News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

This month in our science recent picks, discover George – a Galapagos giant tortoise and the last of his kind still alive. ‘Lonesome George : the life and loves of the world’s most famous tortoise’ is an exploration of our troubled relationship with our fragile planet (and also the “torrid tale of George’s life and loves”).

Also included this month: one man’s mission to make time travel a reality, some startling new information about this country’s natural history, and baboon metaphysics. (Yes, really.)

Among this month’s New Zealand recent picks you’ll find a tale of two ships wrecked on the same island, a personal account of Māori-Chinese identity in Aotearoa New Zealand, a musical and social history of when the piano was New Zealand’s home entertainment centre, and a biography of one of New Zealand’s first international media celebrities (Makereti, 1873-1930). Also included – some legendary Kiwi ratbags…

Apocalyptic cults, marauding orcs, excursions into Faerie, and the latest from Terry Brooks and Charles Stross – all in our November science fiction & fantasy recent picks.

In this month’s picture book recent picks, meet Tilly Ted and Gruffy Ted – two tough teddies off to find someone to love them, and read all about Charlie’s little sister Lola’s first ever school photo. Plus, find out how Izzy deals with a pesky mayhem-making dragon.

You’ll find crocodiles, testy river currents and all manner of adventures in Rosemary Mahoney’s ‘Down the Nile: alone in a fisherman’s skiff’ – featured in our travel recent picks this month. Read all about her humourous (and sometimes hair-raising) adventures as she discovers modern Egypt for herself. Also in our travel recent picks this month: great bicycle journeys, desert adventure and a taste of Tuscany.

Our November craft recent picks feature Greggles the furry green-lipped monkey with his coif of tentacles (Curious Creatures for Immature Adults, by Linda Kopp), a menagerie of sock monsters to make, doodle-stitching with simple embroidery stitches, and lots of festive ideas for celebrating Christmas with craft.

Loving and loathing our inner housewife, understanding an endangered state of mind and the darker side of Kiwi culture join the picks of popular non-fiction for November. Plus a NZ history book with a claim to the longest title yet chosen for our Recent Picks.

Worried you may have to return gifts you receive? Then Law for Lunch this week may provide some assistance: “How consumer law can help you in the festive season”. Join Angus McLeod, of the Consumer’s Institute, at Central Library on Tuesday 20 November, 12-1pm as he goes over consumer rights : all welcome.

Brought to you by Wellington City Libraries in partnership with Wellington Community Law Centre.

Our new Business Blog, maintained by our specialist staff, will keep you up to date with current business issues, new resources and more.

This new addition increases our blog number to four: we also have Kids and Teens blogs.

The custodian of paradise, Wayne Johnston (2007).
“This big fat 2007 novel, a sequel to ‘The Colony of Unrequited Dreams’ (1999) has everything going for it – a wonderful, eccentric central character, a compelling and somewhat gothic setting (Newfoundland), beautiful, clever prose and at the heart of it all – a mystery – who is the man known as The Provider? And what are Sheilagh Fielding’s secrets.”

We’re getting in early this year – our New Fiction Picks for 2007 are now available for your perusal. We welcome your reviews too, of course – do you agree with our selections?