Last updated 11:59, Thursday, 06 November 2008

Books with Julie Morgan

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FOR those of you who think a book is a wasted gift – what is wrong with you?
In my view there are many present ideas which should be deemed illegal (any kitchen appliances or battered boxes of cheap toiletries spring to mind), but a sight of a much-requested novel or a generous book token is a much-needed piece of escapism.
Summer holidays are, admittedly, an excellent excuse to sit around in the sun (or damp gloom, if you stayed in England this year) reading all Richard and Judy’s recommendations; however there is always something else to do when the days are long.
My favourite time of year for settling down with a book is Christmas. The run-up to the festive season may be hectic, but come Boxing Day there is nothing else to do but curl up with a book and a glass of mulled wine trying to ignore the relatives.
There is something about the long, cold, dark nights which are perfectly conducive to simply lazing around reading anything you can get your hands on. And at Christmas, with the cupboards stocked with delicious comfort food and lashings of alcohol, you need a damn good excuse to venture outside of your four walls.
Since it is only seven weeks to go, I’ve made a list of some book ideas for your favourite people this year (so put down those smoothie makers and that set of bath cubes) and go browsing some tomes.

Biographies
THESE are an ideal gift as they are the perfect way to wile away the hours over Christmas. Since stress-levels rise considerable over the festive season, I always find it a relief to escape into someone else’s tormented existence for a few hours!
1) Julie Walters: That’s Another Story. The Autobiography.
2) Alan Carr: Look Who It Is?
3) Dawn French: Dear Fatty.
4) Paul O’Grady: At My Mother’s Knee
5) Roger Moore: My Word is My Bond.
6) John Lennon: The Life by Philip Norman
7) Jonathan Ross: Why Do I Say These Things?
8) Fern Britton: My Story.
9) Tony Curtis: American Prince: The Autobiography
10) Sheila Hancock: Just Me

Crime
I ADORE crime and thriller novels – the darker, the better. Here are my recommendations from the past year for gift ideas.
1) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (a cracking read. Keep an eye out for the late author’s latest work The Girl Who Played with Fire out in the New Year).
2) Philip Kerr: A Quiet Flame (this is the latest in the excellent Bernie Gunther series which cover Berlin in the 1930s to Argentina in the 1950s).
3) Robert B Parker: Rough Weather (anything by Parker is a delicious easy-read treat).
4) Joseph Wambaugh: Hollywood Crows (These LA cops at their most cynical was one of my favourite books this year, worth checking out his earlier novels).
5) Anything by Henning Mankell (a new TV series is due to start this month based on his novels). Set in Sweden, these are dense and dark novels which are perfect for the winter months.

Boys
I KNOW from experience that boys are notorious hard to please when it comes to buying books. However, there are only so many PlayStation games and football kits you can give them.
Since the days last about three hours over the Christmas period there is hope that you can tempt your small male relatives into sitting quietly with a book. For reluctant readers, grab anything which promises to shock, has the word ‘horror’ in the title, describes bodily functions in detail and is filled with easily digestable facts about the world, space, spies or sporting achievements.
1) Anthony Horowitz: Necropolis.
2) The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J K Rowling (out Dec 4)
3) Alan Barnes: Brotherhood of the Daleks.
4) Andrew Parkinson: Spy Manual, Loads of Young Spies to Make and Do.
5) The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia (at £75, maybe it can be shared with bigger kids!)
6) Tracey Turner: Whitaker’s World of Weird
7) Richard Porter: The Big Book of Top Gear.
8) The Guinness World Records 2009
9) Charlie Higson: By Royal Command (Young Bond).
10) For reluctant male readers, it is also worth considering a subscription to their favourite comic or magazine.

Helping you get ready for the big day
IN the run-up to Christmas, Whitehaven library will be holding children’s festive craft sessions every Sunday.
These drop-in sessions (children under-eight must be accompanied by an adult) will be held on Sunday November 30, December 7, December 14 and Sunday December 21 from 1-3pm.

Never forgetting those fallen soldiers
THIS month marks the 90th anniversary of the World War I Armistice. The BBC will be commemorating this event with a variety of activities, including an on-line remembrance wall where you can upload your memories, stories and photos of those who fought in WWI.
There will be Remembrance Wall events at Cleator Moor Library on Friday, November 7, and at Whitehaven Library on Tuesday, November 11, both held between 9.30am and noon. Library staff will be available at both events to assist anyone who would like to add their stories to the BBC website (www. BBC.co.uk/remembrance).
There will also be a Cleator Moor Roll of Honour display by Joseph Ritson at Cleator Moor Library until November 14.

Together they did work together
CLEATOR Moor Library held several successful events as part of the town’s ‘Together We Can’ project.
These included story-times at Cleator Moor Nursery and St Patrick’s Year One pupils, as well as promotional events for Cumbria Fire Service, West Cumbria Carers, Frizington Local History Group, Cleator Moor Town Council’s Regeneration Consultation and Age Concern. Free internet taster sessions were available throughout the day.
The library also marked National Apple Day which featured 42 different varieties of apple on display which were donated by Hillary Wilson, as well as a variety of home-made pies and cakes. Librarian Joan Harrison also told ghostly tales to an audience at Cleator Moor Bowling Club.
A health employment fair in the town’s Civic Hall was also supported by the library which offered information and resources from its Well Read and health collection as well as informative materials on the subject of Job Search, interview techniques and CV building.

Singalong with the staff at the library
LEARNING new rhymes and songs will be the aim of youngsters and their parents at a series of sing-alongs held at Cleator Moor library.
Rhyme Times will be held on November 10, 17 and 24 and December 1, 8 and 15 from 2.15-2.45pm. All sessions are free of charge and there is no need to book. Simple craft making will also be held.

Plenty to do for Tiny Tots at Egremont
WHILE at Egremont library, Tiny Tots (up to 18 months) is an activity-based session running each Tuesday, in term time, from 11-noon. It is run by staff from the Howgill Family Centre who provide toys and music for the children. All the sessions are free.