Question 15
The Stromness Library Reading Group meets on the last Wednesday of the month from 7-8pm in the exhibition room. This month we meet on 17th December to discuss The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford.
But which month and year did the group first meet?
(hint have a look at the Orkney Library and Archive website)
Post your answer as a comment below.
Closing date for entries is 31st December so you still have lots of time to go back and catch up with any questions you might have missed.
Answers will be published and the winner announced on 5th January 2015.
Answer: April 2005
Showing posts with label Reading Group. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading Group. Show all posts
Monday, 15 December 2014
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Book Week
Book Week Scotland 2013 is a celebration of books and reading and it starts tomorrow, Monday 25th November. There will be a series of events at the Orkney Library and Archive featuring local and visiting writers as follows:
Monday 25th November - Alison Miller in the MacGillivray Room at 7pm
Wednesday 27th November - Bloody Scotland on Tour in the MacGillivray Room at 6.30pm
Thursday 28th November - Denise Mina in the MacGillivray Room at 7pm
These events are all free but ticketed so please ring the Library on 01856 873166 to book a space.
There will also be be the following free family events in the Orkney Library and Archive, which do not need to be booked in advance - just turn up on the day:
Friday 29th November - Book Week Scotland Bookbug session at 10.30am in the MacGillivray Room - Dress up as your favourite book character
Saturday 30th November - Winter Storyblanket session at 10.30am in the Carnegie Room
In Stromness we'll be hosting our regular Reading Group meeting on Wednesday 30th November but tomorrow we'll be doing something really special by combining all our favourite things at once - we're going to have a Book Week Tea Party!
Come along between 3-5pm and join us for tea, coffee and cake!
There's no charge, but if you would like to make a donation to the Scottish Spina Bifida Association there will be a collecting tin on the table and all donations will be gratefully received.
So come along to the library and enjoy a cup of tea and something yummy - Carol is bringing her famous meringues so come early to avoid disappointment! And remember to bring your knitting so you can stay on for Yap and Yarn, which will meet upstairs from 5pm - 7pm.
Happy Book Week to you all!
Scottish Book Trust
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Islanders
This month the Stromness Library Reading Group will be discussing Islanders by Margaret Elphinstone.
Set on 12th-century Fridarey (Fair Isle) Islanders tells the story of Astrid, the only survivor of a shipwreck, and her struggle to come to terms with her new home amongst the small community with all its tensions and conflict.
As well as a glimpse into a different time and culture the book offers a different view of the world in a time where all travel was at the mercy of wind and tide. A map at the front of the book reverses the usual north/south orientation and offers a new perspective on Orkney's place in the world. Rather than remote, we now see Orkney as a central point in the Norse world, sitting in the middle of the trading routes from Norway to Ireland.
The islanders of Fridarey owe their allegiance to the Earl of Orkneyjar, and Kirkjavagr with its cathedral to St Magnus is talked of as a seat of power and riches. Much of the wealth of Orkneyjar comes from the activities of the 'Orkneyjar pirates' and Snorri Hakonsson, Fridarey's smith has returned to the island a cripple having fought alongside the infamous Svein Asleifarson who, 'keeps eighty men in Gareksy all winter, and when he goes to sea [...] mans at least four longships'.
Come along to the library on Wednesday 25th September at 7pm for a lively discussion of the book and its view of the Norse world. New members very welcome, there will be tea and coffee and, as far as we know, no Orkneyjar pirates!
As well as a glimpse into a different time and culture the book offers a different view of the world in a time where all travel was at the mercy of wind and tide. A map at the front of the book reverses the usual north/south orientation and offers a new perspective on Orkney's place in the world. Rather than remote, we now see Orkney as a central point in the Norse world, sitting in the middle of the trading routes from Norway to Ireland.
The islanders of Fridarey owe their allegiance to the Earl of Orkneyjar, and Kirkjavagr with its cathedral to St Magnus is talked of as a seat of power and riches. Much of the wealth of Orkneyjar comes from the activities of the 'Orkneyjar pirates' and Snorri Hakonsson, Fridarey's smith has returned to the island a cripple having fought alongside the infamous Svein Asleifarson who, 'keeps eighty men in Gareksy all winter, and when he goes to sea [...] mans at least four longships'.
