EVENTS

.: Our Agenda of our activities are available below or directly HERE

The Librarian's Choice

Hello everyone,
thankfully March has brought some faint promise of warmer weather and in the spirit of this changing time, I whole-heartily recommend the following books:

Since last Thursday's theme was the re-build of a historical ship, the voyage across the Atlantic, and naval themes in general, here are the right reads for you.


Longitude by Dava Sobel
Attention, it's not a novel.
The complete book title is: "Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time", a history book about John Harrison, an 18th century clockmaker who created the first clock (chronometer) sufficiently accurate to be used to determine longitude at sea—an important development in navigation.
Longitude represents the vertical lines on a map/geographical globe. Determining longitude at sea was vitally important to reach any destination. England in the 18th century was developing into the world's most powerful naval power and the biggest treasure everyone was after was to invent an accurate way to calculate and know your exact position at sea. The book has received numerous awards and I find it one of the most fascinating history books I've read. I also own it myself because it's such a well written account of all the context of what was involved in this search. If you're curious, here is the wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitude_(book)
But better yet - get the book from our Library!!

And if you are a Thriller addict, here are the two newest arrival for you.
Ordered by special request from your generous donation of your spare change in the Treat-For-A-Treat tin box.

Instruments Of Darkness by Imogen Robinson
A detective story set in the late 1700's in England. It is an intricate historical page-turner about a country estate with a secret past and the unlikely forensic duo who set out to uncover its deadly secrets. Harriet Westerman from the neighboring estate find a dead body on her grounds and she persuades reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther to help her solve the mystery. What secrets will they discover and what dangers will threaten them? Find out more in our Library!

And here is the second in the series: Anatomy Of Murder, also by Imogen Robertson.
The streets of London seethe with rumor and conspiracy as the King's navy battles the French at sea. And while the banks of the Thames swarm with life, a body is dragged from its murky waters. In another part of town, where the air seems sweeter, the privileged enjoy a brighter world of complacent wealth and intoxicating celebrity. But as society revels in its pleasures, a darker plot is played out. Harriet and Gabriel once again will attempt to find out the victim's identity and bring the murderer to justice.

Our own dear Kevin Schwarz called the thrillers "Un-put-downable!". Find out why next time you're in our Library!

And for those of you who caught the snowflake's dance one early morning in central Bordeaux last week, this is for you:


Louis MacNeice - Snow
The room was suddenly rich and the great bay-window was
Spawning snow and pink roses against it
Soundlessly collateral and incompatible:
World is suddener than we fancy it.

World is crazier and more of it than we think,
Incorrigibly plural. I peel and portion
A tangerine and spit the pips and feel
The drunkenness of things being various.

And the fire flames with a bubbling sound for world
Is more spiteful and gay than one supposes -
On the tongue on the eyes on the ears in the palms of one's hands -
There is more than glass between the snow and the huge roses.

Beautiful, no? Stay warm and happy
Your Librarian
anna