Monthly Archives: February 2013

Bookamania

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So, why would 250 teenagers pay £12 to go to the Royal Concert Hall on a Friday night?

Waiting on the main man err men um man?

To see a great band? To ogle some teen heart throb in a bad hat with an odd haircut who autotunes their way through some else’s songs?… erm no actually to meet a nerdfighting author.

Yep, it was an evening of fun and frolick and face slapping ( Hank won this time so John got it in the kisser from his baby bro) with an author who is somethig of a teen phenomenon both on and off line.

This was an “awesome” ( if you know his boooks you know why I say that) evening with the one and only John Green and his brother Hank.
If you have not heard of John Green where have you been?

Check out his web site about his books.

http://johngreenbooks.com/

Check out his youtube channel (though you might want to turn down the volume – it’s a noisy affair)

http://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers

Try the Crash course yourtube channels for information on History, the world, politics and literature

http://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse

Or even roll with his tumbl for his fishing boat proceeds

http://fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/

This man is the epitome of geek chic and his books are not bad either.

He was here to promote and chat about his book The Fault is in their Stars. It is a beautiful and emotional ( dare you not to blub) story of young teenage cancer sufferers. He said he tried to make it funny but from the comments from the audience I guess he failed.

This is the guy who makes it OK to be brainy, this is the guy who thinks there is something awesome in everyone and this is the guy who thinks it’s cool to read fiction and non-fiction and this is the guy who chats to the president of the USA and this is the guy you missed seeing on Friday night!

Out and about …

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As librarians are wont to do, I wandered off to the Mitchell Library to meet with 4 yes 4 count em, teen fiction authors.

Heading the bill on equal status were * insert drum roll here* –

Tom Bowler
Sally Prue
Gillian Cross and
Geraldine McCaughrean.

All brought together by their publisher OUP on a roadshow to talk about teen novels and their new books.

The Jeffrey Library tucked in the attic of the beautiful Mitchell library was the perfect setting for us to get up close and personal with the authors, all of whom took time to read from their books, discuss their characters and inspirations and answers lots of rather good questions.

There was a real mix of genres on show – from prehistoric mammoth fighting to mystical visions to crumbling seaside town ghosts to the collapse of life in the Uk as we know it. A juicy melange of writing.

There was an opportunity for chatting and mingling after the formal procedures and I was lucky enough to ask Geraldine to sign a couple of books.

Look out for a library competition to win one!

Great evening, great books and great company.

Off to see John Green on Friday… will report back on that next week.

Guinness World Record challenge

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On Wed 6th Feb the library will be taking part in a Guinness World record attempt at having the most numbers of people writing the same story at the same time. Over 190 schools have signed up to this challenge and we want in that big book.

All you have to do is come along to the library at lunchtime and write the next 2 yes only 2 lines of a story that has been started off by the lovely author Matt Haig.

If you want to see a copy of the start of the story please come and see Mrs. Baird BEFORE the event so that you can get those creative juices flowing.

You do not have to be a budding Shakespeare to take part you only have to be enthusiastic and willing to support your school.

It should be great fun and a story to tell all your friends for years to come. There is also a rumour that some sweeties might be on hand to inspire!

So, there is no excuse not to come along – this includes staff as well as teachers can take part too.

See you there!

I will keep you all posted as to how well we have done…