Dear Dorking Library Members and Blog subscribers!
Sorry that this post sees us still in lockdown and that we are not yet able to re-open our doors to you. As you know, all the staff are really missing being able to connect with you and hear your news.
We hope that you are all keeping safe and well and if you have run out of physical books to read (shudder at the thought!) that you are able to access our ever-expanding online offer. This includes eBooks, eAudiobooks, RB Digital magazines and comics and access to 7388 newspapers and publications with Pressreader.
There are also loads of interactive sessions available for you and your little ones including rhymetime and storytimes (if you have not yet seen it, our very own Julia did the very first Surrey Libraries video rhymetime which is still available to view – highly recommended). For older children there is now a weekly Lego Club (yay!) and a Science from Home Club. So, feel free to dip in to these sessions and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.
Also – hot off the press – there is now a dedicated Surrey Libraries UK YouTube Channel – an easy was to access any of the videos/activities just mentioned.
Click here to find out more information about our online offers: https://surreylibraries.libnet.info/
Recently we announced Cockerel’s Choice. Every Tuesday one of the staff members will recommend their favourite read. Ever wondered what librarians are reading? Cockerel’s Choice is your way to find out.
We will post the book reviews on the blog for you to read. But feel free to go on our social media accounts to see them as they appear on Tuesdays.
We would love to read your own Cockerel’s Choice so please feel free to send us your recommendations:
blog.dorkinglibrary@surreycc.gov.uk
We also have a new Cockerel’s Choice for you, this selection is from Ieva – who, as always, displays excellent (and on-trend) taste.
Ieva’s recommendation
I would like to recommend ‘The Witcher. The Last Wish’ by Andrzej Sapkowski. I read this book years ago and I currently rereading it and I still love it. I am a big fan of fantasy fiction, especially those books that have magic in it. Since reading The Witcher I have been on a hunt for a magic adventure book that could compare to it… But I couldn’t find one as good as these series.
The Last Wish is the first book and introduction to the world and characters. It’s an adventure filled with magic, love, epic fights. The Witcher’s world is fascinating and filled with coexisting magical creatures. I really loved the idea that not all monsters are evil and need to be hunted or killed. And not everything that appears fair is good.
There are worldwide famous video games based on the books which I still need to play as I heard only good things about them. The Witcher TV series has been released recently and I binged watched it in a couple days, cannot wait for the second season. – Ieva
Liz’s recommendation
Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido is a treasured book I first read almost 40 years ago but often revisit when I need a little bit of comfort.
The novel centres on Katherine and her relationship with her bohemian University professor, Jacob Goldman and his large eccentric family. Though not specified the earlier part is set in the glow of the late 1960s and life is full of promise. We revisit Katherine about 10 years later. Life happens and Katherine is sad but a re-encounter with the Goldman family brings her back into the world.
I wanted to be part of the Goldman family, living in a rambling Sussex farmhouse where the sun always seems to shine. I wanted to have a romantic entanglement with one of the handsome but maybe too clever Goldman brothers. Witty, funny, sad – a great read. I must buy a new copy. – Liz
I must say, I was struggling to come up with any inspiration of what to write for this post… blame it on ‘lockdown lethargy’ if you will. Then, while reading our current Tweens Book Group choice, I came across this passage which popped out at me like a beautiful, serendipitous gift…
“I have a tingly feeling that I get when there are books all around me. The library! I know it’s geeky but I love it. Just sitting between the shelves of books, reading – it’s the safest feeling. “
‘There Will be Lies’ by Nick Lake
This just sums up perfectly how many of us, myself included, feel about our/your Library. The book is ‘There Will be Lies’ by Nick Lake, and so far, I am loving it. Looking forward to seeing the Tweens again when we reopen for some lively discussion about this one!
Thank you for joining us this week and see you next time! – Katie.
Dorking Library 