Ventnor Blog

Ventnor Library Reading Group recently met to discuss their latest choices – Sebastian Faulks’ Human Traces and Richard Benson’s The Farm – here is what they said!

About Human Traces
“I thought it impenetrable.”

“Very hard going at first but persevere, because it says a lot about what I suspect is still the same situation in the debate about psychology and psychiatry.”

“I found the end very moving having slogged my way through it – the characters are quite well drawn but you do have to persevere – it is worth it.”

It could do with a good editor – but I suppose you don’t tell Sebastian Faulks that he needs editing, do you?
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Here’s a small selection of the many news items received at Ventnor Library during October.

DVD
Zodiac – based on true story of a serial killer and the man obsessed with trying to find him
300 – from the graphic novel!
Flyboys – James Franco and Jean Reno in a story of America’s first fighter pilots
The night of the Sunflowers – subtitled Spanish thriller “..compelling Spanish noir..”
Curse of the Golden Flower- from the director of ‘Hero’ & ‘House of Flying Daggers’
Bridge To Terabithia-Magical Fantasy
Spider-Man 3
Die hard 4.0 – Bruce Willis
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UPDATE: We hear that this has been postponed until further notice. Are you unemployed?

Need to get back to work but lack computer skills?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, read on, because help is at hand.

CoolSpot are offering FREE introduction to computers, using the Internet and email courses to those claiming a means tested benefits at Ventnor Library during November-December.

If you’re interested call 535204 for more details.

AS the winter nights draw in Shanklin Library is hosting a spooky book signing event in the run up to Christmas.
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If you haven’t been down to the Library recently, here a look at what’s new.

DVDs
Clint Eastwood directs FLAG OF OUR FATHERS and its companion LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
MR BEAN’S HOLIDAY
SHOOTER - “..high octane action..”
AMAZING GRACE – Wilberforce and the anti-slavery campaign
PREMONITION – Sandra Bullock
OUTLAW –“…Football Factory with guns..”
THE PAINTED VEIL – based on the Somerset Maugham novel
NORBIT – Eddie Murphy
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If you’re looking for something to do with the kids tomorrow, why not head down to Ventnor Library for some free fun!

Titled Mud and Muck and slimy things! there will be free stories and activities for 4-8 year olds between 10.30-11.45.

A change of scenery is always good for kids and they might get to make some new friends at the same time.

Don’t worry, they will go home as clean as they arrived!

[Slime monster image courtesy of Boomerwolf]

The holidays are half way through, but there is still lots going on at Ventnor Library!

Children of all ages can take part in the BIG WILD READ this summer - get your name on the chart, win prizes, a medal and a certificate - all you have to do is read some books, any books.

Our theme this year is about changing and protecting “Our World”, and in conjunction with the Woodland Trust. All those children who take part will help towards planting a tree as well as having fun!

So go for it - our planet needs more trees!!

[image courtesy of Free Look Book Store]

It’s interesting how diverse people’s views on literature can be.

Here’s another viewpoint from a member of the Ventnor Reading Group on The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice’s.

Absolutely dire – why are we reading such nonsense?

I gave up at page 152 – empty headed.

We’ve had lots more new DVD’s and books at Ventnor Library this month so here is a selection. Hopefully they will bring some light relief from the rain!

Blood Diamond – Leonardo Di Caprio in a compelling film about the dirty trade in diamonds - gripping
Hot Fuzz – by the makers of Shaun of the Dead
Notes on a Scandal – Oscar and BAFTA nominated – Judi Dench as you have never seen her before !
Music and lyrics – Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore
Hannibal Rising – a sort of prequel to Hannibal and Silence of the Lambs
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Have you ever wondered where you originated from? Wondered whether you might be a distant relative to someone living in the next street or related to someone famous?

Well, Ventnor Library is now giving you a chance to explore you family history on the web.

Explore Genealogy Online will give you the opportunity trace your family history under the expert guidance of those in the know.

It starts on Wednesday 13th June between 10.30 and 12.30 at Ventnor Library. The cost is £5.00 and all you have to do is call 852039 to book your place.

We have had lots of new stock again at Ventnor Library this month, so this is just a selection!

As you can see there are quite a few of the latest DVDs as well as books. We’d like to hear what you think about what you borrow, so don’t forget to tell us!

