What are you reading tonight?

[Worthy4England]

Think I get where you're coming from Pru.

Think you're right about libraries in general though - there's a lot of stuff I wouldn't want to read in there, but I guess people reading (anything) is probably just about better than people reading nowt.

The whole "snobby" thing occurs all over - as we've seen on the art and food threads. My view is if you enjoy something, quite frankly the rest of the world can go an feck 'emselves if you're not demanding they have to enjoy the same thing.

[William the White]

the novel that has most affected me personally - and was a surprise to me - was Charlotte Gray by Faulks. I don't think it was the writing or the plot - except one scene that grabbed me by the throat and still haunts me to this day....

it describes the Jews hunted down across france - and in particular two boys - one twelve and one younger - 8 or 9 I think. they are herded onto the cattle truck with their little suitcases - and then into the concentration camp - it dawns on the 12 yr old what this - but not his younger brother - and the 12 yr old seeks to protect his brother from the horror of it all by pretending it is something other than it is...

I could hardly read it - and it haunted me (properly haunted) for months. - probably because I had children of that age at the time and the characters became them in a scarily real way... not sure why..

my missus read it and was totally unaffected... powerful stuff is fiction....

totally empathise wih this - when my (now) 19 year old was born the wars of former Yugoslavia, atrocity after atrocity, killing after killing, were filling the news... And i was full of the joy of new life that being a parent brings (along with the sleepless nights and the rest...). I ended up avoiding the news... I couldn't watch 'Hillsborough'... or watch or read anything to do with the holocaust or the ethnic cleansing pictures from the Balkans... I couldn't cope, basically, with human cruelty, it just made me shrink inside...

Oh, the list of books you've been reading are all ones that i know - i too was an Orwell fan. And the Octagon are producing 'Love on the Dole' next season and i wrote a short piece about it for their brochure. And will also be running an Investigate day on writers responses to the Hungry Thirties at the theatre - for which 'Wigan Pier' is earmarked as one important example... You should come up!

[Bruce Rioja]

And the Octagon are producing 'Love on the Dole' next season

I was just about to mention this. Can't wait to see it after reading it as part of fourth year English Lit in 1980/81

[Dujon]

Prufrock,

Libraries where I live are generally run by the local council. In my case the council funds at least six libraries. The system as a whole houses some 120,000 publications (but this includes such things as DVDs, CDs, and magazines). The ratio of books to 'the rest' I have no idea.

The on-line version of the library is confined to listing books available and at which library they are currently held - plus whether they are available for borrowing or are currently 'out'. Books already on loan may be reserved and will be transported to your library of choice when they become available. Books that are available may be requested and, like the previous situation, moved to your preferred collection point.

I hadn't realised until a couple of decades ago that there also exists a system within all our libraries (meaning those outside my council area as well) for inter-library lending. So, if my council does not have a publication in which I am interested it will make the effort of finding a copy somewhere else and arrange for it to be shipped to my local library. I have used the facility but once (I was doing a bit of research, for personal edification only, on Nikola Tesla and the tome which arrived was somewhat larger than I expected even though I knew it wouldn't be some sort of 'everyman's' booklet).

Pros and Cons? Well, it's a wonderful conception and it works. On the other hand the borrowing time was a bit short (one week if my feeble memory is correct).

Anyway, Prufrock, explore your library system.

[Worthy4England]

Prufrock,

Libraries where I live are generally run by the local council. In my case the council funds at least six libraries. The system as a whole houses some 120,000 publications (but this includes such things as DVDs, CDs, and magazines). The ratio of books to 'the rest' I have no idea.

The on-line version of the library is confined to listing books available and at which library they are currently held - plus whether they are available for borrowing or are currently 'out'. Books already on loan may be reserved and will be transported to your library of choice when they become available. Books that are available may be requested and, like the previous situation, moved to your preferred collection point.

I hadn't realised until a couple of decades ago that there also exists a system within all our libraries (meaning those outside my council area as well) for inter-library lending. So, if my council does not have a publication in which I am interested it will make the effort of finding a copy somewhere else and arrange for it to be shipped to my local library. I have used the facility but once (I was doing a bit of research, for personal edification only, on Nikola Tesla and the tome which arrived was somewhat larger than I expected even though I knew it wouldn't be some sort of 'everyman's' booklet).

Pros and Cons? Well, it's a wonderful conception and it works. On the other hand the borrowing time was a bit short (one week if my feeble memory is correct).

Anyway, Prufrock, explore your library system.

This is no different than our local library system. You can get most books with a little planning, but just turning up on the library doorstep expecting them to have what you were after is often a disappointment.

I think Pru is not looking at this the right way, regarding Shakespeare. The fact that there were THREE copies of "novels" by Jordan in the library and TWO Jade Goody autobiographies, means no one is reading them (because they woudn't be in the library if they were, they'd be out). The lack of Shakespeare is obviously down to the kids of Bolton, not being able to put the buggers down and telling all their mates about them (probably along with Dickens and Hardy et. al.)

[TANGODANCER]

Have to say our small local library in Highfield, Farnwoth, isn't that bad. It's also part of the Borough Council scheme where you can return books and take out others from the main branch in Bolton which has a much wider spectrum. Borrowing time is, I think, about three weeks and you can have up to ten books. The staff are normally very helpful and you can alwas ask and reserve books. I've always been a member and certainly wouldn't knock what's a very good and free service.

ps: I always contribute to the community chest by having to pay overdue fines almost every time I go. Since you can renew by telephone I have no real excuse for this. I've never actually sinned enough to have a visit from the Library Dept SWAT team helicopter yet.

[Dujon]

[W4E] I was pretty sure that our respective systems wouldn't be much, if any, different.

