It seems to have become an integral part of World Book Day in Primary schools for all children to come dressed as their favourite book character. This sometimes leads to some odd costumes, particularly this year when a boy came in to one school dressed as Christian Grey (from 50 Shades) in a suit with some cable ties. At Hollycombe School in Milland they opted to do something different and to some eyes old-fashioned this year – a poetry reading competition. The rules were simple, no props and all poems to be learnt by heart. It was a close call for the expert judging panel but 1st prize was won in the end by an excellent performance of The Jabberwocky by a year 3 boy.
WBD at Lord Wandsworth College was celebrated differently with the school creating their own book prize to be voted on by all the pupils. Froxfield School made a visit to their local bookshop.
Added to all this we held a book club in the shop on The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. A good turnout decided that it was by and large a good first novel, full of atmosphere, and with some great set pieces, but with a few flaws.
So we had a busy few days.
The return of Poldark to the small screen has seen the novels by Winston Graham start to move again and the adaptation of The Casual Vacancy (with JK herself involved in the production) has been well received.
I have been enjoying Shop Girl by Mary Portas. It is not about her years as a TV person but about her childhood in an Irish catholic working class family in Watford. Surprisingly moving and well written.