Library and bookish activities in late October/early November 2015

It’s a long time since I posted on this blog, but it has been on my mind recently,especially as I anticipate a very busy bookish week coming up.

Last week there were various celebrations connected with the 3rd Library and Information Week here in Ghana, including the official launch in Koforidua (Eastern Region), with Ghana’s Second Lady as the Guest of Honour.

Looking forward the annual Ghana International Book Fair will be taking place here in Accra, from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 November. There are a lot of workshops and seminars, which bring together those involved in the book chain here in Ghana.

For yours truly though I have to admit that what I really like about the book fair is the chance to stroll around the stands, and see whether there are any titles which strike my fancy.  I know I really don’t need to buy any more books, but I find it very, very difficult to resist, despite overfull TBR shelves.

And in the middle of the Book Fair week, the Ghana Library Association is having its AGM and Seminar, which should be fun, as I have managed to miss several GLA activities over the last year or so.

Weekend ramblings

I saw in Saturday’s Mirror that the Silver Bird cinema complex at the Accra Shopping Mall is supposed to have a books and music area… I wonder when that will happen?   The first shop in the Mall opened more than a year ago, and the cinema still isn’t finished and functioning…  It really is taking a long time.   I look forward to seeing the selection of books and CDs – as well as the prices.   I hope there is some thought to this market, plus the fact that many expatriates probably buy books from Amazon and music on iTunes or the equivalent.  I also hope the movies are new and not some rehashed old DVDs which one could borrow from a local DVD rental place…  Maybe they are planning for a Christmas opening?

It is something to look forward to, though, as one of small book collections here in Accra  – mostly children’s books plus some toys – housed in the Dealer store in Osu is closing down.  Pity.  I did buy a couple of cookbooks from there, plus some Putumayo CDs.

I shouldn’t complain really.  This coming week is the 7th Ghana International Book Fair at the National Theatre.  I’ll probably go at least twice – once on my own to have a snoop, and see what is available, plus once at the weekend with whoever will be coming with me on my shopping.   I do have to prepare my pocket though, and make sure that I have enough cash on me.   In the past I’ve usually found some good things – not necessarily fiction though.   Once again, anticipation is half the fun!  but I will pass the word round to colleagues at work.   I suspect some will take a look…   There does seem to be more publicity this year for the Fair, plus events.   I hope the attendance is OK; I expect there will be the usual crowds of children, but that is always the case at these kinds of fairs cum events.

More later on any outstanding finds.

In the meantime I am still reading Barack Obama’s The audacity of hope, which seems appropriate for this period.  I have already informed the kids that the only TV that will be allowed from Tuesday evening will be tuned to a news channel.   So the African movie and cartoon watchers are warned!