Halloween treats

Whether you love Halloween, hate it, or choose to ignore it, it's a great excuse to share a spooky story or two. Here's some of the favourites at my house at the moment.

A Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown
The repetition makes this book extra spooky, as you follow along with the dark, dark journey. With a great, unexpected ending.








Scary Night by Lesley Gibbes and Stephen Michael King
Honour Book in the 2015 CBCA  Book of the Year: Early Childhood
A lovely story about friendship and adversity. Watch Chanelle Sheehan read it in the Story Box Library (you will need to log in with your library card number first).



Emu's Halloween by Anne Mangan, illustrated by David Cornish
An Australian take on Halloween, with a bit of stress from Emu that it might not be scary enough.








My Dead Bunny by Sigi Cohen, illustrated by James Foley
Notable in the 2016 CBCA Picture Book of the Year
This one is for older readers, about a bunny who comes back from the dead. Watch James Foley read it in the Story Box Library (log in with your library card number).


These books, and more, are available at the library. Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website to find them!

What are your favourite spooky stories to share?

How to get Brad Pitt whispering in your ear

First of all, you could try asking Angelina. But if that doesn’t work, try an Audiobook. Yes, Brad Pitt is one of the many famous voices narrating much loved titles (which we’ll get to in a bit). First things first: is listening to an audiobook cheating? Apparently not, according to a recent article published in NYmag  'As far as your brain is concerned, Audio books are not 'cheating' ' . A great article to read that swiftly dispels the anti-audio opinion held by some resistant readers. 

Justin Guariglia / National Geographic Society / Universal Images Group

Whilst podcasts are the new cool, the humble Audio Book is still copping some flak. No more says Newcastle Library! The way we consume literature is changing and audio has come a long way from the nauseating narrators on cassette tape. You can now sun bake on the beach whilst Brad Pitt reads you Cormac McCarthy or take a walk whilst immersing yourself into the mind of the artist with Patti Smith. 

Have a road trip with the kids planned? Listen to Kate Winslet read Blyton's The Folk of the Faraway Tree or dive back into the wonderful world of Roald Dahl. Finding it hard to sleep? Stephen Fry can tuck you in with some Harry Potter. Of course if you'd prefer a giggle, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey is a top pick or William McInnes reading his book Holidays; a warm and funny celebration of Australia's favourite passtime. Perhaps you prefer a cult classic? Why not try Joan Didion's Slouching Towards Bethlehem narrated by Diane Keaton.

With an ever expanding catalogue filled with wonderful Audio Book titles Newcastle Library's Audio collection has never been easier to access. Whether you want to listen on CD in the car, phone, or tablet, Audio Books are at your fingertips and all you need is your library card. Visit our eLibrary to get started or drop into any of our branches with your device and we can set you up!



Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.