- What would Sir Arthur Conan Doyle think of the latest reincarnation of his unkillable hero Sherlock Holmes? I have not yet seen Robert Downey Jr's version in full (although the trailer looks very entertaining and it is on my must see list). Nor have I read any of the books. I have heard from some people that the movie is awesome but have also read comments elsewhere that has suggested that the author would not have appreciated it. For those that want to check out previous Holmes' and compare check out our Rodney Libraries catalogue here.
- Colm Toibin has fought off competition from Man Booker-winner Hilary Mantel to pick up the Costa Novel Award for his sixth book Brooklyn (Viking). Raphael Selbourne, Patrick Ness, Graham Farmelo, and poet Christopher Reid were the other category winners as independent publishers picked up four of the five gongs. Click here for the full Guardian UK article.
- Sad news for Marion Keyes fans posted on her website this month. Marion discloses that she is suffering from severe depression which is affecting her ability to eat, sleep, read and write. Read her post on her Blog link here. We wish her all the best in her fight against this devastating illness and that she manages to climb out of the black hole. In the meantime there are still plenty of titles to enjoy. You can find them on this Rodney Libraries catalogue link.
- The summer edition of the NZ Book Council newsletter Booknotes is out. Read more on their website link here.
- Several Kiwis from the literary world were recognised in the New Years Honours list. Forgive me if I have missed anyone, but they include Elizabeth Ann Mallinson, QSM, Wellington, for services to publishing, in particular children's literature who became an Officer of the Order of New Zealand and Jill Ethel Eggleton, Auckland, for services to education and literacy who became a Queens Service Order Companion.
Friday, 8 January 2010
Literary Snippets
Lots of questions and snippets for the start of 2010.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Summer Reading Book Reviews
Our young Library Monopoly readers are letting us know what they like to read with the book reviews that they write as part of the challenge. Here are another bunch.
Jodie liked A Touch of Magic (part of Linda Chapman's My Secret Unicorn series) because it was exciting and was about horses, which she loves. She rated it Awesome. Another horse and animal fan is Tayla who wrote me two reviews. She calls both Stardust and New Beginnings exciting, scary and great fantasy books.
Ashleigh called Chocolate Wishes by Fiona Dunbar both interesting and magical, especially if you also like cooking.
I think I might have to read The Bridge in the Clouds by William Corlett after Nathan told me about it. He said it is exciting, funny, sad and scary all at the same time. It is part of the Magician's House series so I might need to start at the beginning with The Steps up the Chimney.
Emily is a fan of The Sister Club by Megan McDonald. She recommends this funny book for girls which is about the mystery of the missing glitter nail polish.
Jacob was a fan of The Bombing of Darwin by Alan Tuck which is part of the My Story series. He rated this exciting, tense, sad and factual book Awesome.
Glynn was another who wrote me two reviews. Astro Boy which is a new book by Tracey West was "very very exciting and very funny" while Attack of the Bum-biting sharks by Matt Kain was very funny. Both got the five star rating.
I haven't got a name on the review of A Horse of her own which is another new book, this one by Annie Wedekind. But it also got an Awesome ***** rating and is recommended as a "well written book about the friendship between a girl and a horse".
Duncan and Jaccoa are both comics fans, calling The Big Bad Book of Bart Simpson and Tin Tin and the Broken Car exciting and funny.
Good work to our Monopoly readers. I look forward to seeing more of these reviews. Everyone should be on their third checkins this week around Rodney so I am sure there will be more reviews poring in.
Jodie liked A Touch of Magic (part of Linda Chapman's My Secret Unicorn series) because it was exciting and was about horses, which she loves. She rated it Awesome. Another horse and animal fan is Tayla who wrote me two reviews. She calls both Stardust and New Beginnings exciting, scary and great fantasy books.
Ashleigh called Chocolate Wishes by Fiona Dunbar both interesting and magical, especially if you also like cooking.
I think I might have to read The Bridge in the Clouds by William Corlett after Nathan told me about it. He said it is exciting, funny, sad and scary all at the same time. It is part of the Magician's House series so I might need to start at the beginning with The Steps up the Chimney.
