Thanks to Cathy, Elle and Sarah for contributing with their recent library borrows!

While shelving in the large print area at the library I noticed something I’d never seen before: a “Dyslexic Edition” of a novel. I opened it up and saw that it has large type, but various other features: the font is a sans serif, in medium to dark blue, and there are lots of short sections rather than lengthy paragraphs. Instead of passages being in italics, they appear in bold face. The overall effect is fewer words on a page and maximized readability. We shelve these with large print, but there are plans to pull them out for a future display on disability awareness. There are also some children’s series geared towards dyslexic and reluctant readers, as well as the “Quick Reads” books put out by the Reading Agency for adult readers who may struggle with literacy.

This isn’t library-specific, but most of you will have heard about the new UK expurgated versions of Roald Dahl children’s books commissioned from the consultancy Inclusive Minds by his literary estate. Dahl’s work still flies off the shelves at my library. What’s more, it’s inspired countless other writers with his particular brand of snarky/edgy humour. Apparently the specific changes made are to, in hundreds of places, replace words like “fat,” “stupid” and “ugly.” In general, I’m leery of censorship, preferring that parents speak to their children about the appropriate use of words or, if that can’t be guaranteed, adding an introduction or afterword. (The unaltered “classic” Dahl collection will still be sold, too.)

Yet I am sympathetic in this case because I know how hurtful some stereotypes can be. For instance, we have Jen Campbell to thank for this addition to The Witches (who are portrayed as bald and wearing wigs): “There are plenty of other reasons why women might wear wigs and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.” She has various genetic conditions including alopecia and has long been opposed to casual associations of disfigurement with evil in popular culture.

What’s your take?

And my own library reading since last month:

READ

• The New Life by Tom Crewe
• Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire
• How to Be Sad by Helen Russell
• Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
• City of Friends by Joanna Trollope
• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Plus a load of picture books about winter and snow; I reviewed them here.

CURRENTLY READING

• A Fortunate Man by John Berger
• The Things We Do to Our Friends by Heather Darwent
• Martha Quest by Doris Lessing
• Nightwalking: Four Journeys into Britain after Dark by John Lewis-Stempel
• His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
• Manorism by Yomi Sode

I also have the rest of the Folio Prize poetry shortlist out on loan to read soon. A lot of the other books pictured in this post have already gone back unread. I never consider that a problem, though, as it still helps libraries retain funding, and authors get royalties!

What have you been reading or reviewing from the library recently?

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