Remembering Terry Jones

Following the news of Terry Jones' death on 21st January 2020, we would like to pick some highlights from The Grey Coat Hospital Library of his absolutely wonderful writing. Terry Jones' written work spanned original fairy tales and children's stories to authoritative and well respected (but still very funny) medieval history. All are delightful to read and demonstrate Jones' originality and sense of humour.

Fantastic Stores [398.20942] A peerless collection of original fairy tales that are funny, clever and can be incredibly moving. There is not a dud among these stories and I highly recommend seeking them out.

Medieval Lives [940.2891] A popular history book that is well researched and informative, as well as witty and accessible. Jones seeks to debunk some of the myths surrounding this period and upset some of our preconceptions about what medieval life was like.

Chaucer's Knight [821.1 CHA] A more academic book that questions the idea that Chaucer's knight in The Canterbury Tales was a virtuous and chivalrous figure. He suggests instead that Chaucer's knight was a professional mercenary, linking to the historical reality of knights and their role in this period.

A New Leaf

Read and grow is the motto of the Grey Coat Library, so with that in mind the start of a new year and a new decade might be a good excuse to explore non-fiction books for new skills to try out and books that can help you to fulfill any New Year's resolutions.

Here are some ideas from the non-fiction and Just Ask sections of the library for books to help you turn over a new leaf.

The Smart Girl's Guide to Life by Sally Morgan [302.5] is a good all-rounder choice with tips on money, careers and self confidence. How to Walk In High Heels by Camilla Morton [646.7] is a more comprehensive book on a similar theme with tips on everything from appreciating modern art to putting in contact lenses.





 Those looking for a more emotional education might try Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul by Jack Canfield [in Just Ask] which tells a series personal accounts about friendship, love and respect as well as covering tough issues. It can be a bit sentimental but the stories are definitely interesting and uplifting. Blame My Brain: The Amazing Teenage Brain Revealed by Nicola Morgan [153] is another great option that breaks down the inner workings of the teenage mind with some advice as well.

The library is the perfect place to find books to help you learn or improve on a particular skill. There are endless possibilities for new skills to hone. Some of my favourites are The Tree Key [582.16] which is a clear illustrated guide to how to identify over 200 types of tree, and Codes: How to Make Them and Break Them by Kjartan Poskitt [510] which breaks down how codes and ciphers work and how to make your own.






If you have been inspired to learn more about climate change and how to protect the environment 1001 Little Ways to Save the Planet by Esme Floyd [301.31] is full of tips for things to do to reduce your environmental impact.









If in the new year you would like to be more curious about the world and how things work then Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe [502] is perfect. Munroe explains difficult concepts covering a wide range of topics using diagrams with minimal accompanying text. The pages are densely packed but full of interesting information and answers to questions you may not have even thought of before!