News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

What could go wrong? Normally I am not one for looking at kids craft books. But I was recently dealing with a pile of new books and came across 3 great new kids craft and art books:

The Usborne book of origami and other paper projects / Eileen O’Brien and Kate Needham . This book has great ideas while using simple tools, and yes the paper water bombs work really well, my nephews had a blast with them, and all we used was a pile of coloured paper. Mind you their dad is still in mourning for the back yard.

Big book of papercraft / Fiona Watt ; designed and illustrated by Antonia Miller, Non Figg and Katrina Fearn.
This text is full of fun and challenging things to make and do with paper, from paper crocodiles to 3-D bugs, book covers and embossing. It contains over 45 activities, each accompanied by simple, step-by-step instructions and clear illustrations to make them easy to understand and complete.

365 things to draw and paint / Fiona Watt ; designed and illustrated by Erica Harrison … [et al.].
This book is perfect for the young artist.

Did a work ever inspire offshoots, sequels, revisionings, reworkings, and movies as much as Pride and Prejudice? I think not, but feel free to correct me. If you’re a fan of Pride and Prejudice the collection of material below will either delight you or make your toes curl in horror (or both in turns).

The Horror-Mashup Family

This is a big thing. Seth Grahame-Smith shocked the world in 2009 with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, creating a whole new genre of fiction (the Classic/Horror Mashup – complete with searching book club questions). Along with various other classics (Sense and Sensibility and Sea-Monsters, and most recently Romeo and Juliet and Vampires), there’s a growing family of Pride and Prejudice mashups:

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Seth Grahame-Smith
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After, Steve Hockensmith (the sequel)
• Dawn of the Dreadfuls, Steve Hockensmith (the prequel)
• Also: Mr Darcy, Vampyre, Amanda Grange (who also wrote Darcy’s Diary)

Continued stories and sequels (often featuring P & P characters that someone thought deserved more)

You may have done this yourself at some time, briefly, in your head.

• Mr Darcy takes a wife: Pride and prejudice continues, Linda Berdoll
• Darcy & Elizabeth: nights and days at Pemberley: Pride and prejudice continues, Linda Berdoll
• Pemberley Manor: Darcy and Elizabeth, for better or worse, Kathryn L. Nelson
• The Darcy connection: a novel, Elizabeth Aston – centres on Mr Collins (odious little man) and Charlotte’s offspring, two girls, one very much like Elizabeth Bennet and one very much like Jane.
• Pemberley through the ages, Norma Jean Moseley – a Darcy epic, from the point when the Darcys acquire Pemberley through to the post-Fitzwilliam time (which might be awful to contemplate for some readers).
• The independence of Miss Mary Bennet, Colleen McCullough – obviously Mary was hard done by. There’s nothing wrong with constantly reading and being an insufferable knowitall. Colleen McCullough imagines a life of adventure and a hint of danger and possibly love for Mary. Go Mary.
• Presumption, Julia Barrett – a continuation of the story of the Wickham, Bennet, Bingley, Darcy and Collins families.

Darcy Diarises

• Mr Darcy’s diary, Maya Slater (large print)
• Darcy’s diary, Amanda Grange (large print) – Amanda Grange also wrote Mr Knightley’s Diary and Edmund Bertram’s Diary.

Placing P&P in an updated, mostly chick-lit context

• Prom and prejudice, Elizabeth Eulberg (Young Adult) – Lizzie attends an exclusive academy, and is inexplicably attracted to her roommate’s best friend, who is pompous and called Will Darcy, naturally.
• Love, lies and Lizzie, Rosie Rushton (Young Adult) – Mrs Bennet’s family comes into a large amount of money and moves to a picturesque village, where her five daughters are caught up in a world of parties and intrigue.
• Pride, prejudice and Jasmin Field (Large Print), Melissa Nathan. Also an element of Bridget Jones in here.
• The trials of the Honorable F. Darcy: a modern Pride & prejudice, Sara Angelini.
• Austenland, Shannon Hale.

