Readers Around - Summer 2009

Newsletter for Tameside Libraries Readers' Group

There is a lot happening in libraries during the next few months. From activities to make your mouth water to events which will take you down memory lane, there is something for all the family.

Tameside Food and Drink Festival 2009

We have a number of events planned to support the Tameside Food and Drink Festival.

At Droylsden Library a local chef will show you how to get the best results when cooking vegetables. Hints and Tips: cooking your allotment is on Thursday 1st October, 6.30 – 7.30pm. Phone 0161 370 1282 for more information.

Hyde Library will have an afternoon tea with readings, a competition and refreshments on Monday 28th September 2.15 - 3.30pm.

Reading is a piece of cake at Newton Library on Monday 5th October 2pm - 3.15pm! See whether your taste in reading matches the type of cakes you like! Phone Susan Essex on 0161 342 4450 for more information.

On Friday 2nd October there will be a ‘quizzical’ afternoon tea at Mossley Library, 3pm - 4.30pm. Phone 01457 832467 for more information.

There are also events for children including special Very Hungry Caterpillar storytimes with food fit for caterpillars! Pick up a What’s On from the library or visit the website on www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries to find out more.

You might be surprised to find that there are a wide variety of novels set in gardens from thrillers through to romantic comedies.

A collection of fiction with a gardening theme will be launched at Mossley Library with a gardening quiz on Monday 7th September 2 – 3.30pm. There will be free refreshments, too, so come along and find out how much you know - you might even win a small prize!

Phone 01457 832467 for more information.

At Hurst Library on Wednesday 23rd September, 5.30 - 6.45pm, a talk by writer Mark Llewellin, ‘On the Cobbles’ takes a look at Coronation Street; how its name was a mistake, where it is filmed and what happens when things go wrong! There will also be a hot pot supper.

The event is free but phone the library on 0161 330 3750 to reserve your place.

A novel way to pick up a novel!

On Thursday 1st October why not drop in to Tameside Central Library and instead of borrowing a book, borrow a person! This is an event where books come to life. Each book has a story to tell about their own life and experiences and they will answer any questions listeners have. So come along on the day any time between 2 - 6pm and prepare to be surprised!

Phone the library on 0161 342 2027 for more information about this ‘Living Libraries’ event.

Popular author Hilary Green will visit Droylsden Library on Thursday 3rd September 1.45 - 3.15pm. Hilary has written a number of books including four in the ‘Follies’ series. Her books are about love and war, two words which she says ‘encapsulate the essence of all fiction’.

The author’s books, which will be for sale on the day, are set against the background of WW2.

Phone the library on 0161 370 1282 for more information.

The Crime Writers Association (CWA) have for many years organised the Daggers Awards which aim to promote the best of crime writing. There are various categories including the Dagger in the Library, International Dagger and the Short Story Dagger. This year the CWA have joined forces with ITV3. The Crime Thriller Dagger Awards will be televised on Wednesday 21st October - a must for crime readers!

To find out more visit the website www.thecwa.co.uk . A number of crime writers visited libraries in the borough last year. These events were so popular that we have decided to repeat the mini ‘crimefest’ around World Book Day in March 2010. Details will appear in What’s On and the next Readers Around. In the meantime local author Dolores Gordon Smith will visit the Hyde Readers Group on Monday 7th September 6.30 - 7.30pm to talk about her writing. She will visit Dukinfield Crime Readers Group later in the year – the date is yet to be confirmed.

There is also a course for crime readers. In partnership with the WEA, libraries are running a 10 week course Who done it? - Looking at crime fiction. Learn more about crime fiction and how the detective novel developed. The first book to be explored is Agatha Christie’s Murder of Roger Ackroyd - please try to read this book before the first session. The course will be held at Dukinfield Library starting on Monday 28th September 10am - 12noon. Phone 0161 330 3257 to enrol. The cost is £30 (there are some concessions)

Hats On at Denton Library!

Denton was well known for its many hat factories. To celebrate this heritage, a week of hatting activities for all ages has been planned. Phone the library on 0161 336 8234 for more information about the events.

Down Memory Lane

Leisa Gray from Portland Basin will bring along items from the hatting trade. Do you have memories you would like to share?

Monday 5th October 2 – 3.30pm

A talk by Hannah Williamson from the Stockport Hatting Museum

Find out more about the fascinating history of hatting in the area.

Tuesday 6th October 2 – 3.30pm - free but phone the library to reserve your place.

Coffee morning

Have a cup of coffee and celebrate Denton’s hatting tradition - hats not required! Thursday 8th October 11am - 12noon

Design a hat for the Quangle Wangle!

You might win a prize. Ask library staff for a template then colour and decorate it as extravagantly as you like! Saturday 10th October – during library opening hours

For children age 3+

Books to make you smile

Libraries will have displays of books to make you smile in October. The books are a selection of fiction and nonfiction which have been recommended by staff and will be identified by stickers. The displays will promote the BBC Headroom campaign www.bbc.co.uk/headroom  which aims to help people cope with the everyday stresses and strains of life and provide a safe place to start finding answers to more complex problems.

The shortlisted titles for this year’s Man Booker Prize for fiction will be announced on uesday 8th September with the winner being decided on 6th October. To view the longlisted titles visit the website http://www.themanbookerprize.com/news/stories/1252 . The team of judges read through well over 100 books to select titles for the longlist before whittling this list down to the winning title. The prize is much talked about and sometimes
controversial. Last year’s winner White Tiger by Aravind Adiga became a bestselling title whilst the publishers of a previous winner, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, have set up a worldwide ‘readalong’ where readers can add their views of the book. Visit the website http://www.lifeofpi.co.uk/  if you want to add your comments or read what others have to say about this very unusual and compelling book.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the news and views. Please let me know if you have any titles that you would recommend for readers group discussions. Chris Smith, Reader Development Co-ordinator phone 0161 342 4148