News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

New CDs for June include new Alt-Rock from Deerhunter & The National; electronica from Daft Punk; breakthrough artist Mike Rosenberg of ‘Passenger’; & Baz Lurmann’s Gatsby soundtrack…

All the little lights.
“UK-born, adopted Australian son Passenger (Mike Rosenberg) releases his latest, already critically-lauded album, All The Little Lights… Passenger began in the UK as a five-piece band with the big money label behind it in the early 2000s. They released a critically acclaimed debut album (Wicked Man s Rest) but when the members of that band chose to go their separate ways in 2007, Rosenberg opted to stick with the Passenger moniker and trust in his music, his voice and his guitar to take him where it would. He took to the streets and discovered not only that the experience enormous fun, but it also proved empowering…Rosenberg headed to Australia in 2009. In only 18 months, he went from busking on Australia s street corners to selling out venues across the country and supporting major artists like Ed Sheeran, John Butler Trio, Angus & Julia Stone and more. Mike is a modern day troubadour whose constant touring in both hemispheres has seen him win over scores of fans…” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk description)

The Love Club EP.
“The brand new artist the world is buzzing about… Lorde is the new breed. Stripped back sounds, fathom-deep lyrics and a social commentary that is pin sharp. Intense, intelligent and in town. Raised on a nutritious musical diet of Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, The Smiths and Nick Drake, alongside a smattering of soul food from the likes of Etta James and Otis Redding, Ella was definitely set off on strong melodic footing. Later she discovered artists like James Blake, Bon Iver, Burial, Animal Collective, SBTRKT and Drake – all of whom made an impact in their own, individual way. As vital and varied as those influences are, they don’t really begin to tell the full story of Lorde’s music, which melds concentrated, sharp-eyed lyrics and multi-layered vocals with crisp, 2013 beatscapes. Collaborating with producer and songwriter Joel Little, in which she found someone who could really help in getting the songs out of her head and into yours. Tweeted about by everyone from Grimes to Sky Ferreira to Doomtree, and picked up by Buzzfeed, Perez Hilton et al and top US pop site, Idolator – these are the beginnings of an impending roar, about an artist who is quite simply, cut from a different cloth. Track Listing: 1: 1. Bravado 2. Royals 3. Million Dollar Bills 4. The Love Club 5. Biting Down…” (From Amazon.co.uk description)

The great Gatsby : music from Baz Lurmann’s film.
“Soundtrack to the 2013 Baz Luhrmann film The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo di Caprio. The soundtrack was formulated by Luhrmann andrapper Jay-Z and attempts to translate the “Jazz Age” of Fitzgerald’s original book into a contemporary setting: the Hip-hop Age. Jay-Z’s own “No Church in the Wild” and “100$ Bill” feature along with new songs by Florence + the Machine, Lana Del Rey, Nero, will.i.am and the xx were written for scenes in the film. The highly eclectic soundtrack also features songs performed by such artists as Beyoncé and André 3000; Fergie, Q Tip and GoonRock; Coco O. of Quadron, Gotye; Nero; and Sia. There’s a also a few favorites with a new twist, such as Jack White’s interpretation of U2’s “Love Is Blindness”, Beyoncé and André 3000 collaborating on Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” and Bryan Ferry’s new take on a couple of classics: his own “Love Is The Drug” and, with Emeli Sandé, Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love”…” (Description from Amazon.co.uk)

Trouble will find me / The National.
“Trouble Will Find Me is The National’s highly anticipated sixth album. Formed in 1999, the Ohio-raised, Brooklyn- based band consists of vocalist Matt Berninger fronting two pairs of brothers: Aaron (guitar, bass, piano) and Bryce Dessner (guitar), and Scott (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). New 2013 album from the Brooklyn behemoths … their first in 3 years! Cameos by St Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, Sufjan Stevens and Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire). Includes “Demons”….” (Description from Amazon.co.uk)

Random access memories.
“Fourth studio album by French electronic music duo Daft Punk. The title, ‘Random Access Memories’ is said to refer to the band’s interest in the past. Nile Rodgers of Chic features on three tracks including the single ‘Get Lucky’. The album, featuring the #1 single ‘Get Lucky’, entered the UK Albums Chart at #1. New 2013 album … their first in 8 years! Cameos by Pharrell Williams (N*E*R*D), Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Panda Bear (Animal Collective), Nile Rodgers (Chic), Giorgio Moroder, Paul Williams and others. Includes “Get Lucky”…” (Description from Amazon.co.uk)

Monomania.
“New 2013 album … their first with fresh guitarist Frankie Broyles! Nocturnal garage-pop ‘n’ hallucinatory glam-fuzz from the Georgia gods. Includes “Back To Middle”…” (From Amazon.co.uk description)

American fantasy writer Raymond E. Feist will be speaking about his writing in Wellington on Thursday 20th June in the Mezzanine Room of  Central Library at 6.00pm. This event is free and there are chances to win signed copies of his long awaited, most recently published novel titled, Magician’s End. This is the fourth and final volume in the Riftwar Cycle that began with his first published novel in 1982, titled Magician. Since then Raymond Feist has produced 31 other novels, numerous essays and short fiction. All 30 of his novels make up the volumes to nine different fantasy series, with the only stand alone novel being Faerie Tale, published in 1988.

