Teen Fiction with a Kiwi flavour

Sally was really impressed with Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey saying "It's one of the best pieces of New Zealand fantasy I've read for a long time." and she's not the first person to have said that about this book. Here is the rest of her review.

By that I mean not just a book written by a New Zealander, but set in New Zealand too. I think it's something that's hard to get right. Most times I feel like the New Zealand setting is superfluous - like the author feels obligated to set it in New Zealand, because they're a New Zealand author. Otherwise, the story could take place anywhere. In Guardian, where the story draws heavily on Maori myth and legend, the setting is not only essential, it's an asset.

Just a few months ago I was thinking that the Maori stories of patupaiarehe would make an interesting starting point for a fantasy novel - and then Anne put this on my desk, hinting (rather heavily) that wouldn't it just be lovely if I reviewed it. Just reading it on my lunch breaks soon became frustrating. I'm not good at nibbling away at books; I like to gobble them whole. So, about halfway through I took it home and finished it that night (somewhat ignoring the guests we had, but they're family so they should be used to me by now).

The theme running through the book is that the stories we're raised on shape us and the world we see. Because it's set in New Zealand that means a decent helping of Maori myth and legend. And while the well-known figures of Rangi, Papa and Maui make cameos, it's the lesser known race of the patupaiarehe who are the main antagonists.

Te Ara (Encyclopedia of New Zealand) describes patupaiarehe as "fairy-like creatures of the forests and mountain tops. Although they had some human attributes, patupaiarehe were regarded not as people but as supernatural beings (he iwi atua).They were seldom seen, and an air of mystery and secrecy still surrounds them." I hadn't heard of them until quite recently, but they immediately caught my imagination.

This book has a bit of everything: magic, adventure, romance, and a heroine with a black belt in tae kwan do. Our heroine, Ellie, is a teenager with the requisite self-esteem issues, but she's got enough fight and feistiness in her to make her a likeable and relatable character.

Top 5 for Friday - What's Hot on the Holds shelf

It's been another one of those busy weeks, when best laid plans get overtaken by events. And then there was the weather yesterday(foul). Which is my very sad excuse for it being Friday afternoon before the Top 5 is posted.

One of the things I'v noticed working in the Library is how what other people are reading is fascinating to our customers when they come in and pick up their books off the hold shelf. Just like our New Books and Recentlty Returned shelves, the Holds shelf is a great source of inspiration. After all, if someone else wants it (or if you see it more than twice on the hold shelf) it must be good. So that is my inspiration for today.

1. Fall of Giants: Book one of the Century Trilogy (Ken Follett). Lisa almost did a dance in the workroom next to me when I put her request for this on her desk. So I am pretty sure I know what she will be doing this weekend. This first part of the trilogy "follows the fates of five interrelated families - American, German, Russian, English and Welsh - as they move through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women's suffrage". Looks like something I might have to request.


2. Dolci di Love (Sarah-Kate Lynch). Sarah-Kate braved the weather last night to come up to speak to a packed theatre at Matakana and all reports are that it was well worth everyone turning up. There are already several copies of this on the Holds shelf and I expect after last night there will be more. Manhattan workaholic comes to Tuscany to find her cheating husband. However the underground network of ancient widows in Montevedova are at work to get her a happy ending - whether she wants it or not.


3. The Jefferson Key (Steve Berry). Several copies of this have been unpacked here this afternoon to go on the holds shelf. I have always been fascinated by the coincidences between the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy. This book takes that one step further by including all four presidents who have been assassinated and weaves together a plot where Justice Department Operatives race across the nation to break a secret cipher originally possessed by Thomas Jefferson, concocted by Andrew Jackson and which may mean that these seemingly unrelated events were actually all part of a larger plan which still continues today.


4. Knitting and cooking are just as popular as ever. Annabel Langbein's The Free Range Cook, any slow cooking or comfort food title and everything from beginners to advanced when it comes to knitting.


5. DVD's are particularly popular at this time of year with people taking the chance to watch everything from the latest offerings like The King's Speech to some awesome documentaries (most of the free) to reliving old favourites The Onedin Line and Poldark. There really is something here for everyone.

Favourite Kiwi Music

What do your favourite Librarians listen to when it comes to Kiwi music? I flicked out an email to a random selection to give you an insight and maybe some ideas of new New Zealand artists and albums you can try out at your library.

