It’s only a matter of time before the police swoop on the publishers and confiscate all copies of Tracy’s Tits by Ponty author Amanda Weeks … so I thought I’d better blog a review here pretty sharp.
Tracy’s Tits is a collection of short stories by Amanda Weeks, a fresh and exciting new voice writing from Pontypridd, the second-most important South Wales Valleys town after Aberdare.
You have spent weeks biting your nails wondering when it will be delivered… and then suddenly it arrives.
It is important that upon delivery you take hold of your book, gently flick the pages, weigh it in your hand, and perhaps let your gaze focus on a few sentences.
Show the book you love it.
Close your eyes and breathe in deeply.
Imagine your first few pages and a long journey ahead that could last days, weeks, months, or years.
Run your fingers slowly down the spine.
And then slowly mouth the name of your book…
Principal Librarian Norma Jones based at Aberdare Library has vowed to catch up on her reading after retiring from the job after 42 happy years.
Staff at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s Libraries and Museum Service gave their favourite colleague a magical send-off in a special retirement party this week.
Gill Evans, Head of Libraries and Museums said: “Norma’s warmth and keen sense of humour made her a firm favourite with staff and users alike and her enthusiasm and commitment enabled the Library Service to deliver a wide range of special projects in addition to day to day normal services.
“As a published poet herself, she was responsible for producing the hugely popular library poetry anthologies, while her musical interests also led to the creation of the recently published brass band music catalogue. Life at Aberdare Library just won’t be the same without her!”
The Ferndale-born mother said: “At the moment it feels as if I’m on holidays and it hasn’t quite sunk in that I’ve actually retired.
“I have no firm plans as yet, but will probably have more time on my hands to enjoy a good read! But I will certainly miss my friends at the Library Service, they really are excellent members of staff and I wish them all the very best.”
Member of Parliament Ann Clwyd officially reopened the children’s room in the Library which has been revamped amidst much excitement for the many thousands of children who use it every year.
The Library on Green Street, Aberdare opened in 1963 and has remained virtually the same until recent refurbishments to improve access to the building.
A lift has been installed to the reference and local studies department upstairs to allow better access for members of the public, the foyer has been remodeled with a first-class reception area and a new teenage area has also been created.
The children’s room itself has been transformed with a bright and colourful underwater mural painted on the walls, which has delighted youngsters and parents alike.
The Cynon Valley MP also presented prizes to the local area winners of the “Big Wild Read” reading challenge.
Now in its ninth year, the summer reading challenge is the UK’s largest promotion of children’s books and aims to encourage children to read more and use the library regularly.
The Neath Bookshop in Neath town centre is currently holding a closing down sale.
50% off everything.
Amongst all the usual suspects, there were a couple of Rachel Tresize’s books for sale.
We opted for Cyril Treharne’s ‘Around God’s Acre (in South Western Wales)’ (Llanrwst, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch 2006 – ISBN 1-84527-087-8) : “This book takes us on a journey around some of the most interesting churches and churchyards in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Gower.”
Priceless.
Well worth three pounds fifty.
Nowadays the small independent bookseller faces being crushed between the mighty monopolistic supermarkets and their heavy discounting and fending off global giants like Amazon who announced earlier this year that they were investing in large distribution centre near Neath. It’s no surprise to see so many bookshops closing.
Pages is a second hand bookshop in the middle of Cardigan town.
Definitely the best bookshop in town. Friendly and helpful staff.
Warned one member of staff “don’t sell me any books… I’m a recovering addict”. She proceeded to give some expert tips on maintaining personal libraries in multiple locations. What a gem!
Fair prices and a wide selection of books which are mostly categorized.
The shop interior is fairly spacious and there are plenty of nooks and crannies to ‘drop out’ and hide away engrossed in a book (if that type of thing turns you on).
Found a few gems here this summer, including a book by Vandana Shiva on biodiversity.
Photo taken outside Pages bookshop in Cardigan.
William Styron – Darkness Visible
Post-Scarcity Anarchism – Murray Bookchin
Working Terriers – J C Bristow Noble
The Traditional Working Terrier – Sean Frain
The Secret Life of Trees – Colin Tudge
The Ultimate Heresy – John Seymour
Livingston Jerky
The Working Terrier – Brian Plummer
Forests of Britain – Thomas Hinde
Rachel Carson – Silent Spring
Coalmining
Principles of Biodynamic Spray and Compost Preparations
The Long Emergency – James Howard Kunstler
Tom Sharpe – Wilt in Nowhere
The Rose Expert – Dr D G Hessayon
Conifers for your Garden
Energy Beyond Oil – Paul Mobbs
Toward an Ecological Society – Murray Bookchin
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Ecologistics
The Amateur Naturalist – Gerald Durrell
The New Complete Book of Self Sufficiency – John Seymour
…. Coed, Cwn, Compost, Ecoleg !
Once upon a time there was a Welsh MP called Peter Hain who believed in socialism and devolution.
“Devolution must be given real teeth,” wrote Peter Hain, “it must not produce a series of talking shops.”
Peter Hain wrote this in his book The Democratic Alternative (A Socialist Response To Britain’s Crisis) (Penguin, London, 1983).
Peter Hain then discovered a pole lubricated with grease.
This was the largest pole Peter Hain had ever seen.
Peter decided to climb to the top of the pole.
And the higher he climbed the closer he came to the sun.
As Peter Hain spent more and more time in the sun his tan grew brighter, and brighter until he glowed like a juicy fat orange.
Soon Peter forgot he believed in socialism and devolution.