Raymond Feist was born in 1945 in California, and started writing while at university, and two years after graduating with a B.A. in Communication Arts with Honours completed and published his first novel. It was the beginning of the Rift War series and also the beginning of a prolific writing career that has and continues to give much pleasure to Fantasy fiction fans all over the world.

In our June cookbook picks we feature food from around the world, as well as laid-back Coromandel cookery and recipes that will take you right back to Summer. All these chefs’ favourite recipes are bound to become your favourites!

The Cake Decorating Bible / Juliet Sear.
“Juliet Sear is cake maker extraordinaire, baker to the stars and owner of the fabulously decadent Fancy Nancy Bakery in Essex. Her breathtaking , show-stopping cakes and biscuits see celebrities and style magazines flocking to get a glimpse of her latest extravagenza. Now you can learn the secrets, tricks and insider tips to making and decorating your own stunning baked creations.” (Book Jacket)

Coromandel Flavour : a year of cooking at the bach / by Deborah Hide-Bayne.
“Coromandel Flavour is a New Zealand/Aotearoa cookery book that captures the relaxed way of life we have here by the beach, and features local seasonal food. A mixture of artist’s sketchbook, reportage photography and recipe book, it pleases the eyes and the tastebuds.” (Books in Print)

Janella’s Wholefood Kitchen / Janella Purcell ; [photography by Heath Missen].
“Good health starts in your kitchen and Janella Purcell, Gourmand-awarded nutritionist, naturopath and cook, shows you how – easily and deliciously.” (Book Jacket)

Jerusalem : A Cookbook / Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi ; [additional text by Nomi Abeliovich and Noam Bar ; food photography by Jonathan Lovekin ; location photography by Adam Hinton].
“The flavours and smells of this city are our mother tongue: wild herbs picked on school trips, days in markets, the smell of the dry soil on a summer’s day, goats and sheep roaming the hills, fresh pitas, chopped parsley, chopped liver, black figs, syrupy cakes, crumbly cookies.” – Yottam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi (Book Jacket)

A Global Feast : traditional meals in a new homeland / Afife Skafi Harris & Beryl Lee ; photographs by Brian Treanor.
In this book you will find:

• “Favourite recipes presented as meals by migrants from 28 different countries,
• The context in which the dishes are served, their origins and meanings,
• Over 100 tested recipes ” (Book Jacket)

Japanese Food and Cooking : a timeless cuisine : the traditions, techniques, ingredients and recipes / Emi Kazuko with recipes by Yasuko Fukuoka.
“This is a comprehensive and beautiful guide covering all aspects of Japanese cuisine, from its history and underlying philosophy, to its unique ingredients, methods of preparation, and cooking techniques.” (Syndetics summary)

Four Seasons : A Year of Italian Food / Manuela Darling-Gansser ; photography by Simon Griffiths.
“Manuela Darling-Gansser’s journey across Italy reveals authentic recipes and long-held food traditions. Like its landscape, Italy’s food is one of contrasts – rich spices, fresh herbs, exquisite cheeses, hearty pastas, decadent desserts, and plenty of oranges, lemons and pistachios. And all Italians would agree, the best food is cooked at home….. this collection of Manuela’s favourite recipes is sure to become a kitchen favourite.” (Books In Print)

The Lebanese Kitchen / Salma Hage.
“Phaidon’s cookbook division alternates between quirky, specialized works, such as its recent New Nordic release, Faviken, and definitive, all-inclusive mega-volumes like the 816-page India Cookbook. This collection by Hage, a Lebanese housewife with half a century of home cooking under her belt, falls firmly into the latter camp, with 500 straightforward recipes covering every aspect of her native cuisine…. Hage’s directions are concise, with recipes usually appearing two to a page, and accompanied by an array of delicious, full-page, color photos….”(Publisher Weekly)

Australia’s Favourite Recipes : cherished family recipes from around the country / edited by Leila McKinnon.
“Australia’s Favourite Recipes gathers the much-loved dishes from families all around the country.” (Book Jacket)

Running, Poker, Golf, Climbing, Biographies of sports personalities, Cycling, Wrestling and Tennis – all included in this month’s selection of Recent Picks for Sports and Fitness.

Winning Tennis : The Smarter Player’s Guide / Rob Antoun.
“A comprehensive guide on targeting an opponent’s style of play for a winning advantage. ‘Winning Tennis’ is unlike any other tennis instruction guide. It doesn’t explain how to hit a tennis ball, and it leaves grips, strokes and serves aside. The book focuses on winning tennis by reading an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses for clues, patterns, court position and more. Knowing what is about to come across the net is a huge advantage for preparing a winning return…..The Smarter Player’s Guide is an essential resource that can revolutionize a player’s tennis skills, and thus their ability to win.” (Books In Print)

Your 12-Week Guide to the Gym : from your armchair to a complete body workout in 12 weeks / by Daniel Ford ; training programme by Paul Cowcher.
“Your 12-week Guide to the Gym offers an achievable step-by-step guide to help get an unfit person to a definable goal – a 90 minute workout in 12 weeks. The book outlines how to get started, what’s needed and how to make that first step. Then using the week-by-week guide the reader works towards the target goal in very gradual steps with a weekly programme plus basic tips on nutrition, motivation, stretching and so on. The emphasis is on a very gradual approach towards achieving the goal so that the reader feels comfortable and there is constant reaffirmation of achievements as he/she works through the programme.”–Publisher’s description.

