|
Welcome to the Waltham Forest Libraries newsletter. Below you'll find fantastic events, new things that might help you, news and events from the council and finally - our book pick of the month and what you're reading. Don't forget to scroll to the end for these!
Author Talk - Tanya Frank
Walthamstow Library, Wednesday 21 February, 6pm to 7.15pm
Join us at Walthamstow Library as Tanya Frank talks about Zig Zag Boy, her moving account of her son's life with psychosis.
This event will consist of a talk by the author, question and answer session and opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book.
This is a free event but booking is required. Light refreshments will be provided.
About the Author
Tanya Frank recently moved back to her native England. Prior to her return home, she lived in California, where she worked as a docent at an elephant seal sanctuary. Her writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Guardian and numerous literary journals.
About Zig Zag Boy
Zach was nineteen when Tanya discovered him rerouting the wires of their landline, sure that the phone was bugged, that his friends were Mafia, that the helicopters swirling above were deployed by spies, that he couldn’t trust anyone – her included. That moment upturned and unmoored everything. It would strand them both in a profound and terrifying isolation the way that perhaps only a psychotic break – or loving someone who is experiencing one – can.
Zig-Zag Boy is a journey along the tough frontiers of love and madness. As Tanya fights for answers and understanding – coming up against broken healthcare systems in the UK and the US – she is forced to question whether there were warning signs she missed, whether Zach will be able to have a normal life, and what ‘normal’ really means.
International Mother Language Day
Come celebrate International Mother Language Day at Waltham Forest Libraries! Join us for a fun craft event where we will explore different languages. Immerse yourself in the beauty of languages from around the world. Mark your calendars and join us for a day of language celebration!
|
Leyton Library
|
Tuesday 20 February
|
3.15pm to 4.15pm
|
|
Chingford Library
|
Tuesday 20 February
|
3.30pm to 4.30pm
|
|
Hale End Library
|
Wednesday 21 February
|
3.30pm to 4.30pm
|
|
Wood Street Library
|
Wednesday 21 February
|
4pm to 5pm
|
|
Higham Hill Library
|
Thursday 22 February
|
3.30pm to 4.30pm
|
|
Lea Bridge Library
|
Thursday 22 February
|
4pm to 5pm
|
|
Leytonstone Library
|
Saturday 24 February
|
2pm to 3pm
|
|
Walthamstow Library
|
Wednesday 27 February
|
3.30pm to 4.30pm
|
Who else is trying to read more in 2024?
2024 is upon us, why not make reading more, one of your New Year's resolutions!Did you know that research shows that regular reading can improve brain connectivity, reduce stress, fight symptoms of depression, prevent cognitive decline as you age and much more.
To help get you started on your reading journey, our e-library gives you access to thousands of free magazines, newspapers, books, and audiobooks straight to your device. But if you prefer books in print, then you’ll be thrilled to know that you can borrow up to 15 books on your card for 3 weeks at a time!
Borrowbox Award Winners With so many stickers and medals on the cover, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here’s your guide to the most recent best of the best
Borrowbox new to library If you are not sure what to read, why not check out the new additions to the library.
We also have a big collection of books to support your mental and physical health in our Reading Well collection. These books help you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading. The books are all chosen and recommended by health experts, as well as people living with the conditions covered and their relatives and carers.
Graphic Novel Adaptations of Classic Works
Novels are constantly being adapted to fit another format. From movies to tv shows, there are many ways for new audiences to be reintroduced to old stories. One format, closer to books, comes from graphic novels. Using the source material, but in an illustrated design that brings books to life, can often be as good as reading the original classics.
Waltham Forest Libraries have a range of classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, Frankenstein, Romeo and Juliet, Sherlock and many more.
Find a new way to read and reimagine a timeless classic!
Library resource of the month - Pressreader
PressReader is the best way to read magazines and newspapers on your mobile phone or tablet. Enjoy news stories and articles from your favourite sources and discover new ones from around the world.
