News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

An in-depth examination of the sordid News of the World “phone hacking” scandal has enough drama to be fit for the tabloids in the most meta new popular non-fiction item for some time. Also recently added to our catalogue are several volumes on inventions, ranging from serious overviews, to Britain’s celebrities and their concepts for far-fetched future conveniences. As always, a delightfully mixed bunch…

Dial M for Murdoch : News Corporation and the corruption of Britain / Tom Watson and Martin Hickman.
“….the story of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation and British phone hacking scandal makes for political drama at its finest. ….News of the World reporters hacked voicemail messages of royals, actors, and soccer notables to drive newspaper sales in the hyper-competitive world of the tabloid press. Led by Rupert Murdoch, the paper’s executives exerted enough pressure on police and politicians to foil years of investigations. An elaborate cover-up that passed off the hacking as the work of a “rogue reporter” and a private investigator was initially successful, but what ultimately undid the tabloid and brought down top execs like Rebekah Brooks were the revelations that reporters deleted voicemails of a murdered teenager, deceiving police and her family into thinking that she might still be alive….” – (adapted from Publisher Weekly summary)

The big book of celebrity inventions / Mark Champkins ; foreword by Peter Jones.
“A fun and fascinating look at the weird, wonderful and wacky inventions that our Great Britain’s favorite celebrities would love to invent. With contributions from Jamie Oliver, James Dyson, Peter Jones, and The Dragons among others, it’s sure to amaze, confuse, and entertain! Ever wished someone would invent a flying car so you could avoid the rush hour traffic? Or a device to dress you under the duvet so you don’t have to face the winter cold? Well you aren’t alone!” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Everything you need to know about everything you need to know about : inventions / Michael Heatley and Colin Slater.
“From the invention of the wheel to the World Wide Web, this book lives up to its promise…. Offering a comprehensive overview of man’s greatest achievements, this book covers all of the major breakthroughs in the worlds of science and technology. As well as the groundbreaking inventions, you’ll also discover a few of the more quirky creations that have had a surprising impact on our day-to-day lives …” – (adapted from Amazon.com summary)

Five foot and fearless : a woman on the front line in New Zealand’s Armed Offenders Squad / Liz Williams.
“The inspiring story of petite police officer Liz Williams, and how she juggled the role of everyday wife and mother with her dangerous job as a member of New Zealand’s Armed Offenders Squad.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Decolonising conservation : caring for Maori meeting houses outside New Zealand / Dean Sully, editor.
“This book challenges the commodification of sacred objects and places by western conservation thought by examining conservation activities at Maori maraeameeting housesalocated in the US, Germany, and England, contrasted with changes in marae conservation in New Zealand.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

MWF seeking BFF : my yearlong search for a new best friend / Rachel Bertsche.MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend
“In this sweet memoir, New Yorker Bertsche tells of moving to Chicago in 2007 to be with her future husband and leaving behind her closest childhood friends. In her new city, the 20-something author had just one friend, and most significantly, no gal pal to share in the milestone of her first wedding dress fitting. So begins her quest to go on 52 “dates” in the coming year to try to create for herself in Chicago what she had (in New York) ….Bertsche’s pursuit is grounded in what most everyone is looking for – more fulfilling relationships and a sense of belonging-and she bravely provides some of the tools, including openness, persistence, and self-awareness, needed to attain these rewards.” – (adapted from Publisher Weekly summary)

Treasures of the University of Canterbury Library / edited by Chris Jones and Bronwyn Matthews with Jennifer Clement.
“Presents reflections (by academics and members of the wider community) on some of the distinctive and exceptional items in the University’s keeping, including medieval European manuscripts, an original printing of the 1611 King James Bible, papers of Karl Popper, and Māori whakapapa books. The items tell many stories, and chart the development of a university and building of a community. They are a history of the written word, but also of a settler society.” – (adapted from Publisher’s description)

To die for : is fashion wearing out the world? / Lucy Siegle.
“An expose on the fashion industry written by the Observer’s ‘Ethical Living’ columnist, examining the inhumane and environmentally devastating story behind the clothes we so casually buy and wear. Coming at a time when the global financial crisis and contracting of consumer spending is ushering in a new epoch for the fashion industry, To Die For offers a very plausible vision of how green could really be the new black. Taking particular issue with our current mania for both big-name labels and cheap fashion, To Die For sets an agenda for the urgent changes that can and need to be made by both the industry and the consumer. Far from outlining a future of drab, ethical clothing, Lucy Siegle believes that it is indeed possible to be an ‘ethical fashionista’, simply by being aware of how and where (and by whom) clothing is manufactured.” – (adapted from Amazon.com summary)

Breverton’s encyclopedia of inventions : a compendium of technological leaps, groundbreaking discoveries and scientific breakthroughs / Terry Breverton.
“Invention and innovation are what distinguish the human race from all of the other species on Earth. Throughout history the imagination and pioneering spirit of human kind has compelled us to question why we do things in a certain way and, more importantly, how we can do things better. Celebrating the ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness that has led to some of the most amazing technological leaps through the ages, Breverton’s Encyclopedia of Inventions examines the key innovations and breakthroughs of all time and the genius behind them.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Farewell to the East End / Jennifer Worth ; clinical editor, Terri Coates.
“This final book in Jennifer Worth’s memories of her time as a midwife in London’s East End brings her story full circle. As always there are heartbreaking stories such as the family devastated by tuberculosis and a ship’s woman who ’serviced’ the entire crew.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)