The 50 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of all Time : the definitive shoot / by Larry Matysik.
“Larry Matysik is a wrestling promoter and the author of Brody , Drawing Heat the Hard Way , and Wrestling at the Chase . He has worked with Sam Muchnick, cofounder and former president of the National Wrestling Alliance, and Vince McMahon, chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment.” (Library Catalogue)

Shipton and Tilman : The Great Decade of Himalayan Exploration / Jim Perrin.
“Using unpublished diaries, Jim Perrin, the acclaimed author of “The Villain” and “Menlove”, tells the story of the greatest exploring partnership in British history. In the 1930s Tilman and the younger Shipton pioneered many routes in Africa and the Himalayas and found the key to unlocking Everest. They crossed Africa by bicycle, explored China with Spender and Auden, journeyed down the Oxus River to its source and, with no support, opened up much of the Nepalese Himalaya. In the words of Jim Perrin, “The journeys of discovery undertaken through two decades by this pair of venturesome ragamuffins are unparallelled in the annals of mountain exploration.” (Library Catalogue)

In the City of Bikes : the story of the Amsterdam cyclist / Pete Jordan.
“In 2002, the newlywed American author came to Amsterdam to study urban planning for five months. He, his wife, and his son live there still,….. Need a work visa in a tight labor market? Just be a janitor at a garbage-processing plant. Low funds and two-room apartments? Who cares when you’re holding your pregnant wife’s hand as she bikes along beside you? That’s right. Everyone bikes in Amsterdam: the elderly, the brief-cased, the ladder-carrying, the ballroom-gowned. All without helmets. No history of bicycles is complete without a history of bike thievery, and Jordan delivers.” (Booklist)
“Part personal memoir, part history of cycling, part fascinating street-level tour of Amsterdam, In The City of Bikes is the story of a man who loves bikes – in a city that loves bikes.” (Book Jacket)

Everest 1953 : the epic story of the first ascent / Mick Conefrey.
“A gripping narrative underpinned by meticulous research. With the same forensic eye for detail that informs his documentary films, Conefry reminds us that this was actually a great team effort,
which only just succeded at the eleventh hour.” – Stephen Venables (Book Jacket)
“A thoroughly and well-researched book which tells the ‘inside’ story of an often misunderstood expedition. Essential reading for anyone with a fascination for Everest.” Matt Dickson (Book Jacket)

Ronaldo : The Obsession for Perfection / Luca Caioli.
“When a young Portugese player with sublime abilities arrived at Manchester United in 2003, Alex Ferguson put the number 7 shirt – once worn by Best, Cantona and Beckham – on his back without hesitation….. Luca Caioli tells the inside story of this global superstar both on and off the pitch, unveiling as never before the life of one of modern football’s great players, who is driven by seemingly unstoppable force to be absolutely the best he can be.” (Book Jacket)

The Muddy Olympians / Jonathan and Simon Kennett.
The stories of the six mountain bikers who have represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games.
“New Zealand mountain biking pioneers Simon and Jonathan Kennett trace the stories of our cross-country champions – and the development of the sport in New Zealand – from friendly races in the back blocks to the fierce battle for international titles and professional team contracts.” (Book Jacket)

Golf’s Moment of Truth : how to play under pressure and conquer the choke point / Robin Sieger.
“A refreshinly simple yet original approach to the mental aspects of golf.” (Book Jacket)

The Unstoppable Golfer : trusting your mind & your short game to achieve greatness / Bob Rotella with Bob Cullen.
“Dr Bob Rotella is the pre-eminent golf psychologist to the game’s top players – he has coached stars like Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke – and he has offered his advice to golffers of all skill levels in his best selling books, including Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect and Golf Is a Game of Confidence. Now he tackles the mind’s role in the most difficult aspect of golfing – the short game.” (Book Jacket)

The Art of Running Faster / Julian Goater, Don Melvin.
“Julian Goater offers a practical approach to running, explaining not only what to do but how to do it. The Art of Running Faster is a must-have guide for becoming a better runner.” (Book Jacket)

Poker : The Real Deal / by Phil Gordon and Jonathan Grotenstein.
“Seizing on poker’s explosion in popular culture, Gordon (co-host of Bravo’s Celebrity Poker Showdown and two-time World Poker Tour champion) and Grotenstein offer an instructive overview of the game, lifestyle and culture that reaches beyond dry technicalities. A rigorous defense of poker as a game of skill, not chicanery, the book frames it as an all-American exercise in individual shrewdness. (Publisher Weekly)
“Like a secret society, poker has its own language and customs – its own governing logic and rules of etiquette that the uninitiated may find intimidating. It’s a game of skill, and playing well depends on more than just a good hand or the ability to hide emotion. The first step toward developing a style worthy of the greats is learning to think like a poker player. In a game where there are no absolutes, mastering the basics is only the begining – being able to pull off the strategy and theatrics is the difference between legendary wins and epic failure….The authors provide tips on everything you need to know about the home game, online poker, card rooms, tournaments, and becoming a professional.” (Book Jacket)

Angels feature as a theme in this month’s recent acquisitions, together with religions in Korea and China, and the latest Rob Bell.

Spiritual letters, by Wendy Beckett.
“Apart from her celebrity status as the art nun, fueled by her popular television programs and prolific writing, Sister Wendy has been approached throughout her life for counsel on the spiritual life and the life of prayer. Here, for the first time, are collected some of the finest of her responses in the form of letters, kept and treasured by their recipients over the years. Sister Wendy herself has written a charming and very personal autobiographical preface in which she sets these letters in their context. This little book is a treasure trove of wisdom and sound simple advice.” (drawn from the publisher’s description)

What we talk about when we talk about God : finding a new faith for the twenty-first century, by Rob Bell.
“While in the past Bell has questioned traditional views on sex, sacrifice, and hell, now he tackles the big one: God. He writes of “waking up in new ways to the God who’s been here the whole time,” a divine being who is with, for and ahead of humanity so that a jaded generation of “spiritual but not religious” may see Jesus, and divinity, in all things. As always, his work is replete with unexpected stories, relevant pop culture references, and new takes on old scriptures; Bell is finally certain about his ontological uncertainty. Undoubtedly, conservative readers will find much to argue with, and Bell seems content with that, hoping that for many others, this book will be a welcome breath of fresh air in a spiritual haze. Agent: Chris Ferebee (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.” (Publisher Weekly)

Sharing Eden : green teachings from Jews, Christians and Muslims, by by Natan Levy, David Shreeve and Harfiyah Haleem ; edited by Lindsay Swan.
“Six green issues, including climate change, energy, and food, are discussed in terms of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious imperatives to care for the world. … After the faith groups’ theoretical concerns with each topic have been stated briefly, a list of exemplary responses already in effect internationally but largely in Britain is provided. Then comes a solid set of suggestions for the reader to consider undertaking, either alone or with his or her congregation. Studded with beautifully reproduced nature photos, this book is quick to read but has much for individuals and groups to digest and consider as options for bringing faith-based responses to environmental care.” (drawn from Booklist, courtesy of Syndetics)

Understanding Chinese religions, by Joachim Gentz.
“Chinese religions are often represented as a unity in which each tradition possesses a number of features typical of a Chinese religious system. … Abundant historical material makes Chinese religions a highly interesting case. With their entirely different philosophical and political context Chinese religions are a challenging field of analysis for Western systematic questions and theories of religion. There is a rich and expanding scholarship in Chinese religions.” (drawn from the Syndetics summary)

The seven-point mind training : a Tibetan method for cultivating mind and heart, by B. Alan Wallace ; edited by Zara Houshmand.
“At the heart of the Seven-Point Mind Training lies the transformation of the circumstances that life brings us, however hard as the raw material from which we create our own spiritual path. The central theme of the Seven-Point Mind Training is to make the liberating passage from the constricting solitude of self-centeredness to the warm kinship with others which occurs with the cultivation of cherishing others. This Mind Training is especially well-suited for an active life. It helps us to reexamine our relationships – to family, friends, enemies, and strangers – and gradually transform our responses to whatever life throws our way.” (drawn from the publisher’s description)

Waking up in Heaven : a true story of brokenness, Heaven, and life again, by Crystal McVea and Alex Tresniowski.
Recounts the story of a young mother who underwent an intense near-death experience after she became unresponsive during a medical emergency, as she discusses the hardships of her past and the impact of the experience on her life.

Angels are for real : inspiring, true stories and biblical answers, by Judith MacNutt.
Angels – are they real or just part of our imagination? In her newest book, Judith MacNutt tackles this topic with Biblical information and real life stories. We pray about many things and don’t always notice how the prayer is answered. Angels could be at work. Have you ever had an experience where you know someone stopped you before a horrible accident? or, lost something that miraculously was found? These are just two of the ways angels could be working in your life. … The research that Ms. MacNutt has done will inspire you. (drawn from www.goodreads.com.)

An angel to watch over me : true stories of children’s encounters with angels, by Joan Wester Anderson.
If Jesus himself taught that the kingdom of heaven belongs to children, there’s no reason in the world not to believe that God can reveal his love to little ones through angels. More than 30 stories of children’s experiences with celestial beings are shared in this book — from a boy whose angels helps him conquer his fear of thunderstorms to a girl who is miraculously rescued from her burning home. (drawn from the publisher’s description)

From Gabriel to Lucifer : a cultural history of angels, by Valery Rees.
For sceptics, angels may be no more than metaphors: poetic devices to convey, at least for those with a religious sensibility, an active divine interest in creation. But for others, angels are absolutely real creatures: manifestations of cosmic power with the capacity either to enlighten or annihilate those whose awestruck paths they cross. (Syndetics summary)

