From:-
TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND, Torch House, Torch Way, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL, U.K.
Telephone: (01858) 438260, Fax: (01858) 438275, email: info@torchtrust.org
Charity Number 1095904.
In the previous edition of this magazine, I wrote my personal story for "Who's Who?" and I told of how books had played a big part in my life. I had worked in a bookshop for a while and, also having a love for books, this all helped me settle happily into my work at Torch. So it is with great pleasure I write this editorial for the present edition of the Torch Library Magazine.
It may come as a surprise, particularly if you are receiving this magazine at Sight Village for the first time or are a new borrower for our library, that we have over 3,500 titles available in various accessible media. This wonderful resource is free to anyone partially sighted or blind.
Sometimes life can easily get so hectic that time to "read" just gets squeezed out! Yet we all know that a book can lighten our mood, expand our horizons, give depth to our lives, support us in times of trouble or just plain help us chill out for a few hours in escapist adventures or romance!
As spring eases itself into summer our thoughts turn to holidays, relaxing days (we hope!), being out and about and generally blowing the cobwebs away and getting a new perspective on life. For that holiday reading we have books in the Torch Library covering Study to Fiction, Devotional to Biography and everything in between.
When the air is warmer and the smell of spring flowers and blossom fills our senses it gives us a feeling of hope and an awareness that our world is unique and beautiful. However, at such times, it can also bring sadness to those struggling with life issues as it brings into sharp focus pain and loss.
I would like to encourage all who are going through difficult times to consider books written by others who have undergone similar experiences, or who have studied the application of a subject in people's lives, as these can bring great comfort and encouragement. Many such books can be found in the Torch Library.
However, for those looking at the changing seasons in anticipation of some light relief and happy holidays, what could be better than to read a great story or learn about someone's exciting experiences.
So, as you all read through this Torch Library Magazine I hope you will find not only food for thought, but books to interest you and draw you in to trying out the Torch Library. For those of our existing borrowers who know the delights of the Torch Library, then the selection of books for this edition of the TLM should prove topical and interesting and give you some excellent reading.
Lorimer Fink and the editors
by Lydia Tebbutt
Prince Caspian, the next film in the Narnia Chronicles, is in our cinemas from the end of June 2008. If it's anything like as good as The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe it will be a huge hit. The audio description on first film was excellent and was thoroughly enjoyed by our guests at last year's Book Retreat at Torch's Holiday and Retreat Centre in Hurstpierpoint.
Having never read them as a child myself, I loved reading the Narnia stories to my children when they were young and have re-read them several times since. The Chronicles have sold over 85 million copies. The impact of these 7 children's stories has been profound and has inspired many people to write their own books as a result of what they have discovered. Torch has reviewed and transcribed 3 such books.
Now I can hear all sorts of questions being asked, like "they are children's books, why do we need them explaining?" and "I don't like fiction, why should I read any further?" Well, I very much hope you will keep reading!
You see these Narnia-linked titles are neither children's books nor are they fiction. In fact they come under the Following The Way section of our devotional books. What each of the authors ask us to do is to look at God from a different perspective, to ponder and reflect on the value of imagination in our seeking of Him, thereby enriching and enlightening our devotions.
One of my favourite quotes from this book is "The Narnia stories are like a meal with the nourishment of meat and vegetables but the taste of cake and candy." Delicious isn't it?
In the introduction Kurt Bruner says that the book "briefly touches upon specific scenes and themes from the story told, before reflecting upon implications of life in the real world." And "It is not our intention to turn Lewis's stories into sermons. We seek to enrich rather than replace the experience of reading The Chronicles of Narnia."
There are 26 short chapters where the authors lead readers from C S Lewis's stories to the biblical parallel, then to their own comment and finally to a single sentence to reflect upon such as "We live in enemy-occupied territory." ... "When we reject the good God is, we embrace the evil He isn't." ... "God helps those who are desperate for a change." ... and "Home is better than we can possibly imagine".