Download complete issues and toggle between the original print view and a mobile-optimized text view.
Also available on PC, to access desktop version please visit this webpage.
The crisis isn't over: Don't axe the lifeline
We are urging the Government to continue the Household Support Fund (HSF), which has been a vital lifeline for our residents during the cost-of-living crisis.
The HSF has allowed us to support our most vulnerable residents through establishing a network of community living rooms. We have also used the fund to provide:
- Free school breakfasts for 2,135 children
- Supporting over 11,000 families with free school meal vouchers
- Administering over 5,000 direct targeted payments to vulnerable households
Without this fund, which is due to expire at the end of March 2024, we will simply not be able to continue providing these essential services.
|
Are those wedding bells we hear?
On Sunday 4 February, we'll be opening our doors of Fellowship Square again for our first Wedding Fair of 2024.
You can explore our iconic and historic venue, meet lots of high quality, local vendors and explore our other approved venues too.
Don't miss your chance for a free glass of bubbly and goody bag - book today!
|
Give us a follow on TikTok
Did you know the council has a TikTok page? We showcase resident stories, staff 'day in the life' and tell you more about the services we run day to day.
Do you have a great story to tell? We've love to hear from you. Whether you do something to keep your local neighbourhood cleaner or greener, help neighbours recycle right, volunteer at a community group or just want to shout about someone great - we want to know.
Email the team to tell us your story.
And don't forget to follow us on TikTok - we'll keep you entertained, we promise!
|
Let’s Get Digital drop-in sessions helping residents like Girish
Our Let's Get Digital drop-in sessions run every week in some of our libraries, with Digital Champion volunteers ready to support you with using your device or getting online. Girish, a Walthamstow resident, attended his first session recently: “Today I have learnt how to open an email account, how to do online banking, and how to open an online shopping account. This is my first session and I want to start coming again and learn more.”
Drop-in at one of the following libraries:
- Leytonstone Library, Tuesdays 5pm to 7pm
- Wood Street Library, Wednesdays 5pm to 7pm
- Walthamstow Library, Fridays 2pm to 4pm
|
We will be featuring a staff pick each month and Paris has recommended Lea Ypi's memoir Free: Coming of Age at the End of History.
About the book:
Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.
Then, in December 1990, a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.
Free is an engrossing memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality, and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history.
Recommendation
Lea Ypi's Free is a uniquely engaging and illuminating account of a young life during a period of intense turmoil. It provides an engaging insight into recent Albanian history as told through her own prism of living through it.
It is insightful how Lea Ypi passes through her messages about freedom and clashes of ideologies - and how these shape real people’s lives for the better or worse - in such a simple and natural narrative.
If you would like to place a reservation on this book, you can visit our website.
-
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
-
The last devil to die by Richard Osman
-
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
-
The secret by Lee Child
-
Upside Down by Danielle Steel
-
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
-
Flawless by Elsie Silver
-
Powerless by Elsie Silver
-
Say you swear by Megan Brandy
-
Days at the Morisaki bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
-
Bored of lunch. Healthy slow cooker even easier by Nathan Anthony
-
Pinch of Nom express: fast, delicious food by Kate Allinson
-
Bored of lunch. The healthy air fryer book by Nathan Anthony
-
Healthy made simple by Ella Mills
-
The Good Bite's high protein meal prep manual by Niall Kirkland
-
Bunny bonanza! by Jamie Smart
-
Heartstopper. Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
-
No brainer by Jeff Kinney
-
Wonka by Sibeal Pounder
-
Impossible creatures by Katherine Rundell
You received this newsletter because you signed up for news about libraries.
Email newsletters will be used to keep residents informed about what is happening in our borough so please encourage neighbours to also sign up to receive them.
There are now email newsletters set up for most of the Council's services plus regeneration sites across Waltham Forest so if you are interested in other services please sign up for those newsletters too.
|
|
