How to have a happy new year in 2022: An introduction to our new Wellbeing Collection!

January is a tough month for many, the sky is grey and the mornings are dark, the lustre of the festive season is fading and we have to wrap up warm and get our heads down…BUT…there are plenty of joys still to be had and the BGS Library’s Wellbeing Collection has a really diverse range of books that remind you to look after yourselves and others and can help raise your spirits high again. There are books about neurodiversity, mental health, self-care, guides, studies, essays, memoirs and informational non-fiction all designed to help us navigate the trickier parts of life.

Why not have a browse and see what appeals to you?

Christmas Reading! Librarian Recommendations...

Merry Christmas, one and all! Here are our recommended festive reads to help you get in the spirit of things. Come and see more on the Library display, lovingly crafted by Mrs Sadek, Miss Poole and the Pupil Librarians...

Anti-Bullying Week 15th - 19th November 2021

We are celebrating anti-bullying week’s One Kind Word initiative in the Library this week and we have brought out lots of great fiction on display to inspire you. 

Black History Month Book Reviews

We are celebrating Black History Month in the Library showcasing some of the fantastic resources we are lucky enough to have here that reflect on the importance of comprehending black histories of the world, ancient to modern, through the glorious medium of books!

Easter Reading: (Other) things to think about this March!

We are nearing the Easter holidays and there is a lot for us all to grapple with at this time of year and that’s without “the pandemic that shall not be named” in tow. So we thought you might like some interesting distractions to remind you that the Earth is still turning and there is still intrigue and curiosity to be fulfilled!

Trilogies and Series for Cosy Christmases!

The inspiration for this month’s book reviews and recommendations was a rather guilty admission for a Librarian: apart from the Harry Potter books, I have never completed a series. I know, may Santa, bring me coal for Christmases evermore. So, I thought there is simply no excuse this coming holiday, I will finally get round to reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy. If we have the opportunity, staying home and staying safe could translate, loosely, into cosying up indoors and escaping into another world through an engaging series of books (?). On the back of this idea we compiled a list of all the series that we have in the Library. This covers a breadth of genres from High Fantasy and Space Opera to Romance and High School Comedies and there are around 200 to choose from. So here we have it, get some well-deserved rest and relaxation and read a series for the Christmas holidays 2020…

New Fiction Reviewed - Books of the Week

This month we thought we would introduce you to some of the new fiction we have in the Library by reviewing one each for our 'Book(s) of the Week'.  

Black History Month - Book of the Week!

And last in our Black History Month themed series of reviews is an oldie but a goody:

The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon

Black History Month

Let’s celebrate this October with some brilliant fiction that tells the stories of black lives and experiences through history.

WORLD BOOK DAY COSTUME COMPETITION!

Our World Book Day costume competition! The quality of entries was outstanding this year so thank you to everyone who donned a costume, rummaged through their dressing up box, recycled, up-cycled and raided the charity shop.

What the Librarians Read in the Holidays: A Few Recommendations

A reasonably eclectic mix, I think you'll agree, with adult fiction, non-fiction, YA, Social, Historical and Dystopian fiction in one fell swoop. We hope there is something here you can enjoy too!

Librarians Recommended Festive Reading!

The nights are dark and cold but never fear, the holidays are nearly here so start getting in the mood and curl up with a Wintery book or DVD from the Library. Here are this years top picks from the BGS Library Team: 

Reading suggestions for October Half Term

Fancy some suggestions for October half term reading? These are a few of the books I read over the summer that I would thoroughly recommend you getting your head stuck into…..

Year 7 Library Activity - Short's

Thank you to Year 7 Short’s who were our first participants from the new cohort for the Autumn Term and I hope you all feel as warmed up and ready to go as we do! Most of you have already been back in using the Library like pros which is always a good sign!

Happy Summer Reading Everyone!

Our Top Picks of 2019

Have you ever wondered what books and DVDs the BGS librarians are taking out of your library? This blog post is your answer: a compilation of our top picks from the last academic year. These are the books and DVDs we have been raving about and if you are thinking of trying something new, read on and see if you agree or are inspired to try any of them.

Summer Reading

As the days get longer, the exam season comes to an end, and the summer holidays get ever closer it is the perfect time to get some books out of the Library. Whether you fancy a crack at some classic fiction, want something gripping and complex, or even a book that feeds your curiosity, the Library has something for everyone.

Feeling Festive for Christmas 2018

The countdown to the Christmas break is officially on. At the Library, we have a few recommendations for our followers this yuletide period. From holiday crafts to classic Christmas films and dark wintry tales, visit us before Friday to borrow a seasonal resource.

The Hate U Give - film review

For some African American parents, having ‘the talk’ with your children doesn’t mean telling them about the birds and the bees. It actually means instructing them on how not to get killed when they interact with the police. This grim reality forms the basis for the opening scene of The Hate U Give where we meet Starr Carter aged 9, siblings Seven and Sekani and parents Lisa and Maverick, who is delivering ‘the talk’ with an intensity that he carries throughout the film.

Boo!(ks) to send shivers down your spine!

As Halloween approaches, we have been discussing which books still send shivers down our spines. Whether you like to read traditional Gothic horror or disconcerting dystopian novels, the library has a variety of spooky stories to borrow this half term.  Here are a few of our top picks: