Category: Recent picks

Our picks of the new material in different subject areas. Find your next read! See also our full lists of what’s new, and our other lists that feature a mix of old and new material.

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Forever strong: New health books in the collection

KathLeave a comment

Whether you’re wanting to build your body strength, understand autism, build resilience in the face of a changing climate or get a good night’s sleep, we’ve got plenty of new health books in the collection to walk you through your health journey.  Try some of these we’ve selected below:

Forever strong : a new, science-based strategy for aging well / Lyon, Gabrielle
“After years of watching patients cycle through her practice, Dr Gabrielle Lyon noticed a pattern. While her patients struggled with a wide range of conditions, they all suffered from the same core problem: they had too little muscle rather than too much fat. When we think about muscle, we tend to think about strength or aesthetics, but in reality, muscle accounts for so much more than that. As the body’s largest endocrine organ, muscle actually determines everything about the trajectory of health and aging.  Now, Dr Lyon offers an easy-to-follow food, fitness, and self-care program anchored in evidence and pioneering research that teaches you how to optimize muscle-no matter your age or health background.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The neuroscience of yoga and meditation / Fair, Brittany
“An accessible introduction to how yoga and meditation affect the brain. Each chapter will guide the reader through the latest yoga and meditation research and break down complex topics into easily digestible points. The book also explores the current limitations in studying these practices and offers tools for interpreting scientific literature.” (Catalogue)

 

Unique : what autism can teach us about difference, connection and belonging / Rodgers, Jodi
“Beloved star of ABC TV’s award-winning Love on the Spectrum and disability rights advocate Jodi Rodgers shares stories from her three-decade career working with the autistic community and calls for a more inclusive and accepting society where we are more empathetic and curious about all the relationships in our lives. With dozens of moving stories, Jodi’s book will give readers a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the neurodiverse community around them. Above all, it will inspire a profound sense of belonging, revealing that we’re much more similar than we think and that all of our differences are worth celebrating.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The wisdom of plagues : lessons from 25 years of covering pandemics / McNeil, Donald G.
“Many science reporters understand the basics of diseases-how a virus works, for example, or what goes into making a vaccine. But very few understand the psychology of how small outbreaks turn into pandemics: How everyone from hunters to farmers to guano-diggers gets exposed to animal diseases. How diseases spread through networks of similar people and by “mass-gathering” events. Why people refuse to believe they’re at risk, or why they reject protective measures like quarantine or vaccines. THE WISDOM OF PLAGUES is ultimately about what we can do to improve global health and be better prepared for the next pandemic, which is coming.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

10-minute strength training exercises for seniors : exercises and routines to build muscle, balance, and stamina / Deboo, Ed
“Staying strong and flexible becomes even more important as we age. This guide to exercise for seniors makes it easy to stay in motion with short and simple exercises you can do anytime and anywhere. No equipment required–Get strong at home with bodyweight exercises such as squats, lunges, and push-ups, along with moves that can be done with items you have on hand like soup cans and gallon jugs. No matter your age or current fitness level, these exercises can be modified to work for you! Live longer and stronger with 10-Minute Strength Training Exercises for Seniors.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Surviving extreme weather : the complete climate change preparedness manual / Hawke, Mykel
“The world has changed, and impacts of global warming means weather events like extreme heat, wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts are now being felt by all of us. In Surviving Extreme Weather, Mykel Hawke, a renowned survivalist and bestselling author of Hawke’s Special Forces Survival Handbook and Hawke’s Green Beret Survival Manual, and British meteorologist Jim N. R. Dale, share their expert knowledge and personal experiences while offering valuable insights into the science behind our new weather and how to apply situational awareness, preparedness, and psychology to survive.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

On call / Meredith, Ineke
“It’s all in a mad day’s work: the good, the bad and the crazy. From a man who swallowed fishhooks to a patients playing pranks, emergency operations in the wee hours, constantly being mistaken for a nurse, and holding hands through silent goodbyes, this is a book about the strange, messy, intense world of surgery. When Ineke’s parents in Samoa fall ill, she is torn between her roles as a surgeon, a daughter, and a single working mother. Are the sacrifices of a life in scrubs worth it? Laugh-out-loud and sobering in equal turns, On Call is a memoir from inside the operating room and everything it takes to survive.” (Catalogue)

