Friday, 30 June 2017
The Final Countdown
The book blog was delighted - and frankly relieved - to see Professor Minerva McGonagall topping the vote for Hogwarts' best member of staff (we've always had our doubts about Dumbledore's professional ethics).
Thursday, 29 June 2017
Hogwarts Staff Appraisal
Yesterday's poll saw us accused of slandering Severus Snape by putting him in a poll of villains: he still ended up top, with demonic duo Dolores Umbridge and Bellatrix Lestrange tied in second place. Is this because he's the best villain, or simply because he's one of the best characters? It's hard to decide, but Snapeheads get another chance to vote for him today, as we ask you who's your favourite member of the Hogwarts faculty:
Will he win again? And should we have included Dobby?
As today we're focussing on the Hogwarts staff, we thought we'd ask the SPS teachers for their Potter memories, and despite this being a manically busy time of the year, several of them were kind enough to respond.
Will he win again? And should we have included Dobby?
As today we're focussing on the Hogwarts staff, we thought we'd ask the SPS teachers for their Potter memories, and despite this being a manically busy time of the year, several of them were kind enough to respond.
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Yesterday's poll saw Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban top the charts of the series' cinematic adaptations.
Today's poll takes a trip to the dark side: we're asking you to vote on which of the novels' many nefarious nemeses is the most noxious - who's the best of a bad lot?
Is it the biggest bad himself, Lord Voldemort? Does Dolores Umbridge still give you nightmares? Is Draco Malfoy just the product of bad parenting? Should Snape really be on the list at all?
You decide - cast your vote now (and remember, if you're reading this on your phone, you need to access the web version of the blog to vote ...).
Today's poll takes a trip to the dark side: we're asking you to vote on which of the novels' many nefarious nemeses is the most noxious - who's the best of a bad lot?
Is it the biggest bad himself, Lord Voldemort? Does Dolores Umbridge still give you nightmares? Is Draco Malfoy just the product of bad parenting? Should Snape really be on the list at all?
You decide - cast your vote now (and remember, if you're reading this on your phone, you need to access the web version of the blog to vote ...).
Tuesday, 27 June 2017
Potter on Film
Yesterday's poll saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire a clear winner in the popular vote, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in second place, and Deathly Hallows in third. Today's poll looks at the film adaptations, from where it all begins -
to where it all ends -
But which film is the best? Will Goblet of Fire do the double? Is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows really just one film? And should we have included Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?
You decide ... polls are open until midnight. And as always, if you're reading this on your phone, remember that you need to go to the web version of the blog to vote: click 'web version' at the bottom of your screen to get there.
to where it all ends -
But which film is the best? Will Goblet of Fire do the double? Is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows really just one film? And should we have included Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?
You decide ... polls are open until midnight. And as always, if you're reading this on your phone, remember that you need to go to the web version of the blog to vote: click 'web version' at the bottom of your screen to get there.
Monday, 26 June 2017
Happy 20th Anniversary, Harry Potter!
It was twenty years ago today that Bloomsbury first published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and unleashed a phenomenon. This week, the book blog is celebrating all things Harry Potter related, and we'll be running a daily poll: today, we'd like you to tell us which of the Harry Potter books is the best in the series.
Friday, 23 June 2017
Frank's Last Invigilation
Today's blog post is a short story by Mr O'Keeffe about Frank, a teacher on the verge of retirement, and the last invigilation session he will ever, ever do.
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Book of the Week
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Recommended by Louis Odgers
Alex is a teenage gang member ruling the English nights with his three 'droogs' in Burgess’s futuristic imagination of society, taking pleasure in performing the 'ultra-violence' on members of the public.
However, when one seemingly simple robbery goes wrong and Alex is betrayed by his friends, he is captured and sent to prison where he is one of the first to trial an experimental method of imposing good behaviour on criminals.
Recommended by Louis Odgers
Alex is a teenage gang member ruling the English nights with his three 'droogs' in Burgess’s futuristic imagination of society, taking pleasure in performing the 'ultra-violence' on members of the public.
However, when one seemingly simple robbery goes wrong and Alex is betrayed by his friends, he is captured and sent to prison where he is one of the first to trial an experimental method of imposing good behaviour on criminals.
Book of the Week
Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh
Recommended by Louis Odgers
Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh is a satirical and comedic novel that follows the upper class of London and their never ending partying night life in the 1930s.
Friday, 16 June 2017
So long, and thanks for all the books ...
The school's new library is nearing completion, and so sadly, the days of the current Walker Library are numbered. In this post, the Book Blog celebrates the library, and the three friendly and indefatigable librarians who work there - Mrs Jones, Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs Aslett - who were kind enough to answer the blog's questions.
Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Book of the Week
Victorians Undone by Kathryn Hughes
Recommended by Miss McLaren
When we think of the Victorians, argues biographer Kathryn Hughes, we tend to think of them only from the neck up, like the US presidents on Mount Rushmore: their bodies, and the rest of their physicality (including how they smelled) don’t seem to exist, let alone matter.
But Hughes believes that Victorian bodies are important, and in Victorians Undone, she explains why.
Recommended by Miss McLaren
When we think of the Victorians, argues biographer Kathryn Hughes, we tend to think of them only from the neck up, like the US presidents on Mount Rushmore: their bodies, and the rest of their physicality (including how they smelled) don’t seem to exist, let alone matter.
But Hughes believes that Victorian bodies are important, and in Victorians Undone, she explains why.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)