Silence : a Christian history, by Diarmaid MacCulloch.
“The New York Times bestselling author of Christianity explores the vital role of silence in the Christian story. … MacCulloch shows how Jesus chose to emphasize silence as an essential part of his message and how silence shaped the great medieval monastic communities of Europe. He also examines the darker forms of religious silence, from the church’s embrace of slavery and its muted reaction to the Holocaust to the cover-up by Catholic authorities of devastating sexual scandals. A groundbreaking work that will change our understanding of the most fundamental wish to be heard by God, Silence gives voice to the greatest mysteries of faith.” (drawn from the publisher’s description)

Religion in Korea : harmony and coexistence, by Robert Koehler ; editor, Jang Woo-jung ; copy editor, Colin A. Mouat, Daisy Larios.
“Korea is a remarkable case study in religious coexistence. Even though only about half the country identifies as religious, the half that does displays a remarkable diversity of both indigenous and imported faiths, including Buddhism and Christianity (of both the Catholic and Protestant varieties). Korean religious pluralism is no recent phenomenon. Koreans have respected religious diversity since ancient times. Indeed…This book surveys the rich religious and spiritual tapestry that is contemporary Korea. We begin with the earliest of Korean faiths the shamanism that prehistoric Koreans brought with them as they migrated to the peninsula from Central Asia and continue on to today’s most prominent faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, and Confucianism. Korea has given birth to a large number of indigenous faiths, and we will take a look at some of these, too.” (drawn from the publisher’s description)

Slaying the dragons : destroying myths in the history of science and faith, by Allan Chapman.
“From the leading scientists of medieval times, many in holy orders, to the seventeenth-century popes who maintained an astronomical observatory in the Vatican, to the Christian people of science today, science and faith have grown up together”–Back cover.

New computing books. Four new Plain & Simple books to keep your computing life easier…

Macs for dummies / by Edward C. Baig.
“Intrigued by your new Mac? Baig presents a guide for beginners that explains how a Mac computer works, describing how to print, fax, and e-mail, use the Internet, manage music, photo, and video files, and troubleshoot common problems.” (Syndetics summary)

Microsoft Outlook 2013 plain & simple / Jim Boyce.
“This full colour, no-nonsense book shows you the quickest ways to manage your email and schedule appointments, using easy-to-follow steps and concise, straightforward language.” (Syndetics summary)

Windows 8 for tablets for dummies / by Andy Rathbone.
“Answers to everything you want to know about using Windows * on your tablet, right here! Did you know Windows 8 was actually designed for tablets? Andy Rathbone shows you how to take full advantage of that power, explaining the pros and cons of Windows RT versus Windows 8, what accessories are really helpful, how your tablet can transform into a desktop when needed, storage secrets, how to be productive with the touchscreen, and more” (Book jacket)

Excel 2013 formulas / by John Walkenback.
“Explains how to get the most out of Excel 2013’s formulas, covering such topics as worksheet functions, named cells and ranges, array formulas, megaformulas, debugging, and creating custom functions with VBA.” (Syndetics summary)

Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 plain & simple / Nancy Muir.
“Learn the simplest ways to get things done with Microsoft PowerPoint 2013. Create slides that engage and inform:
Design faster with themes and templates:
Enhance your text with multimedia and data:
Animate slides and add transition effects:
Edit and polish for maximum impact….” (Book jacket)

iConnected : Use AirPlay, iCloud, Apps, and more to bring your Apple devices together / Ben Harvell.
“Whether at work or at home, syncing multiple Apple devices can help you achieve an organized, streamlined, harmonized life. With this unique resource, you discover how to get the most out of AirPlay and iCloud, Apple’s streaming and cloud services. Featuring a four-color design and packed with helpful codes, tips, and tricks, this accessible book shows you how to write a document on an iMac at home and then continue editing it on an iPad while on the go without worrying about synching the devices to each other. Perhaps you’re interested in watching a movie on an iPhone during the commute home and then stream that movie to an HDTV via an Apple TV once you’re back on the couch. Those are just a sneak preview of the tutorials in this book that will show you how to take full advantage of the cross-family integration of Apple’s products.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Microsoft Access 2013 plain & simple / Andrew Couch.
“This no-nonsense book shows you the quickest ways to build a database and sort information, using easy-to-follow steps and oncise, straightforward language. You’ll learn how templates and reusable components make Access 2013 a fast and simple database solution. Easy-to-follow steps and screenshots show exactly what to do.” (Syndetics summary)

HTML : a beginner’s guide / Wendy Willard.
“…Thoroughly updated and revised, HTML: A Beginners Guide, Fifth Edition shows you, step by step, how to create dynamic websites with HTML. The book covers new HTML5 features, including video, audio, and canvas elements. Learn how to structure a page, place images, format text, create links, add color, work with multimedia, and use forms. You’ll also go beyond the basics and find out how to work with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), create dynamic web content with JavaScript, upload your site to the web, and code HTML emails. By the end of the book you’ll be able to build custom websites using the latest HTML techniques….” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Developing cloud applications with Windows Azure storage / Paul Mehner ; [foreword by Jeffrey Richter].
“Get the focused, pragmatic guidance you need to build professional cloud applications using Windows Azure Storage. This is one of the few books centered around Storage capabilities, and the author provides essential, expert coverage of the four key services-BLOB, tables, queues, and drives. Developers will gain hands-on insights, including detailed sections on business use cases and guidance for choosing the right storage option for the job.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Microsoft Office Professional 2013 for touch devices plain & simple / Katherine Murray.
“Get the full-colour, visual guide that makes learning Microsoft Office 2013 on your touch-enabled devices plain and simple! Follow the book’s easy steps and screenshots and clear, concise language to learn the simplest ways to get things done with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher and OneNote.” (Syndetics summary)

New books on Travel: “The world’s most acclaimed travel writer journeys through western Africa from Cape Town to the Congo.”

