Friendship as a source of emotional support, understanding, and personal transformation. Unlikely relationships that endure against all odds. How childhood bonds fare through life’s changes and challenges. Writers have returned to these themes time and time again.
In today’s Library Spotlight we’re sharing a few friendly reading recommendations and looking to writing as a way of reflecting on existing friendships and making new connections.
Friends, in Fiction and Beyond
In this Waterstones podcast, authors Angie Thomas, Tash Aw, Yomi Adegoke, and Elizabeth Uviebinené talk about what friendship means to them and what it's like to write a book with your best friend.
Listen to the podcast here.
Several of the books recommended in this show are available in our eLibrary, including Expectation, The Hate U Give, We, The Survivors, and Slay in Your Lane.
Sheffield Libraries members can borrow all these titles for free, along with a range of books about boon companions, fraught friendships, and unlikely allies.
#BookQuizFriday
What does the group of childhood friends terrorised by Stephen King’s IT call themselves?
With which fellow poet did William Wordsworth write Lyrical Ballads?
This week we've set you a quiz about friends both fictional and factual.
Check out the full quiz on our Twitter page. Feel free to share it too - after all, there's nothing like a bit of friendly competition!
"Doing nothing with friends is never doing nothing"
Part-picture book, part-graphic novel, Charlie Mackesy's current bestseller The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse has struck a chord with readers of all ages, and has even been compared to Winnie the Pooh.
The book's messages about companionship, compassion, and being kind to yourself are especially timely right now.
In this video, you can watch Charlie Mackesy draw one of the book's beautiful pen-and-ink illustrations.
As part of Chicago Public Library's Live from the Library story-time series, Oprah Winfrey has recorded a full-length reading of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, available to watch here.
Creativity During Corona
Throughout the week Claire from Central Library is sharing some fantastic poems and creative activities on our Facebook page.
Today's post features a selection of interesting, sometimes bittersweet writing prompts on the theme of friendship.
Do you miss a friend? Write a poem or letter to them telling them how you feel.
Write about what would happen if you introduced two of your friends who've never met and who might not get along...
Claire is now running free creative writing workshops on Zoom, including a session at 11am today (Friday 19 June) about Friendship. Tickets for all forthcoming workshops will be available on our Eventbrite page.
One Less Lonely Voice
We're currently coming to the end of Loneliness Awareness Week.
Loneliness can affect all of us at any point in our lives. But when we or someone we know is feeling lonely, it can be difficult to open up about it.
Loneliness Awareness Week challenges the stigma around talking about loneliness by promoting a better, more positive understanding of this common emotion. The campaign also offers advice both on how to start conversations about feeling isolated and how to find support and make new social connections and friendships.
The charity behind Loneliness Awareness Week, the Marmalade Trust, has lots of information on their website about how you can help yourself and others feel less lonely at a time of social distancing.
Take a look at the Marmalade Trust's Loneliness Guide here, which features advice on managing loneliness at home, school, and work.
This page of tips from the "Let's Talk Loneliness" campaign is also well worth a read.
For many of us, connecting with friends and family online may have been the main way we've stayed in touch lately. Especially at times like these, a handwritten letter is an extra-special treat!
The Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care has recently put out a call for people to send them postcards and letters, which can then be delivered to older Sheffield residents who have been isolated from family, friends, and face-to-face befriending services.
Over 200 letters, drawings, and handmade cards have been posted so far, and the SCCCC is keen to send out even more through their lockdown Pen Pal Scheme.
If you've been exploring a new crafty hobby over the past few months, this is the perfect opportunity to use your talents to connect with your community and brighten someone's day!
Find out all about becoming a SCCCC Pen Pal here.
Meet Some Brand New Animal Pals in the Summer Reading Challenge
Illustrations © Laura Ellen Anderson 2020
Have you met the Silly Squad yet? This team of funny animal friends are the stars of 2020's Summer Reading Challenge!
A great way to keep children reading over the holidays, the Summer Reading Challenge is a fun free activity that takes place nationwide. This year we've started the celebrations a little earlier than usual with an online challenge.
Children can earn digital rewards for reading six books of their choice over the summer (and there'll be more treats in store once libraries reopen).
Sign up for Silly Squad, Summer Reading Challenge 2020 here.
Need some help deciding what to read next for the Challenge? Our eLibrary has some great books about best buddies and finding friendship where you least expect it.
Our selection includes some wonderful picture book recordings in the audiobooks collection and a whole herd of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic eComics.
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