DVDs
Little Children – Kate Winslet Oscar nomination
White Noise: White Light – the sequel
Life on Mars – series 1 & 2
The Pursuit of Happiness – Will Smith

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This coming Thursday, between 10.30 and 11.45 bring your nippers down to Ventnor Library for some Food, Glorious Food!

Don’t worry, the Library is not about to start stocking milk and bread, we’re talking about creative food for the brain to feed on.

Tons of stories and activities for 4 to 8 year olds.

As always it is free, and there is no need to book.

Under 5s need to be accompanied by an adult please.

Are you interested in wildlife? When was the last time you saw a Hedgehog, squashed or otherwise?

Can you help with a project which is looking at how climate change may be affecting wildlife here in Ventnor, and on the Island in general?

Ventnor Library has a display of the Wildlife Watch Project organised by the folks at the IOW Natural History and Archaeological Society at the Coastal Visitors Centre.

We are looking for six particular species, including Hedgehogs, and all the libraries on the Island have the bumph you need to take part.

So PLEASE HELP – it doesn’t cost anything, will take no time at all and it’s really important!

[hedgehog image courtesy of Dries Buytaert]

Ventnor Library’s Reading Group meets every four weeks or so to discuss the books we have jointly read. The last meeting discussed Wendy K Harris’ The Sorrow of Sisters and Thomas Hardy’s, Jude The Obscure.

Wendy Harris’ The Sorrow of Sisters is a first publication set on our own Undercliff. It is a “really good read” as most people in the group said, and is part of a trilogy. Part love story, part ghost story, it will be interesting to see if the same characters crop up again as they were certainly not your usual Undercliff folk – or are they? Wendy came to talk to us about it, which is always a brave thing for an author to do!

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Yet again we’ve had lots of new stock this month and this is a small selection of things you might like to take a look at while you are waiting to get on one of our PCs to access VentnorBlog!

Fiction
M J TROW Maxwell’s point – the latest by the Island author
Barbara EWING The mesmerist – murder and mesmerism
Joanne PENCE The Da Vinci cook – an Angie Amalfi mystery
Leonardo PADURA Havana Blue – will appeal to those who like James Lee Burke
Tom PERRY Night life – a female detective, a female serial killer

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Looking forward to a great weekend of Jazz.

Sorry we can’t offer a performance but ….

We do have a selection of books on Jazz and Jazz Greats in our Music Collection.

Come and check us out !

There are tons of new titles in at the library this month, but here’s a small selection to whet your appetite.

Bernard CORNWELL The Lords of the North
Beryl BAINBRIDGE According to Queeney – a novel of Dr Johnson and friends
David BALL The Sword and the Scimitar – set in 16th century Malta
William BOYD Restless – Richard and Judy
Catherine Ryan HYDE Love in the present tense – Richard and Judy
Lynda LaPLANTE Sleeping Cruelty
Ed O’CONNOR Primal Cut – he wants his pound of flesh
Patricia CORNWELL At Risk
Andrew LYCETT – Ian Fleming
Melanie McGRATH Silvertown : An East End Family Memoir
Linda SMITH – I Think The Nurses Are Stealing My Clothes
William DALRYMPLE – The Age of Kali – Indian travels and encounters
Philip MARSDEN – The Chains of Heaven - an Ethiopian romance
Matthew PARRIS Inca Cola – a traveller’s tale of Peru
Brenda Ralph ELLIS Ritual Sacrifice – blood and redemption
Don McCULLIN Unreasonable Behaviour
Truth or dare – A Book of Secrets Shared
Rageh OMAAR Only Half Of Me

DVDs
BORAT
CASINO ROYALE
THE QUEEN
SAW trilogy
The HISTORY BOYS

All of you Manga fans are in for a real treat, because thanks to those lovely librarians, you can now get a Manga fix right on your door step. Here’s a couple of highlights …

Raenef stumbles upon the Temple of Rased where he meets someone who wants nothing more than to see him dead…..

or

Rusty Nail is a city with an unusual motto: Give me your tired, your poor, your extra body parts!

Well done to Tess for getting the books in - should be please a few people in Ventnor, I’m sure. If you ask very nicely, perhaps she might be able to arrange getting some Manga DVDs in too.

Did you know that you can BORROW DVDs like BORAT, CASINO ROYALE and THE QUEEN from the Library for as little as £1 a night?