Emily is a fan of The Sister Club by Megan McDonald. She recommends this funny book for girls which is about the mystery of the missing glitter nail polish.
Jacob was a fan of The Bombing of Darwin by Alan Tuck which is part of the My Story series. He rated this exciting, tense, sad and factual book Awesome.
Glynn was another who wrote me two reviews. Astro Boy which is a new book by Tracey West was "very very exciting and very funny" while Attack of the Bum-biting sharks by Matt Kain was very funny. Both got the five star rating.
I haven't got a name on the review of A Horse of her own which is another new book, this one by Annie Wedekind. But it also got an Awesome ***** rating and is recommended as a "well written book about the friendship between a girl and a horse".
Duncan and Jaccoa are both comics fans, calling The Big Bad Book of Bart Simpson and Tin Tin and the Broken Car exciting and funny.
Good work to our Monopoly readers. I look forward to seeing more of these reviews. Everyone should be on their third checkins this week around Rodney so I am sure there will be more reviews poring in.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Auckland Museum FREE
One of my ... goals this year (I don't do resolutions so saying goals makes it sound better to me) is to get more cultured. And top of the list of things I want to do is visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum, something I haven't done since I was a teenager (in other words, almost so long ago I can't remember).So I must take advantage of the offer of all Rodney residents getting into the Museum free until the end of February. Here's the press release:
For the first time in 10 years, Auckland residents will not need to pay an admission fee when visiting the Auckland Museum this summer.
As part of ongoing 80th birthday celebrations, the Museum is offering Aucklanders the opportunity to come and see the improvements within the Museum and enjoy a range of exciting summer exhibitions and programmes.
Free admission to the Museum will run from December 4 2009 to February 28 2010. Taking advantage of this offer is as simple as bringing along proof of residency (rates bill, utility bill, library card, or mail indicating residential address) plus one form of photo ID (eg Drivers license, passport).
As residents of the Auckland Region, all Rodney residents can take advantage of this offer.
To ensure this initiative has no impact on the rates levy, the Museum will continue to charge entry fees to special exhibitions and will increase the suggested donation to $10.00 for non-Aucklanders.
To find out more about this offer visit the Auckland Museum website.
Might see you there.
Photo from Auckland Museum website.
2010 : odyssey two by Arthur C. Clarke.
This seems like an appropriate time to promote this book...
2010 : odyssey two / Arthur C. Clarke.
Sequel to...
2001 : a space odyssey (based on the screenplay by Arthur C. Clarke & Stanley Kubrick.)
On the moon an enigma is uncovered. So great are the implications of the discovery that, for the first time, men are sent out deep into the solar system. However, before they reach their destination, things begin to go wrong. The author co-wrote the screenplay for the film "2001: A Space Odyssey".
Sequel is...
2061 : Odyssey three
Arthur C.Clarke's space saga contines in 2061, when an Earth vessel landing on Halley's Comet marks the beginning of another confrontation between Heywood Floyd and David Bowman - or whatever Bowman has become - a newly independent HAL and the unseen alien power that controls the destiny of Earth.
2010 : odyssey two / Arthur C. Clarke.
| The Leonov is beaten to Jupiter by a Chinese mission which lands on Jupiter's moon, Europa, and falls victim to its unknown terrain. The last astronaut to die on the alien surface broadcast a message - there is life on Europa |
Sequel to...
2001 : a space odyssey (based on the screenplay by Arthur C. Clarke & Stanley Kubrick.)
On the moon an enigma is uncovered. So great are the implications of the discovery that, for the first time, men are sent out deep into the solar system. However, before they reach their destination, things begin to go wrong. The author co-wrote the screenplay for the film "2001: A Space Odyssey".
Sequel is...
2061 : Odyssey three
Arthur C.Clarke's space saga contines in 2061, when an Earth vessel landing on Halley's Comet marks the beginning of another confrontation between Heywood Floyd and David Bowman - or whatever Bowman has become - a newly independent HAL and the unseen alien power that controls the destiny of Earth.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Happy New Year
Welcome to 2010. It's been incredibly busy in the library this morning as we try to check in the backlog of what you have all been reading (and you have been reading lots!).
