YC Reading

  Welcome to the YC Reading blog! We have hosted a wide variety of literary events and competitions, and initiated literary initiatives at Yeovil College, and this academic year we'd like to invite you to join us in engaging with literature, fiction and creative writing. Because we know our students and staff are intelligent, passionate and focussed, we want to emphasise the sheer pleasure and escapism of reading. The joy of talking about books you love - or loathe - with fellow readers. Finding at least five minutes in your day to engage and escape into a compelling story is a welcome form of self-care, relaxation and peace. Introducing #FictionFriday Our Fiction Fridays have long been a staple of the @YC_Reading Twitter feed. Each Friday, our LRC staff would suggest a fiction book selection, or specific novel, that we recommended reading. These choices ranged in genre, complexity and subject - from sci-fi and fantasy to heartwarming memoirs and literary blockbus...

We love reading. There, we said it. We're totally, enthusiastically, passionately, tremendously in love with reading. As a library and learning centre, that probably doesn't come as much of a shock. It's really what we do, along with enjoying biscuits and puntastic jokes.  We also know that not everyone feels the same about reading. Some might never have enjoyed it, or have found it difficult or uninteresting. Others might feel they have no time, or simply feel guilty for seemingly "wasting time" reading for pleasure. For some, it's intimidating, especially if you struggle with reading or find a huge book daunting.  And that's totally why the Quick Reads initiative from The Reading Agency is Quite Remarkable. Each year, they enlist the most popular, brilliant authors and storytellers to write a shorter read for those of us who lack time or confidence to tackle some huge doorstep of a novel. They cover all kinds of genres, from romance to action ...

This winter, the Learning Centre at Yeovil College is delighted to introduce our new, modestly sized but carefully chosen, graphic novel and manga collection, available to borrow for all Yeovil College students and staff, and our external borrowers. Based on feedback from both staff and students, and demonstrating our continued commitment and enthusiasm for promoting literacy, English skills and reading, we decided to choose a selection of the best, the newest and most interesting graphic and manga novels. These range from the stalwart superheroes of the DC and Marvel universes to alternative takes on the genre, spectacular prequels and re-tellings of fictional favourites and collections of the bestselling and most exciting manga series. We hope that these novels and stories will capture hearts and imaginations, and help encourage those who are not confident or interested in reading to try something different, that is both visually stimulating and good to embed and develop integral...

'Tis the season to be jolly... except sometimes, it can all be rather overwhelming. With all the stresses and strains of the holiday season, not to mention that sometimes the gulf between what we believe we should be feeling and what we actually feel can be quite large. And so, rather than picking our favourite Christmas books, instead here are our recommended reads to cheer and console. Based on our popular Good Moods display, our Learning Centre team at Yeovil College picked the books, both fiction and non-fiction, that they turn to when in need of story-based solace...  Karen: “I have spent the summer reading all of the Diane Chamberlain books. There are definitely better authors to pick from, but I like her books because they are easy to read and have lots of twists to keep the reader interested. This American author always focuses on the family in her stories and they often involve children, love and a bit of a mystery. Try the ‘Keeper of the Light Trilogy’. Star...

What We’re About: We’re passionate about books. A book is both the key and the door to other worlds, places and times; it speaks to us from both past and future, from imaginary worlds and our world, in many voices. A book can entertain or educate, invoke desire or despair, awaken thoughts, emotions, dreams and ideas. Basically, we love to read and we love to talk about what we read with like-minded folk who are equally passionate about books. And sometimes, we have cake.   What We Read: Each month, we read a book, chosen by our members. It could be anything, from the latest YA bestseller, to a cult classic or a popular genre novel, to literary prize-winners and classics.   We read widely and well. By broadening our perceptions and ideas about what makes a good book, and what we enjoy about reading, it allows us all to try new genres or types of fiction. This can be a surprising process.   Books we’ve read so far have included “TheGoldfinch” by Donna T...