Shipton and Tilman : the great decade of Himalayan exploration / Jim Perrin.
“…In the 1930s Tilman and the younger Shipton pioneered many routes in Africa and the Himalayas and found the key to unlocking Everest… Jim Perrin writes of his source-material: “These unpublished diaries, journals, and extensive correspondence have not previously been used to present a portrait of the most productive friendship in the history of mountain exploration. What they reveal is, in Shipton’s phrase, “a random harvest of delight” gathered by two uniquely bold and engaging characters from the great mountain ranges of the world during the golden era of their first western exploration. Between geographical excitement, the nature of arduous travel in difficult and uncharted terrain throughout a lost epoch, and the quirkiest and most stimulating of friendships, the theme is a gift, and one that has long been waiting for adequate treatment.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The green road into the trees : an exploration of England / Hugh Thomson.
“…Walking right across England, along ancient trackways and green grass roads, Hugh explores the way the country was and the way it is today: the legends, literature and natural world that define us, and the undercurrent of regret running throughout our history; what he calls ‘the unicorn disappearing into the trees’. From coast-to-coast and through the heart of the countryside, he shows how older, forgotten cultures like the Celts, Saxons and Vikings lie much closer to the surface than we may think…” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Red Rock Canyon : visitor guide / by Tom Moulin.
“The general-interest visitor guidebook for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, located outside of Las Vegas Nevada, covering the region’s history, plants and animals, and activites.” (Syndetics summary)

Off the beaten page : the best trips for lit lovers, book clubs, and girls on getaways / Terri Peterson Smith.
“Off the Beaten Page encourages avid readers, particularly those in book clubs and other groups, to leave the security of their living rooms and seek to experience in person the places they’ve read about. Inspired by years of excursions with her own book club, award-winning journalist Terri Peterson Smith offers lively, expert guidance through fifteen US destinations ideal for anyone eager to mix their love of travel and quality time with friends or family with their desire for meaningful cultural experiences.” (Syndetics summary)

The last train to Zona Verde : overland from Cape Town to Angola / Paul Theroux.
“…’Happy again, back in the kingdom of light,’ writes Paul Theroux as he sets out on a new journey though the continent he knows and loves best. Having travelled down the right-hand side of Africa in Dark Star Safari, he sets out this time from Cape Town, heading northwards in a new direction, up the left-hand side, through South Africa and Namibia, to Botswana, then on into Angola, heading for the Congo, in search of the end of the line. Journeying alone through the greenest continent in what he feels will be his last African journey, Theroux encounters a world increasingly removed from both the intineraries of tourists and the hopes of post-colonial independence movements…. But finally, after 2500 arduous miles through the bush, Theroux comes to the end of his journey in more ways than one, a decision he chronicles with typical irascible honesty in a chapter called ‘What Am I Doing Here?’ ….” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The Little Bookroom guide to Paris with children : eat, shop, play, stay / Kim Horton Levesque.
“A practical, photo-complemented reference for Paris visitors with children explains how to enable a child-centered tour of important sites and neighborhoods, identifies family-friendly restaurants and shops and includes practical advice on how to find a babysitter and an English-speaking playgroup.” (Syndetics summary)

Heat : adventures in the world’s fiery places / Bill Streever.
“Streever’s follow-up to his 2010 New York Times bestseller, Heat, follows a structure as he explores any place hot or anything that creates heat, like Death Valley, forest fires, coal, oil, nuclear bombs, cooking, and volcanoes. There is stream of consciousness in Streever’s style: a chapter that starts with a walk in the desert can contain tangents about 18th-century scientist Lavoisier, heat stroke, nuclear test sites, fevers, firewalking, hyponatremia, and the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. But it’s delivered in funny, matter-of-fact prose, as when describing his ineptitude at starting a fire (”If the world were populated by people like me, we would still be living in trees and eating fruit. Climate change would not be an issue”). …12 b&w illus. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly)” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

100 places that can change your child’s life : from your backyard to the ends of the earth / Keith Bellows, editor.
“Kids who learn to travel will travel to learn. National Geographic Traveler Editor Keith Bellows sends you and your children globetrotting for life-changing vacations that will expand their horizons and shape their perspectives. What you won’t find inside: predictable itineraries and lists of landmarks and events. Instead, you’ll get evocative, slice-of-life experiences and age-appropriate ideas that illuminate place and culture….” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Falling in honey : life and love on a Greek island / Jennifer Barclay.
“I came here looking for some kind of happiness. I think it might be the cleverest thing I have ever done.” One heartbroken winter, Jennifer decides to act on her dream of moving to a tiny Greek island – because life is too short not to reach out for what makes us happy. Funny, romantic and full of surprising twists, Falling in Honey is a story about relationships, tzatziki, adventures, swimming, Greek dancing, starfish… and a bumpy but beautiful journey into Mediterranean sunshine.” (Syndetics summary)