Sleepless : discovering the power of the night self / Abbs, Annabel
“Sleepless combines science, historical research, and personal experience to explore the complicated relationship women have with darkness. Her night journeys range from quiet country fields to brightly lit city streets to the darkest reaches of the Arctic Circle. And from women of the past — Lee Krasner, Virginia Woolf, Louise Bourgeois, and dozens more — who opened their minds on sleepless nights, to contemporary women who found a form of healing in darkness. Cut loose from the anxiety of insomnia, numerous women discovered strength, imagination, and inner knowledge at night. Many also learned to-finally-sleep.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

When things stick : untangling your body from old patterns / Choi, Sue J.
“This book is for people who have tried multiple mind-body paths already and still feel frustrated that they can’t see the changes they seek. “Through instructional videos, stories, and contextual information, you’ll learn how to use a multi-sensory approach to posture and walking as a path to self-regulation.” (Catalogue)

 

For more new books in the collection, go to: https://wcl.govt.nz/whatsnew/

Healthy Made Simple: New Health Books in the Collection

KathLeave a comment

It’s very easy for the doldrums to set in when February hits, so what better time to think about learning how to be more healthy.  Healthy eating, exercise, taking care of your mental health, looking after babies and children and living with chronic illness are all included in this month’s new health titles in the collection.  Take a look at these we’ve selected for you:

Healthy made simple : delicious, plant-based recipes, ready in 30 minutes or less / Mills, Ella
“What can you do today that makes life simpler tomorrow? How can you create a healthy, genuinely delicious meal in minutes? There’s no denying the challenge or the pressure to continuously look after your wellbeing, carve out time to exercise, manage your stress, cook healthy meals, get enough sleep and make time for your friends, all while juggling life’s other many demands! Ella wants to make eating well every day a joy, and in Healthy Made Simple she gives you the tools you need to unlock a healthier life.” (Provided by publisher)

How to wild swim : what to know before taking the plunge / Foote, Ella
” Whether you want to explore remote beaches and mountain lochs, improve your confidence in open water, refine your swimming technique, or have a race or long-distance swim challenge coming up, How to Wild Swim offers the perfect practical foundation to help you find your perfect adventure and achieve your goal. This body conditioning sport is praised for not only making us stronger and healthier but also happier too. So no matter what your goal–short wild swims and weekend breaks, to full adventure swimming expeditions and off-grid vacations–dive right in and submerge yourself in this wild, watery, fearless book.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Change your brain every day : simple daily practices to strengthen your mind, memory, moods, focus, energy, habits, and relationships / Amen, Daniel G
“In Change Your Brain Every Day psychiatrist and clinical neuroscientist Daniel Amen, MD, draws on over 40 years’ clinical practice with tens of thousands of patients to give you the most effective daily habits he has seen that can help you improve your brain, master your mind, boost your memory, and make you feel happier, healthier, and more connected to those you love.” (Catalogue)

Continue reading “Healthy Made Simple: New Health Books in the Collection” →

Forever Strong – New Health Books in the Collection

KathLeave a comment

January is that time of year so many of us are feeling a bit run down and worn out, so it’s a good time to investigate what new health books we have in the collection.  A broad selection of titles from birth and midwifery through changing bodies, healthy eating, exercise, ageing and even death.  We’ve curated a selection for you here.

