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Moray Libraries Book News

December 2016

Top Ten Fiction in November 2016 Top Ten Non-Fiction in November 2016

The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly

A History of Britain in 21 Women by Jenni Murray

Night School by Lee Child

Jamie’s Christmas Cookbook by Jamie Oliver

Home by Harlan Coben

Rick Stein’s Long Weekends by Rick Stein

The Award by Danielle Steel

Christmas Crafting with Kids by Catherine Woram

Cold Earth by Ann Cleeves

Homemade Christmas: create your own gifts, cards, decorations and recipes

Cross the Line by James Patterson

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

A-Z of Crochet

Rather be the Devil by Ian Rankin

Crafting Christmas Gifts: 25 adorable projects featuring angels, snowmen, reindeer and other yuletide favourites

The Whistler by John Grisham

Top Gear Supercars: the world’s fastest cars

The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

Here are the most popular books borrowed from Moray Libraries in October 2016.

Use our online reservation facility to reserve your copy.

http://capitadiscovery.co.uk/moray/

You can browse the catalogue, add a review, make a personal list, place a reservation or renew your loans by clicking on the ‘My Account’ button.

Borrowers wishing to use this facility will require their library membership number and PIN.

Reading Group Reviews

Burghead Library Reading Group discussed The Secret Place by Tana French at their December meeting. Some felt that this book was too long however, some found it an easy read with two time frames clearly differentiated and the relationship between the two cops well portrayed. There were divided opinions regarding the depiction of the intense girlhood friendships. Only some of the group would recommend this title.

The additional group attending the Burghead Library Reading Group read Stone Virgin by Barry Unsworth. Only two members of the group finished the book but they enjoyed the descriptions of Venice and found it was a good story with clever use if different time frames and voices.

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman was discussed by Dufftown Library Reading Group. They found this an intriguing book which invites the reader to suspend disbelief. Opinion was divided and two members did not care for the subject matter at all, however some enjoyed the effortless and sometimes poetic writing style. The characters were interesting, credible and sympathetically drawn. The majority of the group found Coralie’s acceptance of and kindness to all of the human exhibits in her father’s museum particularly touching, especially given the attitude of the time but the book’s setting was an interesting portrait of New York in the first part of the 20th Century.

Elgin Library Evening Reading Group deliberated over Sweet Caress by William Boyd at their December meeting. The main character, Amory Clay, did not produce any sympathy and it was felt that she ‘fell’ into many of the situations far too coincidentally. Most of the group enjoyed this novel but felt there were opportunities missed to make this a great story.

Gone are the Leaves by Anne Donovan was the topic of conversation at Aberlour Library Reading Group recently. Two members of the group found the Scots language which peppered the prose a bit of a struggle which spoiled the flow from them however, most enjoyed the lovely writing and interesting story. This well-constructed tale with a sympathetic main character set in an unusual period is highly recommended by the group.

If you enjoying reading and discussing books there are several reading groups in libraries across Moray. Find out more on the library web pages.

http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_159 3.html

Reading Group Reviews

The Forres Library Wednesday Reading Group read and discussed Mr Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan at their December meeting. The majority of the group didn’t enjoy this book very much although two group members particularly enjoyed the read. This sparked a discussion about different aspects including virtual gaming, the physical crafting of models, the importance or unimportance of keeping artefacts. The group would recommend this title to younger readers or people who enjoy fantasy type books.

Simon Sebag Montefiore’s One Night in Winter was debated at Cullen Library Reading Group at their last meeting. They found this novel to be a cold and cruel book which, they felt was a sign of the times in which it was set.

Forres Library Tuesday Evening Reading Group read Blood on the Strand by Susanna Gregory. They found it an historically unconvincing book. They thought that it drifted into different tangents and could have been edited to be one hundred pages less.

Sue Monk Kidd’s The Invention of Wings was examined by Forres Library’s Thursday Afternoon Reading Group. The group thought that this was a well-researched book with likeable characters. They liked that both Sarah and Hetty had interesting stories to tell and that their friendship shone through the hardships that they both endured in different ways. They decided that this was one of the best books that they had read on the subject of the abolition of slavery.

Keith Library Reading Group read The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (J K Rowling). Some expressed that they felt it was not tight enough for a crime novel and many members were bored before the end. At least one member really enjoyed it and read the whole series. The consensus was that it was a light easy read.

If you enjoying reading and discussing books there are several reading groups in libraries across Moray. Find out more on the library web pages.

http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_159 3.html

New books to look out for in December

500 years ago no-one died of stress: we have invented this concept and now we let it rule us. Rest has become a dirty word, and our idea of satisfaction is answering the last email. We're sleepwalking through our own lives. Ruby Wax shows us how to wake up from this stupor with a scientific solution to modern problems: mindfulness. Outrageously witty, smart and accessible, Ruby Wax shows ordinary people how and why to change for good.

The ultimate pay-off is DH-17, an Earth-like planet hundreds of light years from human habitation. Ruthless corporations vie over the prize remotely, and war is in full swing. But soldiers recruited to fight in the extremities of deep space come with their own problems: from A.I. minds in full rebellion, to Carlos 'the Terrorist' and his team of dead mercenaries, reincarnated from a bloodier period in earth's history for one purpose only - to kill. But as old rivalries emerge and new ones form, Carlos must decide whether he's willing for fight for the company or die for himself.

(in paperback)

On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. She has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. A lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery. The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come an artist Isaac Robles, and his half-sister Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family.

This work by Brian Jay Jones is the first comprehensive telling of the story of the iconic filmmaker George Lucas and the building of his film empire, as well as of his enormous impact on cinema.

Use our online reservation facility to reserve your copy.

http://capitadiscovery.co.uk/moray/

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year to all

our readers