Two mysteries

• Pride and prescience, or, A truth universally acknowledged: a Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery, Carrie Bebris
• Suspense and sensibility, or, First impressions, revisited: a Mr. & Mrs. Darcy mystery, Carrie Bebris

Graphic Novel!

• Pride and Prejudice, Nancy Butler and Hugo Petrus
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Tony Lee and Cliff Richards

On the screen, big and small

• Bride and Prejudice – the Bollywood trappings, starring Martin Henderson
• Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth)
• Pride and Prejudice (Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadyen)
• Lost in Austen – time travel, back and forth (expected library arrival, April 2011)

Why? Why? Some literary criticism

• A truth universally acknowledged: 33 reasons why we can’t stop reading Jane Austen, edited by Susannah Carson; foreword by Harold Bloom

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We currently have a survey up to collect your feedback on our Central library collections and also how you currently access music and movies. Your information will help us to develop the collections for the future. Please fill out only once and all responses will be regarded as confidential.

Here are the survey links:

DVD survey

CD survey

If you listen to Classical music, please complete our Classical CD survey

Many thanks for your feedback.

Our Bestsellers collection is the ‘no-wait way to borrow’ latest popular books.

Simply check out the distinctive red shelves on the ground floor of the Central Library and at selected branch libraries. Bestsellers books cannot be reserved and are $5 for a one week loan (overdue charge is $1/day).

These titles will be available for free in the main collection. However, there may be a reserve queue.

Only time will tell / by Jeffrey Archer.
“The epic tale of Harry Clifton’s life begins in 1920, with the chilling words, ‘I was told that my father was killed in the war.’ But it will be another twenty years before Harry discovers how his father really died, which will only lead him to question: who was his father?” (summary from Syndetics).

Pulse / Julian Barnes.“The stories in Julian Barnes’ long-awaited third collection are attuned to rhythms and currents: of the body, of love and sex, illness and death, connections and conversations. Each character is bent to a pulse, propelled on by success and loss, by new beginnings and endings. In “East Wind” a divorced estate agent falls in love with a European waitress, but is tempted, despite his happiness, to investigate her past; in “The Limner” a deaf painter discovers his patron’s likeness after spending time among his staff.” (Summary from amazon.com)

Silent mercy / Linda Fairstein.
“Fairstein’s newest thriller (after Hell Gate) commences at the scene of a grisly fire at a historic Harlem Baptist church. Assistant D.A. Alexandra Cooper and NYPD colleagues Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace investigate the badly burned and beheaded body of a woman on the porch of the church behind a locked gate….” (summary from Syndetics).

Love you more / Lisa Gardner.
“*Starred Review* Detective D. D. Warren of the Boston police and Massachusetts state trooper Bobby Dodge are together again, this time not as lovers but as partners in the investigation of a state trooper who shot and killed her husband. Tessa Leoni’s bruised face leads to speculation that she retaliated when her husband hit her. But there’s a lot that doesn’t fit the model, not the least of which is the disappearance of the couple’s six-year-old daughter, Sophie….” (summary from Syndetics)

Left neglected : a novel / Lisa Genova.
“Sarah, a career-driven young mother, suffers a traumatic brain injury in a car accident that leaves her unable to perceive left-side information. The disability causes her to struggle through an uncertain recovery as she adapts to her new life.” (summary from Syndetics)

Here are some new picturebooks for preschoolers, featuring beasts, dragons, bears, frogs, rabbits, and the very now discussion of print versus digital media.

