last two chapters I thought it was fantastic! But, as I said before, not for the faint hearted.
Recommended - Agnes and the hitman
Agnes and the Hitman (Romance) – Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
http://www.crusiemayer.com Agnes has problems. Agnes has serious problems. Currently these include: two dognappers (one dead and one alive), a blood trail in a boarded up basement, 5 million missing dollars and a missing mob guy, a wedding (not hers) to organise and a government hitman sleeping outside her bedroom. Oh and some serious anger management issues that involve frying pans. This is going to be one hell of a week.
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t very impressed with the first book (Don’t Look Down) from Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer but this one is really good. It’s more gritty that what Jennifer normally writes and I would assume that it is more light hearted (and romantic) than what Bob has written. In this book I think they got the balance right. Don’t read this book expecting it to be very similar to what either has written before - you’ll be disappointed. But it is a humorous, enthralling read and I recommend it for both Crusie and Mayer fans, especially those who were disappointed the first time.
http://www.crusiemayer.com Agnes has problems. Agnes has serious problems. Currently these include: two dognappers (one dead and one alive), a blood trail in a boarded up basement, 5 million missing dollars and a missing mob guy, a wedding (not hers) to organise and a government hitman sleeping outside her bedroom. Oh and some serious anger management issues that involve frying pans. This is going to be one hell of a week.
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t very impressed with the first book (Don’t Look Down) from Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer but this one is really good. It’s more gritty that what Jennifer normally writes and I would assume that it is more light hearted (and romantic) than what Bob has written. In this book I think they got the balance right. Don’t read this book expecting it to be very similar to what either has written before - you’ll be disappointed. But it is a humorous, enthralling read and I recommend it for both Crusie and Mayer fans, especially those who were disappointed the first time.
Recommended - Brain plague
Brain Plague (Science Fiction) – Joan Slonczewski
http://biology.kenyon.edu/slonc/books/books.html
Can you imagine playing host to a medieval civilization living inside your head? Starving artist Chrysoberyl can’t but she agrees to be infected by microbes to enhance both her credit line and her artistic creations. Like the other ‘carriers’, her microbes create their own society underneath her skull and communicate with her through two “priests” at a time. Unlike the other carrier’s Chrys’ microbes were ‘rescued’ from their murdered previous carrier – something strictly forbidden. Chrys is unprepared for the impact the microbes have on herself and her life and how she affects them. This thought provoking story makes me wish I had my own colony. Absolutely engrossing.
http://biology.kenyon.edu/slonc/books/books.html
Can you imagine playing host to a medieval civilization living inside your head? Starving artist Chrysoberyl can’t but she agrees to be infected by microbes to enhance both her credit line and her artistic creations. Like the other ‘carriers’, her microbes create their own society underneath her skull and communicate with her through two “priests” at a time. Unlike the other carrier’s Chrys’ microbes were ‘rescued’ from their murdered previous carrier – something strictly forbidden. Chrys is unprepared for the impact the microbes have on herself and her life and how she affects them. This thought provoking story makes me wish I had my own colony. Absolutely engrossing.
Recommended - Beneath the bleeding
Beneath the Bleeding by Val McDermid
This latest offering from Val McDermid is, I think, one of her best. Once again featuring DCI Carol Jordan and Dr Tony Hill it is a great police procedural. There is plenty of crime including poisonings and bombings. The interaction between the ‘normal’ police force and those who fight terrorism is interesting, albeit a bit alarming, with the former referring to the latter as Imperial Storm Troopers. We are given some insight into Tony Hill’s earlier life and the relationship between Carol and Tony remains as enigmatic as ever.
This latest offering from Val McDermid is, I think, one of her best. Once again featuring DCI Carol Jordan and Dr Tony Hill it is a great police procedural. There is plenty of crime including poisonings and bombings. The interaction between the ‘normal’ police force and those who fight terrorism is interesting, albeit a bit alarming, with the former referring to the latter as Imperial Storm Troopers. We are given some insight into Tony Hill’s earlier life and the relationship between Carol and Tony remains as enigmatic as ever.
Recommended Title - Making Money
Making Money by Terry Pratchett
For those who are already fans of Terry Pratchett a review of this book is a bit superfluous. For those who aren’t then I would recommend reading his previous Discworld book Going Postal before trying this one. Both Going Postal and Making Money feature the same main character, Moist von Lipwig, a ‘loveable scoundrel’ who is firstly put in charge of The Ankh Morpork Post Office and then it’s Bank and Mint. Both these institutions are struggling to stay afloat and Moist is their last hope. Pratchett is in fine form and fans and new readers will enjoy his grasp of the machinations of big organisations and the characters that are employed by them.