Come along to the library on Wednesday 25th September at 7pm for a lively discussion of the book and its view of the Norse world. New members very welcome, there will be tea and coffee and, as far as we know, no Orkneyjar pirates!
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Somewhere Towards the End
A quick reminder that the Stromness Library Reading Group meet tomorrow evening, Wednesday 24th April at 7pm to discuss Diana Athill's biography Somewhere Towards the End.
Described on the back cover as:
...a lively narrative of events, lovers and friendships: the people and experiences that have taught her to regret very little, to resist despondency and to question the beliefs and customs of her own generation.We are hoping for an equally lively discussion from the group - so if you feel like joining us to tackle those longstanding taboos 'sex, religion and death' over a cup of tea or coffee then we will be very pleased to see you!
Friday, 22 February 2013
Readings and Readers
Advance warning of a couple of literary events taking place in Stromness next week.
On Tuseday 26th February Orkney Arts Society have arranged a reading by author Meaghan Delahunt at the Pier Arts Centre starting at 7.30pm. Entry is £4, Concessions £3 and school students £1.
Meaghan Delahunt's first novel In the Blue House (Bloomsbury, 2001) won the regional Commonwealth Prize for Best First Book in 2002, the Saltire Award for First Novel, a Scottish Arts Council Book of the Year Award, and was longlisted for the Orange Prize and shortlisted for the Christina Stead Prize. Her second novel The Red Book (Granta, 2008) which is set in India during the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal gas disaster, was shortlisted for the Saltire Book of the Year Award for 2008.
Then on Wednesday 27th February the Stromness Library Reading Group will meet at 7pm to discuss The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. New Members are always very welcome to join us for an informal discussion over tea and coffee.
On Tuseday 26th February Orkney Arts Society have arranged a reading by author Meaghan Delahunt at the Pier Arts Centre starting at 7.30pm. Entry is £4, Concessions £3 and school students £1.
Meaghan Delahunt's first novel In the Blue House (Bloomsbury, 2001) won the regional Commonwealth Prize for Best First Book in 2002, the Saltire Award for First Novel, a Scottish Arts Council Book of the Year Award, and was longlisted for the Orange Prize and shortlisted for the Christina Stead Prize. Her second novel The Red Book (Granta, 2008) which is set in India during the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal gas disaster, was shortlisted for the Saltire Book of the Year Award for 2008.
Then on Wednesday 27th February the Stromness Library Reading Group will meet at 7pm to discuss The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. New Members are always very welcome to join us for an informal discussion over tea and coffee.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
The Poem's the Thing
Tonight sees the first meeting of our new poetry reading group - The Poem's the Thing - led by Reader in Residence Alison Miller.
The group will meet on the second Wednesday of every month from 6pm - 7pm in the Stromness Library exhibition room - the Kirkwall group will meet on the same dates from 1pm-2pm in the Kirkwall Library. Come along to share your favourite poets and poems and discover new ones.
The group will meet on the second Wednesday of every month from 6pm - 7pm in the Stromness Library exhibition room - the Kirkwall group will meet on the same dates from 1pm-2pm in the Kirkwall Library. Come along to share your favourite poets and poems and discover new ones.
This week also sees the launch of 2013 Young Orkney Writers’ Prize for poetry run by Orkney Library and Archive and the George Mackay Brown Fellowship.
The theme this year is Adventure and poems will be judged in two age groups, 8-11 years, and 12-15 years. Entry forms are available from both libraries or can be downloaded from the Orkney Library and Archive website.
The closing date for entries is 16th March 2013 - so get writing!
The theme this year is Adventure and poems will be judged in two age groups, 8-11 years, and 12-15 years. Entry forms are available from both libraries or can be downloaded from the Orkney Library and Archive website.
The closing date for entries is 16th March 2013 - so get writing!
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Hallowe'en
The Stromness Library Reading Group meets tonight to discuss Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman, a suitably dark text for our Hallowe'en meeting!
In the days before pumpkins and 'trick or treat' came to Stromness, children could look forward to some equally tasty, though slightly healthier treats, as George Mackay Brown recalls in Letters From Hamnavoe:
We can remember doing something similar as children, with pancakes spread with syrup or treacle, hanging from a string, which had to be eaten without the use of your hands. Yummy but messy!
The origins of such traditions are lost to time, but as GMB points out:
It would be good to hear your memories of Hallowe'en traditions from previous generations - please feel free to add them as a comment below this post.