Poppy Wash, by Kerry Brown and Michelle Pike
“Poppy has the best job in the world, every day she washes all kinds of dragons at her Dragon wash. Poppy loves her job, but most of all she loves the dragons themselves. All that’s missing is a dragon she can call her own.” (Syndetics summary)

Ribbit Rabbit, by Candace Ryan
“The rhythmic, onomatopoeic text is a pretty music, the kind of song you’d sing in the dark to lift your spirits. Equally joyful and engaging – and that’s a tall order – is Lowery’s artwork. It has a childlike, elemental tone, with neat planes of color, but it is wonderfully, touchingly emotive. Best of all, Frog and Bunny have the radiant good cheer of a sock monkey, a mingling of the ridiculous with the sublime for a spellbinding effect.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Big Bear Little Brother, by Carl Norac
Translated from the French. “On the ice, the wind is blowing gently and Big Bear has paused for a moment on his journey. Suddenly the stillness is broken with a cry as a child tumbles down an icy cliff… Carl Norac’s delicately woven tale is accompanied by beautiful, evocative illustrations from Kristin Oftedal.” (amazon.co.uk)

George and Ghost, by Catriona Hoy and Cassia Thomas
“A cute and touching story about a friendship with vibrant and colourful illustrations. Perfect for any age.” (Staff member)

The Lonely Beast, by Chris Judge
“Have you heard of the Beasts? No, not many people have. That’s because they are very rare. This is the tale of one such Beast, whose determination to overcome his loneliness leads him to undertake a daring and dangerous quest to find others like him…” (amazon.co.uk)

Hamilton’s Handstand, by Dave Hackett
“Holly and her amazing handstanding dog, Hamilton, are due to appear at the big talent show at Holly’s school. Holly has told everybody about it. But can Hamilton really do handstands?” (Children’s Bookshop, Kilbirnie)

It’s a Book, by Lane Smith
“Two readers compare a print to digital media, and learn books are still valuable.” (Syndetics summary)

Unpoppable, by Tim Hopgood
“From the author of A Dog Called Rod comes Unpoppable! The story takes the reader on an extraordinary journey atop an unpoppable, unstoppable balloon as it goes beyond the stars and brings back a surprise for its owner – because as you know, what goes up must come down – this time with a big bang!” (Staff member – on order, but you can reserve it now)

Look! A Book!, by Bob Staake
“Go on a crazy seek-and-find adventure in this new picture book from award-winning artist Bob Staake… From underwater worlds, to haunted houses and tree-top towns, there are endless details for readers to search for and discover. This inventive picture book format will have kids hooked from the very first die-cut page all the way through to the end where a gate-fold finale challenges them to go back for yet another look and even more surprises!” (amazon.com)

The Taniwha of Wellington Harbour, by Moira Wairama
“Retelling of the legend of how Wellington Harbour was created. In ancient times in Aotearoa, there was a beautiful lake in which there dwelt two monstrous taniwha. Their names were Whataitai and Ngake. Whataitai and Ngake are two taniwha living in a beautiful lake, however when Ngake gets bored and decides to break free into the ocean his actions have far reaching consequences and help shape the landscape of our capital city.” (Syndetics summary)

Interrupting chicken, by David Ezra Stein
“Little Red Chicken wants Papa to read her a bedtime story, but interrupts him almost as soon as he begins each tale.” (Syndetics summary)

Starting from today (Monday 28 March), the Central Library’s exterior walls and columns are being repainted – the first time since it opened 20 years ago. Although some work will be done out of hours, to minimise the time taken to complete this project, work will need to continue during the day.

During one stage, scaffolding will be erected along the Victoria Street side for 7 weeks. Parking outside the library on Victoria Street will not be available during this time, but the basement park in Harris Street will remain open throughout.

On Thursday and Friday 7 and 8 April, access to the Central Library will be through the doors to the left hand side into the foyer from 9.30am-12.00 and 1.30pm-8.30pm. This is so that the area above the entrance can be repainted. Access will be as usual through the main central doors from noon to 1:30pm.

Thank you for your patience.

So far we have had Gongfu Cha at Johnsonville library, English morning tea time with Ruth Gotlieb and last Thursday night we had Masala tea with Shani and Joji of Ispice at Karori library. I had the pleasure of listening to Shani’s presentation and tasting their wonderful Masala tea, and it was excellent! If you missed out  it is not too late, the demonstration will be repeated in Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) library next Thursday from 7-8pm. All welcome!

