Our Lakeside team are a creative bunch, full of individuals undertaking their own artistic pursuits. Take Box Office Assistant, CM Thompson, who in addition to working the Box Office and creating resources for the Learning Team, is a published author. Learn about her interests in reading and writing and even take away some book recommendations.
SLEIGHTS OF MIND: WHAT THE NEUROSCIENCE OF MAGIC REVEALS ABOUT OUR BRAINS
by Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde and Sandra Blakeslee
If you love magic and the mind, this book combines the two, creating Neuromagic! Wonder how the brain can be fooled over and over with different versions of the same trick? The illusion behind Mona Lisa's smile? How one card trick is a manipulation of memory? Read on. Spoiler alert: this book reveals the secrets behind several famous tricks. To me they are even more amazing when I know how they are done, but I am still fooled by them. You may not feel the same way, hence the warning.
If you want to read more on magic, then I recommend Fooling Houdini by Alex Stone and Hiding the Elephant by Jim Steinmeyer.
INTO THE BLUE: BOLDLY GOING WHERE CAPTAIN COOK HAS GONE BEFORE
by Tony Horwitz
In these modern times, it is hard to comprehend just how far away from home Cook went in the 18th century, crossing oceans of unknown without the help of the internet. Horwitz recounts the history of Cook's travels and revisits the same islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Niue, conducting interviews as he goes. The book is a interesting blend of travel writing and history that will give you a new introduction to and appreciation for Captain Cook.
THE LIBRARY BOOK
by Susan Orlean
The Library Book is a well researched, occasionally heartbreaking love letter to libraries, exploring the history behind the Los Angeles Public Library and the devastating impact of the 1986 fire. Orlean's book has a unique style of capturing a niche subject that would seem like it is nothing of interest to most people, making it into something extraordinary, as shown in her other books, The Orchid Thief and The Bullfighter Checks Her Make-Up.
AN ASTRONAUT'S GUIDE TO LIFE ON EARTH: LIFE LESSONS FROM SPACE
by Chris Hadfield
The Singing Astronaut details his longings and dreams of becoming an astronaut and the very hard work to become one. This is a great read for anyone who has ever stared longingly at the sky and wondered: how do I get out there?
If you fancy a fictional accompaniment to An Astronaut's Guide, I recommend The Martian by Andy Weir and Red Dwarf by Grant Naylor.
Get to know CM Thompson by reading more about her in a recent interview here.