November 22, 2020 / Ben / 0 Comments
Many people enjoy settling down
with a good book and are eager to talk about their current read especially if
it is absorbing so what better way to do this than start a book club.
The main idea of a book club is
that everyone reads the same book and then either meets up in person to talk
about it or online if meeting up is not possible. Some novels have ideas for
discussions at the end of the book that can be used to stimulate debate and provoke
thoughts into character motives, plot lines and author intent giving the group
a good starting point for discussion.
Another way to organise a book
club is to use it as a way of swapping books that have been enjoyed. Obviously,
discussions about the book could only take place once every member has read the
book to avoid any spoilers. Members could however provide a brief synopsis of
the book whilst not revealing any twists that the story may contain.
Joining a book club is a good way
to make new friends with similar interests as yourself and it is certainly
worth finding out if such a club exists if you move to a new area.
October 27, 2020 / Ben / 0 Comments
When e readers first came onto the
market there was outcry amongst some members of the public who felt that they
would take over the literary world and completely replace real books in future
years. This has not been the case as can be seen in most of our supermarkets
where a variety of books from autobiographies to the latest romantic novel can
be bought so is there a place for both?
The answer to this question is a
resounding yes for most people as each has advantages and disadvantages. Probably
one of the reasons why people choose an e reader is that a whole library of
books can be stored on it and so especially if you are going away on holiday
and anticipate reading a few books it cuts down on the amount of real books you
need to take, reducing the space and weight taken up in your luggage. If you
are reading whilst sunbathing the e reader can still be read as the screen
allows it to be seen in bright light and there’s no need to worry about losing
your place as it automatically restarts where you left off.
With all the advantages of e
readers why are real books still a popular choice? We are creatures of habit
and for some people the enjoyment they get from holding a book and turning the
pages can never be replaced by a handheld device no matter how sophisticated.
July 24, 2020 / Ben / 0 Comments
It is
essential in these days of mobile devices that children are still given the
opportunity to immerse themselves in books and reading not only for the
enjoyment it brings but also because In our primary schools children are
expected to reach a good level of reading ability by the time they enter key
stage two at the age of approximately seven. This presents a huge challenge for
some children who may be reluctant to read not only books, but any printed
material and it can also be worrying for parents and teachers who are often
searching for ways to inspire and encourage reading.
The demands
of learning to read can be taxing to young children but one approach is to
resist the temptation to insist that they read every day even though it is
encouraged by many schools. Children need to be shown that there is a purpose
to reading whether it be reading the instructions to a favourite game or
reading a recipe to make a cake. This type of incidental reading can encourage
children to read without them being aware that they are reading.
By encouraging
the reading of magazines and comic books a reluctant reader can be inspired to
read and although the vocabulary may not be extensive in this type of
literature, they may tap into the child’s interest especially if the reading
material about a hobby they enjoy.
June 26, 2020 / Ben / 0 Comments
How long has
it been since you visited a library? For many people, the answer will be I cannot
remember because it has been so long ago, so is it time to see these large,
often old and draughty buildings closed for good?
The purpose of
libraries was originally to give the general population access to books
irrespective of social class or financial status. This meant that expensive
books used for extending knowledge, gaining information or simply to provide
entertainment were readily available to borrow for a few weeks at a time for no
cost. This is still the case today as libraries provide a service that many
people, some who struggle financially, rely on.
In more
recent times with the growing use of technology libraries have evolved to
provide individuals without internet access at home a place where they can use
a computer to send emails and carry out research.
In many
towns the library has also become a hub for meetings and training courses
giving it a new lease of life and providing a much needed service to the
community so perhaps libraries have not had their day after all but have moved
with the times and are as relevant now as in the past.
February 28, 2019 / Ben / 0 Comments
So many
directors and choosing to recreate popular books as films. Recent examples
include films such as The Hobbit, Goosebumps and The Gruffalo. If these films
are done well, they seem to be hugely popular but many films seem to not follow
the books accurately causing upset amongst avid fans.
Sometimes film-makers need to add or remove material from the book in order to make the film the correct length or even split the book into a series of films. If you struggle to finish a book and often get bored halfway through then watching a film can be a great way of getting to discover the whole story. Also some people like to watch a film after reading a book as it literally brings their favourite characters to life and can give them a greater understanding of the book.
It really is
an individual choice, and some will chose to never see a film based on their
favourite book in fear that it will spoilt it for them. Sometimes the
characters may be portrayed differently to how they remember them and this can
sometimes cause upset.
You can
expect to see more and more of these types of films being released over the
next decade.