Library Spotlight

Library Spotlight New Manga Hitting the Shelves! WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 16/09/24

For our graphic novel and manga lovers, we’re adding over 100 new titles this term! Half are already on the shelves, and more will be added soon - so keep checking back over the next few weeks. Our Book of the Week is one of Mr Gormley’s favourite new additions to our manga shelves. Graphic Novels and Manga

Every term Ms Eldred teams up with Mr Scates (English) to run poetry and creative writing competitions. As has become tradition, we are kicking off the year with a Shell-only competition with the theme of New Beginnings . Shells have been emailed with further details. Shell Poetry Competition

Get Ahead in English!

A selection of books written by and about authors being studied in English this term by can be found on the shelves just inside the main library doors. Further related titles can be found via AccessIT.

Book of the Week Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui

The trouble with hunting monsters through a maze of dungeons is that you’ll eventually get hungry. That’s the problem faced by professional adventurer Laios and his trusty companions. But Laios proposes an elegant solution: simply cook and eat the beasts you slay on the way! Combining madcap thrills with endless food-based humour, Delicious in Dungeon is a manga to savour.

Click here for the Academic Research booklet. Click here for online databases and resources. Click here to search for books on AccessIT.

Remember! Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting.

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 16/09/24

Editorial: Why Read Graphic Novels?

Graphic novels are books aimed at teenagers and adults that tell a story using words and pictures simultaneously. They span all genres, come in an endless variety of art styles, and can be either fiction or non-fiction. When you read a graphic novel, you engage a different part of your brain than when you read a book with just words. This is because in a graphic novel, you read pictures for context alongside the text. Sometimes, the written language in graphic novels can be more complex than you're used to, as the images provide clues to the meanings of the words. Because of this, many people enjoy reading graphic novels in their second or third language, finding it a fun way to learn new words and phrases. The ability to read both pictures and text simultaneously is a valuable skill, useful for interpreting graphs, charts, and infographics, watching PowerPoint presentations, reading the news, watching TV and films, interpreting artwork, and much more. Interestingly, when you read books without pictures, you typically read faster the more practice, however, with graphic novels the opposite tends to happen – the more you proficient you become, the slower you go! This is because over time, your brain has been trained to prioritise written words, but as you hone your skill of "reading" pictures, you start to spend more time absorbing the context they provide. The artwork in graphic novels varies widely, and it's common to find a style or artist you like and enjoy reading books created in just that style. One very popular style is found in a subset of graphic novels that originated in Japan, known as manga. If you can picture the human characters in Pokémon, you'll have an idea of the drawing style used in manga. If you're unfamiliar with manga, you may have come across anime, which is the animated version of manga. Since manga originated in Japan, it’s often read from back to front and right to left. If you start enjoying manga, not only would you be developing a unique side of your brain, but you'd also be learning a new skill! We have around 800 graphic novels in the library with more being added all the time. You can find them at the Quad end of the library on the right hand side; we also make sure to always include some in our Book Box selection on Field side.

NEW THIS TERM!

WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 7/10/24

Library Spotlight Octopuses don’t write their own biographies...

Shell Library Inductions Over the last few weeks the Shells have been visiting the library in their English lessons to explore the space and meet the team. The inductions started with basic information about using the library before everyone was up and exploring the space. Each session ended with pupils finding books in the library and choosing laptop stickers to take away with them.

Book of the Week Other Minds by Peter Godfrey-Smith

While octopuses evolved on Earth like all other living things, they are so different they might as well be aliens from another planet! This fascinating book takes a deep dive into the mind of the octopus: a highly intelligent and mysterious animal whose origins can tell us much about the development of animal consciousness.

In preparation for the start of term, during the holidays Ms Eldred wrote to every Shell asking each of them to reply on a postcard with their favourite book and the book they

are currently reading. The postcards have been used to create a display in the window by the fiction area of the library and Ms Eldred has added some of recommended books to the library!

Celebrate World Octopus Day on October 8th by exploring the Library’s biology section for more fascinating books on animal diversity and intelligence!

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WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 7/10/24

Biography Display and Booklist

New Biography in the Library This week we’re getting lots of new biographies onto the shelves, as so many of you have been asking for them! We’ve got everything from sports biographies - including footballers, rugby players, and F1 drivers - to biographies of well-known figures like David Attenborough, Elliot Page, and Dave Grohl. If you open AccessIT you’ll find a carousel of all newly added titles right at the top of the page.

David Attenborough , Adventures of a Young Naturalist Trevor Noah , Born a Crime Lewis Hamilton , My Story James Herriot , All Creatures Great and Small Guy Martin , My Autobiography Kenny Imafidon , That Peckham Boy Jung Chang , Wild Swans Jose Mourinho , Up Close and Personal Sam Warburton , Open Side Kathleen Saville , Rowing for My Life Beth Mead , Lioness Leia Zhu , Bows, Strings, and Dreams Kaleb Cooper , The World According to Kaleb Our Brilliant Biographies display outside the Oxley Library highlights some of our most popular biographies in the Library. Below is a full list of the titles highlighted on the display.

