Charles Dickens

Tuesday 7th February 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. This event has been well documented in the press and on television and on the day itself a wreath is being laid in Westminster Abbey, his final resting place.. There is a small display in the Library to mark this anniversary with books by and about Dickens available for loan. For more information about Dickens try the Dickens 2012 website or if you want to read a work by Dickens but don't have the time go to The Guardian's digested Dickens pages where you can read shortened versions of David Copperfield, Great Expectations and Bleak House.

You might also like (some of my own favourite nineteenth century books)

Books on screen

At the moment there are quite a few books which have been made into films or television programmes. Just released is 'The woman in black' starring Daniel Radcliffe ( aka Harry Potter). The book written by Susan Hil some 21 years ago,l is one of my favourites by her. It is set in the nineteenth century and is a wonderful gothic ghost story, where the  atmosphere builds slowly and eerily to its conclusion. Having seen a trailer for the movie version I am in two minds as to whether or not to go and see the film as Daniel R. seems too young to play the role of the lawyer - certainly as I inmagined the character. But I probably will - just so I can confirm that, as usual, the book is far better than the film!! If you want the real chill factor, read the book late at night when you are all alone!