C S Lewis's imagination was primed by "reading the right stories" as a child. George MacDonald was a Victorian Christian fantasy writer who influenced him tremendously. Our authors write, "As he [C S Lewis] stepped beneath the eaves of MacDonald's enchanted forest, something came over Lewis that literally changed his life. Under the influence of that 'bright shadow' he began moving down a path that eventually led him to become one of history's greatest Christian thinkers and apologists."
If you've read other titles by C S Lewis, such as Mere Christianity, but you're not a fan of Narnia, you will still enjoy this title as there are many insights into Lewis's life and since the portion of the story or theme is quoted prior to exploration, you don't need to have read the Narnia stories to appreciate this title, but I'd be surprised if you didn't want to read them after having read this book!
Finding God In The Land of Narnia is available on cassette on 5 tapes, catalogue number C2559, and coming soon in braille.
This is a shorter book with just a few selected scenes from each of the Chronicles. It does, however, have a section entitled "Reflection and Discussion Questions" which offers the basis for further thought and prayer.
Perhaps Lewis's imagination was anointed. Certainly Eddy Smith hints at this when he says, "It was not till he [Lewis] was some way into writing The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe that Aslan came bounding in. I don't know how long it took Lewis to ascertain the lion's true identity, but while it may seem strikingly audacious for any author to introduce the God of all creation as a character in a children's story, I like to make believe that it was the Lion of Judah himself who leaped into these stories of his own volition and for his own purposes, and that Lewis was wise enough to stand back and let him in."
Smith gives a short chapter to each of the Chronicles, drawing, from selected scenes, insights which have impacted him personally. For instance in the first chapter he writes about the night Aslan walks to his execution and is accompanied by the two girls, Susan and Lucy "... he condescends to let them walk with him awhile, because he is 'sad and lonely'". At this point Smith recalls Jesus in Gethsemane and identifies with the sleepy disciples. But having compared the Narnia story realises the "awful truth about Gethsemane: Jesus was sad and lonely." He goes on to say "This is the value of Aslan to me: that I can empathize with him as he offers up himself for Edmund, and through him, I can understand Jesus in a whole new way. It's so much easier to come at it through the lens of fiction. Wow, Aslan would do that for one bratty little kid, because he loves him." Smith concludes, "'I am sad and lonely.' How can a fictional talking lion convey so well the admixture of human, utterly human, and profoundly divine nature of Jesus long after the biblical account has come to seem like something you read at the Easter Vigil and maybe it gives you shivers and maybe it doesn't? At least in Narnia he is not wholly alone."
In the Gospel accounts, Jesus had asked the disciples to watch and pray with him, but what is not spelled out for us is the "why". I too am a sleepy disciple. I had not seen this insight before, but having had Mark Eddy Smith point it out, brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.
Aslan's Call is available in braille in 2 volumes, catalogue number B2720, coming soon on cassette and DAISY.
Each of the seven books in the Chronicles is given a chapter in this title. In chapter six the author explores The Magician's Nephew, the first in chronological order of the Chronicles. He begins:
At the centre of The Magician's Nephew is the creation of a world - the Great Lion Aslan singing Narnia to life. And it is good. It is a world bursting with life, a feast for the senses and a tonic to the imagination. Stars sing. The sun seems to laugh for joy. Trees burst forth in answer to the Lion's song. Panthers and elephants and frogs boil up from the earth, newborn and yet fully formed. And in the middle of it all is the Creator, striding back and forth across his creation. Here amid this riotous, teeming abundance, it's not hard to imagine Aslan making it all for his own pleasure and for the pleasure of his creatures.
By allowing the reader to watch the creation of another world, C S Lewis evokes an appropriate awe and delight in the things of this world. The Narnian perspective rejects a materialist vision that reduces "reality" to the physical, earthbound facts of a matter. There is a Supernature that is prior to and, in fact, more real than the physical world we see around us. But Lewis never rejects the physical world as being evil per se. No, when God made the world he declared it good, and even in its fallen state, it offers an abundance of good and proper pleasures."
