The Lost Library Book
Written by Amanda Bell
Illustrations by Alice Durand-Wietzel

Did you ever forget to return your library books? Imagine if you forgot to return a library book for a hundred years!

This short picture book is a great way for children aged 8 + to learn about the fascinating true story of a forgotten book that was borrowed from Marsh’s Library and returned by a stranger after a very long time. The person who brought it back found it in a second-hand shop of all places and was kind enough to make sure the book found its way home. Since the book was part of a series, the librarian

This silent book is an excellent choice for any young aspiring artists aged 4 – 8 who enjoy telling their parents a story by describing what is happening in the illustrations. It is also an accessible way for children to learn about the museum as an exciting place where one encounters new and interesting artworks and objects. The central character is a young boy who wears a blue baseball cap and purposefully makes his way around the galleries. He is amazed by the variety of people he meets along the way and he tells his mother all about his fun adventures when it is time to leave the museum.

Perhaps one of the bleakest and bloodiest texts ever put to print, Blood Meridian is nevertheless a gripping read that hooks the reader and drags them on a bloody odyssey across the wild west. A historical epic, the text follows a nameless young protagonist drafted into the brutal Glanton Gang, cutting a bloody swathe across Mexico, under the eyes of the violent Glanton and his enigmatic,terrifying right-hand man: Judge Holden. McCarthy approaches this period with crushing realism, shining a light on the most brutal and cruel aspects of the era.  There are no good cowboys, no chivalrous lone

One of the final books ever written by the legendary Sir Terry, and perhaps one of his most striking. Sam Vimes, the greatest copper in fiction, finds himself in dangerous and uncharted territory: A countryside vacation with his family. But it wouldn't be a Vimes story if something so mundane didn't quickly spiral out of control, leading Vimes on a caper involving goblins, a slavery ring, and a string of events that will change the Discworld forevermore.

Able to effortlessly flip between being hilarious, gripping, and tearjerking, this is a book that proves that Sir Terry was at the top of his

This book is often considered Shirley Jacksons masterpiece and once you read it, it’s easy to see why. This book follows 18 year old Merricat Blackwood, who lives with her sister Constance, uncle Julian, and cat Jonas. They live a peaceful life away from the public ever since Constance was acquitted for the murder of the rest of the Blackwood family. Their peaceful life is threatened by the arrival of cousin Charles, who seems more interested in the family’s wealth than their wellbeing. This book perfectly highlights Shirley Jacksons talent in writing about solitude, paranoia, and the everyday

For anyone in the mood for something spooky, The Haunting of Hill House is a must read. One of the original haunted house novels, it’s been cited as inspiration for many horror authors, such as Stephen King, Paul Tremblay, and Grady Hendrix. The story follows a group of young and eccentric characters who are invited to investigate the apparent haunting of a mansion. From page one, the reader is hooked by the beautiful and chilling use of language. This book can be spooky, intriguing, and at times even funny. Yet more than exploring just a haunted house, this book explores the human psyche and

This is a book for anybody interested in the entertainment industry, human relationships, or just plain gossip. Valley of the Dolls was the bestselling book of 1966, and while this may not be the most intellectual book you’ll ever read, it sure is a lot of fun. The story follows three women – Anne, Neely, and Jennifer – as they try to make their way in the entertainment industry between the 1940’s and the 1960’s. Susann really highlights the highs and lows of this lifestyle, and truly makes us feel for the characters. I read this book last summer and found it to be a perfect light, summer read

I picked up this book on a whim from Deansgrange library, intrigued by the enigmatic cover. The story is quite simple – it follows the life of Mrs. Bridge, the matriarch of an upper-middle class family. Throughout the book we get a window into family life, including the changes and difficulties that it presents. I found this to be a particularly powerful book, showing the joys and miseries that can come with married life, and particularly the impact that this had on women in the early 20th century. It reads almost as a tragedy, to see an intelligent and freethinking woman, silenced by the

This autobiography isn’t just for music lovers, but anyone interested in a beautiful story of love and friendship. Overall the book follows Patti Smith’s move to New York and her rise to stardom, but more importantly it focuses on her friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Just Kids is a candid and raw look at a very different, but equally important type of love. It’s also a wonderful ode to the rise of rock music, and life in New York during the 60’s and 70’s. I first read this book years ago, have read it several times since, and I’m sure I will read it plenty more times in the

Set during the height of the Pacific campaign during WW2 Norman Mailer's debut semi-autobiographical 1948 war novel describes the invasion of the fictional Japanese held island of Anopopei through the eyes of General Cumming who commands a n Infantry Division, his aide Lieutenant Hearn with whom the General has a strained love/hate relationship and the men of a tight knit recon platoon led by the psychopathic Texan Sergeant Croft. His men include Red, a headstrong loner, Wilson, a loveable buffoon, Roth and Goldstein, a secular and observant Jew respectively who are both victims of casual