Strange stones : dispatches from East and West / Peter Hessler.
“Hessler started out wanting to be a novelist, then drifted into journalism…. As Beijing correspondent for the New Yorker for seven years, he got a firsthand look at the travails of its modernization. In this collection of stories from China, Japan, Nepal, and the U.S., he offers an engaged outsider’s perspective, as absorbed with meeting people including migrants and transplants as with detailing geography and politics. …–Bush, Vanessa Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)(adapted from Synderics summary)

Cruel crossing : escaping Hitler across the Pyrenees / Edward Stourton.
“The mountain paths are as treacherous as they are steep; the more so in the dark and in winter. Even for the fit the journey is a formidable challenge. Hundreds of those who climbed through the Pyrenees during the Second World War were malnourished and exhausted after weeks on the run hiding in barns and attics. Many never even reached the Spanish border. Today their bravery and endurance is commemorated each July by a trek along the Chemin de la Libert; the toughest and most dangerous of wartime routes. From his fellow pilgrims Edward Stourton uncovers stories of midnight scrambles across rooftops and drops from speeding trains; burning Lancasters, doomed love affairs, horrific murder and astonishing heroism. The lives of the men, women and children who were drawn by the war to the Pyrenees often read as breathtakingly exciting adventure, but they were led against a background of intense fear, mounting persecution and appalling risk. Drawing on interviews with the few remaining survivors and the families of those who were there, Edward Stourton’s vivid history of this little-known aspect of the Second World War is shocking, dramatic and intensely moving.” (Syndetics summary)

Enjoy these fascinating  books with your children, everyone will learn amazing facts about wild animals and enjoy the beautiful illustrations too.

Stripes of all types / written and illustrated by Susan Stockdale.
“Stockdale pairs precise acrylic illustrations with equally tidy verse to depict 19 striped animals. “Stripes found in water,/ sliding through weeds./ Drinking from rivers,/ and darting through reeds,” she writes, as the accompanying images show purple-striped jellyfish, an eastern garter snake, ring-tailed lemurs, and an American bittern. Elsewhere, a horizontally striped surgeonfish is seen “scouting a reef” amid speckled coral, and a poison frog in shocking orange, yellow, and red stripes is “propped on a log.” Closer to home, two children cuddle with striped cats. Appended pages discuss the ways stripes benefit each creature and also provide a guessing game for readers to match stripes with their respective animals.” (Publisher Weekly)

I wish I had– / written by Giovanna Zoboli ; illustrated by Simona Mulazzani ; [translation services provided by Translations Unlimited].
“Books inviting children to imagine themselves as animals are ubiquitous and a playful way to encourage imagination, but most don’t have the scope of this beautiful Italian import. There is a dignified eloquence at work here, and the narrator’s wishes are not merely the desire of a child to be like an animal, but a longing for a tangible connection to an often intangible universe. Zoboli offers some rather everyday wishes, such as to become the wings of a wild goose or the tail of a lemur who hasn’t wished to fly through the air or swing through trees? But longing for the happy hunger of a bear in the orchard or the contentment of a dog in winter when the snow falls outside transcends daydreaming to feel quite spiritual. The painterly illustrations in this oversize picture book (the works of Henri Rousseau come to mind) have a grandeur about them that matches the majestic ideas expressed throughout. Repeated motifs within the pictures some of the animals are clutching a flower in their mouths, and the larger animals appear to be tattooed with images of other animals, plants, and flowers create a sense of universality. This is a book of big ideas, sparingly told, and full of wonder.” (Booklist)

Ocean counting / by Janet Lawler ; photography by Brian Skerry.
“Presents young readers with a foundation for learning basic counting skills while discovering some magnificent ocean animals. Fact boxes in the back of the book include information about the animals’ homes, sizes, diets, predators, and babies”. (Syndetics summary)

Wildlife / Paul Thurlby.
“On the heels of Paul Thurlby’s Alphabet (2011) comes this bright, bold compendium of personality-filled animals. On each page, a large print of each creature, rendered in an illustrative style that echoes the uncluttered, bright posters of the mid-twentieth century, pairs with memorable facts presented in spare, simple text. From the flamingo’s ability to drink while upside down to the effect that chewing has on the crocodile’s tear ducts, these zoology nuggets are unusual, specific, and accessible to young audiences, all while offering surprises to those reading aloud to them. Many of the pages also include a slogan or other very brief phrase within the illustration itself, such as the kangaroo in a judo pose juxtaposed beside the printed call to Kick up your heels. The spare, high-contrast graphic style of this picture book makes it an excellent candidate for small-group sharing, and the curious bits of information will bring many young naturalists and budding artists back to the pages again and again.” (Booklist)

A number of Wellington City Libraries’ staff members were not born in New Zealand, and have backgrounds that encompass many different countries, languages, and cultures. This is ideal for any organisation that interfaces with the diverse population of Wellington, and all Wellingtonians love their libraries (of course!).