Shells: Don’t forget to send your entries to library@stedwardsoxford.org by the end of Exeat! Shell Poetry Competition

Michelle Obama , Becoming Majane Satrapi , Persepolis Jason Fox , Battle Scars

Click here for the Academic Research booklet. Click here for online databases and resources. Click here to search for books on AccessIT.

Ms Eldred: For the Benefit of Mankind by Cixin Liu Mr Gormley: Blackwater by Michael McDowell Currently Reading

Remember! Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting .

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Library Spotlight Celebrating Epic Fantasy... WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 11/11/24

Fantasy

Book of the Week The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Bilbo has no plans to travel beyond the comfort of his home. But when 13 dwarves show up at his door with a plan to reclaim their mountain kingdom from a vengeful dragon, he is thrown into an adventure beyond his wildest dreams.

An interview with Ms Eldred on her love of fantasy novels.

Mr Gormley: What is it about fantasy that appeals to you? Ms Eldred: I love how fantasy worlds can be anything the author imagines and you never know where the story will go. Mr G: How old were you when you first started getting into the genre? And why did it grip you? Ms E: I first started getting into fantasy in my early teens with books by Terry Pratchett and Phillip Pulman. I was blown away with how they could conceive of worlds so similar to ours yet completely different. Mr G: What is your favourite fantasy book? Ms E: I don’t have a favourite, but I really enjoyed reading the Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini last year. The descriptive writing made the story incredibly immersive. Mr G: Who do you think might enjoy fantasy books? Ms E: I think fantasy stories can offer great escapism, anyone wanting to disconnect from reality and dive into something different could fall in love with the genre!

Preceding the events of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is the ideal way to discover the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Mr G: What are your go-to fantasy series currently in the library? Ms E: We have so many fantastic options! The Alchemyst by Michael Scott (World mythology is real and havoc ensues!) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Assassins, elves and war) Angel by L.A. Weatherley (Angels are bad, angel hunters are a thing) Magician by Raymond E. Feist (Spanning generations & continents: EPIC) The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (Knights and magic, war & ancient secrets: EPIC)

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 11/11/24

A closer look at our epic fantasy display

Remember! Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click here for the Academic Research booklet. Click here for online databases and resources. Click here to search for books on AccessIT. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker Chan The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang And Finally... Over half term we hit the exciting milestone of 1,000 followers on TikTok! Keep an eye out for more videos in the near future!

Mr Gormley’s Epic Fantasy display was featured briefly in our first edition of Spotlight, and with The Hobbit being our Book of the Week it seems the perfect time to highlight some of the fantasy books which we think will make you fall in love with the genre... Refresh of the Book Box: Something Spooky Although Halloween is over, we’re staying in spooky season for as long as possible - because who doesn’t love reading a book that sends a shiver down their spine? Check out the top shelf of the Book Box for a THE BOOK BOX

THE BOOK BOX

selection of creepy fiction guaranteed to suit all tastes!

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WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 11/11/24

Library Spotlight Digging into the School Archives...

WWI in the Archives

Book of the Week In Memoriam by Alice Winn

On Thursday 7th November, Shells had the opportunity to delve into the school archives with Mrs Hall, our Assistant Archivist, who displayed Teddies memorablilia in the library. Tying in with the Shells’ current History project, the objects on display all related to the First World War. Mrs Hall introduced a selection of fascinating archival documents relating to the First World War. Letters, postcards, annotated maps, and photographs provided a moving insight into the lives of St. Edward’s staff and pupils during the war. We even saw a signed letter from the famous suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst! It was an amazing opportunity for the Shells to handle documents that link the past to the present, and to hear from an archival expert about the importance of preserving historical documents and objects for future generations.

It’s 1914, and the lives of Harry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood are on the brink of catastrophic change. They’re not yet old enough to fight and, with their own internal conflicts to face, war seems far away. But fate has other plans. When Harry enlists, Sidney and their schoolmates follow him into the horrors of the trenches.

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WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 11/11/24

Shell Poetry Competition Congratulations to Aydin Manavar, Apsley, the winner of our “New Beginnings” poetry competition!

New Beginnings by Aydin Manavar A chorus of songbirds in jubilant flight, The warm afternoon light, Each seed that is sown draws courage from earth As life finds a way to rebirth. So dance with the morning Let the joy intertwined with moments so fleeting Here in the silence of dew-kissed embrace New stories awake in this safe space.

New Books! Mr Gormley has been hard at work cataloguing all the new books bought over the summer - and the final totals are now in! On the fiction shelves are 283 new titles, including graphic novels, manga, and foreign languages for beginners; on the non fiction shelves, we’ve added 170 new titles that cover everything from history, politics, and science to sociology, biography, and art!

