News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Book Clubs, Reading Groups, Literary Societies, and Book Discussion Groups are some of the titles given to groups of people who meet regularly to discuss a chosen form of literature. These groups have appeared in many societies for centuries, in one form or another and are to-day as popular as ever. They still remain a great way to make new friends and share interests. The internet has enhanced and expanded book groups giving members limitless possibilities in what they read, discuss, and review. Now interaction can take place between members and authors anywhere in the world at any time.

Many fiction titles at Wellington City Libraries contain discussion material for book groups.

For those interested in joining a reading group, did you know that Wellington City Libraries has several book clubs?  Alternatively the New Zealand Book Council can assist with linking new members and provide book club information. In Wellington we now have a new club called Pensive-Faust with a really great website, check it out.

Have you ever heard of Kawaii? It means ‘cute’ in Japanese and has become entirely part of Japanese popular culture. The little book of Kawaii shows the reader how this trend started as a sub-culture and impacted the lives of so many it has become mainstream. The new age of feminine drawing explains how drawing, a medium once shunned, is making a comeback and is the main way some artists express themselves today. Beyond the street is a book about street art and the one hundred artists who champion it. You can find out more about these books and other new titles available in our selection by checking this month’s Graphic Arts Recent Picks.

Law for Lunch returns Wednesdays in October! Come along to a series of free lunchtime seminars brought to you by Wellington City Libraries and Wellington Community Law Centre.

Our first topic is The Mental Health Act – what does it have to do with me? and our speaker is John Edwards. John Edwards is a Barrister and Solicitor and District Inspector for Mental Health. John ’s role is to ensure that people subject to compulsory assessment and treatment know their rights; to make sure that any complaints are fully investigated; and to see that services are subsequently improved.

Interested? Come along to find out how helpful the Mental Health Act is for mental health consumers and their families on October 6 (12 – 1pm) at the Central Library. Learn about:

Want to know about upcoming seminars? Check out our Event Calendar for more information. Other seminar topics include dealing with workplace bullying, protecting your assets, and what the Banking Ombudsman can do for you.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hello Sandwich: Tokyo Guide by Ebony Bizys

When I found this zine it already had a “Librarian’s choice” sticker on it and it definitively deserves it!

This little zine is really informative, so if you are planning to go to Tokyo or you know someone heading in that direction, Hello Sandwich is “the guide” to read.

For every neighborhood that the zine covers there is a small map of the area as well as a concise description of where to go and why.

Also, if you do not know any Japanese do not panic because Hello Sandwich will provide you with a list of survival phrases.

This zine is super kawaii and really useful.

If you like the zine you will probably enjoy the blog too.

Carlita

Is your life devoted to design? Are you always looking for new ideas and inspiration to create beautiful things? If you are, you’ll be delighted by our latest items on the subject. We have a book dealing with Chinese weaving and embroidery patterns and another about Italian furniture, both with beautiful pictures. Our selection also includes books about using colours appropriately when knitting, the universal principles of design and tips & tricks to make your design Zen. And if your are also interested in interior design for restaurants, check out this month’s Design Recent Picks.

59 seconds: think a little, change a lot – sounds too good to be true? Author and psychologist Richard Wiseman doesn’t think so. He feels that the current self-help industry is damaging and using a diverse range of scientific advice he shows that these techniques can easily be added to every day with positive results.

Award-winning journalist Daniel Coyle looks at up-to-date research about whether talent is inherent or achievable with old-fashioned hard work. The talent code: greatness isn’t born: it’s grown, here’s how shows how the wiring of our brain can be altered by the way specific tasks are approached. This will help towards realising a person’s potential.

Author Jane Isay’s Walking on eggshells: navigating the delicate relationship between adult children and their parents uses interviews from a wide range of families for her motivation and their experiences will resonate with other families. What-ever conflict is happening in a family this book will help to foster good relationships between the generations.

Read these books to get advice and look at others about shyness, intuition and finding love in this month’s Personal Development Recent Picks.

Scientists Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum argue that the outcry over the decision to remove Pluto from planet status shows the lack of understanding between scientists and the general public. In Unscientific America: how scientific illiteracy threatens our future they look at the reasons why the gap of scientific understanding is increasing but at the same time acknowledges that scientists and the media are both part of the problem.

Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes by Alan Hirshfield looks at the profound impact on mathematics and science that Archimedes had not only in his time but for past, current  and future generations. Written in an accessible way this book is for anyone wanting to understand and marvel at his discoveries and innovations.

Fractals – what are they? They are a mathematical language that can describe anything from a human brain to the universe. Introducing fractals by Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon, Will Rood & Ralph Edney will guide the reader to understanding this concept. Over 10,000 copies of this book have been sold. Fractals – the new black?

Learn about the wonderful world of science in these books and others including fossils, dinosaurs and plant breeding in this month’s Science Recent Picks.

There are very interesting new books this month in our selection. Cannibal Jack : the life & time of Jacky Marmon, a Pākeha-Māori is the fascinating life story of Jacky Marmon, a settler who lived with the Māori,had five wives and took part in the Musket Wars. Tangiteroria : crucible of the Kaipara 1836-54, missionary impulse & impact relates how colonisation has affected New Zealand’s first inhabitants and has shaped the region. The Parihaka album : lest we forget started off as an academic research paper and evolved into a family history and the discovery of new family ties for the author. Other books in our selection deal with the Treaty of Waitangi and ancient Māori myths and legends; you can find out more in this month’s Māori Recent Picks.

Read on to find out about our Art books’ selection this month. First up gardening is the main topic and especially how impressionists rendered nature through their work with Impressionist gardens. Next, you can find out about the greatest artist and inventor of the Renaissance thanks to Leonardo’s legacy : how Da Vinci reimagined the world. Martin Ramirez won’t have any more secrets for you with Martin Ramirez : reframing confinement, a book that will give you an insight into the artist’s influences and motivations. And last, if you think of Picasso as a provocateur and rebel, Picasso : peace and freedom will show you that he also was politically engaged and a peace advocate. You can find out more about these books and others in this month’s Art Recent Picks.

If you’re passing the front window you’ll see a display which advertises our new catalogue.  But this one is a little different – it uses a QR code to enable you to easily visit the site on your (web-enabled) phone. But what exactly are QR codes?

Well – they are small black and white squares (like a crossword without the clues) which you photograph with your cellphone. Your phone cleverly translates it into an URL and takes you to a webpage. Here’s how you do it:

1. Make sure your cellphone is able to even do it! Look at this list or even just Google your phone’s brand and ‘QR code’.
2. Find some compatible software to download to your cellphone. Not all software will work on all phones. Again, check sites like this one.
3. Install the software according to your phone’s instructions
4. Start the application, take a photo of a QR code, and be amazed.

Charges may apply. See your cellular phone provider for more details!

Where else can you find QR codes?  At the moment at WCL you can see them in the Teens area at Central Library, but you might also find them in books or magazines in Wellington, on advertising flyers, or even on the street. Want to explore them more? You can even  make your own QR code.