The old wooden tub was taken out of the shed and set squarely on the flagstone floor. It was threequarters filled with water; maybe a kettleful of hot water was added to take the chill off. Then a poke bursting with apples was emptied into the tub, where they tossed and eddied and collided with each other - ruddy fragrant spheres .There were other seasonal treats too:
I have only a vague memory of what we did with the nuts - whether they were 'dooked' for too, or simply shared out - walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts thinly scattered among a huge profusion of monkey nuts.
There were one or two variations; as when an apple coated with syrup was suspended from a rafter and the object of the exercise was to take a bite out of it. It was not so easy either, and meantime, cheeks and foreheads got stickier and stickier...
We can remember doing something similar as children, with pancakes spread with syrup or treacle, hanging from a string, which had to be eaten without the use of your hands. Yummy but messy!
The origins of such traditions are lost to time, but as GMB points out:
There must certainly be some reason rooted in old magic for these rituals. Of course the apples and the nuts marked the consummation of the fruitful year. Ahead stretched the gauntness and snows of winter.
It would be good to hear your memories of Hallowe'en traditions from previous generations - please feel free to add them as a comment below this post.
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| image from http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/bobbing-for-apples.html |
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Holidays and Hedgehogs
Well, with the Shows over, the Community Learning Course Guide out, and the nights fair drawing in, winter can't be far away - and so our thoughts turn to the books which will ease the passing of the dark winter evenings ahead of us.
If you would like some inspiration for your winter reading, and would like the chance to meet other book lovers to engage in lively debate over a hot beverage, then you'll be delighted to know the Stromness Library Reading Group will restart next Wednesday 22nd August.
Please note the change of date, we usually meet on the last Wednesday of the month but for this first meeting we will meet a week early due to staff holidays (no exotic destinations for us, a trip to Birsay for some sandcastle building and a Mr Whippy and we'll be happy).
Our first title is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and there are still a couple of copies available from the library if anyone would like the chance to read it before the meeting. New members are always very welcome, we meet from 7-8pm in the Exhibition Room and, as previously mentioned, a range of hot beverages are available.
If you would like some inspiration for your winter reading, and would like the chance to meet other book lovers to engage in lively debate over a hot beverage, then you'll be delighted to know the Stromness Library Reading Group will restart next Wednesday 22nd August.
Please note the change of date, we usually meet on the last Wednesday of the month but for this first meeting we will meet a week early due to staff holidays (no exotic destinations for us, a trip to Birsay for some sandcastle building and a Mr Whippy and we'll be happy).
Our first title is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and there are still a couple of copies available from the library if anyone would like the chance to read it before the meeting. New members are always very welcome, we meet from 7-8pm in the Exhibition Room and, as previously mentioned, a range of hot beverages are available.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
It's a Mystery!
To celebrate World Book Night, which took place on Monday (23rd April), the evil genius behind the Monday Night Murders reading group, put together the Cold Cases Mystery Bags - in association with Highland Park Whisky. Each bag contains four crime fiction novels which haven't been on loan for ten years or more.
Following the success of Monday night's event we have some of the Mystery Bags for loan in Stromness Library - so come along and solve the mystery!
Following the success of Monday night's event we have some of the Mystery Bags for loan in Stromness Library - so come along and solve the mystery!
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Reading Group
A peedie reminder that the Stromness Library Reading Group will meet tomorrow evening (Wednesday 25th April) at 7pm to discuss Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Please come along and join us for an informal chat about the book over tea or coffee.
Please come along and join us for an informal chat about the book over tea or coffee.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Library of the Year?!
While the Orkney Library Twitterer is off 'doon sooth' to the bright lights of the London Book Fair, to take part in a seminar on Social Reading , there has been exciting news which may see another Orkney Library and Archive delegation heading to the capital very soon!
For Dear Readers we are on the shortlist for Library of the Year in The Bookseller Industry Awards!
Not just Stromness Library of course, but the whole Orkney Library service, which just to remind you, includes the Orkney Library and Archive in Kirkwall, two mobile library vans which travel to many of the outer isles and rural areas of the Mainland (of Orkney), and for those islands too far away, or with ferry services too small for our vans, we send boxes of books out to readers. We run three Reading Groups (plus another three online); Bookbug sessions, story times and a writing group for children; as well as readings and events by local and visiting authors.