For those who are already fans of Terry Pratchett a review of this book is a bit superfluous. For those who aren’t then I would recommend reading his previous Discworld book Going Postal before trying this one. Both Going Postal and Making Money feature the same main character, Moist von Lipwig, a ‘loveable scoundrel’ who is firstly put in charge of The Ankh Morpork Post Office and then it’s Bank and Mint. Both these institutions are struggling to stay afloat and Moist is their last hope. Pratchett is in fine form and fans and new readers will enjoy his grasp of the machinations of big organisations and the characters that are employed by them.
Well read? - check these.
The librarians at the State Library of Tasmania compiled a list of the top 100 reads of the 20th Century. Have a look and see how many you have read and if you agree with their choices. Titles were chosen from award winning books, best sellers and classics. Listed decade by decade there are books for both adults and younger readers. The list can be found at: http://www.statelibrary.tas.gov.au/whatdo/reading/beinspired/top-100
Recommended - Left for dead
Left for dead: the untold story of the tragic 1979 Fastnet Race by Nick Ward with Sinead O’Brien
This was a riveting read. In 1979 Nick Ward, a young man who had already overcome some major adversity in his life, participated in the race of a lifetime. He was an experienced sailor, and the skipper of the yacht he sailed on, Grimalkin, was also highly experienced, ensuring that his crew was well trained and his yacht was well supplied with safety equipment. But it all went wrong. A massive storm blew in and decimated the race. The description of the conditions and what happened to the boat and the crew when ‘attacked’ by 50 foot waves is harrowing. After many hours of horrific conditions Nick was knocked unconscious and when he came to it was to find that he and another crew member had been left on the abandoned yacht. At the end of the book there is a list of casualties which is a poignant reminder of how powerful the sea can be.
This was a riveting read. In 1979 Nick Ward, a young man who had already overcome some major adversity in his life, participated in the race of a lifetime. He was an experienced sailor, and the skipper of the yacht he sailed on, Grimalkin, was also highly experienced, ensuring that his crew was well trained and his yacht was well supplied with safety equipment. But it all went wrong. A massive storm blew in and decimated the race. The description of the conditions and what happened to the boat and the crew when ‘attacked’ by 50 foot waves is harrowing. After many hours of horrific conditions Nick was knocked unconscious and when he came to it was to find that he and another crew member had been left on the abandoned yacht. At the end of the book there is a list of casualties which is a poignant reminder of how powerful the sea can be.
14 December 2007
ACT Arts Awards
The ACT Chief Minister and Minister for The Arts, Mr Jon Stanhope MLA, announced the recipients of the 2008 ACT Creative Arts Fellowships, the 2007 ACT Poetry Prize and the 2007 ACT Book of the Year Award this week.
Click here for details of shortlisted nominations and winners of the ACT Poetry Prize, ACT Book of the Year Award and the recipients of the 2008 ACT Creative Arts Fellowships.
The ACT Poetry Prize includes prizes for unpublished individual poems. The winning and short-listed individual poems can be downloaded by clicking here.
Click here for details of shortlisted nominations and winners of the ACT Poetry Prize, ACT Book of the Year Award and the recipients of the 2008 ACT Creative Arts Fellowships.
The ACT Poetry Prize includes prizes for unpublished individual poems. The winning and short-listed individual poems can be downloaded by clicking here.
13 December 2007
Starting out in self-publishing?
Are you a writer, photographer or musician? Would you like to self-publish a book or a collection of photos or even some music, but don't know how to start? Have a look at Lulu.com. http://www.lulu.com/ This site won a 2007 Web 2.0 Award in the Books Category. http://www.seomoz.org/web2.0/short Lulu calls itself a 'digital marketplace' rather than a publisher and goes on to say that it 'eliminates traditional entry barriers to publishing, and enables content creators and owners – authors and educators, videographers and musicians, businesses and nonprofits, professionals and amateurs – to bring their work directly to their audience.
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Recommended - Land of the Headless
Land of the headless by Adam Roberts. Gollancz, 2007.
Science fiction author Adam Roberts has created an eerie futuristic world inhabited by the 'headed' and 'the headless', in a tale of revenge, ethics, injustice, and love.The narrator of the story, Jon Cavala, is a well-known and respected poet. After an unfortunate mutual dalliance with a local woman, he is sentenced to have his head removed from his body. With the stark medical procedure featuring in the early chapters, the reader is left in no doubt that this will be a confronting story.Cavala is doomed to wander the city streets as a 'Headless' member of society, with various prosthetic aids to ensure he can see, hear, and function reasonably well in his world.