Shell Poetry Winners

Remember! Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links for: Our first place winner, Aydin, will receive a £15 Amazon voucher, a poetry book, and a range of other library goodies! Our runners-up will also receive a poetry book and library goodies. First place winner: Aydin Manavar (Apsley). Runners up: Joe Chen (Field House) and Maria Komolova (Oakthorpe).

Currently Reading

Ms Eldred: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Mr Gormley:

The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 18/11/24

Library Spotlight Thinking Those Deep Thoughts...

New TPE Book Display

Book of the Week At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell

Our Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics display on the top floor of the Humanities building features a fantastic selection of books suitable for all year groups, whether you’re starting with TPE for the first time and need bite-sized facts or want to dig deeper into advanced concepts. All of the titles on the display (and many more) are available to borrow from the Library!

Resource of the week: Philosophy Now

Paris, near the turn of 1933. Three young friends meet over apricot cocktails on the rue Montparnasse. They are Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and their friend Raymond Aron, who opens their eyes to a radical new way of thinking. Pointing to his drink, he says, "You can make philosophy out of this cocktail!" What comes next is an extraordinary story about the radical, controversial thinkers who animated European culture in the 1930s and 40s, and whose influence continues to be felt today. Told with energy and insight, this is brilliant introduction to the philosophers who shaped Europe before and after WWII.

Looking for an accessible entry into philosophy? Aimed at non-specialist readers, Philosophy Now is the perfect introduction to the biggest concepts in philosophy. The magazine features articles, interviews, and even short fiction written by respected writers and thinkers. Philosophy Now is guaranteed to get you thinking differently about yourself and the world around you! Check out 3 recent articles from the magazine below (clickable links):

Is Driving Fossil-Fuelled Cars Immoral? Reality, Humanity, & AI Why is Freedom So Important to Us?

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WEEK BEGINNING 18/11/24

WEEK A

Nest by Jeffrey Harrison

TPE Titles on Display

Remember! Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Remember! Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links for: The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT. The Thinker's Guide to God by Peter Vardy What is Philosophy For? by Mary Midgley Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom Meditations by René Descartes The Religions Book by Shulamit Ambalu A Little History of Philosophy by Nigel Warburton Ethical Theory by Russ Schafer-Landau Breaking the Spell by Daniel C. Dennett Taoism by Eva Wong Mini Philosophy by Jonny Thomson Religion: In the Past, the Present Day and the Future by Kurt Almquist Animal Liberation by Peter Singer Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche Ethics: Discovering Right and Wron g by Louis P. Pojman AI Ethic s by Daniel C. Dennett Justice by Michael J. Sandel

It wasn’t until we got the Christmas tree into the house and up on the stand that our daughter discovered a small bird’s nest tucked among its needled branches. Amazing, that the nest had made it all the way from Nova Scotia on a truck mashed together with hundreds of other trees without being dislodged or crushed. And now it made the tree feel wilder, a balsam fir growing in our living room, as though at any moment a bird might flutter through the house and return to the nest. And yet, because we’d brought the tree indoors, we’d turned the nest into the first ornament. So we wound the tree with strings of lights, draped it with strands of red beads, and added the other ornaments, then dropped two small brass bells into the nest, like eggs containing music, and hung a painted goldfinch from the branch above, as if to keep them warm.

Library Spotlight Creative Writing WEEK B

Story Starters Are you a budding writer but don’t know where to start? Looking for some inspiration for your next story? Check out our box of Story Starters (located by the window in the history section)!

In each bubble you’ll find the opening sentence of a story - and it’s up to you to decide where it goes next! Story starters are a fantastic way to jump-start the creative process. Who knows where they might take you...?

Writers: Their Lives and Works

Books of the Week

How Stories Work & Why We Tell Them

Writers: Their Lives and Works

Letters of Note

How to Write Like Chekhov

In keeping with this week’s theme of creative writing, we’ve picked four of our favourite books about writers and storytelling. For those looking to hone their writing craft, we recommend How to Write like Chekhov , which draws on the great Russian’s works and letters to provide indispensable advice for all writers. John Yorke’s influential Into the Woods gets to the heart of why we tell stories and shows how the same basic narrative structures can be found in the stories humans have told throughout history. If you’re looking for a more biographical angle, have a look through the beautifully illustrated Writers: Their Lives and Works. And finally, Letters of Note is a fascinating compilation of correspondence by some our greatest cultural icons, from Mozart and Brontë to Sylvia Plath and David Bowie.