A very cool new display has been put up at Miramar library (and will make eventually its way to Central on the 1st of July, in time for Argentina’s Independence Day on the 9th) by librarian Axel, who is from Argentina and has been living in Wellington for a few years now.  It shows off as much Argentine culture as is possible in a display cabinet, and if you check it out you will learn that Argentina has a LOT going on. Have a look at the gallery below.

You can also sit down and listen to a selection of CDs from Argentina that have been hand-picked from our collection for the listener’s pleasure (and to prove that there is MUCH more to Argentine music than the tango). Or listen to the Spotify playlist that Axel has created below. Espero que disfruten la exibición tanto como yo!

And if you have any questions or enquiries about any aspect of Argentina, the display or the music, don’t hesitate to ask Axel.

Make a modern art cake! using one of our fabulous new arty books for June 2013:-

Modern art desserts : recipes for cakes, cookies, confections, and frozen treats based on iconic works of art / Caitlin Freeman ; photography by Clay McLachlan ; contributions from Tara Duggan ; curator’s notes by Janet Bishop ; foreword by Rose Levy Beranbaum.
“… Although all of baker-author (The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee, 2012) Freeman’s inspirations have been prompted by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, it’s hard to believe that photographer Francesca Woodman’s works could be classified as iconic especially since her portfolio spans only a few years. Nonetheless, this is a remarkably innovative collection of more than 30 dessert recipes, all of which are modeled on art owned by the museum …” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Artwork / Peter Campbell.
“Peter Campbell was the resident designer and art critic for the London Review of Books. He worked for the magazine from its first appearance in 1979 and wrote more than 300 pieces, mainly about art but also about such things as escalators, weeds, bicycles, bridges and hearts. Each fortnight from 1996 onwards, Peter created a cover illustration for the LRB, coming up with a seemingly infinite array of unpredictable images: a yacht and a starfish, a tram, two knickerbocker glories, a game of dominoes, a man walking past a lighted window at night… Artwork is a collection of Peter’s finest works over the years”. (adapted from Syndetics summary)

How to read contemporary art / Michael Wilson.
“Today’s artists create work that’s challenging, complicated and often perplexing. Exploring the significance and impact of a broad selection of the most prominent artists working in Europe, North and Latin America, Asia and Australasia, including Francis Alys, Marina Abramovi’c, Allora and Calzadilla, Maurizio Cattelan, Luc Tuymans and many more, ‘How to Read Contemporary Art’ provides a thoughtful and accessible key to understanding the everchanging face of art practice at the beginning of the 21st century. Organized alphabetically by artist, it describes each artists use of media and symbolism in reference to their key pieces, and provides useful biographical information. Encompassing work in video, film, photography, installation, sculpture, painting, drawing, digital media and performance, this is a vibrant and vital companion for art lovers everywhere”. (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Biennials and beyond : exhibitions that made art history, 1962-2002 / conceived and edited by Phaidon editors and Bruce Altshuler ; introductory essay and chapter introductions by Bruce Altshuler.
“This superbly produced companion volume to Altshuler’s Salon to Biennial: Exhibitions That Made Art History: 1863-1959 (2008) begins with the premise that installation photographs, catalogues, newspapers, and journals are vital documents of artistic and curatorial practice that need to be rescued from potential obscurity. Organized chronologically, the book showcases 25 seminal art exhibitions through archival photographs of artists, their art, and exhibition spaces alongside catalogue statements, exhibition materials, letters, and interviews from artists, including Jim Dine, Douglas Huebler, and Joseph Kosuth, as well as criticism from publications including Art in America, Artforum, Studio International, and Frieze…” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Great and mighty things : outsider art from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz collection / edited by Ann Percy with Cara Zimmerman ; contributions by Francesco Clemente, Lynne Cooke, Joanne Cubbs, Bernard L. Herman, Ann Percy, Colin Rhodes, and Cara Zimmerman.
“Accompanying an exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this volume celebrates the artistically diverse “outsider” artists that comprise the Bonovitz Collection, one of the most extensive of its kind. The included artists worked outside of the conventional art establishment-making street corners into galleries or discarded roofing into canvases, for instance-before being brought into the art market by collectors and curators, often posthumously. The catalogue itself is the book’s heart, offering lavish reproductions alongside brief notes on the artists’ biographies and methods…” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

John Singer Sargent watercolors / Erica E. Hirshler and Teresa A. Carbone ; introduction by Richard Ormond ; technical essay by Annette Manick and Antoinette Owen ; contributions by Karen A. Sherry, Janet Chen, and Connie H. Choi.
“John Singer Sargent’s approach to watercolor was unconventional. Disregarding contemporary aesthetic standards that called for carefully delineated and composed landscapes filled with transparent washes, his confidently bold, dense strokes, loosely defined forms, and unexpected vantage points startled critics and fellow practitioners alike. One reviewer of an exhibition in London proclaimed him “an eagle in a dove-cote”; another called his work “swagger” watercolors. For Sargent, watercolors were not so much about swagger as about a renewed and liberated approach to painting. His vision became more personal and his works began to interconnect as he considered the way one image–often of friends or favorite places–enhanced another”. (adapted from Syndetics summary)