As the lowest rung of society, he is forced to travel to another city with fellow 'Headless' to begin a new life of subservient living. Computer controlled battles are the norm, with some fascinating methods of using headless infantrymen in warfare. Cavala's passion for revenge drives the story, with an unexpected denouement in the final chapters.
Political science, social mores, and friendships, and a well-written story feature in this novel that will delight hard-core science fiction enthusiasts. Adam Roberts has two careers. In one he is Professor of Nineteenth-Century Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, and has published a wide range of academic books and articles, including Science Fiction (2000). In the other he is a writer of science fiction novels- with the most recent novels being Splinter (2007) and Land of the Headless (2007).
Science fiction author Adam Roberts has created an eerie futuristic world inhabited by the 'headed' and 'the headless', in a tale of revenge, ethics, injustice, and love.The narrator of the story, Jon Cavala, is a well-known and respected poet. After an unfortunate mutual dalliance with a local woman, he is sentenced to have his head removed from his body. With the stark medical procedure featuring in the early chapters, the reader is left in no doubt that this will be a confronting story.Cavala is doomed to wander the city streets as a 'Headless' member of society, with various prosthetic aids to ensure he can see, hear, and function reasonably well in his world.
As the lowest rung of society, he is forced to travel to another city with fellow 'Headless' to begin a new life of subservient living. Computer controlled battles are the norm, with some fascinating methods of using headless infantrymen in warfare. Cavala's passion for revenge drives the story, with an unexpected denouement in the final chapters.
Political science, social mores, and friendships, and a well-written story feature in this novel that will delight hard-core science fiction enthusiasts. Adam Roberts has two careers. In one he is Professor of Nineteenth-Century Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, and has published a wide range of academic books and articles, including Science Fiction (2000). In the other he is a writer of science fiction novels- with the most recent novels being Splinter (2007) and Land of the Headless (2007).
12 December 2007
Some Phobia Words......
Ablutophobia - fear of washing or bathing
Barophobia - fear of gravity
Bibliophobia - fear of books
Catophtrophobia - fear of mirrors
Ergasophobia - fear of work
Nephophobia - fear of clouds
Lachanophobia - fear of vegetables
Note: phobia is from the Greek word meaning fear.
Barophobia - fear of gravity
Bibliophobia - fear of books
Catophtrophobia - fear of mirrors
Ergasophobia - fear of work
Nephophobia - fear of clouds
Lachanophobia - fear of vegetables
Note: phobia is from the Greek word meaning fear.
11 December 2007
December - January Opening Hours for the ACT Public Library
Changed opening hours for December 2007 - January 2008 will operate from Sunday 16 December 2007.
After hours return chutes are located at each library and are available for the return of library material 24 hours a day. Items borrowed from any Public library may be returned at these locations. Online access to the library website is available at http://www.library.act.gov.au/
Enquiries : Phone 6205 9000 or Email library.customerinfo@act.gov.au
After hours return chutes are located at each library and are available for the return of library material 24 hours a day. Items borrowed from any Public library may be returned at these locations. Online access to the library website is available at http://www.library.act.gov.au/
Enquiries : Phone 6205 9000 or Email library.customerinfo@act.gov.au
10 December 2007
Library Trivia
Melvil Dewey, the inventor of the Dewey Decimal System for library classification was born on this day in 1851.
Summer Reading Club about to start at the ACT Public Library
Summer Reading Superheroes will hit town on 14 December 2007 for this year’s Summer Reading Club program at the ACT Public Library.
This year’s theme is Read Around Oz – Superheroes Read.
The Library has organized fun activities to engage and occupy young people in reading. Children are encouraged to keep a record of books read during the summer holidays, and bookmarks and certificates will be given for participation in the Summer Reading Club.
WHAT: Summer Reading Club 2007– 2008
WHEN: 14 December 2007 to 24 January 2008
WHERE: All ACT Public Library branches
For further information, contact the ACT Public Library by phone on 62059000, or visit the library’s website at http://www.library.act.gov.au/
This year’s theme is Read Around Oz – Superheroes Read.
The Library has organized fun activities to engage and occupy young people in reading. Children are encouraged to keep a record of books read during the summer holidays, and bookmarks and certificates will be given for participation in the Summer Reading Club.
WHAT: Summer Reading Club 2007– 2008
WHEN: 14 December 2007 to 24 January 2008
WHERE: All ACT Public Library branches
For further information, contact the ACT Public Library by phone on 62059000, or visit the library’s website at http://www.library.act.gov.au/
07 December 2007
Australian Book Illustrators
The Style File, showcases the work of some of Australia's most talented book illustrators. This site is an initiative of the Society of Book Illustrators (SoBI). It was produced with funding support from the Australia Council in 2003.
