Man Booker Longlist 2008 Announced

The longlist for the 2008 Man Booker Prize for Fiction has been announced. 'The Man Booker Dozen' are: Aravind Adiga - The White Tiger Gaynor Arnold - Girl in a Blue Dress Sebastian Barry - The Secret Scripture John Berger - From A to X Michelle de Kretser - The Lost Dog Amitav Ghosh - Sea of Poppies Linda Grant - The Clothes on Their Backs Mohammed Hanif - A Case of Exploding Mangoes Philip Hensher - The Northern Clemency Joseph O’Neill - Netherland Salman Rushdie - The Enchantress of Florence Tom Rob Smith - Child 44 Steve Toltz - A Fraction of the Whole

Website for Kiddies Activities

A new interactive website and information resource has just been launched , packed full of fun-filled "free" things to do at home and 'in nature'. The website http://www.7upfreeforum.com/ is primarily, but not exclusively, aimed at parents and families providing them with a whole range of entertaining activities and encouraging them to get outdoors. Why not enjoy a cycle at the mouth of the River Shannon... have a picnic at King John's Castle... discover the Treaty Stone... people watch at the Milk Market... or make a bird feeder or wind chime in your own garden...For these and many more suggestions to keep your kids busy over the Summer holidays log onto http://www.7upfreeforum.com/.

Do want to Renew your Books from Home?

All of our members can now avail of our online service, whereby you can renew your books over the internet. You can also check your library account to see if you have all your books before you return them to us.

To use this service you will need your library card barcode number and a P.I.N number. You must contact the library desk with your choice of any 4-digit number and we will set you up for this service.

Alternatively, you can email me at this address lhogan@limerickcity.ie and i will confirm your accounts activation in reply.

Please include your name, address, id number and your 4-digit PIN (that you have chosen) in the email.

The link to Renew your books is on the menu on the right habd side of this blog (2nd from top).

Please Note: You can only Renew Books that are still in date (not overdue) and Not Requested by another borrower.

Summer Activities for Kids 2008

Summer Activities for Kids 2008 29th – 31st July

Tuesday 29nd July - Storytime & Crafts Age: 4-6yrs Time: 11-12pm

Tuesday 29nd July - Create & Make

Age: 9-12yrs Time: 3-4pm

Wednesday 30th July – Create & Make Age:9-12yrs Time: 3-4pm

Thursday 31st July - Storytime & Crafts Age: 4-6yrs

Time: 3-4pm

Please Note:12 children per session. All activities are first come first served. A Parent or Guardian must be present when signing children in for the Arts and Crafts classes and must stay in the library building for the duration.

Best of Booker Winner Announced!

Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie which initally won the Man Booker prize in 1981, has won the Best of the Booker this year for the second time, winning the Booker of Bookers in 1993.

Midnight's Children...

At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the date on which India proclaimed itself independent from Great Britain, 1,001 children are born with supernatural powers. Two are switched at birth, the illegitimate son of a poor Hindu woman and the offspring of wealthy Muslims. Rushdie follows them through 30 years of partition, violence and Indira Gandhi's iron-fisted rule.

The other finalists for this honour were...

The Ghost Road, Pat Barker

Oscar and Lucinda, Peter Carey

Disgrace, J. M. Coetzee

The Siege of Krishnapur, J. G. Farrell

The Conservationist, Nadine Gordimer

Salman Rushdie is currently on tour in America with his latest novel The Enchantress of Florence.

Seen the Movie? Read the Book!

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

The second in the Chronicles of Narnia Series, Prince Caspian, has been adapted for the screen and coming to a cinema near you! If you're a first time reader of the books but saw the exciting first installation, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and enjoyed it, or you've read the whole series and are just looking for a refresher before you go to see the movie, pick up a copy of the book in your local Library...

Prince Caspian


Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are mysteriously transported back to Narnia where they discover that it has been hundred's of years since their reign as Kings and Queens of the land ended. Cair Paravel, the castle where they lived, is in ruins and the evil King Miraz has taken charge. Along with their old friend Prince Caspian they race to overthrow the King and restore the rightful heir, calling on the help of Aslan and his trusty follower, Reepicheep the mouse.







And for those of you who've never heard of the Chronicles of Narnia...

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children written by C. S. Lewis between 1949 and 1954. It is considered a classic of childrens literature and is the author's best-known work, having sold over 100 million copies in 41 languages. The series includes...

1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2. Prince Caspian
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
4. The Silver Chair
5. The Horse, and His Boy
6. The Magicians Nephew
7. The Last Battle

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe


C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure The Chronicles of Narnia: The
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows the exploits of the Pevensie siblings -- Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter -- in World War II England, as the four enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of hide-and-seek in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants, but this world has become cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.


Apparently Disney are already in pre-production on the next chapter, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and all the books in the series are to be adapted for the big screen!