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Any respectable Library will have a cabinet of curiosities and the Oxley Library is no exception! Like the Story Starters, the Curiosity Cabinet is designed to help with creative writing, the idea is to use one or more of the objects you find to spark your imagination into writing a story. Amongst the curios you’ll find potions and playing cards, the White Rabbit’s Gloves, and Harry Potter’s glasses! The cabinet magics new items from time to time and welcomes the weird and wacky, so do let us know if you have something to add! The Curiosity Cabinet WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 25/11/24

Book Box refresh: Winter Reads After last week’s unexpected snowfall we’ve turned our focus to winter books, from Christmas romances and icy thrillers. Some of our favourites, which can be found in the Book Box this week, are featured below. Winter is coming...

THE BOOK BOX

THE BOOK BOX

Fantasy wacky and endearing

Classic a fairytale of good and evil

Short story from the Heartstopper series

Biography beautiful yet haunting

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Library Spotlight ...Winter is Here! WEEK A A Merry Christmas in the Library

WEEK BEGINNING 02/12/24

The Dipper by Kathleen Jamie It was winter, near freezing, I'd walked through a forest of firs when I saw issue out of the waterfall a solitary bird. It lit on a damp rock, and, as water swept stupidly on, wrung from its own throat supple, undammable song. It isn't mine to give. I can't coax this bird to my hand that knows the depth of the river yet sings of it on land. To avoid charges please return or renew any overdue library books before the end of term! Remember: Return Your Books!

To get you in the festive spirit, on Thursday and Friday this week you are warmly invited to come to the library to enjoy a mulled apple juice while you read!

Christmas Book Boxes! Back by popular request, last week Ms Eldred sent out a form for pupils to fill in to request a personalised box of books ready for the holidays. Those who took part will receive an email letting them know when they can collect their box!

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 02/12/24

Festive Fiction

romantic

heartwarming

moving

classic tale

A Christmas Cracker by Trisha Ashley

Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Tower Poetry Competition The 2025 competition is now open for entries until noon, 20th February 2025 . The Theme is ROOTS, entrants must be 16-18 years old and the top prize is a whopping £5000! On Tuesday 26th, we welcomed Maya Little from Tower Poetry to give an introduction to the competition and the session was well attended. If you missed it, don’t worry - you’re welcome to join the second session tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd December in the Library at 5pm.

The second day of Spring term, January 8th, sees Darren Ormandy come to Teddies to give a talk on J.R.R. Tolkien’s early life and the impact the Great War had on his work . This talk comes highly recommended for all Sixth Form English and History pupils but is open to all years. For anyone who has read The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit , or plans to, this will be a talk you absolutely will not want to miss! Put the date in your diaries now! Tolkien Talk: January 8th

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Library Spotlight Back once again with the book behaviour WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 06/01/25

Spring Term

Currently Reading

Welcome back and Happy New Year! Whilst there’s a sense of fresh beginnings in the air, for some of you there may be a few nerves too as you take mock exams. A reminder that the library is here for a quiet corner to study, resources to help you revise, or just a moment of calm with a good book. Outside of exams, this term is a fantastic time to dive into something new. The library is buzzing with exciting additions, and there’s truly something for everyone. Keep an eye out for upcoming library events and competitions to be announced over the next few weeks, here’s to a successful and inspiring Spring Term!

Ms Eldred: Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent Mr Gormley:

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

Remember! Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links for:

The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT.

Book of the Week Solo Leveling 10 by Chugong and H-goon

This week sees the newest installment of Solo Leveling, hitting library shelves! This action-packed manga series is by far the most popular in our library. In this latest volume, Jinwoo and the Ahjin Guild, fresh from their victory against the King of Giants, are heading to America for the prestigious International Guild Conference after receiving international acclaim. But danger looms as Dongsoo Hwang, seeking revenge for his brother’s death, sets his sights on Jinwoo —and he’s not afraid to use Jinho as bait.

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WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 06/01/25

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He lived and is buried in Oxford and is considered one of the most famous authors of the 20th Century. This talk will be especially interesting to anyone interested in history or literature but is open to all.

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 13/01/25

Library Spotlight We’re in love with new graphic novels!

Book of the Week Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Deadline: Friday 7 February Who: All year groups What: A Valentines-inspired poem in a style of your choosing. Good to know: You have the option to remain anonymous! Just let us know in your email. Send your entry to: library@stedwardsoxford.org Spring Term Writing Competition Valentines Poetry

Ariadne, Princess of Crete and daughter of the fearsome King Minos, grows up hearing stories of gods and heroes. But beneath the golden palace something else stirs. Every year the Labyrinth’s captive, the Minotaur - Ariadne's brother - demands blood. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives as a sacrifice to the beast, Ariadne sees in him her chance to escape. But helping Theseus kill the monster means betraying her family and country, and Ariadne knows only too well that drawing the attention of the gods may cost her everything..

Book Box Refresh Our spotlight shelf currently (top shelf) focuses on fantasy; below, you’ll find a selection of other fiction, plus biography, science, psychology, sport, philosophy, graphic novels, and manga.

The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT.

Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links on the right for resources.