So have I. In fact I panicked over last weekend about the fact that I had done heaps of reading and none of the jobs that needed to be done around the house. Although as someone pointed out, it was supposed to be a holiday for me as well. So here are the first (brief) reviews of the year aka What Kowhai Reader read over Christmas.
Every Demon has his day (Cara Lockwood) combines chick-lit and romance with demons and ghosts all with a touch of humour (which includes a pop princess and a talking dog). It is light and good fun - the perfect beach read.
This Year It Will be Different (Maeve Binchy). This popular author serves up festive fare in short story form.
Piano Rock (Gavin Bishop) The childhood of popular NZ children's writer at Lake Wakatipu. These were days that I could relate to - kids were allowed to be kids, building huts and enjoying the outdoors in a simpler time. It's a biography that can be found in the Adult non-fiction section, but would be equally at home in the hands of the young reader.
Listen to the Wind (Greg Mortenson). The picture book version of Dr Greg and Three Cups of Tea. Illustrated in collage form and with photographs from Pakistan of the actual project, this was a lovely book.
Noone bought me The Word Witch (Editor Tessa Duder) for Christmas so I had to borrow the Magical Verse of Margaret Mahy from the library. The books contains a variety of verse from silly to serious, for young and old, and is still on my "Must Buy" list.
Punter's Turf (Peter Klein) brings crime and mystery to the world of thoroughbred racing in Australia. If you like the idea of a Dick Francis type read set across the Tasman, this is for you.
The Goblin and the Empty Chair (Mem Fox). Another picture book, from a master Australian storyteller, this is a lovely fairy tale of friendship and compassion.
The Marvel Encyclopedia (updated and expanded). I am a bit of a graphic novel (formerly known as comic) fan, and Christmas was a great time to flick through this 2009 guide tot he characters of the Marvel universe. For those that are looking for the total picture, there is also a DC Comics Encyclopedia.
hmmm - looking at the list, it's not much wonder hardly any work got done at home. What books did you all read over the festive break?
So have I. In fact I panicked over last weekend about the fact that I had done heaps of reading and none of the jobs that needed to be done around the house. Although as someone pointed out, it was supposed to be a holiday for me as well. So here are the first (brief) reviews of the year aka What Kowhai Reader read over Christmas.
Every Demon has his day (Cara Lockwood) combines chick-lit and romance with demons and ghosts all with a touch of humour (which includes a pop princess and a talking dog). It is light and good fun - the perfect beach read.
This Year It Will be Different (Maeve Binchy). This popular author serves up festive fare in short story form.
Piano Rock (Gavin Bishop) The childhood of popular NZ children's writer at Lake Wakatipu. These were days that I could relate to - kids were allowed to be kids, building huts and enjoying the outdoors in a simpler time. It's a biography that can be found in the Adult non-fiction section, but would be equally at home in the hands of the young reader.
Listen to the Wind (Greg Mortenson). The picture book version of Dr Greg and Three Cups of Tea. Illustrated in collage form and with photographs from Pakistan of the actual project, this was a lovely book.
Noone bought me The Word Witch (Editor Tessa Duder) for Christmas so I had to borrow the Magical Verse of Margaret Mahy from the library. The books contains a variety of verse from silly to serious, for young and old, and is still on my "Must Buy" list.
Punter's Turf (Peter Klein) brings crime and mystery to the world of thoroughbred racing in Australia. If you like the idea of a Dick Francis type read set across the Tasman, this is for you.
The Goblin and the Empty Chair (Mem Fox). Another picture book, from a master Australian storyteller, this is a lovely fairy tale of friendship and compassion.
The Marvel Encyclopedia (updated and expanded). I am a bit of a graphic novel (formerly known as comic) fan, and Christmas was a great time to flick through this 2009 guide tot he characters of the Marvel universe. For those that are looking for the total picture, there is also a DC Comics Encyclopedia.
hmmm - looking at the list, it's not much wonder hardly any work got done at home. What books did you all read over the festive break?
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