Forever strong : a new, science-based strategy for aging well / Lyon, Gabrielle
” After years of watching patients cycle through her practice, Dr Gabrielle Lyon noticed a pattern. While her patients struggled with a wide range of conditions, they all suffered from the same core problem: they had too little muscle rather than too much fat. When we think about muscle, we tend to think about strength or aesthetics, but in reality, muscle accounts for so much more than that. As the body’s largest endocrine organ, muscle actually determines everything about the trajectory of health and aging. Now, Dr Lyon offers an easy-to-follow food, fitness, and self-care program anchored in evidence and pioneering research that teaches you how to optimize muscle-no matter your age or health background.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Breaking through depression : new treatments and discoveries for healing / Gold, Philip W.
“Since he first developed the idea that depression is a stress response gone awry, Philip Gold has spent decades researching what this means for our whole bodies, not just our brains. In this book, he reveals the latest research on how depression affects every aspect of our health – from the chemical messengers that control sleep and appetite to the brain’s structure and functionality. Timely, urgent and important, Breaking Through Depression articulates the workings of this misunderstood illness in compelling and often surprising detail, introducing the newest innovations in treatment that offer hope for healing.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Veg-table : recipes, techniques + plant science for big-flavored, vegetable-focused meals / Sharma, Nik
“Nik Sharma, blogger at A Brown Table, Serious Eats columnist, and bestselling cookbook author, brings us his most cookable collection of recipes yet in Veg-table. Here is a technique-focused repertoire for weeknight mains for cooks of all skill levels looking to add more delicious and satisfying vegetable dishes to their diet. Featuring more than 100 of Sharma’s gorgeous and evocative photographs, as well as instructive illustrations, this cookbook perfectly balances beauty, intellect, and delicious, achievable recipes.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Continue reading “Forever Strong – New Health Books in the Collection” →

Gut Feelings – New Health Books in the Collection

Kath

It’s a new month and we have another selection of new health books for you.  From looking after your gut health, to caring for a brain injury, to a guide to living with lupus and good eating habits, we have a wide selection of titles for you to delve into.

Gut feelings : healing the shame-fuelled relationship between what you eat and how you feel / Cole, Will
“Now, Dr Will Cole sheds light on the relationship between your physical and emotional health, providing a framework for you to better understand the gut-brain connection and influence that connection for the better. Dr Cole will help you re-evaluate your relationship with food and your body, getting you back in touch with your gut feelings, in this practical 21-Day Plan that bridges the gap between your emotions and your health with healing recipes, dietary guidance and mindfulness techniques.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Healing the traumatized brain : coping after concussion and other brain injuries / Vaishnavi, Sandeep
“Recovering from a brain injury can be a challenging, prolonged process. This book explains how the brain works, how injuries affect the brain, and how to use your brain’s own power to recover.” (Catalogue)

 

FAQs on menopause / Robinson, Julie
“No question is too simple, too embarrassing, too rude or too offbeat to be included, and each one has been asked by thousands of people just like you. Do people know I’m having a hot flush? Is it normal to feel rage all the time? Why I am getting more hair in some places and losing it from others? All these questions, and hundreds more, are covered in this short but powerful, helpful, practical guide to managing your menopause symptoms.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Continue reading “Gut Feelings – New Health Books in the Collection” →

Get a grip, love: New health books

Kath

Whether you’re looking to improve the health of your body or your mind, we can help you with health  books to give you some guidance. Body image, food allergies, chronic illness, neurodiversity, the history of germs, eating healthy on a budget and more are all in this selection this month.

Get a grip, love / Lucey, Kate
“Kate Lucey has been ‘officially’ depressed (as in, diagnosed) for six years. In that time she’s experienced everything from bad therapy, knock-out meds, and friends-with-too-many-opinions, to good therapy, medication, and solutions that actually work. This book recognises that getting help is not as easy as ‘just telling someone’ or ‘taking some pills’. Crucially, as well as poking fun at mental illness and all its absurdities (because what are we without laughter, hey?), Kate reminds you that it’s fine not to feel ok. That you can go back to crying at any time. And that you do not need to get a grip.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Your weight is not the problem : a simple, no-diet plan for healthy habits that stick / Cohen, Lyndi
“In Your Weight is not the Problem, nutritionist and dietitian Lyndi Cohen offers a simple plan to break free from the dieting trap with small, doable healthy habits you can stick to no matter how busy life gets. Her evidence-based strategies will help you find freedom with food and build a trusting, healthy relationship with your body. Because health and happiness aren’t about having a perfectly flat stomach or a cellulite-free tush. They’re about feeling comfortable in your skin and having the energy to do the things you love. Liberate yourself from food guilt and self-blame with a new approach to health that doesn’t rely on willpower or counting calories, because you can’t live a full life on an empty stomach.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The long COVID survival guide : how to take care of yourself and what comes next
“The first patient-to-patient guide for people living with Long COVID, with answers and reassurance to guide readers through issues like getting diagnosed, dealing with symptoms, and caring for their mental health.” (Catalogue)

