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<div class="row justify-content-center mb-3">
<h2 class="text-center py-4">A-Z of Library Services</h2>
<p class=" p-3">Here is an A-Z list of all our services&nbsp;</p>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>A</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.accesstoresearch.org.uk/" aria-invalid="true">Access to Research</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/accessing-library-buildings" aria-invalid="true">Accessing library buildings and facilities</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses" aria-invalid="true">ACL Essex</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history" aria-invalid="true">Ancestry Institution Edition</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/children" aria-invalid="true">Autism friendly libraries</a></p>
</div>
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<h2>B</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/entertainment/bfi-replay" aria-invalid="true">BFI Replay</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/join-a-book-group" aria-invalid="true">Book groups</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/baby-and-toddlers" aria-invalid="true">Bookstart</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-elibrary/borrowbox" aria-invalid="true">BorrowBox</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/encyclopedias-dictionaries-and-general-reference" aria-invalid="true">Britannica Adult</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/encyclopedias-dictionaries-and-general-reference" aria-invalid="true">Britannica Junior</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/encyclopedias-dictionaries-and-general-reference" aria-invalid="true">Britannica Student</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/business" aria-invalid="true">British Library Business and IP Centre</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history" aria-invalid="true">British Newspaper Archive</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/business" aria-invalid="true">Business e-magazine - PressReader</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>C</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/children">Children with learning disabilities</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses">Citizen Literacy</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/computers-and-wifi">Computers and Wi-Fi</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>D</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/dementia-friendly-library-service">Dementia Friendly library service</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/different-ways-of-reading">Different ways of reading</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/arts-literature-and-music">Discovering Literature</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/health-and-wellbeing">Domestic Abuse Collection</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-strategies-policies-and-terms/stock-management-policy/stock-allocation-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donations</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses">Driving Theory Test Pro</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>E</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/encyclopedias-dictionaries-and-general-reference">Encyclopedia Britannica Library</a><br /><a href="https://essex-self.achieveservice.com/service/Library_questions_and_feedback">Enquiry Form</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/literacy-area">Everyone's Literacy Area</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/business">Essex County Council Business Support</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news">Essex Library Service News</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/events">Events</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>F</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EssexLibraries">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history">Find My Past</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/children"></a><br /><br /></p>
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<div class="row justify-content-center mb-3">
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>G</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses">GoCitizen</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses">Gov.uk - improve maths, &nbsp;English and IT</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>H</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-mobile-and-home-library-services/home-library-service">Home Library Service</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>I</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/essexlibraries/">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history">IWM Lives of the First World War</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>J</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/join-a-book-group">Join a book group</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/join-the-library">Join the library</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>K</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/entertainment/kanopy">Kanopy</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>L</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses">Learn My Way</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-elibrary/libby">Libby by Overdrive</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/library-app">Library App</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-library-locations-and-opening-times">Library locations and opening times</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/library-of-sanctuary">Library of Sanctuary&nbsp;</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses">LinkedIn Learning</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/literacy-area">Literacy Area</a><br /><a href="https://essex-gov-uk.libanswers.com/chat/widget/4ab6424935eb704332369e95060f0106">Livechat</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<div class="row justify-content-center mb-3">
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>M</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-mobile-and-home-library-services">Mobile Library</a><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/arts-literature-and-music"></a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>N</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/arts-literature-and-music">Naxos Music Library</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>O</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/children">Online Craft Times</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/baby-and-toddlers">Online Rhymetime&nbsp;</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/baby-and-toddlers">Online Storytime</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/children">Online story writing workshop</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-reading-suggestions/reading-well/reading-well-for-teens">Our Reading Suggestions</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history">Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history">Oxford Dictionary of National Biography</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/encyclopedias-dictionaries-and-general-reference">Oxford English Dictionary Online</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>P</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/children">Parent information</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/music-scores-and-play-sets">Performing Arts</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-strategies-policies-and-terms/facilities-charges-and-loan-charges-">Photocopying and printing charges</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-elibrary/pressreader">PressReader</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>Q</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>R</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/read-and-count-with-me-under-a-tree">Read and Count With Me Under a Tree</a><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-reading-suggestions/reading-well/reading-well-for-children/"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-reading-suggestions">Reading Suggestions</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-reading-suggestions/reading-well">Reading Well</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/health-and-wellbeing/reading-well/reading-well-for-children">Reading Well for Children</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/health-and-wellbeing/reading-well/reading-well-for-teens">Reading Well for Teens</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/reserve-renew-or-return-an-item">Reserve, renew or return a library item</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/room-hire">Room bookings/hire</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<div class="row justify-content-center mb-3">
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>S</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/using-our-libraries/essex-library-social-stories/">Social stories</a></p>
<p><a href="https://essex-self.achieveservice.com/service/Request_library_items">Stock suggestions</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/children">Story of the month</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/marvellous-makers-the-summer-reading-challenge-2024">Summer Reading Challenge</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/young-adults">Support with homework</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/young-adults/sustainability-challenge">Sustainability Challenge</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>T</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/newspapers-magazines-and-current-affairs">Times Digital Archive</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/free-courses">Transparent Language</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fessexlibraries">Twitter</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>U</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/homework-and-education">UCAS support</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>V</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/volunteer-at-your-local-library">Volunteering with libraries</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/vox-books-books-that-talk">Vox Books</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>W</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history">Who's Who and Who was Who</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>X</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<div class="row justify-content-center mb-3">
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>Y</h2>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history">Yoko Sato: Quick Family Tree</a></p>
<p><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-services-for-children-and-young-adults/young-adults">Young adults with learning disabilities</a><br /><a href="https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services/reference/biographical-historical-and-family-history">Your Family Tree</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/EssexLibraries">YouTube</a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<h2>Z</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="col-xl-2 col-lg-3 col-md-4 col-sm-6 p-2">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr />

