Hunstanton Town Read

ONCE upon a time libraries consisted of rows of books on dusty shelves, where silence was the order of the day.
But now they are an integral part of the community with visitors who are just as likely to be hiring a DVD or CD, or surfing the Internet, as they are to be looking for a book.
And sharing the belief nothing compares with a good read, more than 40 people have joined Hunstanton library’s Town Read project to read and share Diane Setterfield’s novel The Thirteenth Tale.
The book is a mystery inspired by the books Diane enjoyed in her youth, in which she describes how a reclusive author, Vida Winter, famous for having written twelve enchanting stories, actually spent six decades writing a series of alternative lives for herself.
Now old and frail, Vida is ready to tell the truth about her extraordinary existence and the tragic past she has kept secret for so long.
She reveals to Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful past, the story of her life, which she had intended to keep hidden forever.
Town Mayor Carol Bower was one of those collecting a copy of the novel from the library on Saturday morning.
She said: “I was here last summer for the reading challenge for children, in which they choose at least six books to read over the school holidays to complete the challenge and gain a certificate and medal.
“It’s different to the Town Read for adults, because the children select the titles themselves.”
The Town Read runs until the end of February and more residents can join in by obtaining a copy of the book from the library or calling 01485 532280.
Participants can discuss and share their opinions about the book at coffee mornings, which will be held at the library on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, March 3.