Books and reading
Want a good book? Then drop into your nearest library where our
friendly team can help you find what you are looking for.
Browse reader reviews on our
online catalogue.
Dickens 2012
Dickens 2012 is
an international celebration of the life and work of Charles
Dickens to mark the bicentenary of his birth, which falls on 7
February 2012. Look out for exciting events, including a Dickens
literary walk, displays and activities in Kent libraries to
celebrate this special anniversary.
Estella's Legacy
The User Friendly Theatre Company presents Estella's Legacy - a
musical sequel to Great Expectations by Charles Dickens in
Dartford Library on 17 February at 3 pm and in
Sevenoaks Library on 22 February at 2.30 pm. For further
details contact the respective library.
The ‘Inimitable’ Birthday Quiz
To celebrate Dickens’ birthday on 7 February 1812, enter our fun
quiz to win some fantastic prizes:
1. Where was Charles Dickens born?
2. In Great Expectations, what is Pip’s surname?
3. What is the current name of Dicken’s holiday home in
Broadstairs?
4. In Bleak House, who was stationed at the Royal Marine
barracks in Deal?
5. Who is this? 
6. Dickens wrote many novels and short stories. If he had
written another novel, what might it have been called? (points
awarded for the most funny and original answer)
7. In Oliver Twist, what is the name of Bill Sykes’ dog.
8. In A Tale of Two Cities, who said, “It is a far, far
better thing that I do, than I have ever done.”
9. In David Copperfield (1935 film version) who played Mr
Micawber?
10. How many children did Dickens have?
All entries submitted to libraries.readit@kent.gov.uk
by 5 April 2012 will be entered into a prize draw
to win great prizes such as The Great Penguin Bookchase Family
Boardgame, Great Expectations mugs and much, much, more. See full
competition terms and conditions.
Canterbury Readathon 2012 – a great new reading adventure!
Read David Copperfield in monthly instalments. Come along to
monthly chat sessions at Canterbury Library and discover local
connections to the novel. Join us for the first session on 27
March, 10 – 11 am to discuss the first 200 pages. For further
information
contact Canterbury Library.
LGBT
History
Month – February
Since 2005, February of each year has been designated in the UK
as LGBT History Month intended to mark and celebrate the lives
and achievements of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered
people. Look out for book displays and exciting events in Kent
libraries.
Browse the
LGBT History booklist for some great reads and to learn more
about the history of the movement.
See what is happening in the South East
on the LGBT
History Month Calendar.
Rainbow Reads
A wide selection of books written mainly by
the LGBT community and of interest to everyone are available in
Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Folkestone, Gravesend,
Maidstone, Margate, Sittingbourne, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and
Whitstable libraries. Browse
Rainbow Reads Fiction 2012 or Rainbow
Reads Non-Fiction reading lists on our online
catalogue - all titles can be reserved from any library or
online.
Mikey Walsh's Gypsy Boy on the Run is the
sequel to Gypsy Boy. It is a coming-of-age story that sees Mikey, a
Romany Gypsy, come to terms with his sexuality and his past and
start to build a new life for himself and find a place to finally
call home.
Human Library in Folkestone
Imagine borrowing a person instead of a book,
sitting down with them over a cup of tea, and asking them any
question you like. Interested? Then you’ll love the Human
Library. As part of LGBT History Celebration Month artist,
Vince Laws, is bringing a Human Library to Georges House Gallery,
The Old High Street, Folkestone on Saturday 4 February from 1-4pm.
For more information contact Vince Laws vincelaws@gmail.com
DJ Connell visits Margate and Deal
Come along for a relaxed talk which promises to be lively, witty
and interesting.
DJ Connell, author of Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar,
will talk about her writing and her recently published novel,
Sherry Cracker Gets Normal. Sherry sees life in
post-industrial Britain through the eyes of an innocent and records
her findings in her trusty OBSERVATIONS folder. Her journey of
discovery is both hilarious and poignant, one that takes you to the
heart of ‘normal’ British life. For further
details see the What’s On events listings
for Margate and
Deal.
Inspiring Reads
Great authors such as
Emma Donoghue,
Sarah Waters, and
Paul Burston shared with us books that have inspired them.
Following on in March, Paul Burston, acclaimed
author and host of ‘London's peerless gay literary salon’ Polari;
popular author and stand-up comedian VG Lee and author Karen
Mcleod will talk about their latest books, including the
Men and Women Anthology, at a panel event in Canterbury
Library on Monday 12 March at 7.30 pm.
For further details and tickets contact
Canterbury Library.
World Book Day
World Book
Day on 1 March 2012 encourages children to explore the
pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the
opportunity to have a book of their own.
Look out for activities in Kent Libraries.
Thanet’s Warming Words Festival
The Warming Words
Festival is a winter programme of reading, writing,
cabaret, comedy, story-telling, rap, poetry, film, theatre, music,
workshops, talks, art and much, much more. The festival runs
in Thanet from October 2011 to February 2012.
Look out for exciting reading, writing and spoken word
activities and events for all the family in the
community and in libraries. Warming Words also celebrates the
short story and the short story writer.
Thanet Reads Framed during Warming Words Festival
It’s free, it’s fun, it’s everyone reading, listening and
sharing the same book – Framed by award winning author,
Frank Cottrell Boyce. It’s an Isle of Thanet, Kent Libraries
& Archives community read.
To get involved, pick up a copy of Framed from Margate Library
or look out for free copies in community spaces across the Isle and
start reading …
Find out more from
Margate Library.
Discover new authors and great reads
We Love This
Book is a website and also a quarterly
magazine that you can get on subscription. In both media, We
Love This Book is about bringing reading to life and helping you
discover great new books, authors and genres.
Relax and Read
You Choose
Would you like to suggest a book for addition to library stock?
Fill a 'You choose' card at your library or email the details at
libraries.youchoose@kent.gov.uk
and we will consider it for purchase.
Events
We have authors and poets visiting libraries throughout the
year. Check our calendar for events around
the county.
Public Lending Right
Did you know that authors have the right to receive payment for
loans of their books from public libraries? It's called Public
Lending Right (PLR) and this year marks its 30th birthday. Public
libraries are joining the PLR office in celebrating 30 years of
support for authors. Find out more at www.plr.uk.com/.