Thursday, August 9, 2012

Criminal by Karen Slaughter

The newest Karin Slaughter doesn't disappoint- an edgy and intense read. Criminal is the next instalment in Slaughter's series which follows detectives Faith and Will from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Will Trent is an orphan, son of a murderer and seriously dyslexic. Criminal traces his past,set simultaneously in 1975 and present day- investigates the murder of Will's mother and his birth. I highly recommend Criminal, a great thriller.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Booker Prize 2012 long list

The Booker prize long list was released yesterday. Here are the nominees...note the lack of Irish writers!


Man Booker Prize - 2012 longlist

  • Nicola Barker - The Yips
  • Ned Beauman - The Teleportation Accident
  • Andre Brink - Philida
  • Tan Twan Eng - The Garden of Evening Mists
  • Michael Frayn - Skios
  • Rachel Joyce - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
  • Deborah Levy - Swimming Home
  • Hilary Mantel - Bring Up the Bodies
  • Alison Moore - The Lighthouse
  • Will Self - Umbrella
  • Jeet Thayil - Narcopolis
  • Sam Thompson - Communion Town

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Non fiction top 10 July 2012


   Top 10 Non Fiction

·        The Magic Reality
     By Richard Dawkins

·        American Caesars
     By Nigel Hamilton

·        Treasure Islands
     By Nicolas Shaxson

·        Political Corruption in Ireland
     By Elaine Byrne

·        I was a boy in Belsen
     By Tomi Reichental

·        White Fever
     By Jacek Hugo Bader

·        Thinking Fast and Slow
     By Daniel Kahneman

·        The House on an Irish Hillside
     By Felicity Hayes-McCoy

·        Travels with Bertha
     By Paul Martin

·        Mrs Robinsons Disgrace
     By Kate Summerscale

Saturday, July 7, 2012

The Junior Book Club Round Up:


We have had another very successful year with our Junior Book Clubs. They never failed to provide a bit of excitement down in the shop on Monday afternoons, debating and arguing over their chosen books. 

Some of their favourites from this year include;

'War Horse' by Michael Morpurgo. Heather (12) said, 'It's a very realistic story of friendship and loyalty.'
'Tom Gates Everything's Amazing (sort of)' by Liz Pichon. This will appeal to Wimpy Kid fans and is a crazy, fun read. 'I really liked the story line.' - Leah (11)

However, 'The Recruit' by Robert Muchamore is no doubt, the Junior Book Club's top read from this year. 'The Recruit' is the first in a 12 part series called CHERUB and is an action packed thriller that readers of all levels and taste seem to enjoy. Aaron (12) put it best when he said, 'It's a real blockbuster!'









Below are the books they have chosen to read over the summer holidays;

Group 1:
'Outlaw' by Michael Morpurgo
'Dark Lord The Teenage Years' by Jamie Thomson
'The Mysterious Benedict Society' by Trenton Lee Stewart

Group 2:
'Lobster Boy' by Rodman Philbrick
'Claws' by Mick & Rachel Grinti
'Tao' by John Newman
'Journey to the River Sea' by Eva Ibbotson

Group 3:
'Mad Dogs' (Cherub) by Robert Muchamore
'The Boy Who Lost His Face' by Louis Sachar
'Dead End' by Jack Gantos

The Junior Book Clubs will be meeting up again in September. If you think your child would be interested in joining one of the clubs please let us know and we'll add you to the waiting list.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

The Hunger Games Trilogy

75 years ago, the districts attempted to revolt from the Capitol. The punishment and reminder for this revolt is the annual Hunger Games. Every year a girl and a boy are reaped to represent their district at the Hunger Games. The aim of the games is survival. This year Katniss and Peeta represent district 12 at the Hunger Games, the trilogy follows their journey.

This trilogy is exciting, well written and bleak. Aimed at teenage readers, it appeals to a much wider audience and reminds me very much of the intricate writing and otherness of Lord of the Rings. I really enjoyed reading The Hunger Games, I did nothing else but read them for a week!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Impac prize 2012

The Impac prize winner for 2012 was announced yesterday. The winner is "Even the Dogs" by Jon McGregor. The Impac prize is chosen by librarians around the world and is the most significant prize of its kind.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Orange prize shortlist 2012

The Orange Prize shortlist for fiction came out yesterday. Here is the shortlist:
Esi EdugyanHalf Blood BluesSerpent’s TailCanadian2nd Novel
Anne EnrightThe ForgottenWaltz Jonathan CapeIrish5th Novel
Georgina HardingPainter of SilenceBloomsburyBritish3rd Novel
Madeline MillerThe Song of AchillesBloomsburyAmerican1st Novel
Cynthia OzickForeign BodiesAtlantic BooksAmerican7th Novel
Ann PatchettState of WonderBloomsburyAmerican6th Novel