This Book has been in a loving relationship for 16 years. He has fathered two children, has a successful career and is studying towards his Masters degree. The relationship is with another man, and his two children live with their mothers – a lesbian couple that sought him out for a very specific purpose. Check out this Book to learn about his struggle through low self-esteem, his turning point and how he became the confident, self-assured person he is today.

“Life is about being challenged and taking on those challenges”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information

One of only three Muslim families in Wellington when she moved to New Zealand as a young child, this Book grew up with a mixture of identities, but more as a New Zealander than anything else. Describing her teenage years as ‘mixed up’ everything came to a head one weekend at the age of 18 and she made the decision to commit to the Muslim faith as an adult. Why did she choose this path? What does it mean to her to be a Muslim in New Zealand? And how does she describe her identity now ?

“I decided my life had to mean something”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information

When you’re alone at night with your own mind, where do you take refuge? For this Book choosing to live the Buddhist faith is a major part of her story. But don’t expect someone who is introverted and quiet – there’s more to it than that! Find out more about her way of life, along with moving to New Zealand and her interest in other faiths.

“Your religion has to really light you up – if it doesn’t it’s probably not the right one for you”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information

Moving here from Thailand six years ago, this Book relishes the freedom to choose who and what she wants to be in New Zealand. Free from the cultural and social expectations of Thai culture, she enjoys being respected for who she is and the down to earth and ‘DIY’ approach we have to life. But along with connecting with her own inner strength she has also encountered depression and other challenges. Find out about her experiences and the different ways she is contributing to our community.

“I couldn’t believe that I could really do it – living here and making my own life!”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information

Raised with Niuean values in small town New Zealand, this Book experienced a typical Kiwi upbringing. Developing an interest in bone carving along with the usual teenage exploits of sport and cars, he eventually went into the panel beating trade. After the birth of his son and an illness that saw him off work for two years, his interest in art developed further and he set out to teach himself how to create visual masterpieces. Some people hold the perception that artists are just cruising, drinking lattes and living on the dole – check out this Book to find out for yourself about life as a professional artist.

“Best advice I ever got? Fake it till you make it!”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information

Many people wake up in the morning and want to make the world a better place, but how many of us actually do something about it? This young and vibrant woman who enjoys pop culture and loves the outdoors is a Rabbi in the progressive Jewish faith. Inspired by a sense of social justice and a desire to do what she can to make the world a better place, she has followed the path that she thinks best enables her to do so – with much to offer this Book may not be what you expect!

“You can make a difference”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information

Something that not many New Zealanders can relate to is leaving your home country for a better life. After moving from Sudan to Egypt, this Book met and fell in love with a Kiwi, and eventually followed her here. After an initial struggle to find work, he is now settled in a role where he gets to help others in a similar situation, and is studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration – a degree he hopes to put to use here and back home, working to benefit the Sudanese people. Check out this inspirational Book to hear about his dreams and experiences of a new life in New Zealand.

“It’s up to you to change your fate”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information

Having her first child as a teenager, this Book has given birth to nine children and experienced a wide range of issues to do with pregnancy and childbirth – including choosing to give one of her babies and the gift of parenthood to someone else. Along the way she has encountered judgements, expectations and some traumatic times. Her story is one of coping with choices and developing her sense of self, with a wide range of experiences she can share.

“Develop your own sense of self – don’t just believe everyone else”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information.

How does a sceptic at heart move from being a business analyst with an interest in science to using psychic and healing abilities such as reading and balancing energy fields and communicating with spirit?  Describing herself as a bridge between the orthodox and unorthodox this Book works as a Mind/Body Specialist, aiming to identify the causes of any challenge in life, whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.  Wherever you are on the spectrum of believing/non-believing, come with an open mind to find out more.

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information.

Imagine what it is like if your mind and body do not match. If you don’t have a gender issue yourself it can be very hard to understand what it is like and this book can share their transgender experience – from facing huge discrimination at times, through to having surgery and now feeling complete and happy with who she is. With many different hats from radio show host, to cabaret performer and cookbook author, this fun-loving person lives her life to the fullest!

“I’m normal – just normal for who I am”

 This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information.

Would you speed down hills at 100km/hour? Should you do it in a wheelchair?? Meet someone who is an artist, works with youth, loves extreme sports and wants to be a world champion – all along with doing the daily tasks most people take for granted. Find out more about these and many other abilities from a cool and extremely positive guy who can talk to you about all aspects of life from a wheelchair.

“Every day you come up against something new or different”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information.

How would you cope with starting work before 8am and finishing around 10pm – every day? Meet someone who does just this, but wouldn’t change her job for anything. She thinks she’s got the best job in Wellington and is happy to talk about how she juggles the demands of a high-powered career with personal and family commitments. And of course how she finds time to have fun!

“I’m very determined – once I’ve made a commitment, I’ll set my mind to doing it!”

This is a very busy book who is only available on Friday from 4pm till 4.30pm so booking in advance is advised!

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information.

If you had to choose between blindness or stuttering, which would it be?

What if you lived with both – which would be hardest?

For this Book being blind is simply an inconvenience, and she won’t let it interrupt her plans. Growing up without sight – and with a stutter – this Book is an inspiration. Determined not to lose opportunities or experiences, she sings, teaches music and works a normal 40 hour week.

“People think it’s about walking around with your eyes shut, which it’s not”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information.

Imagine seeing faces on posters and paintings coming to life. Or having voices telling you things out of the ordinary and saying they’re going to go away – but they don’t. These things can occur daily in the life of someone living with schizophrenia. This is your chance to meet someone who doesn’t suffer from a disease, but instead leads a fulfilling life while living with a mental illness. Find out more about her personal journey.

“The acceptance of a mental illness helps you to live with it”

This post is part of Living Library 2008. ‘Living Library’ is an event organised during Library Week 2008 18-24 August. Follow the links for more information.