Now that we are into a new year why not try reading something new, a new author or genre maybe?
We have a large collection of fiction in the Gosall library, you can search our catalogue here. If you normally read crime or mystery novels why not try reading a biography? Or if fantasy is normally your bag why not give romance a go?!
We have a few ideas on display in the main library and the rest of our fiction collection can be found in the snug. Please feel free to browse and check out any books of interest using the self-issue machine. Alternatively, email the library team at academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk and we can post books out to you.
The library team is also happy to recommend books for you.
Vera Waters is a member of the Society of Authors and has written several books including ‘Half a Rainbow: Insight into Stress’, which was first published in 1990 and ‘Another Cup: An Anthology of Encounters’ (published in 2017). Her books are collections of true stories about people she has met throughout her interesting life and career. As well as writing and speaking to audiences, Vera is a prodigious reader with a collection of over 3,500 books at home.
Vera has kindly answered a few questions for us about books that have entertained and inspired her and her work as an author.
With a background in education, Vera’s career and life experience has taken her into many varied areas and situations. Trouble Shooter, Pioneer, an Agent of Change – this is how the Press have described her over the years. From Berlin to Australia and then over 12 years in America where she is billed as an inspirational and motivational speaker or as the Virginians say a ‘Stem-Winder’.
After holding an important senior position in the NHS at a Preston based psychiatric hospital, Vera found herself advising Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Constabulary. She was the first private counsellor to be retained by a police force and was awarded a rare Home Office Research Grant. She taught police officers of all ranks in 21 forces how to approach people with mental health issues and worked debriefing officers after traumatic events, such as the 1985 Manchester Airport disaster.
Vera’s interesting career and philosophy on life are truly inspiring and her books are filled with fascinating, moving true stories that will resonate or educate.
Read more about Vera and her diverse and fascinating career on her website. Vera’s collection of books are available to borrow now in the Gosall Library or, may be purchased online here.
Jason Beresford is the author of ‘The Fabulous Four Fish Fingers’, ‘Frozen Fish Fingers’ and ‘Fish Fingers vs Nuggets’, three laugh-out-loud books about a gang of superhero kids. He is also, at times, a teacher, bad ukulele player and a man who speaks Japanese with a Coventry accent. Jason is the first author to feature in our Meet the Author Project. He has kindly answered a few questions about books and his work as an author and would like to use this opportunity to say thank you to NHS staff.
Before Jason became a children’s author, he worked in television for over 20 years. This included a long stint as a reporter for the Japanese TV company TV Asahi where he helped cover Nelson Mandela’s election as President in South Africa, the Rwandan refugee crisis, conflicts in Syria, Israel and across Europe. Jason also worked for the BBC in Coventry and Newcastle and for Tyne Tees TV where he was sent to join the army, he abseiled off Durham cathedral and he was attacked by a jackdaw that thought it was a dog.
Jason went on to direct two of Britain’s best loved soaps (Emmerdale and Coronation Street) and he produced many other TV shows. His memorable moments include reuniting the last surviving Oompah Loompas, crossing Britain on a lawn mower with John Sergeant and filming the party of the year at David Beckham’s house (even though he spent the whole night stuck in the kitchen.)
Jason lives in Leeds and has two daughters who both think he is quite funny at the moment but he knows this won’t last much longer.
Read here for more information about Jason and his work.
Coming soon: a library project to say thankyou to our hard working front line staff
Our clinical and support staff are working tirelessly to look after an increasing number of patients with serious mental health issues as well as supporting other patients and staff with anxiety and depression brought on or exacerbated by the current Covid-19 pandemic.
As librarians we are helping our staff to find valuable research in order to help them treat patients but also to help clinical leaders to try and predict the increased resources for mental health treatment which will be needed as the pandemic continues through the winter.
We are looking at ways to try to reward and motivate our valuable and brave front line staff, and we are inviting authors to send a message of support, thanks or encouragement, or just to raise a laugh or smile.
If you have a suggestion for an author you would like us to interview please email us at academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk
The winner of the Jhalak Prize 2020 has now been announced
The winner of the prize, which seeks to celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers, is Afropean by Johnny Pitts. Read more about the book and the author here.
First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize, seeks to celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers. The prize is unique in that it accepts entries published in the UK by writers of colour. These include (and not limited to) fiction, non-fiction, short stories, graphic novels, poetry, children’s books, YA, teen and all other genres. The prize is also open to self-published writers.
Read more about the prize and see the 2020 longlist here