I have often wondered what it must have been like to see an elephant for the first time, without having had it described to me or even knowing of its existence beforehand. It would have been an incredible experience, exciting and definitely "other worldly". Alas all such discoveries have been made. The vast majority of our planet has been explored and the discoveries of "other worldliness", described, drawn and photographed millions of times. There are now only very small pockets of unexplored world. So how do we understand what it must have been like at the very beginning? Furthermore, the Bible tells us that "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (2 Corinthians 2:9, NIV.) Along with all Christians, I look forward with trust to a "Home that is better than we can possibly imagine." But I want a deeper understanding of what it was like at the beginning. Likewise I need to catch glimpses of the "other world" in order to follow with longing.
I believe C S Lewis had a unique gift, an anointed imagination that Aslan came bounding into. With his help and with the help of this handful of Narnian-inspired authors, Scripture and the hereafter are explored with a quality of understanding that is experiential. My horizons have been widened with wonder and expectation and I truly hope yours will be too.
The World According to Narnia is available in braille in 2 volumes, catalogue number B2744, in giant print in 2 volumes, catalogue number G2195 and coming soon on cassette and DAISY.
Reviewed by James Brookman
After 12 years of marriage John Nichols shot and killed a woman he was having an affair with when she threatened to blackmail him. John's wife, Diane, who until then thought she had the ideal marriage, was devastated. The couple divorced, John was convicted of murder, and Diane moved to the other side of America. Diane thought she could make a new start, but with her emotions in turmoil, no means of financial support and two young daughters to look after she found herself in, as the book title suggests, a prison of her own.
What ensues is a love story like no other. If it were fiction I would dismiss it as being too far fetched, but as a true story it is an amazing account of God's love and the beauty of his grace.
John becomes a Christian in prison and starts writing to the family. Diane had no intention of making contact with him again but for the sake of the girls and on the advice of their psychiatrist she decides to take the girls to see their daddy in prison.
Here's an extract from the book describing the end of the visit: [read by Margaret Lauritzen, c3s2 36.50-41.24]
I scanned the other tables where inmates sat with loved ones for the same precious sliver of time that we had. They were all going through the same hell. One day you have your neat little world in the palm of your hand, and the next day it's gone. Something was done that shouldn't have been done. Something that couldn't be taken back and people were hurt. For the first time since the officers came to my home and told me my husband had done the unthinkable, I didn't feel alone. I was surrounded by others who carried the same hurts, and that realization flowed over me like warming sunlight.
The girls returned to the table with a chocolate Hostess cupcake and four forks. The smiles they wore were just as bright as if we were at home, serving John his usual German chocolate birthday cake with candles all lit, waiting for him to make a wish. I watched in wonder as they opened the cupcake and placed it on a napkin. It didn't seem to matter how different the circumstances were. They were happy just to make Daddy's birthday as special as they could.
"This looks great," John said, reaching for a fork.
Mariah tapped his wrist and shook her head. "Wait, Dad. You have to make a wish and blow out your candle." John and I both looked a little puzzled until the guard from the front desk whom Vanessa had consulted with came over and pulled a book of matches from her back pocket.
"We don't usually do this," she said in a hushed voice. "But your girls are so beautiful and I know you came all the way from Florida just for Daddy's birthday. When they asked for help making it more like a party, I couldn't say no. It may not be a candle, but we can stick a match in the cupcake so you can still make a wish and blow it out. I'm afraid that's the best I can do."
As we sang "Happy Birthday" while the match in the middle of the cupcake flickered and John leaned in to make his wish and blow, it didn't feel as horrible as I expected. I didn't grieve for the big party we used to have or the store-bought cake and presents. Our family was together against the odds. Broken, maimed, bleeding, and fighting for every breath, but we were still sitting here together. On the final day of our visit, my heart felt distinctly changed. I didn't understand it very well and was in complete awe that it was possible, but I sensed our family had bonded again. We had talked, laughed, cried, prayed, and held hands over the last five days, and that process had taken us to a different level. We still had the same obstacles between us with John's prison sentence, the knowledge of the awful things he did, the sting of betrayal and trust in shambles - not to mention Bobby waiting in the wings back home - but something significant had changed. Our family was amazingly still intact somewhere beneath the rubble.