Dirty laundry : why adults with ADHD are so ashamed and what we can do to help / Pink, Richard
“The authors, the husband-and-wife team behind the social media accounts @ADHD_Love, present their perspectives and insights on real adult life with ADHD, including guidance and education for family and friends on how to best support neurodivergent people.” (Catalogue)

Living gluten-free / Korn, Danna
“Covering the practical, medical, scientific, and emotional aspects of the lifestyle, this book will inspire you with all the details on the benefits of giving up gluten, common and hidden sources of gluten, how to deal with the social and emotional challenges, tips and insight on shopping and eating out, and recipes for creating delicious, gluten-free meals and snacks.” (Catalogue)

The complete human body : the definitive visual guide / Roberts, Alice
“The definitive guide to the development, form, function, and disorders of the human body. The most detailed popular reference book on human anatomy available, this beautiful exploration of the human body is now in its third edition, revised with the latest medical knowledge. The 3-D computer-generated illustrations are incredibly detailed, virtually life-size, and based on the 3-D scans of a real human body. But in addition, the book features hundreds of smaller illustrations, diagrams, and the latest medical and microscope imaging.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Breasts : an owner’s guide / Kaye, Philippa
“Separate fact from fiction with the first complete medical guide to breasts. Health expert Dr. Philippa Kaye offers straightforward advice, explaining every what, why, and how of your mammaries, helping you improve your self-care routine both today and tomorrow.” (Catalogue)

Pathogenesis : how germs made history / Kennedy, Jonathan
“‘According to the accepted narrative of progress, a few great humans have bent the arc of history. But in this revelatory book, Dr Jonathan Kennedy argues that germs have done more to shape humanity at every stage, from the first success of Homo sapiens over the equally intelligent Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam. By exploring the startling intimacy of our relationship with infectious diseases, Kennedy shows how they have been responsible for some of the seismic revolutions of the past 50,000 years.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

A history of fatigue : from the Middle Ages to the present / Vigarello, Georges
“This pioneering book explores the rich and little-known history of fatigue from the Middle Ages to the present. Vigarello shows that our understanding of fatigue, the words used to describe it, and the symptoms and explanations of it have varied greatly over time, reflecting changing social mores and broader aspects of social and political life. Ranging from the history of war, religion and work to the history of the body, the senses and intimacy, this history of fatigue shows how something that seems permanently centered in our bodies has, over the course of centuries, also been ingrained in our minds, in the end affecting the innermost aspects of the self.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Broke vegan one pot : over 100 simple plant-based recipes that don’t cost the earth / Dixon, Sam
“With over 100 plant-based recipes using supermarket staples, along with hints and tips for simplifying vegan cooking, Broke Vegan: One Pot will have you cooking delicious meals time after time that save money and help the planet. From easy weeknight meals to fancier dishes for entertaining, Broke Vegan: One Pot will help you cook sustainably without breaking the bank.” (Catalogue)

For more new items in the collection, go to What’s new & Popular / June 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

This Won’t Hurt: New health titles in the collection

Kath

We have another excellent selection of health books recently added to our collection to share with you this month.  No matter what age or stage of life you’re in, we’ve got something to help you live a healthy  life and answer questions that you might have about your health.