Neil Finn - Mean to me - well that's Crowded House - but hey! isn't Neil Finn Crowded House?

Don't dream it's over by Crowded House

Che-Fu – Fade away : Rhythm, harmony, sentiment

Avalanche City - because my 6 yr old grandaughter and I can sing along together - both our favourites at the moment

The trouble with Kay - Sneaky Feelings. Makes me singalong

Lawrence Arabia - It's my kind of music.

Bic Runga, Sway, favourite album and artist for her voice, tune and words. Haunting quality

Dennis Marsh is my Favourite kiwi artist

This is just a small selection and keep coming back because it just might grow. Of course, which Librarian likes which music is something that you will have to work out for yourself.

Top 5 for Friday - Learning from a Distance

I had a particularly enjoyable evening last night, together with 150 other students ranging from youngsters to those with greying or no hair, who received their diplomas and degrees for study carried out with the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. That's study by correspondence and self motivation at the same time as we are working, caring for families and carrying on with all the other things that life has to throw at us. So as you can imagine there were some huge smiles beaming across the stage and some jubilant reactions from graduates and their families as achievements were celebrated.

So I am going to take as my theme for the Top 5 today - Learning from a Distance and how your library can help you.

1. Learning how to study again : a practical guide to study skills for mature students returning to education or distance learning / Catherine Dawson. For those returning (or thinking of returning) to education, it takes a bit to get your head around how it all works in the 21st Century. This book will help you.


2. Studying at a Distance : A guide for students / Christine J. Talbot. Contents include Preparing for the task ahead -- Know yourself as a learner -- E-learning -- Practicalities of studying -- Getting support -- Resources for studying -- Making the most of your distance learning experience -- Doing your research project -- Course-specific information -- Understanding Learning.


3. The learning revolution : a lifelong learning programme for the world's finest computer : your amazing brain / Gordon Dryden and Jeannette Vos. It's a book that's been around since the early 1990's but which has been reissued several times.


4. Whoa, my boss is naked! : a career book for people who would never be caught dead reading a career book / Jake Greene. So it's not strictly for those who are, or have done, distance learning. But getting your qualification is not the end of the story - just the beginning of your journey. And you have to admit it's a bit of a catchy title. So even if you are not a member of the generation "born with a remote in their hand" you will still be able to read this and have a laugh.


5. Easily the best : the life of Helen Connon (1857-1903) / Margaret Lovell-Smith. When you are studying, it's sometimes hard to fit in some reading for relaxation. It's also very hard to keep up the motivation. Give yourself a break and read a biography about some of the people who have been where you are, and succeeded. Helen was a New Zealander and was the first Honours Graduate in the British Empire when she received her Master of Arts degree in 1881. As you can imagine, it was not easy. Be inspired.

Libraries can also provide spaces to study, free computer/wifi access and help on finding those hard-to-locate resources. Your librarian is an information professional and we are here to help you (we also got a huge plug and message of support from Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse who was the guest speaker last night).

Congratulations to all my fellow graduates and those who received diplomas and certificates. Pat yourself on the back and take the weekend off.

Secrets and Suspense

Before you even notice the title These Things Hidden (Heather Gudenkauf) the words ‘Fans of Jodi Picoult will devour this’ (Red Magazine) bounce off the cover at you. So in the interests of finding read-a-likes for all Jodi’s fans (of which I am sporadically one) while she works on her next novel, I took this book home over the weekend. And couldn’t put it down.

This is a story of secrets which are gradually revealed through the voices of four different women. Allison lost her reputation as a golden girl when she was sent to prison. Her sister Brynn is shy and quiet and also struggling with the events that sent Allison to prison. Charm is training to become a nurse while struggling to care for her step-dad, the only father she has ever known who is kind to her. Claire counts her blessings every day which include five year old Joshua, a miracle boy who fulfils her dream of motherhood.

It is young Joshua upon whom all the secrets and woman’s lives converge in this suspenseful page turner. Each chapter is told in the voice of one of the woman, it is easy to recognise each one and the chapters are short which keeps the pace of the novel going. I found I got very caught up with the characters. At times I wanted to slap them and at other times I cried for them.

If you like authors such as Jodi Picoult, Linwood Barclay, Sophie Hannah or Debbie Macomber, then this is a book you should definitely try.