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Library Display: A Very Bookish Valentines WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 13/01/25

All That’s Left in the World by Erik J Brown Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen The Love Interest by Helen Comerford Love with a Twist by The Oxford Writers Circle Chaos Theory by Nic Stone Lover Birds by Leanne Egan The Kites by Romain Gary Brooklyn by Colm Toibin One Last Day of Summer by Shari Low Hold Back the Stars by Katie Khan

Love is in the air... well, it’s in the corridor outside the Oxley Library at least! This half term ends on Valentine’s Day, and to celebrate not only are we holding a poetry competition we’ve put together some of our favourite romance books from the library shelves.

From classics like Sense and Sensibility to the post apocalyptic love story All That’s Left in the World , our selection encompasses a whole range of romance to suit all tastes! For fans of translated fiction, try Romain Gary’s The Kites , a unique love story set during the Occupation of France

If you’re looking for a modern twist on traditional romance, we recommend The Love Interest - a hilarious story that turns the superhero genre on its head! Sci-fi fans will love Hold Back the Stars , a romance with all the tension of a thriller.

New Graphic Novels Hitting the shelves this week - 30 new graphic novels! This addition is primarily made up of stories from the Marvel Universe and feature characters like Spider Man, Black Panther, Doctor Strange and Rocket Raccoon.

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Library Spotlight If books could kill... WEEK B History Today Last term we briefly mentioned our * fantastic* magazine selection available on the top floor of the Christie Centre outside the Roe Reading Room. Not only do we a have physical magazine, but we also have access to a range of online magazines. Historians may already be familiar with History Today - the print magazine arrives once a month and is packed with interesting reads. This months featured articles are listed below. You can pick up the physical magazine or click here to read online (must be on school internet). I n the current issue: Kashmir between India and Pakistan; The First World War’s failed war crimes trials; Reform and punishment on Norfolk Island; Renaissance Prague; Women’s lives before contraception, and more. The Failure of the Leipzig War Crimes Trials Rum and Reform: The Party on Norfolk Island Kashmir: Prisoner of History? Habsburg Prague, Capital of the Renaissance

WEEK BEGINNING 20/01/25

Book of the Week The Night in Question An Agathas Mystery by Liz Lawson & Kathleen Glasgow

Our intrepid sleuths Alice and Iris are back! After solving the murder of Brooke Donovan in The Agathas , the pair are ready to tackle another case in the town of Castle Cove. And one soon presents itself at the annual Levy Castle dance: the body of Rebecca Kennedy, and one of Alice’s former friends standing over her. An open and-shut case? The police seem to think so. But our teen detectives suspect things aren’t quite as simple...

The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT.

Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links on the right for resources.

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WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 20/01/25

Library Display: Criminally Good Books

Our stairwell display this term highlights one of our most popular genres: the murder mystery. Detectives on the hunt, elusive criminals, clues to be decrypted... The murder mystery has all the ingredients of a page turner!

Agatha Christie is still the undisputed master of the genre; And Then There Were None is a masterpiece of chilling suspense. For those looking for similar novels in a modern setting, you can’t go wrong with the new Agathas series by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson!

Elsewhere, we’ve got detective fiction with a fantasy twist in A Master of Djinn , a con-man gone rogue in The Talented Mr. Ripley , the atmospheric Iceland-set drama of Burial Rites , and Donna Tartt’s dark academia bestseller The Secret History .

All available in the library!

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley Rules for Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson 9th Judgement by James Patterson The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark Burial Rites by Hannah Kent The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allen Poe A Shot in the Dark by Lynne Truss Our Murder Mystery Selection

Ms Eldred: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Mr Gormley: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell Currently Reading

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Library Spotlight Burns Night and Poetry WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 27/01/25

Burns Night takes place on January 25th each year to celebrate the life and legacy of Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Burns Night celebrations typically involve a meal of haggis, neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes), accompanied by recitals of Burns’ poems. Slàinte! What is Burns Night?

Books of the Week All Things Scotland

Despite its small size, Scotland has played a huge role in the history of European literature, art, science, and philosophy. In fact, it was home to an entire generation of renowned intellectuals in the 18th and 19th centuries who spearheaded what is known today as the Scottish Enlightenment! Capital of the Mind by John Buchan is a brilliant introduction to this period, revolving around the city of Edinburgh. Art lovers can learn more about Scotland’s iconic 19th-century architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh , known for his decorative Art Nouveau designs. Scottish Ghost Stories features chilling tales from Robert Louis Stevenson and Walter Scott and The Life of Robert Burns by Catherine Carswell delves deep into the man himself and completes our Scottish reading list.

All available in the library!