Saying good-bye at three o'clock was the hardest thing to do. The children wept and clung to their father as guards called out for visitors to exit the area. He buried his face in their honey-coloured hair, choking with sobs, telling them to be strong and that he loved them with all of his heart. They reluctantly let go so I could also give him a hug. Everything around us disappeared as we simply held each other and cried. I absorbed the warmth of him, the scent of his skin, the way his breath felt fanning against my cheek, not knowing when I'd be able to feel his arms around me again. I didn't know why he had done the things he had or how we ended up in a place like this, but what I did know was that I didn't want to be apart from him. I would have rather joined him in his prison cell for the duration of his sentence than face my freedom without him. I couldn't bear to let him go. I didn't want to turn and walk away. Nothing felt more right than to have all of us together.
Although it sounds as if things are starting to go well for the Nichols, Diane is a long way from becoming a Christian and events are about to take a dramatic turn for the worse. I won't say any more beyond that it makes a compelling read (sufficient for me to carry on proofreading the book on a Saturday night in preference to watching England play rugby in the Six Nations!) and, even if you can't relate to what it's like being married to an adulterous murderer, this book will still touch and bless you in many ways.
A Prison of my Own is available on Cassette on 7 cassettes, catalogue number C2583 and coming soon in braille.
Reviewed by Lorimer FinkM
Iraq is very much in the news and this excellent book brings fresh insight to a troubled and changing time in Iraq's history.
Georges Sada was a top fighter pilot following a distinguished career as air vice marshal in the Iraqi Air Force and subsequently called out of retirement, when Kuwait was invaded, as special advisor to Saddam Hussein and put in charge of prisoners of war.
Georges Sada, an Assyrian Christian, maintained an honest and truthful approach in his dealings with Saddam Hussein even in the face of great danger within, what was, an oppressive and dictatorial regime.
This book covers the story of Georges' career as a pilot and his involvement with Saddam Hussein, as his country struggled through turbulent times of a ruthless and cruel regime, war and Iraq's eventual emergence through "Operation Iraqi Freedom".
However, this story is also very much about Georges Sada himself, his immense pleasure and pride in mastering some of the best fighter planes in the skies, his integrity in the face of great risk and trial, his developing friendship with spiritual leaders in the west and his eventual role within the peace and reconciliation movement.
This is an enlightening and enjoyable read bringing a new perspective to all that happened from someone who was actually there in the centre of a beautiful country and noble culture brought low by political power and corruption.
At one point Saddam Hussein, contemplating attacks on Israel, was given inaccurate information by General Amir Rashid Ubaidi. Many chiefs of staff found it difficult conveying absolute truths to Saddam Hussein, preferring the protection of giving Saddam information he wanted to hear. Georges Sada, who kept his integrity throughout these times, telling the truth at great personal risk, takes the story up here, pointing to the reality of the sophistication of Israeli weapons as opposed to the less modernised systems on Iraqi aircraft.
"At that point I asked Saddam, 'Sir, don't you agree that this is a fight between men who are blind and men who can see?' Saddam just sat there for several seconds, looking straight ahead. Then he turned sharply to his left where Gen. Amir was sitting and he yelled very loudly, 'Amir, what is Georges saying?' In other words, Saddam was asking his weapons expert: Why haven't you told me this before now? This is your area, and I hold you personally responsible for telling me this.
"I didn't change my expression but continued to look at Saddam. But then I realised, Oh, no! Gen. Amir is not that brave. I'm afraid he will not tell Saddam the truth, and he'll try to put the blame on me or someone else. So I turned quickly and looked Amir straight in the eye, and he could see that I was very serious. After the meeting he came to me and said, 'I knew, Georges, when you turned and looked at me that way that you were sending a message.' And that's exactly what I was doing. Without saying a word I was telling him to speak the truth because we were both speaking directly to Saddam Hussein. If he disagreed with me or tried to lie his way out of it, I would have defended myself in the strongest terms and Gen. Amir knew exactly what I meant.