As you already know, we have embraced the opportunities offered by modern technology, and, through the wonders of the Internet, this blog, the Orkney Archive blog, our Facebook page and (in)famous Twitter feed, allow us to reach folk from all over the globe - without fear of sea sickness, flight delays or carbon emissions!
Gosh we're in danger of coming over all "bigsy" * so will stop now and just keep our fingers crossed as we wait for the result. But of course we won't let this potential fame go to our heads because our greatest reward comes from happy readers, and we know how lucky we are at a time when many other libraries are under threat and their users facing the loss of a valued service.
All libraries are important and special to their users, so please Speak Up for Libraries everywhere and make sure books are freely available to all.
* bigsy = conceited
For Dear Readers we are on the shortlist for Library of the Year in The Bookseller Industry Awards!
Not just Stromness Library of course, but the whole Orkney Library service, which just to remind you, includes the Orkney Library and Archive in Kirkwall, two mobile library vans which travel to many of the outer isles and rural areas of the Mainland (of Orkney), and for those islands too far away, or with ferry services too small for our vans, we send boxes of books out to readers. We run three Reading Groups (plus another three online); Bookbug sessions, story times and a writing group for children; as well as readings and events by local and visiting authors.
As you already know, we have embraced the opportunities offered by modern technology, and, through the wonders of the Internet, this blog, the Orkney Archive blog, our Facebook page and (in)famous Twitter feed, allow us to reach folk from all over the globe - without fear of sea sickness, flight delays or carbon emissions!
Gosh we're in danger of coming over all "bigsy" * so will stop now and just keep our fingers crossed as we wait for the result. But of course we won't let this potential fame go to our heads because our greatest reward comes from happy readers, and we know how lucky we are at a time when many other libraries are under threat and their users facing the loss of a valued service.
All libraries are important and special to their users, so please Speak Up for Libraries everywhere and make sure books are freely available to all.
* bigsy = conceited
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Reading Group - Philip Pullman
The library Reading Group will meet tomorrow evening, Wednesday 25th January at 7pm, to discuss The Good Man Jesus and The Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman.
Come along for lively discussion with fellow book lovers - we'll even make you a cup of tea!
Come along for lively discussion with fellow book lovers - we'll even make you a cup of tea!
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Reading Group Christmas Meeting
The final Reading Group meeting for 2011 takes place tomorrow evening, Wednesday 21st December at 7pm, when we will be discussing The Young Visiters by Daisy Ashford.
Written in 1890 by nine-year-old Daisy Ashford, The Young Visiters was first published in 1919 with a preface by J.M. Barrie, who describes it as 'a remarkable work for a child' suggesting that 'the novelist will find the tale a model for his future work'. The story follows the characters as they attempt to find love and make their way in late Victorian society, and the comic tale is brought to life by the author's observation of character and idiosyncratic spelling, which has been preserved from the original manuscript.
As ever all are welcome to come along and join the discussion, and in addition to the usual tea and coffee we will be enjoying some suitably festive nibbles as well!
Written in 1890 by nine-year-old Daisy Ashford, The Young Visiters was first published in 1919 with a preface by J.M. Barrie, who describes it as 'a remarkable work for a child' suggesting that 'the novelist will find the tale a model for his future work'. The story follows the characters as they attempt to find love and make their way in late Victorian society, and the comic tale is brought to life by the author's observation of character and idiosyncratic spelling, which has been preserved from the original manuscript.
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| Daisy Ashford |
As ever all are welcome to come along and join the discussion, and in addition to the usual tea and coffee we will be enjoying some suitably festive nibbles as well!
Saturday, 26 November 2011
It's oh so quiet....
Sorry for the lack of posts this week, we've had problems with our internet connection over the last couple of days due to the weather.
We seem to be back online at the moment so will quickly take the opportunity to remind you all that the Reading Group will meet on Wednesday 30th of November at 7pm to discuss Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. As usual new, and old, members are very welcome to come along for an informal chat about the book, over a cup of tea or coffee. See you there- as long as we aren't blown away, struck by lightning, or snowed up in the meantime!
We seem to be back online at the moment so will quickly take the opportunity to remind you all that the Reading Group will meet on Wednesday 30th of November at 7pm to discuss Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. As usual new, and old, members are very welcome to come along for an informal chat about the book, over a cup of tea or coffee. See you there- as long as we aren't blown away, struck by lightning, or snowed up in the meantime!