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 27/01/25

Magazine Spotlight: The Economist The Economist is a magazine we subscribe to through the library, it is published weekly and is full of up-to date news from around the world. This weeks tops stories include: Free markets: The Capitalist revolution Africa Needs Immigration: Donald the Deporter The Putinisation of central Europe Just because Indonesia has nickel doesn’t mean it should make EV’s Women and the armed forces: Pete Hegseth’s culture war will weaken America’s armed forces Health warnings about alcohol give only half the story

A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns

O my luve’s like a red, red rose, That’s newly sprung in June: O my luve’s like the melodie That’s sweetly play’d in tune. As fair art thou, my bonny lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry. Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun O I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run: And fare thee weel, my only luve! And fare thee weel a while! And I will come again, my luve, Though it were ten thousand mile.

Click the logo to get log in details from the library

Don’t forget to get your entry in for the Valentines poetry competition!

Ms Eldred: Changling by Philippa Gregory Currently Reading

More poetry!

This week Mrs Elliott and Mrs Grinyer Bower launch Poetry by Heart in the Library on Wednesday afternoon 4.30-5.30pm. Poetry by Heart is an opportunity for all years groups to explore and enjoy poetry together.

Mr Gormley: Amsterdam by Ian McEwan

The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT.

Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links on the right for resources.

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WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 03/02/25

ibrary Spotlight The Magna Carta: signed in the Year of the Rabbit

Book of the Week Magna Carta by David Starkey

History Talk This Week Prof. David Carpenter (King’s College London) will be speaking about Magna Carta. When : 5pm Tuesday 4th Where : Old Library Lunar New Year was celebrated on Wednesday 29th January. 'Lunar New Years' and 'Lunisolar New Years' are events celebrated by billions of people across the world on the first new moon of their calendar. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake!

Often viewed as a victory for the people over the monarchy and a cornerstone of democracy, the true significance of Magna Carta is misunderstood and misrepresented. In Magna Carta: The True Story Behind the Charter , David Starkey paints a vivid portrait of the years 1215-1225, ten revolutionary years of huge significance that produced not one but four charters. Interestingly, 1215AD, the year the Magna Carta was signed, was the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese calendar; the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac is typically associated with intelligence and diplomacy!

Refresh of the Book Box: Friends & Relationships

This week our highlight shelf focuses on all things to do with relationships and friendships - books that capture the joy of human love and connection. There are some great choices, including XO by Axie Oh, Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, and lots more!

THE BOOK BOX

THE BOOK BOX

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WEEK B

WEEK BEGINNING 03/02/25

Spotlight on Psychology

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari The Domesticated Brain by Bruce Hood How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Blame my Brain by Nicola Morgan Testosterone Rex by Cordelia Fine Psychology: A Very Short Introduction by Gillian Butler and Freda McManus How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker The Psychology Book by Author Forensic Psychology by Adrian J. Scott Opening Skinner’s Box by Lauren Slater Atomic Habits by James Clear

Don’t forget: there’s still time to submit your Valentines poems - the deadline is Friday 7 February . Remember that you have the option to remain anonymous! You can’t miss the bright colours of our psychology display on the stairwell of the Humanities Building! Psychology is all about the human mind and how it works - a problem that has fascinated and frustrated humans for millennia! The display features some of the library’s most popular introductions to the subject; we particularly love Blame My Brain , Stolen Focus , and Thinking Fast and Slow. These titles and many more are available in the library - come and have a browse and get inspired!

The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT.

Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links on the right for resources.

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 10/02/25

Library Spotlight Reading with Pride

February is LGBTQ+ History Month!

In the UK, LGBT History Month was started in 2005 and founded by the LGBTQ+ education charity Schools OUT UK. Alongside pride month (June), LGBT History Month is an opportunity to reflect on LGBTQ history in the UK and celebrate the often sidelined achievements of LGBTQ individuals in art, literature, sport, science, and politics throughout history. We encourage you all to explore the diversity and richness of LGBTQ writing - from Sappho to Sontag, James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room to the smash-hit Heartstopper , the library has got you covered!

Books of the Week

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune Before We Were Trans by Kit Heyam Proud by Gareth Thomas All The Things She Said by Daisy Jones

Our Books of the Week celebrate LGBTQ+ stories across fiction and non-fiction. Fans of historical romance will love Gwen & Art Are Not in Love , which puts a cheeky twist on the classic English legend. For something a bit more gritty, have a look at Glasgow Boys - a moving novel that tackles personal identity in working-class communities. On the non-fiction side, Gareth Thomas’s autobiography Proud is an inspiring story that highlights how difficult things still are for LGBTQ athletes. We also highly recommend Before We Were Trans , an eye-opening exploration of gender nonconformity around the world.

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WEEK A

WEEK BEGINNING 10/02/25

Ms Eldred: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Mr Gormley: The Word for World is Forest by Ursula LeGuin Currently Reading

The Progress Pride Flag

Original Pride flag from 1978 Trans Pride flag from 1999 New colours added in 2017 Progress Pride flag from 2018

British LGBTQ+ icons you might not have heard of...

