News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Here are some more highlights of the new non-fiction books this month. Ans Westra’s Washday at the Pa has been republished after forty-seven years. Plus, People Magazine’s 1000 biggest moments in pop culture for the last thirty-five years, and the true story of a CIA interrogator. Have a browse!

The new golden age : the coming revolution against political corruption and economic chaos / Ravi Batra.
“Bringing his signature insight and expertise, the controversial economist Ravi Batra takes on a host of problems facing the world economy, including the oil and housing bubbles, falling minimum wages, corporate scandals, gross ethical lapses, the rise of celebrity economists at the Federal Reserve and elsewhere, and political crises of all kinds. He is unflinching in his criticism of the global economic elites and the suffering and deprivation they have caused in the lives of ordinary men and women.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Uncompromised : the rise, fall, and redemption of an Arab-American patriot in the CIA / Nada Prouty.
“Prouty came to national attention when she was accused of giving information to Hezbollah and dubbed Jihad Jane. She now makes her case as a former Middle East agent for the CIA who fell victim to Islamophobia. More than a story of international intrigue, Prouty’s personal narrative is grounded in a brutal childhood in a conservative Lebanese family, where the word patriarchy takes on a vicious meaning….” (Booklist)

Prisoner of conscience / Frank Wolf with Anne Morse.
“What’s a congressman from Virginia doing in places where bullets fly and babies starve? Thirty years ago, Frank Wolf was elected to the U.S. Congress to address local transportation issues. Fueled by a faith that made him believe he could do something about it, the congressman grew to champion human and religious rights around the world…. Eventually, he became a key proponent of opposing radical Jihadists and creating a National Committee on Terrorism. As Wolf visited some of the most dangerous places in the world, he saw firsthand the need for members of Congress to speak out for persecuted people around the globe.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Ko Aotearoa tēnei : te taumata tuarua : a report into claims concerning New Zealand law and policy affecting Māori culture and identity.
“This report address the Wai 262 claim concerning New Zealand law and policy affecting Māori culture and identity. It is divided into two levels, a shorter summary layer subtitle “Te Taumata Tuatahi,” and a fuller, two-volume layer subtitled Te Taumata Tuarua” (Back cover)

Washday at the pa / photographs by Ans Westra ; with text by Mark Amery.
“Brings together a selection of images from the two editions published in 1964, together with photographs taken of members of the “Washday” family in 1998.” (Library Catalogue)

1000 biggest moments in pop culture : 1974-2011 / [editor, Cutler Durkee].
“It’s everywhere and everything — TV, movies, music, advertising, sports, fashion. From “yada yada” to the Rachel hairdo, Michael Jackson’s moonwalk to E.T.’s quest to phone home. “People 1,000 Greatest Moments in Pop Culture” looks back in wonder at the scores of movie scenes, quick fads, and unforgettable moments that defined American culture for the past 40 years.” (Syndetics summary)

The interrogator : a CIA agent’s true story / Glenn Carle.
“This book is Carle’s affirmation that only the truth can lead us from the dark. He had years of training and experience leading up to his encounter with the captive who the CIA believed might hold the key to finding bin Laden. This was his apotheosis as a career spook in the Directorate of Operations, yet Carle immediately struggled to reconcile his orders to make his captive talk with the oath he had sworn to uphold the letter and the spirit of the law. Furthermore, as the interrogation began and he built rapport with his subject, another problem started to gnaw at him. This man wasn’t who he was alleged to be; he was low level at best…. ” (Library Catalogue)

Together : how small groups achieve big things / Henry Hemmings.
“Together is about the extraordinary revival of small groups in Britain today. What happens when a room full of people decide to work towards the same dream? Why is it that when we come together in small groups we are so much more than the sum of our parts? From druids to bingo-clubbers, eco-warriors to flash-mobbers, historical re-enactors to bee-keepers, books groups and knitting circles, W.I.s, Young Farmers and the fan-owners of a football club, Together reveals the true story of modern Britain…..” (Publisher’s description)

In our selection of the new crime books this month: stolen artworks and the detective story behind their recovery, books that look at the Casey Anthony and Schapelle Corby cases, a new title from Ian Wishart, and a story from inside Venezuela’s notorious Yare prison. Have a browse!

