It’s time to kick-off a week of story-telling in voice, brought to our virtual lives by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.
Sunday, February 28th
13:30 Crazy Eights: Tea Time at Baker Street
Crazy Eights sees Caledonia, Corwyn and Kayden reading from The Return of Sherlock Holmes every Sunday from the living room of 221B Baker Street. 
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist finds Holmes and Watson embroiled in a conundrum of a case when they are visited by Miss Violet Smith, who has travelled up to London from Surrey to seek their advice.
Having been left with very little money following the death of her father, Violet Smith and her mother are rather surprised to learn that they are being sought-out by two men recently returned from South Africa, a Mr. Carruthers and Mr. Woodley. They are an odd couple, about as alike as chalk and cheese: Carruthers seemingly a gentleman, and Woodley little more than an oaf and a bully. They claim to have known Violet’s Uncle Ralph whilst in South Africa, and report the sad news of his destitute death – and that he asked them to seek out his relatives in England and ensure their well-being.
Violet finds this strange, given that her Uncle Ralph has gone unheard from for 25 years. Her concerns deepen as Carruthers offers her £100 a year – twice the going rate – to be his daughter’s live-in music teacher, allowing her to see her mother on weekends.
Despite her misgivings, Violet accepts the post, and while Carruthers is ever the gentleman in her presence, Woodley is most certainly not. While visiting the Carruthers’ household, he makes unwelcome and lewd advances on her, resulting in a breakdown of his odd friendship with Carruthers. Not long after this incident, a third man seems to enter the equation, as Violet finds herself followed by a mysterious bearded individual on a bicycle as she cycles to and from the railway station for her weekend visits to her mother…
18:00 Magicland Park: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
When running away, it’s always handy to have some idea of where to run to. In Claudia Kincaid’s case, the ideal place is the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. As her younger brother has money, Claudia decides he should come with her to help on the finances front.
The museum proves an interesting place to settle into, but when the museum purchases what appears to be an early work by Michelangelo, a statue of an angel, for the unbelievable price of $225, Claudia and Jamie, her brother, find themselves taking on the role of investigators.
Is the statue genuine? Has the museum bought itself a bargain, or is the statue something else? Digging into the matter, Claudia and Jamie are led to the remarkable Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, former owner of the statue and the owner of some remarkable files which promise to led Claudia into some discoveries about herself.
Join Caledonia Skytower at Magicland Park as she reads from E.L. Konigsburg’s engaging story.
Monday February 29th 19:00: Wizard of Karres
Gyro Muggins returns to the universe created by James H. Schmitz and given form through his 1949 novel, The Witches of Karres, as he concludes reading the 2004 sequel, The Wizard of Karres, penned by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, and Dave Freer. So why not join Gyro as he once more traces the adventures of Captain Pausert and his companions, Goth and the Leewit, the Witches of Karres.
Tuesday March 1st, 19:00: Echo
Caledonia Skytower reads Pam Muñoz Ryan’s Newbery Honour novel. Three entwined stories focusing on a magical harmonica, which start with the tale of 12-year-old German boy Friedrich. He dreams of being a conductor; so much so that he cannot stop his hands rising to guide the music only he can hear. Such public displays, coupled with the birthmark which disfigures half his face leads to him being shunned and regarded as his peers as being Monster Boy.
Faced with this, and the rising threat of Hitler’s National Socialists, Friedreich is determined to gain entry to the local music conservatory, but while preparing for his all-important audition, he happens across the harmonica. Playing it, he gains strength and courage to face those who shun him and the rise of Hitler’s power. But as each day brings some new threat, the chances of Friedrich achieving his dream, or even keeping his family together, grow more and more faint.
Wednesday March 2nd 19:00 Crazy Eights: The Hunter’s Moon
Aoife Lorefield commences reading the second in the Crazy Eights series of monthly Featured books
When she arrives in Ireland to visit her cousin Findabhair (Finn), American Gwen expects a fun backpacking trip to sites of the fairy lore they’re both fascinated with. What neither cousin knows is that it’s the summer of the Hunter’s Moon, a dangerous time for mortals to meddle in the kingdom of Faerie.
Whilst camping out, Finn is kidnapped by the handsome Faerie king, and Gwen must rescue her. In attempting to do so, she travels between modern day and mystical Ireland. And when she does finally reach Finn, she finds her biggest challenge might be actually persuading her cousin she is in need of rescue!
Thursday, March 3rd
19:00 Drabne of Dole
Shandon Loring brings us another tale about the formative years of legendary giant Finn McCool – Fionn mac Cumhaill – the mythical hunter / warrior who appears in folklore spanning Ireland.
21:00 Seanchai Late Night
Contemporary science-fiction with Finn Zeddmore.
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Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.
The featured charity for January / February is Heifer International, working with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth.
Additional Links
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 