Annie Kenney (1879-1953) Working-class suffragette and

Octavia Hill (1838-1912) Social reformer and founder of the National Trust

Ivor Cummings (1913-1992) Civil servant and intellectual

socialist feminist

Each year, Schools OUT chooses historical figures that resonate with their yearly theme, which for 2025 is Activism and Social Change .

The Academic Research booklet. Online databases and resources. Library books on AccessIT.

Book a meeting with Ms Eldred to review your referencing and essay formatting . Click the links on the right for resources.

@TEDDIESLIBRARY

all listed books are available in the library

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Benjamin Alire Saenz

Heartstopper Alice Oseman

Boy Meets Boy David Levithan

Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they've never met... until one day when they're made to sit together. They quickly become friends and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is more interested in Charlie than either of them realised. Heartstopper started as a web comic before being made into a series of books and is now also a show on Netflix. This story is about love, friendship, loyalty, mental illness and is a simply delightful read.

To be together with someone for twenty years seems like an eternity. Paul has been gay his whole life and he’s confident about almost everything. He doesn’t have to

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the two loners start spending time together, they develop a special friendship – the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. This incredibly moving and powerful book follows two teen boys learning to open themselves up to love, despite the world being against them. .

hide his feelings like best friend Tony or even cope with loving the wrong guy like his other best friend Joni. But heartbreak can happen to anyone and falling in love changes everything. This is a happy, meaningful comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy-wonderful world.

If I Was Your Girl Meredith Russo

When the Superflu wipes out most of the population, Jamie finds himself completely alone in a cabin in the woods - until an injured stranger crosses his path. All That’s Left in the World Erik J. Brown

Lies We Tell Ourselves Robin Talley

It’s

Amanda Hardy is the new girl at school. All she wants is to make friends and fit in. But she’s holding back. Even from Grant, the guy she's falling in love with. Amanda has a secret. At her old

It’s 1959. The battle for civil rights is raging. And it’s Sarah’s first day of school as one of the first black students at previously all-white Jefferson High. No one wants

School she used to be called Andrew.

Sarah there. Not the Governor. Not the teachers. And certainly not the students – especially Linda, daughter of the town’s most ardent segregationist. A story of first love set against a backdrop of shocking racism and prejudice. Incredibly well written, this tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.

Jamie and Andrew are two of the last people on Earth. They don't know what they'll find on their perilous journey ... but they may just find each other. A queer romance about courage, hope and humanity. A pitch-perfect LGBTQ spin on the post-apocalyptic genre, by turns thrilling and heartbreaking.

The story of trans girl and her journey, this is an insightful look at the discrimination, violence and prejudice many trans people experience. This book will answer questions you might have about the unique experience a trans teen may go through.

Autoboyography Christina Lauren

Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston

Let’s Talk About Love Claire Kann

Three years ago, Tanner Scott’s family relocated from California to Utah, a move that nudged the bisexual teen temporarily back into the closet. But with only one semester left, there’s nothing between him and freedom.

Alice had her whole summer planned: non-stop all-you-can-eat buffets, marathoning her favourite TV shows (best friends totally included) and working at the library to pay her share of the

Alex Claremont-Diaz is handsome, charismatic, a genius – pure

millennial-marketing gold for the White House ever since his mother became President of the United States. There’s only one problem; when the tabloids get hold of a photo of Alex and Prince Henry, U.S/British relations take a turn for the worse and Alex and Henry become the centre of an international scandal. This transatlantic romance centres on a relationship that could have serious diplomatic consequences .

rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she's asexual). Alice is done with dating — no thank you, do not pass go, done. A thought-provoking book about an asexual person making their way through life.

Then his best friend dares him to enter a prestigious creative writing competition, where he meets – and quickly falls madly in love with - the prodigy Sebastian Brother. Maybe this last semester won’t be simple after all…

The Henna Wars Adiba Jaigirdar

Wranglestone Darren Charlton

They Both Die at the End Adam Silvera

When Nishat comes out to her parents as gay, they say she can be anyone she wants - as long as she isn't herself – because “ Muslim girls aren't lesbians ” . Nishat doesn't want

In a post-apocalyptic America, a community survives in a national park, surrounded by water that keeps the Dead at bay. But when winter comes, there’s nothing to stop them from crossing the ice.

On September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: they're going to die

to lose her family, but she also doesn't want to hide who she is, which only gets harder once Flávia walks into her life. This book tackles important issues like homophobia, cultural appropriation, racism and more but the more difficult parts of the book are well balanced with sweet and fun moments.

today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: there's an app for that… A love story with a difference - an unforgettable tale of life, loss and making each day count. And, yes, they both die at the end…

When Peter puts the camp in danger, he is forced onto the mainland in the company of his (rather handsome) neighbour, Cooper. But as love blossoms, a dark discovery reveals the sanctuary’s secret past.

A compelling and original LGBTQ love story.