A most chuckleworthy post. Bolton literary swots, what would England do without them?

[TD] I too have been guilty of depriving my fellow citizens of the beauty and information contained within material I have borrowed. I too have been subjected to the baleful scrutiny of the 'person in charge' when, red faced and feeling like a seven year old child, I fished in my fob pocket for the required coins.

[TANGODANCER]

[W4E] I was pretty sure that our respective systems wouldn't be much, if any, different.

A most chuckleworthy post. Bolton literary swots, what would England do without them?

[TD] I too have been guilty of depriving my fellow citizens of the beauty and information contained within material I have borrowed. I too have been subjected to the baleful scrutiny of the 'person in charge' when, red faced and feeling like a seven year old child, I fished in my fob pocket for the required coins.

All it does really is teach you how to use complicated words to say the simplest things.

[Prufrock]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.

Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

[TANGODANCER]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

If you have a cut-price book store near you, you can get the Complete Works of Shakespeare for about £15.

[Worthy4England]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

If you have a cut-price book store near you, you can get the Complete Works of Shakespeare for about £15.

Couldn't decide whether to put this on the book thread or on the today I'm angry about thread.

Here'll do.

If I'm going to be bored on a Sunday (which occurs fairly often on a Sunday night), I get to after Sunday Lunch and think I'll nip out and buy a book or two, or maybe a DVD - but gone 1800 everywhere's fecking shut - unless of course I want to go out on the pop.

Stupid out dated trading laws. All I was after was a decent book.

[TANGODANCER]

Stupid out dated trading laws. All I was after was a decent book.

Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, must have been something?

[Prufrock]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

If you have a cut-price book store near you, you can get the Complete Works of Shakespeare for about £15.

Couldn't decide whether to put this on the book thread or on the today I'm angry about thread.

Here'll do.

If I'm going to be bored on a Sunday (which occurs fairly often on a Sunday night), I get to after Sunday Lunch and think I'll nip out and buy a book or two, or maybe a DVD - but gone 1800 everywhere's fecking shut - unless of course I want to go out on the pop.

Stupid out dated trading laws. All I was after was a decent book.

I'm with you on this one. In fact I think it's occurred at least twice before on the angry thread from my account. It's worse in France though, nothing opens at all on Sundays, apart from pubs, and one Spar I managed to find that was open 24/7. That and all the independent grocery shops. Thank god for immigrant labour eh?! What's the point of it?! I could even understand a law saying people could not be required to work Sundays in order to preserve the rights of folk who want to go to church, but to go the other way and say they can't if they want?

[Prufrock]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

If you have a cut-price book store near you, you can get the Complete Works of Shakespeare for about £15.

I was only using Shakespeare as a point, though thanks for the tip. Next time I have £15 that's where I'll be off .

[Worthy4England]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

If you have a cut-price book store near you, you can get the Complete Works of Shakespeare for about £15.

I was only using Shakespeare as a point, though thanks for the tip. Next time I have £15 that's where I'll be off .

Could just hop to Gutenberg.org and get the lot for nowt.

[Worthy4England]

Stupid out dated trading laws. All I was after was a decent book.

Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, must have been something?

Not after 18:00, that I've found yet.

I could got to Blockies for a DVD, but the chances of them having in, anything I'd want to watch (as opposed to just content to watch) is probably negligible.

[Prufrock]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

If you have a cut-price book store near you, you can get the Complete Works of Shakespeare for about £15.

I was only using Shakespeare as a point, though thanks for the tip. Next time I have £15 that's where I'll be off .

Could just hop to Gutenberg.org and get the lot for nowt.

I can't read stuff in that quantity on a computer screen. Pretty much every Classics book is at perseus.tufts.edu but I had to get the book forms out.

[Worthy4England]

Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic service, and the staff were very helpful, it's just the actual books there were somewhat of an anti climax from what I remember when I was young. I think you can request books, though I'm not sure if that service is free.Anyway, Worthy's probably right, I'll just have to wait a few more weeks before I get my hands on that well worn copy of Hamlet!

If you have a cut-price book store near you, you can get the Complete Works of Shakespeare for about £15.

I was only using Shakespeare as a point, though thanks for the tip. Next time I have £15 that's where I'll be off .

Could just hop to Gutenberg.org and get the lot for nowt.

I can't read stuff in that quantity on a computer screen. Pretty much every Classics book is at perseus.tufts.edu but I had to get the book forms out.

DL 'em from there and print them out at work. top job!

[TANGODANCER]

What's the point of it?! I could even understand a law saying people could not be required to work Sundays in order to preserve the rights of folk who want to go to church, but to go the other way and say they can't if they want?

Quite the opposite Pru. "Six days shalt thou labour, on on the seventh thou shalt rest" was meant to give everybody a rest on Sundays, including shopkeepers. Most supermarkets are open till about 8-0'clockthese days in the week. That said, if the profit levels aren't worth it stores won't open for fun. Since 1994 it all changed, but I suspect, given the choice few folk would actually want to work if they didn't have to.

[Worthy4England]

What's the point of it?! I could even understand a law saying people could not be required to work Sundays in order to preserve the rights of folk who want to go to church, but to go the other way and say they can't if they want?

Quite the opposite Pru. "Six days shalt thou labour, on on the seventh thou shalt rest" was meant to give everybody a rest on Sundays, including shopkeepers. Most supermarkets are open till about 8-0'clockthese days in the week. That said, if the profit levels aren't worth it stores won't open for fun. Since 1994 it all changed, but I suspect, given the choice few folk would actually want to work if they didn't have to.

The superstores aren't allowed to open after 16:00. Trafford Centre stops at 18:00. The superstore thing I believe is "law" rather choice.