"Well, God was with me that day because Gen. Amir began explaining it to him in very detailed engineering terms ...
When he finished, Saddam just sat there, silently, staring straight ahead. For more than a minute you could have heard a pin drop in that room. And, believe me, a minute of silence in the presence of Saddam Hussein could seem like eternity. There were at least ninety people in the room, all generals and high-ranking commanders, and there wasn't a peep out of them."
[Saddam's Secrets is available on cassette on 10 cassettes, catalogue number C2523.]
The following are some letters, emails or telephone calls, commenting on books recommended in the last Torch Library magazine.
The Spirit Who Heals by Peter H Lawrence. "This is a superb book, and a splendid Bible study." (Miss A M of Lesmahagow, Scotland.) Peter Lawrence's book searches the scriptures and tells amazing stories of God's healing power today. This book is available in braille (B2725), cassette (C2500) and DAISY disc (D2500)
Through the Eyes of a Street Child by Angela Murray. "An amazing story. Thank you." (Mrs A G of Belfast.) This book describes experiences of the street children of Guatemala, as told by the children themselves. It is available on cassette (C2541)
Balancing the Books by Michael Bentley. "This tape was a good choice" (Rev H M of Caldicot, South Wales.) Michael Bentley shows that prophecies of the Bible are still relevant for God's people today. This book is available on cassette (C2409).
Halfway to Heaven by Max Sinclair. "An excellent story of inspiration." (Miss M K of East Dulwich, London.) The lessons of suffering were lessons of life. Max and his wife, Sue, discover, as never before, the wonder and daily relevance of Christ's promise of eternity. This book is available in braille (B1584), cassette (C390) and in giant print (G2174).
Agony Atkins by Anne Atkins. Mrs G C of Bury St Edmunds writes, "I do admire her (Anne Atkins) sense of humour, so necessary for such a column and also her practical and straightforward answers". When Anne Atkins started her column in The Daily Telegraph she encountered plenty of opposition. Surely a vicar's wife had no business handing out advice? But the letters started flooding in from people eager to receive Anne's pointed comments. This book is available in braille (B2736), cassette (C2507) and in giant print (G2174).
When I am Afraid by Anon. Mrs E M of Bridge of Earn, Perth writes, "This book has been a tower of strength to me." This book contains scriptures to help in worry, loneliness, failure, discouragement, danger, distress and bereavement. It is available in braille (B2122), and cassette (C2342)
Even The Darkness by Carole Simpson. Mr and Mrs G of Market Harborough, Leicestershire, write, "We could not put Even the Darkness down. We stayed up late to hear what would happen next". This book describes the darkness of a deprived childhood, drug addiction, petty crime and broken relationships which gave way as the light of Christ came into Carole's life. It is available on cassette (C1508).
Beauty From Ashes by Jennifer Rees-Larcombe. Miss M S of Aberdeen wrote, "This book was most encouraging." Jennifer Rees-Larcombe's favourite Bible verse reminded her that God could transform the ashes of her life into something new and beautiful. This book grew out of her collection of "kitchen verses", combined with practical tips for those adjusting to loss. It is available in braille (B2071) and on cassette (C2221).
Laid-Back Religion by James Packer Mr I L of Perth, Scotland writes, "This was a very good book." J Packer asks whether contemporary Christians have diluted their faith and wrapped themselves in layers of material comfort. This is just one of the pertinent questions asked, and answered, by him in this fresh scrutiny of the state of the faith today. This book is available in braille (B2334) and on cassette (C1393).
Sheila Armstrong
"I don't believe it," declared my mum, as she insisted on my dad taking me all the way to Glasgow for a second opinion. The eye specialists in the smaller town of Inverness had told my parents I was blind and that nothing could be done.
In those days, many blind children went to boarding school. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad, if the Enid Blyton stories were anything to go by, but somehow the school in Edinburgh didn't quite match up with the ones in her stories.