Friday night (April 1) at Newtown Library, Matt from People’s Coffee will talk about fair trade coffee growers’ traditions, and you will have an opportunity to sample some of their delicious coffee. And last but certainly not least Oromia – Ethiopian coffee ceremony with Taitu Lemessa at Cummings Park Tuesday 5  April at 11 am.

Share your family traditions and experience coffee and tea drinking ceremonies from around the world at your local library!

Wellington City Libraries are also recording stories of cultural family traditions. We would love to hear you tell us about traditions that have been passed from generation to generation in your family, and record them to share with others. If you, or anyone you know, would like to talk to us please contact Ada Nally by phone 3892824 or email ada.nally@wcc.govt.nz

Oh dear, it is wet…….I might just have to stay in tonight and do my crafts. What a pity. If you need a new wet weather project check out some of the new books that have just arrived…

Scandinavian stitches : 21 playful projects with seasonal flair / Kajsa Wikman.
“The first flowers of spring, the smell of the sea, the warm colors of the maple leaves… inspire Kajsa to stitch, sew, and share. Each season is a new beginning and a great excuse to take on a new project. Her bright, colorful designs are sure to make you smile.” (Syndetics summary)

Handcrafting chain and bead jewelry : techniques for creating dimensional necklaces and bracelets / Scott David Plumlee.
“From the classic Byzantine pattern to never-before-seen original designs, Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry provides everything you need to know to create beautiful chain and bead jewelry from start to finish. ….Guided by clear step-by-step instructions and photographs, you’ll learn how to: find and use the right tools, select the best wire and beads, wrap and cut quality-controlled jump rings, handcraft clasps and ear backings, assemble and bead more than 25 unique necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. … This truly is the complete chain and bead jewelry book. Book jacket.” (Syndetics summary)

Luxe knits : the accessories : couture adornments to knit & crochet / Laura Zukaite ; photograpy by Cathrine Westergaard.
“More luxury for the knitter! … These stunning scarves, hats, gloves, bags, and more are what Zukaite calls “memorable little statement pieces to decorate our lives,” and they’re a pleasure to knit.High-fashion photography, the author’s own sketches, and styling suggestions round out this beautiful package.” (Syndetics summary)

Homemade gifts : easy techniques and great projects / Nicki Trench.
“Here are 20 projects that encompass crafting, baking, and gift wrapping–all designed to make any occasion memorable! First, check out the chapter on “Birthday Treats,” which features funky knitted camping socks and a beaded corsage. Turn to “Little Ones,” to learn how to make a cuddly stuffed bunny and an heirloom-quality baby blanket. “Special Occasions” offers up his-and-hers wedding night pillowcases and a Christmas jelly bean garland. And because there’s never a bad time to give a gift, the “Just Because” chapter provides instructions for making your own lavender bath oils and simply scrumptious peppermint creams.” (Syndetics summary)

Stitch! / Cath Kidston ; photography by Pia Tryde. For all those who need a new cross stitch or needle point project try Cath’s new book. Cath is very popular in the UK for her new take on floral design.

Our Bestsellers collection is the ‘no-wait way to borrow’ latest popular books.

Simply check out the distinctive red shelves on the ground floor of the Central Library and at selected branch libraries. Bestsellers books cannot be reserved and are $5 for a one week loan (overdue charge is $1/day).

These titles will be available for free in the main collection. However, there may be a reserve queue.

The sound of a wild snail eating / Elisabeth Tova Bailey.“*Starred Review* At age 34, Bailey was stricken with a mysterious virus while on a trip to Europe. Her healthy life had been full of activity, and now just the thought of getting up to get something was exhaustive. When a friend found some violets and brought her one in a pot, she also added a live snail below the violet’s leaves. Bailey wondered why she needed a snail, but after square holes began to appear in a letter propped on the violet’s pot, it occurred to Bailey that the snail needed food….” (summary from from amazon.com)

Townie : a memoir / Andre Dubus III.
“An acclaimed novelist reflects on his violent past and a lifestyle that threatened to destroy him-until he was saved by writing.” (Syndetics summary)

A widow’s story : a memoir / Joyce Carol Oates.
“Like Joan Didion, another well-known author who wrote about her husband’s death (The Year of Magical Thinking), Oates, referring to herself here as Joyce Smith, shares with us the sudden and unexpected demise of her husband, Raymond Smith, editor of the Ontario Review, which he founded with Oates in 1974…. Gina Kaiser, Univ. of the Sciences Lib., Philadelphia (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.” (Library Journal) (summary from Syndetics).

