Library Newsletter

Library Newsletter 1: Summer 2015

New Titles Whilst the long, lazy days of summer are great for getting out and about, they are also perfect for settling down with a good book. The eight or so  weeks of the summer holidays are when I usually try and tackle those books that have been sitting unread  on my shelves for too long; books that are too long or too complex to be properly enjoyed in a rushed few  hours at the end of the day, or those that need a  warm sunny day in the garden to set the mood.   

I’ve given you a few of my picks for summer reading later on in this first edition of CCB library’s  newsletter. You’ll also find information on useful websites, a selection of some of our new titles, bookish dates for your diary, and information on our new catalogue, Eclipse, which can now be accessed  from any computer with internet connection.  

Do share what you’re reading over the summer with  the library – why not send a postcard from wherever  you are, or send us a tweet? 

Miss Skipper.

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Fiction David Almond, The Great War: An Anthology of Stories Inspired by Objects from the First World War: JF ALM Steve Backshall, Tiger Wars: JF BAC Matt Haig, The Humans: F HAI Jonathan Maberry, Dust and Decay: JF MAB Hilary Mantel, Bring up the Bodies: F MAN Simon Mayo, Itchcraft: JF MAY DJ McCune, Death and Co.: Fault Lines: JF MCC David O’Doherty, Danger is Everywhere: A Handbook for Avoiding Danger: JF ODO Julian Sedgwick, Mysterium: The Black Dragon: JF SED Darren Shan, Zom-B Gladiator: JF SHA Gerard Siggins, Rugby Warrior: JF SIG John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids: F WYN

Non-Fiction and Biography Sergio Kun Aguero, Born to Rise: My Story: BIO AGU John Bew, Castlereagh: Enlightenment, War and Tyranny: BIO CAS Ian Poulter, No Limits: My Autobiography: BIO POU Joe Simpson, Touching the Void: BIO SIM John Butterworth, Thinking Skills: 160 BUT Nicholas J. McBride, Letters to a Law Student: 340.07 MCB Jim Fraser, Forensic Science: A Very Short Introduction: 363.25 FRA Winston Fletcher, Advertising: A Very Short Introduction: 659.1 FLE Frank Lee, How to Draw Your Own Graphic Novel: 741.5 LEE Gaby Morgan, Poems from the Second World War: 808.81 MOR Ruth Winstone, Events, Dear Boy, Events: A Political Diary of Britain from Woolf to Campbell: 941.082 WIN

Book Group News This term our book group have been meeting fortnightly at lunch time in the library to discuss the shortlists for the Northern Ireland Book Award and the Carnegie medal. We’ve also looked at some of the books shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway medal too.

With 22 books across all three awards to read before the end of June, we’ve certainly had plenty to discuss!

You can see which books have proved to be popular with our group so far – the winners for each award are announced at the end of June (see the Bookish Dates section below).

New members are always welcome – for more details, see the posters round school, or pop in to the library to speak to Miss Skipper.

Book Reviews Fleeced

Race to the Pole

by Julia Wills

by James Cracknell and Ben Fogle

What would happen if Aries decided he was going to get back his golden fleece, stolen from him by Jason with the help of Medea? And what would happen if his fleece just happened to be with Medea in modern day London? And what would happen if Medea just happened to be a fashion designer with a very evil plan?

This is a gripping account of the authors’ race to the South Pole. After successfully competing together in the Atlantic Rowing Race, Ben and James were looking for a new challenge. The Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race seemed to be the perfect opportunity – six teams would race to the pole almost 100 years after Scott was beaten to the finish by Roald Amundsen.

This imaginative and entertaining book follows Aries as he leaves the Underworld, with his (human) best friend Alex, to track down his fleece. Crashing into the British Museum in modern day London, they meet Rose, and together the trio set off in pursuit of the fleece, now owned by Medea – an enchantress now casting her spells over the rich and famous in her new guise as a fashion designer. But what does she have planned for Aries? And what does it really mean to be a hero? The story is told by a narrator with plenty of humorous asides, and it’s a great introduction to some fantastic characters from Greek mythology.

The style of the book is very engaging - Ben and James take turns to tell the story of their adventure, giving us insights into their reasons behind taking part, their attempts to pull a team together, the preparation involved, and of course all the details of the race itself. Colour photos accompany the text (some are particularly gruesome!), and you really feel that you’re out on the ice with them.

Do they win the race? Does their friendship survive?

You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Find it on the shelf:

Find it on the shelf:

JF WIL

919.89 CRA

Summer Reading Wildwood - Colin Meloy

Dorothy Must Die - Danielle Paige

Far From the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

The first in the Wildwood Chronicles, this is a classic and beautifully illustrated adventure.

The book tells the story of Prue who embarks on a magical journey to rescue her brother after he is kidnapped by crows and disappears into the Impassable Wilderness.

Following a tornado, Amy discovers that the land of Oz she has arrived in is very different from that of the movie. Recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked she is given a mission: Remove the Tin Man's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's courage. And – Dorothy must die.

I have been inspired by the recent film to re-read this classic novel.

Hardy tells the tale of Bathsheba Everdene who, as well as being headstrong and independent, is the object of affection for three suitors. The nature of friendship and love are explored in this timeless novel.

Summertime - Vanessa Lafaye

A Tap on the Window - Linwood Barclay

Allegiant – Veronica Roth

Described as a cross between The Help and To Kill a Mockingbird, this novel is set in a small town in 1930s Florida and captures the racial and social tensions of post war America. A deadly hurricane is brewing off the coast, mirroring the tension on shore…

Linwood Barclay writes gripping thrillers and this one promises to be no different.

On a rainy night, a man gives a teenage girl a lift home, but the girl he picks up isn't the same one he drops off…

I loved the first two books, so I’ve been saving this book, the last in the Divergent series, until I can properly enjoy it! This book concludes the story of Tris and Four following the end of their faction based society and is told from both of their viewpoints.

Introducing Eclipse!

Change is afoot with the arrival of our new Library Management System, Eclipse! This new system means that you can access your own library record directly from My-School – with no extra login details required. Simply click on the ‘Library’ icon in the Online Learning field (accessed through the ‘View All’ button on your launch pad). In this new system you can: 

keep an eye on what books you have on loan

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use the ‘Book of the Week’ feature to see what’s recommended

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leave reviews for books that you’ve enjoyed

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search for and reserve books yourself

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see what’s new in the library

There is also an app available for your Smartphone!

Full details of the new system will be explained at the start of the new year in September, but why not have a look for yourself next time you are on your account?

Website Focus

Libraries NI

CCB Library in Numbers 

Total loans so far this year: 2145

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Year group with the most loans: Year 8 (666 items)

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House with the most loans: School House (315 items)

Top 5 titles 1. The Recruit by Robert Muchamore 12 loans 2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 10 loans 3. Everything’s Amazing (Sort Of) by Liz Pichon 9 loans 4. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy 8 loans 5. Class A by Robert Muchamore 8 loans

Librarian: Cath Skipper

Campbell College Library Belmont Road Belfast BT4 2ND Tweet: @ccb_library

The Libraries NI website is well worth visiting for access to a wide range of online resources, including audiobooks, ebooks and magazines.

The public library service also subscribes to online reference materials, such as Encyclopaedia Britannica, dictionaries and newspaper databases which you can use at home to help with homework. Best of all, access to these resources is completely FREE – all you need is a membership card which you can pick up from your local branch (if you’re under 16, you will need an adult’s signature).