All illustrations on the site are copyright to the creators. The Style File is a folio of pages, each showcasing the work of a different book illustrator. An extensive range of illustration styles and expertise are represented including non-fiction illustration, type design, book and book jacket design diagrams, botanical/ fauna illustration, Indigenous illustration, calligraphy, photography and maps, narrative art for picture books; and comic art and art suitable for graphic novels.
The Style File continues to grow and develop as more artists come on board every six months.
All illustrations on the site are copyright to the creators. The Style File is a folio of pages, each showcasing the work of a different book illustrator. An extensive range of illustration styles and expertise are represented including non-fiction illustration, type design, book and book jacket design diagrams, botanical/ fauna illustration, Indigenous illustration, calligraphy, photography and maps, narrative art for picture books; and comic art and art suitable for graphic novels.
The Style File continues to grow and develop as more artists come on board every six months.
06 December 2007
Authors Choose their Top 10 Books
Guardian Unlimited has compiled a series of online articles that list the top 10 books of several writers including:
Click here for the Top 10 Archive by category.
05 December 2007
Create your own media
Did you know each branch library has a PC with professional media and publishing software tools? This software enables you to create and manipulate images, documents, web pages, music and videos.
The PC includes:
- ACID Pro 5 - for music composition and production;
- Adobe Creative Suite - for access to PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator and ImageReady; and
- Macromedia Studio MX 2004 - for web development.
Bookings are essential. Contact the ACT Public Library on 6205 9000.
The PC includes:
- ACID Pro 5 - for music composition and production;
- Adobe Creative Suite - for access to PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator and ImageReady; and
- Macromedia Studio MX 2004 - for web development.
Bookings are essential. Contact the ACT Public Library on 6205 9000.
04 December 2007
Recommended - The Little Black Book : Books
The Little Black Book : Books. Lucy Daniel (ed), Cassell Illustrated, London (2007).
If you haunt your local library in search of new authors, love the literary liftouts that come in the weekend papers and have heard of the Good Reading magazine, this book will be right up your alley. A collection of authors, books, literary events and characters that covers the last century from H.G. Wells to Sarah Waters.
The Little Black Book is a real doorstopper at almost 800 pages, and has enlisted the best literary critics worldwide, as well as journalists, authors and poets to pick their way through the most important literary footnotes from 1895 to 2006. And it's not all elitist book club stuff, if you were a bit worried that here was another one of those 'books I must read but would rather watch wallpaper dry' lists.
If you love books, and information about books, and can never find enough authors to keep your bedside table stacked high, then make sure you grab a copy of this book.
If you haunt your local library in search of new authors, love the literary liftouts that come in the weekend papers and have heard of the Good Reading magazine, this book will be right up your alley. A collection of authors, books, literary events and characters that covers the last century from H.G. Wells to Sarah Waters.
The Little Black Book is a real doorstopper at almost 800 pages, and has enlisted the best literary critics worldwide, as well as journalists, authors and poets to pick their way through the most important literary footnotes from 1895 to 2006. And it's not all elitist book club stuff, if you were a bit worried that here was another one of those 'books I must read but would rather watch wallpaper dry' lists.
If you love books, and information about books, and can never find enough authors to keep your bedside table stacked high, then make sure you grab a copy of this book.
03 December 2007
Riddle of the Week
Simple Riddle:
When they are caught, they are thrown away.
When they escape, you itch all day.
What are they?
Hard Riddle:
A farmer in California owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies the fruit to a nearby grocery store. The store owner has called the farmer to see how much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer knows that the main trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has exactly 12 boughs and each bough has exactly 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how many plums will the farmer be able to deliver?
Last week's answers:
Easy riddle:Why is it always hot at the end of a soccer game?
Because all the fans have gone home.
Hard riddle:I come in many colours and I am very thin. I am found in every country, and even in your home. I am very important, you can be creative with me. I can even help you learn. What am I?
Paper
When they are caught, they are thrown away.
When they escape, you itch all day.
What are they?
Hard Riddle:
A farmer in California owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies the fruit to a nearby grocery store. The store owner has called the farmer to see how much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer knows that the main trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has exactly 12 boughs and each bough has exactly 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how many plums will the farmer be able to deliver?
Last week's answers:
Easy riddle:Why is it always hot at the end of a soccer game?
Because all the fans have gone home.
Hard riddle:I come in many colours and I am very thin. I am found in every country, and even in your home. I am very important, you can be creative with me. I can even help you learn. What am I?
Paper
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