The Bookery

World Cup Book Bingo

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The 2018 World Cup is coming to an end and to celebrate the countries in the quarter finals, we have created a World Cup Book Bingo. The books in the table above are translations of works from the eight countries – and in England’s case, two suggestions of titles by authors whose experiences might have been far from your own. CCB’s Belgian title suggestion, The Misfortunates by Demitri Verhurlst, is a semi-autobiographical novel about the author’s ‘shambolic’ upbringing and a … Read more

Review: Owl Sense

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As a writer and naturalist, Miriam Darlington sets out to deepen our connections to wildlife,  “to increase … curiosity  for, understanding of and sympathy with the natural world”. Entranced by a close-up encounter with a captive owl, she plans to study every UK native species in the wild and learn about its biology, ecology and cultural associations. As the project begins her teenage son Benji becomes seriously ill and the family have to adjust and provide the care and support he needs. … Read more

British Sporting Summer

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Are you spending as many spare hours as possible watching Wimbledon with a plate of strawberries? Or will you be spending this weekend admiring elegantly designed cars race around the Silverstone track? We’ve got some great book suggestions for sports fans at the height of this British Sporting Summer! For a hilarious and passionate take on the Wimbledon championship, Standing in Line is ‘packed with funny anecdotes, strange encounters and heartwarming affirmations of the power of sport, and in particular tennis, to … Read more

Feminist Book Fortnight Round-up

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We are in the middle of Feminist Book Fortnight 2018 and are gathering a selection of feminist must-reads for all ages. Here are a few currently on display at the shop, we invite you to add titles to the list for others to discover! Men Explain Things to Me and Other Essays | Rebecca Solnit Buy Now Firstly, from a leading feminist thinker of our time, Men Explain Things to Me is a collection of energetic stories that address issues hidden … Read more

Review: In the Mouth of the Wolf

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In the mouth of the wolf front cover

In the 1950s, Francis Cammaerts was Headmaster of Alleyne’s Grammar School for Boys, Stevenage. His authority was never in question. Imposingly tall and military of bearing, he never spoke of his own part in World War II. So pupils and staff were astonished one evening to find their Head was the subject of Eamonn Andrews’s hugely popular television show, This is Your Life. They learned that their reticent Headmaster had been one of the most effective agents in the Special … Read more

Review: Wilding

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In 2004 Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell took the momentous decision to stop conventional farming on the Knepp Estate. Driven by the economic unsustainability of modern food production on their sub-prime soils they desperately wanted to find a way to manage the land better and maintain its economic and ecological viability. The timing of their decision was fortuitous. Changes to EU and UK government funding for agriculture were opening up for subsidies to change the use of land. … Read more

What We’re Reading This Summer

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Now that the sun is bringing smiles to Crediton High Street, at CCB our thoughts are turning to summer reads. We pay special attention to the books our customers and volunteers are enjoying to pass on ideas for others to discover and have gathered a selection of portable paperbacks that we’re excited to have on our summer reading lists, perfect for holidays or simply enjoying the sunshine in the garden! Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine | Gail Honeyman Buy Now … Read more

CILIP Carnegie 2018 Shortlist

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CILIP Carnegie 2018 Shortlist Now in its 81st year, the CILIP Carnegie Medal is the oldest award of its type. Awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people, the shortlist is always a cause for discussion and many books become firm favourites and class texts.The winner will be announced on June 18th. Throughout June we can offer a bundle of all eight books at 20% discount here. Where the World Ends Buy … Read more

Community Review: Black Fox Running

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A Black Fox Running and Cider

We visited award winning Grape and Grain Wine Merchants in Crediton who offer expert advice, friendly service, and a great range of wines, spirits, Devon beers and ciders. Bruce Evans, Grape and Grain proprietor, reviewed Black Fox Running and suggested beverages to accompany your read… A beautifully written book, delicate and subtle, with a gripping storyline running under the surface.  The animals are bought to life with well developed characters, and Dartmoor is beautifully described on the page.  All in … Read more

New Patron: Philip Reeve

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CCB is delighted to announce a new patron, multi award winning writer Philip Reeve who trained as an illustrator, and worked for many years providing cartoons and illustrations for the Horrible Histories and Murderous Maths books. He has written several highly acclaimed books for children and his first novel, the award winning Mortal Engines, a post-apocalyptic adventure published in 2001, has been made into a film directed by Christian Rivers and due for release in December 2018. Q: What book changed your life? … Read more