a whole new world

The do1thing campaign encourages us to read a book about the refugee experience. One of the best children's (or adult's) books on the subject is 'The Unforgotten Coat' by Frank Cottrell Boyce. I wrote a story here on the blog on a previous occasion highlighting the UNHCR do1thing campaign, which again this year is taking place in libraries across the country, starting June 18th. 

'The Unforgotten Coat' is available in every branch library in Dublin City - check the link for availability - or call in to your local library - it's a brilliant read! As promised in my previous story, Frank Cottrell Boyce did indeed visit Dublin last October as part of the Children's Book Festival 2011. Read more »

There is a band you have probably never heard of called The Rock Bottom Remainders. However you will probably know a few of the members pretty well. Stephen King, Amy Tan and Mithc Albom to name a few. They got their name from a publishing term "remainders" which is left over stock of titles which are sold off at discount prices. All proceeds from their gigs and recordings go to charity. Another novelist who has turned the pen to music is Michel Houellebecq. His novel 'Atomised' won the International IMPAC Dublin literary Award in 2002. He released a single called Le Film Du Dimanche (The Sunday Film). It has been likened to Gainsbourg and Jack Brel, a huge compliment!

Now for the other way round, Nick Cave the Australian musician who is famous for his gothic styled music and lyrics (he also released an album of 'Murder Ballads') has written two novels, 'And the Ass saw the Angel' and 'The Death of Bunny Munroe'. He also wrote the screenplay for the film The Proposition. It's a violent outlaw film set in the colonial Australian outback, definitely worth a watch. Read more »

CONGRATULATIONS to….

The “Feeling Lucky” book draw winners are;

L. Hill    D. Breen    K. O’Keefe    C. Dolan    J. Phillips    D. MacCormac    A. Bennett    O. O’Sullivan    C. Mc Gowan    S. Murphy

The 10 International IMPAC DUBLIN Award shortlisted books are yours.

Enjoy!
 

It's being billed as 'an historic moment in children's literature', as Patrick Ness wins the CILIP Carnegie Medal for his novel 'A Monster Calls' (Walker Books). Read more »

This week sees an international event that you might blink and miss, it's World Wide Knit in Public Day/week, with events happening all around the world to show that there are knitters and crocheters too, it used to be a day but now it's from a Saturday to a Saturday (this year the 9th to 17th June) to accomodate as many people as possible.  The site lists man of the events happening, with several of them happening in Dublin.  The biggest will be (hopefully, weather permitting) in Stephen's Green Saturday 16th from about 2pm at the Playground in the Green (or the balcony in Powerscourt if it's raining) Coincidentally it's Bloomsday, and believe it or not, there is a mention of Knitting in Molly Blooms Soliliquy Read more »

A talk entitled "Why are some of us optimists and others pessimists and what can we do about it?" will take place in the Central Library on Thursday June 21st at 1pm. Renowned psychologist and professor of cognitive neuroscience, Elaine Fox of the University of Essex will answer the above question from a totally scientific point of view (The talk is part of Dublin City of Science 2012). Author of "Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain", Elaine will explain how we already have tendencies towards optimism or pessimism when we are born. Read more »