College Staff Share their Literary Recommendations
In these uncertain times, many of us may find escaping into a good book just what we need.
Before Easter members of staff at the College were asked to share some of their favourites and Nicola Borman (Teacher of English) has kindly collated some of their recommendations. Why not take a look and try a new genre or a new author?
Transcription (Kate Atkinson)
Fionnuala Schofield (Head of Psychology & Sociology)
‘I have just finished 'Transcription' by Kate Atkinson which is about an 18 year old girl who is recruited into MI5 in 1940 to transcribe recordings made of conversations between an MI5 secret agent and Nazi sympathisers. The story flits between 1940 and 1950 (where she is now working for the BBC, but the ramifications of her time with MI5 rumble on) - it was brilliant and I can thoroughly recommend this and indeed *ALL* of Kate Atkinsons books!’
American Dirt (Jeanine Cummins)
Lisa Challinor (Head of Benet House)
Lydia Quixano Pérez runs a bookstore in Acapulco, Mexico, where she lives with her husband, Sebastián, who is a journalist, and their son, Luca. When a man starts visiting her store, buying books and striking up a friendship, she has no idea initially that he will be responsible for turning her life upside down. But Lydia and Luca will have to flee Acapulco, setting them on a journey they will share with countless other Central and South Americans-turned migrants.
The Witcher Series (Andrzej Sapkowski)
Simon Robertson (Head of More House)
The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, holds the fate of the world in his hands in the New York Times bestselling series that inspired the Netflix show and video games.
Bring Up the Bodies (Hilary Mantel)
Janette Ratcliffe (Archivist)
Continuing what began in the Man Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall, we return to the court of Henry VIII, to witness the irresistible rise of Thomas Cromwell as he contrives the destruction of Anne Boleyn.
The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
Melanie Butler (Assistant Head – Marketing, Admissions & Communications)
‘I have just started The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Attwood, a Mother’s Day gift from my daughter who studied it at A-level at Princethorpe recently. It's really good I can't put it down.’
Dark Eden (Chris Beckett)
Chris Kerrigan (Head of English)
‘This must be the one and only science fiction book that I have ever read - but I'm really enjoying it - beautifully written and highly engaging with a level of human interest I wouldn't have expected.’ (Chris)
I am C-3PO (Anthony Daniels)
Paul Hubball (Head of Art & Photography)
A great insight into the world and workings of C3PO, both as the character and the actor.
My First Summer in the Sierra (John Muir)
Will Bower (Head of Outdoor Education)
It was June of 1869 when John Muir reluctantly accepted a job herding sheep from the central valley of California to the headwaters of the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, high into the Sierra Nevadas and deep into the Yosemite region. He felt ill equipped for the work, and yet the opportunity thrilled his adventurous spirit. With a notebook tied to his belt, he set out for a summer he would never forget.
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland (Jim DeFede)
Gil Cowlishaw (Director of Music)
‘The most appropriate book I’ve read recently to recommend in these weird times. It’s the true story of events in the week following 9/11 when 38 jumbo jets bound for the USA get re-routed to a tiny town in Canada, and the way that the local community welcome and comfort the 7000 unexpected visitors. It’s wonderful, and a real testament to human kindness in difficult times.’
The Girl of Ink and Stars (Kiran Millwood Hargrave)
Sally Ritchie (School Nurse)
‘I’m reading ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ by Kieran Millwood Hargrave to my 8 and 10 year olds. It’s darker than I expected but they seem riveted by the tales of mystery and adventure.’
Although the Parents' Reading Group are not currently able to meet, please keep in touch via email regarding book recommendations which might be of interest to others. Mr. Kerrigan has recommended an additional read, Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss, "This is a very short book but it packs quite a punch."
If any new parents would like to join the group please email Mr. Kerrigan (Head of English) at chriskerrigan@princethorpe.co.uk.