A-Z of Library Services

our-library-locations-and-opening-times

Our library locations and opening times

join-the-library

Join the library

reserve-renew-or-return-an-item

Reserve, renew or return an item

using-our-libraries

Using our libraries

our-mobile-and-home-library-services

Our mobile and home library services

using-our-elibrary

Using our e-library

entertainment-free-courses-and-reference-services

Entertainment, free courses and reference services

our-services-for-children-and-young-adults

<h1>Our services for children and young adults</h1>

Our services for children and young adults

health-and-wellbeing

Health and wellbeing

volunteer-at-your-local-library

Volunteer at your local library

book-of-the-month-

<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 36pt; color: #169179;"><strong>BorrowBox Book of the Month&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></span></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #169179;"><strong>April</strong></span></h1>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 32px;">Voices of the Dead - Ambrose Parry</span></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><img src="https://imagedelivery.net/oK4LF9ZyGMZuLOsFKpvm7A/UK2_fba2de9c-8819-4f92-93fe-ff202bcde178_638798761360069219/public" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;"><em><span style="font-size: 18pt;">1854 marks the dawn of a scientific age. Queen Victoria delivers a healthy heir after receiving chloroform during labour. Florence Nightingale makes headlines as she leads a troop of middle-class women out into the war zones as nurses. In Edinburgh, we see Henry Littlejohn appointed as the city's police surgeon, dubbing himself as the 'medical detective', investigating sudden deaths - whether accidental or intentional.</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;"><em><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />Never has there been a time where people have been so enthralled by possibilities of science, but this appetite for the amazing is also being fed by a new generation of showmen and magicians, whose invention and ingenuity leave the public often unable to distinguish between the wonders of technology and the art of illusion.&nbsp;</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">We are delighted to announce that our Book of the Month is&nbsp; Book 4&nbsp; in the Raven Fisher series by Essex Book Festival authors Ambrose Parry</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #169179;">Download your e-audio copy <a href="https://essex.borrowbox.com/product/CGA_4850485/title/voices-of-the-dead" style="color: #169179;">here</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ba372a;">Download your e-book <a href="https://essex.borrowbox.com/product/CGB_4658527/title/voices-of-the-dead" style="color: #ba372a;">here</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<h1 style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ba372a; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy reading or listening!</span></h1>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4;">&nbsp;</p>

Book of the Month 

our-reading-suggestions

Our Reading Suggestions

join-a-book-group

<h1>Find a book group</h1>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You can&nbsp;<a href="https://library-events.essex.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">search for a book group near you</a>&nbsp;or ask at your&nbsp;local library&nbsp;for more details. We support over 700 groups with a great choice of reads.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Start a book group</h2>
<h3>Register your group</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>By registering your group you:</p>
<ul>
<li>are applying for a Book Group Card which gives you the option to order multiple copies of a chosen title which can be borrowed for up to three months</li>
<li>can choose to join the book group list which can be shared with other interested readers</li>
</ul>
<p>You can complete a&nbsp;<a href="https://essex-self.achieveservice.com/service/Book_group_registration" target="_top">Book Group Registration form</a>&nbsp;or go to your local library and tell them:</p>
<ul>
<li>the name of your group</li>
<li>where and when you will meet</li>
<li>what quantity and format of books you will need (we may be able to supply large print or audio books)</li>
<li>the name and contact details of the organiser</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Meet in your local library</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Talk to library staff if your group would like to use a space in your local library.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Get ideas for what to read</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You can <a href="https://pages.news.essex.gov.uk/pages/subscribe">subscribe to the book group e-newsletter</a>&nbsp;for reading ideas and to keep up to date with other book groups in Essex.</p>
<p>You can request titles for your reading group using the&nbsp;<a href="https://essex-self.achieveservice.com/service/Book_group_reading_choices" target="_top">Book Group Reading Choices form</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Record of books on loan</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>We recommend you keep a log of which member has which copy of the books your group has on loan (using the barcode inside the book that starts 30130...).</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Get ideas for book club questions</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>There are plenty of book club questions available at the back of books themselves, or online.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Share your book reviews</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You can share your individual or group reviews with us by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:reading.groups@essex.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reading.groups@essex.gov.uk</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Online Book Groups</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re looking for ways to continue your book group activities or are interested in setting up a new virtual group, these websites can help:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://readinggroups.org/news/keeping-your-reading-group-active-while-social-distancing">The Reading Agency</a>&nbsp;- keeping your reading group active while social distancing</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4d2tfP38MXzZ8bgM7KZ4Wyb/novel-connections-how-to-set-up-your-own-online-book-group">BBC Arts: Novel Connections</a>&nbsp;- How to set up your own online book group</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a>&nbsp;- decide what to read next and see which books are being discussed</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/10-tips-for-hosting-a-digital-book-club-47362">Bustle</a>&nbsp;- tips for hosting a digital book club</li>
</ul>
<p>Watch one of our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZoh2Z5XUn-gxpMiMYWaS51AGDhP3MUad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">book group videos on YouTube</a>&nbsp;for more tips and ideas.&nbsp;</p>

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Fourteen-year-old Maryam and Zahra have always been the best of friends, despite their different backgrounds. Maryam takes for granted that she will stay in Karachi and inherit the family business; while Zahra keeps her desires secret, and dreams of escaping abroad. This year, 1988, anything seems possible for the girls; and for Pakistan, emerging from the darkness of dictatorship into a bright future under another young woman, Benazir Bhutto. But a snap decision at a party celebrating the return of democracy brings the girls' childhoods abruptly to an end. Its consequences will shape their futures in ways they cannot imagine.

Best of friends

Best of friends

By: Shamsie, Kamila, 1973- author.

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