As is typical, the approaching half term holiday appears to mark a change in the weather; hello rainy days! So, if we’re all stuck inside next week, what a great opportunity to get lost in a book. Maybe you could choose one set somewhere warm and sunny, to take you away from the rain. Or, you could read a story set somewhere freezing cold, and then you’ll be grateful it’s just a passing shower.

We’d love to see lots of logins to the ePlatform over half term. It’s available 24-7, and is stocked with hundreds of ebooks and audiobooks. There really is something for everyone, with a great search engine, making it easily accessible.

And do remember, magazines and newspapers are also great ways to get some reading in over the half term. Maybe an article giving a round-up of the football season? If that’s not your sport then the summer sports are in full swing now – who’s looking in form for Wimbledon this year? How about cricket? Or Formula 1? There are magazines dedicated to just about everything now – gaming, history, fishing, fashion, classic cars, music, crafting… And don’t forget your local library has endless reading opportunities too; books and magazines aplenty, and many options via their Borrow Box app too, both ebooks and audiobooks. And, they’re all free! Librarians are generally a friendly bunch, so drop into any branch of Hertfordshire libraries and see what they have to offer, you’ll be made to feel very welcome.

Before we finish for the holiday, a special mention to all the year 9 students that have visited us this week to grab a book to support their learning in English. Their current module is all about crime writing, and as one of the most popular book genres, we’re well stocked with suitable reads for our dedicated year 9s. Come in and check out a “whodunnit” novel. Can you work out who the perpetrator is before the end? Or is there a twist in the tale, designed to throw you off the scent?