All listed books are available in the Library

All The Things She Said Daisy Jones An introspective dive into the fast moving world of queer culture. Unpacks some of the 21st century's biggest lesbian and bisexual moments to paint a portrait of what modern-day queerness looks like. A humorous and relevant book about being lesbian, bisexual, gay, queer, transgender or just curious. The witty and factual text – which includes testimonials from people across the gender and sexual spectrums – is paired with hilarious illustrations. We Have Always Been Here Samra Habib A memoir of hope, faith and love, Habib's story shows how Muslims can embrace queer sexuality and families can embrace change. It is a testament to the power of fearlessly inhabiting one's truest self and will resonate with anyone who has ever felt alone. Black on Both Sides A Racial History of Trans Identity C. Riley Snorton Through materials including fugitive slave narratives, Afro-modernist literature and Hollywood films, Snorton focusses on how slavery and the production of racialized gender provides the foundations for an understanding of gender as mutable. The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World Mason Funk Captures the gay rights movement from the 1960s to the present through interviews with leaders, activists and ordinary people who made it happen. Exist Otherwise: The Life and Works of Claude Cahun Claude Cahun In the turmoil of the 1920s and '30s, Claude Cahun challenged gender stereotypes with her powerful photographs and writings: work that appears contemporary, or even ahead of our time, when viewed with twenty first-century eyes. As Good as a Marriage: The Anne Lister Diaries 1836 – 38 Jill Liddington When Anne Lister's diaries were first published they were hailed as a vital piece of lost lesbian history. The entries are a fascinating journey through one woman’s struggle against society’s expectations and have even been translated from code! This Book is Gay Juno Dawson

Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality Dr Julia Shaw Psychological scientist Julia Shaw draws from personal experience, science and pop culture to create a thoughtful, fun and engaging account of what it’s like to belong to the world’s largest sexual minority. The LGBTQ + History Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained This diverse and global account explores and explains the most important ideas and events in LGBTQ+ history and culture, and showcases the breadth of the LGBTQ+ experience. Life Isn't Binary: On Being Both, Beyond, and In-Between Meg-John Barker and Alex Iantaffi Using bisexual and non-binary gender experiences, this book addresses the key issues with binary thinking regarding our relationships, bodies and emotions ultimately setting out a range of practices which may help us think in more non-binary ways. A Queer History of the United States for Young People Michael Bronski Through engrossing narratives, letters, drawings, poems and more, this book encourages young readers of all identities to feel pride at the accomplishments of the LGBTQ people who came before them and to use history as a guide to the future. Hidden from History: Reclaiming the Gay & Lesbian Past Various Authors This anthology sheds new light on the gay and lesbian past from places as diverse as the Athens of Plato, to Renaissance Italy, to Victorian London and peoples as varied as South African black miners, to American Indians, to Japanese samurai. Oscar and Bosie: A Fatal Passion Trevor Fisher This is the story of the relationship between Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas, from the years in which Wilde rose to the pinnacle of theatrical success, through the catastrophe of trials at the Old Bailey and bitter separation, to the bleak years of exile that followed. From Prejudice to Pride: A History of LGBTQ+ Movement Amy Lame An inspiring retelling of the LGBTQ+ movement's struggle for civil rights. Charting the rise and achievements of movement and the different communities, pioneers and stories of heartbreak and courage that have marched alongside it.

Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life Jonathan Van Ness Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness shares his personal experiences with issues such as body image. With the help of conversations with experts, he also offers perspectives on issues we are dealing with today such as white supremacy and transphobia. complexity. It widens the scope of what we think of as trans history by telling the stories of people across the globe whose experience of gender has been transgressive. Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender Dr Kit Heyam A history and celebration of gender in all its fluidity, ambiguity and A Dutiful Boy: A Memoir of Secrets, Lies and Family Love Mohsin Zaidi Moving, sensitive and ultimately uplifting, Zaidi’s memoir traces his journey from devout Muslim childhood to living his authentic life. It Is about the power of love, belonging, and living every part of your identity. We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation Leighton Brown and Matthew Riemer Combines researched narrative with photographs to trace queer activism from late-nineteenth-century Europe to today. Enables us to truly see queer history unlike anything before. figures from history. Also includes messages from contemporary young members of the community explaining why they have pride in themselves – and why you should, too. Have Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement Stella Caldwell and Sue Sanders This inspirational history looks at key events and profiles significant LGBTQ+ Coming Out : The Emergence of LGBT Identities in Britain from the Nineteenth Century to the Present Jeffrey Weeks A compassionate social history charting the seismic impact of the gay liberation movement during the 1970s and beyond. homosexuality in classical antiquity. Includes well-known writings by Plato, Sappho and Aeschines, as well as less well known but highly relevant and intriguing texts such as graffiti, comic fragments and magical papyri. Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: A Sourcebook of Basic Documents Thomas K. Hubbard An essential perspective on