📚 Medway Libraries: June 2023

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Tales from the UK

This month we're shining the super troupers on stories about the UK. The UK where we're steeped in an abundance of heritage and history, where we're weather obsessed, where historically knowing one's place was important. A place that could be a sanctuary and a haven of peace, where adventurers set out, and where everything is better with tea☕

Of course it's impossible to imagine the UK unless you include FOOTBALL. This year's Summer Reading Challenge (for younger readers), which starts in July, is all about sport, so as a taster we've included here some of our favourite footy and sports books to whet your appetite⚽⚽⚽

These are just some of our suggestions, but take a look at the huge collection of novels, history and factual material we have available, in paper, audio and on digital📚


Anna Jacobs: Paula's way

Paula's Way book cover

An unexpected inheritance is most people's dream, but not so for Paula.

She's happy and secure in Western Australia with her own business, a complete contrast to her rootless childhood, and has little interest in the minor stately home in Wiltshire of which she is apparently now the owner.

Persuaded to at least visit the property, she travels to the UK but, from the journey to what awaits her at the other end, complications personal, romantic and financial abound which will test the adage that home is where the heart is.


Margaret Dickinson: The poacher's daughter

The poachers daughter  book cover

It is 1910 in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Fourteen-year-old Rosie Waterhouse lives with her father, Sam, well-known as the local poacher, in a cottage on the Thornsby Estate.

The land is owned by William Ramsey, a harsh and heartless man, determined his only son, Byron, should marry well and produce an heir.

Rosie is quick to learn the tricks of her father's trade and it's when she's poaching fish from the estate's stream that she meets Byron. They continue to meet in secret over the coming months and as their friendship blossoms, they recognise, despite their vastly different backgrounds, that they are destined to be together.

When William learns of their friendship, he stops at nothing to ensure that they never meet again. As the years pass and the threat of war becomes a reality. Sam is involved in a tragic incident which will affect both his and Rosie's lives more than they could ever imagine.


Anne Perry: The traitor among us

The traitor among us book cover

It is the 1930s and with the threat of war looming, political tensions begin to rise.

Elena Standish, a young English photographer working for British Intelligence, is sent on her latest mission to Berlin, where painful memories of her escape from the Gestapo come flooding back.

With the help of another spy, she must rescue a renowned scientist and return to England unscathed. But, as rumours start to spread of germ warfare, Elena and her family know she must act quickly to save lives.


Max Porter: Shy

Shy book cover

Things keep slipping up for Shy. All he wants is spliffs and his own turntables, and for all the red noise in his mind to disappear.

But again and again he spirals past his senses and ends up with his head in his hands and carnage around him. You mustn't do that to yourself Shy. You mustn't hurt yourself like that.

He's been kicked out of two schools, been cautioned, arrested, and stabbed his stepdad in the finger, but it's the taunts and teasing of his new schoolmates that haunt Shy.

At Last Chance - a home for 'very disturbed young men' - he is surrounded by people who want to help him, but his night terrors aren't getting any better. The night is huge and it hurts. So tonight he's stepping into it, with the haunted beginnings of a plan.


Lucy Clarke: The hike. NEW!

The hike book cover - new

Maggie, Liz, Helena & Joni. Old friends bound by history, adventures, old secrets. And now, bound by murder.

They lace up their hiking boots for the adventure of a lifetime in the Norwegian wilderness: a place of towering mountains, glass-like lakes, log cabins and forests stolen from a fairytale.

It's the perfect place to lose yourself - until a broken body is found at the bottom of a ravine.

Somewhere out there, someone knows exactly why a woman has died. And in this deep, dark wilderness, there's a killer on the trail.


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Simon Mugford: England rule

England rule book cover

England currently ranked among the top ten in the world, the team has featured in no less than 16 World Cup finals, winning it in 1966, and then came so close to lifting the European trophy in 2020!

In this fun and fact-filled book about the England's men's team, Football Superstar's dynamic duo, Dan and Simon, will take you through the historic highs of the 1966 World Cup, the heartbreak and tears of 1990 and 1996 to the resurgence of the current team.

Along the way you'll learn about the legendary players, managers, matches, songs, fans and, of course, all the stats that tell the story of England's national sporting obsession.


Dionna L. Mann: Gymnastics routine takeover

gymnastics routine takeover book cover

Bre and Isabel love being part of the gymnastics team.

For years, Bre has planned their routine for family night. But now the coach has added Yadana to Isabel and Bre's duo.

Yadana has ideas for the routine too, and Isabel votes for Yadana's choices. Bre is upset over this loss of control.

Will she allow her bad attitude to ruin her friendships and the chance to shine on family night?


Matt Oldfield: Johnny Ball

Johnny Ball book cover

After leading the Tissbury Tigers to Worldies glory, Johnny is on the fast track to the top of football management.

He's been signed by mega-agent, Darren Dealz, who wants him to take a job at the Tissbury Thundercats alongside the legendary manager Jaz Williamson.

But Johnny's best friend, Tabia, has just been signed by the Thundercats as their star striker and she's not happy about Johnny hogging all the football fame. If the Thundercats are going to win the season, Johnny and Tabia are going to have to remember how to work as a team.


Tom Palmer: Game changer

game changer book cover

The newly formed Melchester Women's team are going from strength to strength in their first full season of professional football, lead by the tenacious Rocky Race. But behind the scenes, the morale of the club is low.

After a shocking incident in a men's European game, and the recent Race family tragedy, Rocky, her brother Roy, and the whole club is struggling to deal with the aftermath.

What's more, she's fighting with Ffion her friend and there's even talk of sending her out on loan. Can she maintain her match-winning performances? How is she supposed to deal with everything that's happened? And just where does her footballing future lie?


Danielle Brown: Run like a girl

run like a girl book cover

All over the world, there are female athletes breaking barriers, pushing limits and achieving amazing things, but where did their journeys begin? And what challenges did they have to overcome to get where they are today?

'Run Like a Girl' is a collection of fascinating biographical stories told by 50 highly successful sportswomen, from boxing superstar Nicola Adams to record-breaking yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur and fearless mountain biker Rachel Atherton.

As well as giving an insight into their influences, motivations and achievements, each story reminds us that failing can teach us just as much as winning; success isn't limited to the sports field; and 'running like a girl' can lead you all the way to the top.


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