I learned a lot at school, both in the classroom and in the dormitory, where eight of us lived and slept, and quarrelled and laughed. We came across various types of housemothers. "Watch out," the word would go round, "Miss X is in a bad mood today." But that could never be said of Miss Clark. She was different - always the same and always fair with us. I later learned that Miss Clark was a Christian. She ran a Scripture Union club for us, teaching us memory verses from the Bible and taking us to places where we could hear more about Jesus. At least six of us became Christians before leaving school.
Grateful that I now belonged to the Lord, I went on to further study, and then started asking the Lord what work I should be doing. I thought about becoming a social worker, but it didn't come to anything. I gradually realised that the Lord wanted me to come to Torch Trust. Here, I met my husband, Robert.
I started by helping with magazines, and then began to look after volunteers who transcribe books for Torch's library on computer; I'm still doing this and enjoy it very much. It's a great privilege to help make books available to you in braille. Do tell us what you like - and what you don't like.
We have some excellent fiction books available for both men and women as well as children. Here are some recommendations where we have included the code for the first book, should you like to order the series where available:
Only the first book number in each series is given. The series titles are as follows:
Ireland is the setting for the five book series on cassette in the Emerald Ballad series by B J Hoff. Miss W of Epping, Essex: "Thank you for these lovely books." This series is a saga of the beauty and tragedy of Ireland and the teeming immigrant settlements of 19th century America. Available on cassette (C1713).
After the Fire by John Lockley is a three-book series set in England in a small town, as people struggle to survive after the breakdown of civilisation. Available in braille (B2003) and on cassette (C1842).
Russia is the setting for a seven-book series by Judith Pella following the story of two families whose lives are intertwined in pre-revolution times. This "Russian" series is available as a seven book series available on cassette (C2082) and on DAISY (D2082).
Seasons of Intrigue by Doris Elaine Fell includes the world of terrorism, forgeries, war, assassins and romance! This series is available as a four book cassette series (C1820).
Bodie Thoene has written two series opening up in pre-war Austria and taking us through a great story to modern day Israel. The Zion Covenant series is available as six-book cassette series (C1576). And the second series of Zion Chronicles is a five-book cassette series (C1341).
A new author to the library is Karen Kingsbury who writes of contemporary issues in relevant and interesting family storylines. We have two series at the moment: One of the series we have is called Redemption. Miss A M of Scotland writes of this series, "Wonderful!" This is a five-book series available on cassette (C2468).
The second series we have by this author is the Tuesday series. Mrs I B of Ulverston, Cumbria, writes, "These were riveting books." This series sensitively covers the time of the terrorist attacks on September 11th. It is a two-book series available in braille (B2681) and on cassette (C2427) and DAISY(D2427).
An American Family Portrait by Jack Cavanaugh is an epic story covering a family's story over three hundred years of faith, love and sacrifice beginning in the castles of England, in the New World and stretches to the jungles of South-East Asia. This is an eight-book series on cassette (C2334).
We have six series written by the popular author, Janette Oke. These stories are set in the pioneering days of the Mid-West. Mrs R B of Langside, Glasgow, writes of one of the books: "Thank-you. This was delightful". A Prairie Legacy is available as a four-book series on cassette (C2163).
The series, Love Comes Softly is an eight-book series on cassette (C1192).
Seasons of the Heart is a four-book series on cassette (C2167).
Canadian West is a six-book series on cassette (C1051).
Women of the West is available as twelve independent titles on cassette (C1082), three titles in braille (B1877) and three on DAISY (D1082).
Songs of Acadia is set in England, France and America at the time of the revolution. This is a five-book series on cassette (C2411).
Frank Perretti has written two books in the Darkness series looking at the hidden forces of good and evil behind contemporary society in small town America. These are available on cassette (C1343).
Here are some:
Prophet by Frank Peretti. This is blockbusting fiction with plenty of edge-of-seat action and suspense. The death of a TV anchorman reveals not only divisions in the supposedly professional newsroom, but penetrates to the heart of a vast struggle that threatens to tear our society to pieces. This nail-biting story is available in braille (B1044) and on cassette (C1745).
My Servant Caleb by Kerstin Sheldrake. Mrs J C of Aldeburgh writes, "A good book. Thank you." This is a passionate story of love and faith, Jew and Christian, set against the backdrop of a changing England, the holocaust and Israel's rebirth. Available on cassette (C2313).