The torchlight list : around the world in 200 books / Jim Flynn.“A professor for over 40 years, Jim Flynn found fewer and fewer of his students were in love with reading. However, they were willing to try if he would give them lists. This book is the definitive list: 200 works so wonderful to read and so revealing about times and places, they make learning enjoyable and effortless….” (summary from awapress.com)

India : a portrait / Patrick French.“Patrick French has spent much of his life engaged with India, and his landmark new book is filled with the qualities that have won his writing exceptional praise: his love of narrative, sympathy for the individual’s experience, scepticism about official claims, and relish for the mayhem of political life. His account of Indian independence, Liberty or Death, is an acclaimed bestseller. Now he gives us an encompassing social, political and economic history of India from partition to the present day.” (summary from amazon.co.uk)

Jerusalem : the biography / Simon Sebag Montefiore.“Jerusalem is the universal city, the capital of two peoples, the shrine of three faiths; it is the prize of empires, the site of Judgement Day and the battlefield of today’s clash of civilisations. From King David to Barack Obama, from the birth of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to the Israel-Palestine conflict, this is the epic history of 3,000 years of faith, slaughter, fanaticism and coexistence. How did this small, remote town become the Holy City, the ‘centre of the world’ and now the key to peace in the Middle East? In a gripping narrative, Simon Sebag Montefiore reveals this ever-changing city in its many incarnations, bringing every epoch and character blazingly to life.” (summary from amazon.co.uk)

I recently spent a few weeks on Rakiura/Stewart Island as part of a  six week residency which will be spent researching southern Maori musical instrument possibilities, gathering materials, making instruments and then recording them on location around Rakiura. I will also be making reconstructions of Maori musical instruments found in museum collections that have providence from Murihiku (Otago), Ruaumogo (Fiordland) and Rakiura.

My first day on Stewart Island was spent at Oban where I took a trip out to Ulva Island bird sanctuary. I found some seaweed pods that can be played as karanga manu (bird callers) and found that the local fantails were pretty interested in the sounds produced.

Next day I flew by helicopter (!) to Hill Homestead at Mason Bay where I was to spend the next 11 days, gathering materials, making instruments and recording.

First on my list of things to do was to make a tuwiri (traditional Maori drill). I found a straight manuka stick and built four cross bars from inanga wood. I used a piece of vine to create a hoop that lies on the cross bar and provides momentum and balance to the tuwiri. I bound these parts together with twine. At first I experimented making pakohe (argillite) drill bits using a grossularite garnet hammer stone, with average success. I had better luck using quartz that I found on a granite outcrop behind Hill Homestead.

I kept on experimenting, drilling some soapstone using the tuwiri, with the aim of making a replica of a karanga manu (bird caller) in Otago Museums’ collection found at Glenorchy near Queenstown. I got some pretty good holes fairly quickly and then shaped the outside of the karanga manu using a flat granite grind stone.

I also made quite a few instruments from found objects, mostly found on the beach. I was lucky enough to find a Mollymawk Albatross from which I made this koauau (flute).

And these shells play rather well as koauau too.

So does this flax flower stem.

I visited Mason Bay Beach every second day or so to see what had been washed up, and the variety from day to day was note worthy. One day it was mostly wood, the next kelp, another it was birds.

I did some preliminary experiments making instruments with kelp. I have left some koauau and a trumpet experiment to dry over the next month. Hopefully they will give me some results when I return.
I’m off back to Rakiura the first two weeks of April so I will keep you posted what I make next!
Alistair