Library Service - Hampshire County Council

08/09/2026

Anthony Horowitz knew from a very early age, without doubt, that he would be a writer.

He has had a varied career, writing over 50 books. His most famous and successful books are the hugely popular teenage spy series ‘Alex Rider’. The first book, Stormbreaker, was written in 2000, and the series is still going strong and includes graphic novel editions, a film and a TV series.

He gets his inspiration everywhere, even walking the dog. He has been fortunate to travel a lot and has visited as many of the locations in his books as possible, to get a sense of place, but also new ideas. His advice for aspiring young writers? Read a lot! Enjoy your writing and never give up.

Find his titles on BorrowBox: https://hampshire.borrowbox.com/product-group/48634/childrens-author-of-the-month-anthony-horowitz
or our catalogue: https://hampshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?QRY=SVL(SEP26CHAOM)&SORTS=SQL_RANDOM&QRYTEXT=Children%27s%20Author%20of%20the%20Month&NRECS=12

07/09/2026

Our Story of the Month for September is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. 🐛🍎

'This is the story of a very hungry caterpillar growing into a beautiful butterfly.'

Find a copy on our catalogue: https://hampshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?ENTRY1_NAME=TI&ENTRY1=the%20very%20hungry%20caterpillar&ENTRY1_TYPE=K&ENTRY2_NAME=AU&ENTRY2=eric%20carle&ENTRY2_TYPE=K&NRECS=20&SORTS=HBT.SOVR

05/09/2026

For September, our online reading group, The Digital Readers, have chosen Dissolution by CJ Sansom.

Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheDigitalReaders and download the eBook or eAudiobook on BorrowBox.

'England, 1537. It is a time of revolution that sees the greatest changes in England since 1066. Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church. The country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers it has ever seen. And under the orders of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent throughout the country to investigate the monasteries. There can only be one outcome: dissolution.

But on the Sussex coast, at the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control. Cromwell's commissioner, Robin Singleton, has been found dead, his head severed from his body. His horrific murder accompanied by equally sinister acts of sacrilege.

Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of Reform, has been sent by Cromwell to uncover the truth behind the dark happenings at Scarnsea. But Shardlake's investigation soon forces him to question everything that he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes...'

04/09/2026

Romsey Library 'Meet the Newmans' by Jennifer Niven for this week's

Reserve a copy on our catalogue or BorrowBox: https://hampshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?ENTRY1_NAME=TI&ENTRY1=meet%20the%20newmans&ENTRY1_TYPE=K&ENTRY2_NAME=AU&ENTRY2=jennifer%20niven&ENTRY2_TYPE=K&NRECS=20&SORTS=HBT.SOVR

'Los Angeles, 1964. For two decades, Del and Dinah Newman and their sons, Guy and Shep, have ruled television as America's Favourite Family. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch them play flawless, black-and-white versions of themselves. But now the Sixties are in full swing, and the Newmans' perfection suddenly feels woefully out of touch. Ratings are in free fall, as are the Newmans themselves. Del is keeping an explosive secret from his wife, and Dinah is slowly going numb. Steady, stable Guy is hiding the truth about his love life, and rock 'n' roll idol Shep may finally be in real trouble. When Del is in a mysterious car accident, Dinah decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires Juliet Dunne, an outspoken young reporter, to help her write the final episode. But Dinah and Juliet have wildly different perspectives about what it means to be a woman in 1964 America.'

03/09/2026

Our Rhyme of the Month for September is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. ⭐

Singing lullabies like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is a great way soothe your baby, reduce stress and lower heart rate.

Sing along on the CBeebies parenting website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/articles/z69x92p

02/09/2026

Julian Barnes is an award-winning author of several books of stories, essays, and numerous novels, including the 2011 Man Booker Prize winning novel The Sense of an Ending.

He has also written non-fiction including Keeping an Eye Open: Essays on Art and The Man in the Red Coat. His recent book Departure(s) was published in January 2026. The book is about looking back, facing the future, and coming to the end of life.

Find his books on BorrowBox: https://hampshire.borrowbox.com/

01/09/2026

Have you always wanted to learn the ukulele, but would like to try one before buying your own? Hampshire Libraries now offer a free, four week loan of Ukulele Kits as part of a donation from the South East Ukulele Project.

👉 Reserve a kit today: https://hampshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?ENTRY1_NAME=TI&ENTRY1=ukulele%20kit&ENTRY1_TYPE=K&ENTRY2_NAME=AU&ENTRY2=&ENTRY2_TYPE=K&NRECS=20&SORTS=HBT.SOVR

Each kit includes:

🔹 A ukulele
🔹 A protective carry case
🔹 A beginner's guide to playing the ukulele

Hampshire County Council

31/08/2026

Whilst our libraries are closed for the bank holiday, don't forget you can always access free digital books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers through BorrowBox with your library membership.

Find out more: https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/services/books-and-more/ebooksaudiobooks

28/08/2026

There's only a few weeks left of the Summer Reading Challenge 2026! Make sure to finish those 6 books and pop back into the library to claim your certificate and medal 🏅

We can't wait to see you!

The Reading Agency Hampshire County Council

Has your child joined the Summer Reading Challenge this year? Don't forget to come back and complete it! 📚🪗

Just read six books and you will collect stickers, a certificate and medal. 🏆🏅

The challenge runs until September 12, so there is plenty of time left to sign up, join in, and Read to the Beat! 📖🎶

28/08/2026

Happy ! Stubbington Library have let their creativity shine with 'The Big Book of Tiny Painting' by Leslie Stroz. 🎨

Reserve a copy: https://hampshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?ENTRY1_NAME=TI&ENTRY1=the%20big%20book%20of%20tiny%20painting&ENTRY1_TYPE=K&ENTRY2_NAME=AU&ENTRY2=leslie%20stroz&ENTRY2_TYPE=K&NRECS=20&SORTS=HBT.SOVR

'A complete outdoor painting course in ink and watercolour! Learn the art of painting big by going tiny. From building your pocket-sized art kit to conquering creative fears, artist Leslie Stroz teaches you how to capture the essence of a place with just a few strokes of pen and brush.'

Leslie Stroz Art