News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Are you suspicious of what’s on your plate? Do you find your daily fare dubious? Then Swindled is the book for you as it retraces the history of food fraud through the ages. There is lots more to choose from in this month’s non-fiction picks. Topics dealt with include Vladimir Putin and his reign in Russia, the nuclear crisis in North Korea, card-counting in Las Vegas, understanding “Digital Natives”, how to fix the NZ economy, and a series of interviews by Bryan Dawe & John Clarke. Other titles cover how to live ‘green’ in NZ, a history of Newgate – London’s infamous prison – and communication skills. Check out this month’s Popular Non-Fiction if you want to know more about this selection, including books on secret societies and marine ecology.

Revolutionary Road, the first of seven novels by Richard Yates, was published in 1961 and was much acclaimed by the critics. Set in the mid 1950s it tells the story of a young married couple, who feel they are more than ordinary, they dispise their urban lifestyle, its people and the social confines of the time they inhabit. They are ambitious for a life beyond, filled with purpose and the promise they are sure they deserve. This novel reflects the social aspects of post war America brilliantly. The movie, based on the novel is due for release on 22 January, and stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet ( who won a Golden Globe for her performance). You could win a double pass, courtesy Paramount Pictures to the film Revolutionary Road by completing a simple quiz on our Fiction webpage and sending us your details.

This month, our history selection covers all eras, from ancient to modern times. You can learn about ancient civilizations in From Egypt to Babylon, and Ancient Greece won’t have any more secrets for you with It’s all Greek to me. If you favour the Middle-Ages, we have a selection of books about the Dark Ages in Europe and a guided tour back to Medieval England. Have you always wanted to re-write history? Then you will enjoy reading How the South could have won the Civil War (the American Civil War, that is). And if you are into WWI, WWII and the history of the DamBusters RAF n°617 Squadron, Cuba and Afghanistan, don’t miss out on this month’s History Recent Picks.

Every year Wellington City Libraries’ staff nominate their favourite fiction reads of the year. These usually cover a wide range of genres, but each staff member is totally enthusiastic about their choice. This year, for the first time one title, The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Doaz was selected by two staff members. The full list, with comments, can be found on the Fiction web page.

One title not included on the web page was The Lay of the Land by Richard Ford. Although published in 2007, Monty, our nominator said it was “dense, weighty, satiric, all-but-the kitchen-sink novel from one of America’s best. It continues the comic-tragic musings of U.S.-Everyman, New Jersey real estate agent Frank Bascombe”. Monty also added, “ it was one of my favourite books ever”!!!

Whether you’re a web developer, a web designer or simply into new gadgets you’ll enjoy this month’s selection of new computing books. Need to find out about SQL? You can learn a lot about the new version of Microsoft SQL server thanks to Microsoft SQL server 2008. Want to learn a new programming language? Then get into D, a blend of C and C++, Ruby and Python in Learn to tango with D. And if you’re a web designer, check out our selection of books about Adobe Creative Suite 3, and browse the Web design index 8. Interested in applications for the iPhone, moving your site over to a new CMS like Joomla, or finding out about search engine optimization or social networking? You’ll want to check out this month’s Computing Recent Picks!

If you are looking for new inspiration, look no further! Our new graphics books selection has just arrived and is filled with wonderful finds. Gothic art now gives you a taste of a trend in art that is in the process of becoming mainstream and offers new ideas and compelling looks. If you are into manga and dream of making your own, get hold of Comickers art, a book that gives you tools to be a first-class manga author. Are you into neo-surrealism and curious about the lowbrow art movement (think one eyed tree trunk)?  Then The upset is a book you want to have a look at. Finally, if you are interested in tattoo, drawing, and the history of illustration, do check out this month’s Graphics Books Recent Picks.

If you are an amateur of visual arts and you are worried about getting bored over the summer, check out our Arts selection this month. Annie Leibovitz expands on her work that covered contemporary events such as American presidential campaigns, music concerts and fashion events, and the emergence of the moving image in Contemporary Art is studied. If you are especially interested in New Zealand artists, you will be able to appreciate the works of photographers Roger Donaldson and  Peter Peryer, as well as the art of painters John Drawbridge, Patricia France, and Ralph Hotere. Don’t forget to check these items out in this month’s Art Recent Picks.