This won’t hurt : how medicine fails women / Bigg, Marieke
“The vast majority of medicines and treatments that we use today were designed for, and by, men and the myth that medicine is gender-neutral has had terrible repercussions for women. In This won’t hurt, Dr Marieke Bigg takes a deep dive into all the ways medicine is not gender neutral, using stories and experiences to demonstrate how these flawed mindsets have paved the way for sub-par treatment, and how prevailing attitudes in a patriarchal world can have unexpected effects far downstream.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Baby & toddler basics : expert answers to parents’ top 150 questions / Altmann, Tanya Remer
“This easy-to-use guide helps parents with evidence-based advice for dealing with the most common issues facing babies and toddlers, including breastfeeding, baby care, developmental stages, first aid and injuries, sleep, vaccines and more.” (Catalogue)

 

“You just need to lose weight” : and 19 other myths about fat people / Gordon, Aubrey
“In “You Just Need to Lose Weight,” Aubrey Gordon equips readers with the facts and figures to reframe myths about fatness in order to dismantle the anti-fat bias ingrained in how we think about and treat fat people. Bringing her dozen years of community organizing and training to bear, Gordon shares the rhetorical approaches she and other organizers employ to not only counter these pernicious myths, but to dismantle the anti-fat bias that so often underpin them.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Hello sleep : the science and art of overcoming insomnia without medications / Wu, Jade
” Wu’s practical recommendations support a philosophical theme: Sleep is a friend, and it’s the nurturing of our relationship with this friend–rather than an anxious nightly battle–that will give us sustainable sleep health. Wu believes this can make things worse for those with insomnia issues, making what was once easy and intuitive into something effortful and elusive. Instead, this book treats insomniacs with respect, by giving them knowledge and empowering them to trust themselves and their own sleep.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Queer conception : the complete fertility guide for queer and trans parents-to-be / Kali, Kristin L.
“The only evidence-based, up-to-date fertility guide for queer people from an experienced health care provider, this is also the first to be transgender inclusive and body-positive. Here, queer prospective parents will find sound advice for navigating complex medical, social and financial decisions. This book is for all LGBTQ+ readers interested in creating family through pregnancy: anyone who identifies as queer, lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, trans and nonbinary people, couples, single parents by choice, poly families, and coparents.” (Catalogue)

My brain still needs glasses : ADHD in adults / Vincent, Annick
“Did you know that over half of children affected by ADHD still show symptoms when they reach adulthood? Relying on the latest research in the field, this book is an indispensable guide for all those who want to understand and find tools to better cope with ADHD. Accessible and packed with illuminating testimonials, it takes the reader step by step through the clinical symptoms, diagnostic approach and pharmacological treatments available for this neurodevelopmental problem.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

How to eat more plants : transform your health with 30 plant-based foods per week (and why it’s easier than you think) / Rossi, Megan
“A fact-based guide to plant-based eating, explaining why a diverse diet is the key to better health-with 80 plant-packed recipes.” (Catalogue)

 

Arthritis / Fox, Barry
“Arthritis For Dummies helps you make sense of arthritis and understand your diagnosis and treatment options. This updated edition show you the latest advances in diagnostic techniques, medications, and treatment plans. With these expert tips and proven medical wisdom, you’ll be able to calm those joints, so you can get back to the business of living. Alternative medicine and lifestyle changes are covered, too–it’s your must-read guide to living a full life with arthritis.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Womb : the inside story of where we all began / Hazard, Leah
“In this book, midwife and bestselling author Leah Hazard sets out on a journey to explore the rich past, complex present and dynamic future of the uterus. She speaks to the Californian doctor who believes women deserve a period-free life; walks in the footsteps of the Scottish woman whose Caesarean section changed childbirth forever; uncovers America’s long history of forced and coercive sterilisation; observes uterine transplant surgery in Sweden and takes a very personal dive into the world of ‘womb wellness’.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The complex PTSD coping skills workbook : an evidence-based approach to manage fear and anger, build confidence, and reclaim your identity / Greenberg, Tamara McClintock
“Reclaim your life from C-PTSD with this powerful and compassionate workbook.  You’ll learn the most effective strategies to manage symptoms, overcome painful memories, and build self-confidence. Most importantly, you’ll find validation that your feelings aren’t “crazy” or “outsized,” and discover the skills needed to help you reclaim your life.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

For more new items in the collection, go to: What’s new & Popular / April 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)