Autumn Return by Sally Brice Winterbourne follows the return of a young woman to her local community in Cornwall. Miss H S of Bournemouth writes, "I enjoyed this very much". Available on cassette (C2351) and on DAISY (D2357).
Omega Network by Thomas Locke. Narcotics and telecommunications fraud, unfolding mysterious events and a shady entrepreneur are all involved in this thrilling story. Is Chase being lured into a dangerous conspiracy by the beautiful Sabine? To find out order this book in braille (B2240), on cassette (C2325) or in giant print (G2184).
The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock. A Borrower wrote to us, "This book helps us accept our lives and our weaknesses." The story transports us from the present day to monastic life in the 13th century as Melissa traces the life of her ancestor, an Abbott. This is available on cassette (C1497).
Here are some:
Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St John. Miss S S of Birmingham writes, "I read this story to a 6 year old and it really cheered him up." Jealousy in a relationship between young friends is changed. This is available in braille (B1890) and on cassette (C616).
Maximus Mouse by Brian Ogden. Mrs R of Ashton under Lyme writes "... my daughter loved this book and it gave us lots of laughs ..." The story is set in a church and is available in braille (B1959), on cassette (C1543) and in giant print (G1283).
A new series for 11-15 year olds (and anyone of any age who enjoys lighter fiction) is the Tales of Rome by Kathy Lee. These three adventure stories are set at the time of the early church and are available in braille (B2698), on cassette (C2441), and in giant print (G2156).
A perennial favourite is the ever popular Narnia series by C S Lewis. Although for ages 8 to 11 these can be enjoyed at any age. The five-book series is available in braille (B2634), on cassette (C1601), on DAISY (D1500) and in giant print (G2149).
Do you ever listen to Christian radio? If so, you might have tried Premier Radio - based in London, but available through Sky, Virgin cable and Freeview. Torch now has a 15-minute programme, called "Insight" on Premier each Saturday night at 9 pm. If you're not in London and you don't do digital don't fear - you can still hear the programmes on monthly CDs available from Torch - all details below.
The programmes cover disability with a Christian slant. For me, the best bits are people's stories of how God has helped them - against the odds.
So if you'd like to spend time in the company of gospel singer/songwriter and Chair of Torch, Marilyn Baker, then tune in on Medium wave in the London area, Sky 123, Virgin 968 or Freeview 725.
And do let us know what you think of the programmes by calling 01858 438267, or emailing insight@torchtrust.org
Time change
Our 15-minute slot on Premier Radio called “Insight” will see a change of time - from the current time of 9pm on Saturdays to 4pm on Sundays. This change will take place from the first week-end in July.
In this new feature we will share with you an insight into some of the processes a new title has to pass through before it becomes available to you the borrower.
by Suzanne Powell (Acquisitions Assistant)
At Torch we review a wide range of new Christian books. As we do not have the resources to transcribe every Christian book that is published each year we face the challenging task of deciding which books will be most suitable for our libraries. One of the ways we do this is by getting people to review books. This inevitably involves rejecting some really good titles.
We have a number of people, both blind and sighted, who volunteer to review the books for us - all of whom express a love for reading Christian literature. The majority of reviewers live locally and are able to come to Torch and choose a book for themselves. Additionally we have the occasional "Book Lunch", held at Torch House, when reviewers bring their lunch, and Lorimer (Librarian) introduces each book and the reviewers are able to choose the books that appeal to them.
We also provide a guidelines booklet which tells reviewers what questions they need to ask themselves as they read, such as, "Have I enjoyed reading this book?" ... "Did I find it a faith encourager?"
When a book has been reviewed at least twice it can then be selected for the next "Book Committee". At Book Committee the reviews for each book are read out. However there are many other considerations, for example: What gaps do we have in the library? Is this book a best seller? The list goes on. But the comments from our reviewers do play a very important part in the process of choosing the books, and we are extremely grateful to all our reviewers who support us in this way.