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Reading Group - Stephen King
The group meetings are informal and friendly and we'll even make you a cup of tea or coffee!
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Reading Group - change of date
Due to holidays and clashes with other events we have decided to postpone October's Reading Group meeting which should have taken place on Wednesday 26th October. This meeting will now take place on Wednesday 9th November, when we will be discussing Stephen King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
We meet from 7pm-8pm, upstairs in the exhibition room of the library and new members are always very welcome- you'll even get a free cup of tea or coffee!
We meet from 7pm-8pm, upstairs in the exhibition room of the library and new members are always very welcome- you'll even get a free cup of tea or coffee!
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Reading Group - Katherine Mansfield
Hard to believe but tomorrow is the last Wednesday of the month, which means that it's time for the Reading Group to meet again.
This month we will be discussing a selection of short stories by Katherine Mansfield who in her tragically short life produced writing which Virginia Woolf described as "the only writing I have ever been jealous of ".
The stories we are going to discuss are; The Garden Party, Bliss, Prelude,The Woman at the Store, The Daughters of the Late Colonel, and Taking the Veil.
If you are interested in finding out more about Katherine Mansfield's life and work Claire Tomalin's biography of the writer Katherine Mansfield : A Secret Life is available for loan, along with several different volumes of the short stories.
This month we will be discussing a selection of short stories by Katherine Mansfield who in her tragically short life produced writing which Virginia Woolf described as "the only writing I have ever been jealous of ".
The stories we are going to discuss are; The Garden Party, Bliss, Prelude,The Woman at the Store, The Daughters of the Late Colonel, and Taking the Veil.
If you are interested in finding out more about Katherine Mansfield's life and work Claire Tomalin's biography of the writer Katherine Mansfield : A Secret Life is available for loan, along with several different volumes of the short stories.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
The Poisonwood Bible
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 28th September at 7pm when we will be discussing a selection of short stories by Katherine Mansfield. New members are very welcome and as always there will be tea and coffee provided.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Summer's gone
Well the summer may be nearly over, with the Shows past and the schools going back next week, but before you get too despondent just remember all the good things a change of season brings. With the nights fair drawing in our thoughts turn to how to fill those long autumn and winter evenings. The Community Learning Course Guide was published this week, as well as the perennial favourites such as yoga, cookery and various crafts, we notice some new and intriguing additions this year including Gregorian Chant for Beginners, The World of Beowulf and So you want to be a Councillor? With so many courses to choose from, at a number of different locations throughout Orkney, there's something for everyone. If you haven't already got a copy of the Course Guide they are available at both Libraries, or you can even download a pdf version from the Orkney Islands Council website.
Another welcome return for autumn is the Stromness Library Reading Group which will have its first meeting, after an extended summer break, on Wednesday 31st August at 7pm in the exhibition room of the Stromness Library. The book we will be discussing is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and copies are available from the library if you need to borrow one before the meeting. New members are always very welcome so do come along and join in the friendly, informal discussion with fellow book lovers - tea and coffee provided!
Another welcome return for autumn is the Stromness Library Reading Group which will have its first meeting, after an extended summer break, on Wednesday 31st August at 7pm in the exhibition room of the Stromness Library. The book we will be discussing is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and copies are available from the library if you need to borrow one before the meeting. New members are always very welcome so do come along and join in the friendly, informal discussion with fellow book lovers - tea and coffee provided!
Saturday, 14 May 2011
We're all going on a (Reading Group) summer holiday .....
We hope you've all been enjoying the lovely weather Orkney has been experiencing recently - okay we know it's raining today but maybe it's just a shower?! After spending a fine spring evening engaged in a lively discussion of The Junior Officers' Reading Club the Stromness Library Reading Group has decided to avoid the dilemma of choosing to spend further precious sunny evenings in the library by taking an extended summer break.
Therefore there will be no Reading Group meetings during May, June or July - our next meeting will be Wednesday 31st August at 7pm when we will be discussing The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
In the meantime let's hope we have many more long summer evenings of reading in the sun to look forward to!
Therefore there will be no Reading Group meetings during May, June or July - our next meeting will be Wednesday 31st August at 7pm when we will be discussing The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
In the meantime let's hope we have many more long summer evenings of reading in the sun to look forward to!
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