Art theft and the case of the stolen Turners / Sandy Nairne.
“In 1994, two paintings by J.M.W. Turner were stolen from a German art gallery while on loan from Tate Britain. Both important paintings by one of Britain’s most famous artists, they were valued at £24 million. Nairne (former director, Tate Britain; current director, National Portrait Gallery, London) was directly involved in the search for the paintings and the negotiations for their ransom and return. With its cast of colorful characters and intrigue, this true-crime story should be riveting…” (Library Journal)

Inside the mind of Casey Anthony : a psychological portrait / Keith Ablow.
“The trial of twenty-five year old Casey Anthony for the death of her daughter Caylee was the most sensational case in America since O.J. Simpson’s — with a verdict every bit as stunning. After being acquitted in July 2011, Ms. Anthony instantly became one of the most infamous women in the world. Dr. Keith Ablow distills tens of thousands of pages of documents he has obtained, his behind-the-camera, one-on one interviews, and his decades of experience in the world of forensic psychiatry to make sense of a woman whose defense attorney described as an innocent victim of childhood sexual abuse, but the state insisted was a cold-blooded murderer….” (Publisher’s summary)

Sins of the father : the untold story behind Schapelle Corby’s ill-fated drug run / Eamonn Duff.
“A reckless father, his dark past, an Adelaide drug trafficker and the Gold Coast beauty school dropout who kept her mouth shut. This is the explosive untold story of Schapelle Corby and how she took the rap for her father’s drug syndicate. The result of a three year investigation, Sins of the Father returns to the beginning of Australia’s most famous drug case, to a time when nobody had ever heard the name Schapelle Corby. Finally, the missing pieces of the jigsaw fall into place as we are led, step by step, through the important weeks, days and hours leading up to her dramatic arrest. Shedding new light on her long-held claims of innocence, this is the book Schapelle’s army of supporters do not want you to read.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Banged up abroad : hellhole ; our fight to survive South America’s deadliest jail / James Miles and Paul Loseby.
“When James Miles and his best friend Paul Loseby were caught smuggling ten kilos of cocaine out of Caracas, Venezuela, they couldn’t deny their guilt. Young and naive, the lads had thought the one-off drug mule job would be a passport to a better life. But in reality it was a ticket to hell … They were sentenced to thirty years and flung into the world’s deadliest prison system, ending up in the notorious Yare. A place where drugs and weaponry are currency and the rules are: there are no rules.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Out of calamity : stories of trauma survivors / Roger Rees, preface by Norman Swan.
“All the people in these stories are unsung heroes. Their stories are true. To honour their privacy, most of the individuals profiled bear fictitious names; a few are composite characters. They have suffered severe trauma, the consequences of which have affected every aspect of their lives, as well as those of family and friends. They demonstrate great, if not superhuman, courage and resilience and never seek or expect applause…. ‘Out of Calamity’ stories and portraits are told in language that is realistic but also poetic, and demonstrate heroic dimensions even when people appear overwhelmed. Superbly crafted writing that is often raw but also eloquent, spare and affecting, these stories are gems replete with insight and compassion.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The hunt : a Kiwi mum, her kidnapped babies and a 30 year worldwide search / Ian Wishart & George London.
“She was a former New Zealand fashion model and diplomat’s wife. He was the British WW2 fighter ace-turned-criminal who seduced her. She attended garden parties with the Queen. He got her pregnant, then kidnapped her children. It’s the case that made world headlines, that captured the attention of Sir Richard Branson, and which forced changes to child abduction laws in Britain.” (Book jacket)

We’ve put together our January round-up of the new film and television books at the library – and American Idol features twice! The show celebrates 10 years on air this year, and we have two new titles that tell the story of the show and its many contestants. Also included this month: the official book of the TV series Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, and a complete film and TV history of Sherlock Holmes adaptations (if this one interests you, you might also like this blog post). Enjoy!

Pawnee : the greatest town in America / written, compiled, researched, typed, collated, proofread, and run through spell-check by Leslie Knope ; with Nate DiMeo and the creative team of Parks and recreation.
“The mockumentary genre used so effectively in, e.g., Spinal Tap and The Office is showcased in this full-blown over-the-top guide to fictional Pawnee, IN, the setting of NBC’s Parks and Recreation. It is written by deputy director of Pawnee’s parks and recreation department Knope, the character played by esteemed Saturday Night Live alum Amy Poehler. With a Hoosier-sized cornucopia of photos, illustrations, sidebars, statistics, and footnotes (almost 200…yikes!), Knope leaves no Pawnee ear of corn unshucked in her detailed Parks and Recreation backstories.” (Library Journal)

American idol : the untold story / Richard Rushfield.
“American Idol is a cultural force like no other. Over the last ten years, the show has offered up high-stakes drama outside the competition that has swept up millions of viewers in its wake. And now, for the first time, a veteran journalist with deep access to the judges, contestants, and crew enlightens readers with a fascinating and insightful look into ten years of America’s most popular television show.” (Syndetics summary)

American idol : celebrating 10 years : the official backstage pass / by Shirley Halperin.
“Straight from the photo vault of America’s number-one show, “American Idol: Celebrating 10 Years” is the official photographic celebration of the first 10 years of the television show that changed the face of music and popular culture throughout the world. Includes more than 70 images, many never before published.” (Syndetics summary)

Big fat gypsy weddings.
“This is the official book of one of the most talked-about TV series ever to have hit our screens. The show offered a unique insight into the traveller and gypsy communities, their lives, loves and their incredible wedding ceremonies. But there is so much more to these fascinating people and their culture and this book draws readers even further into an extraordinary secret world. Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is a gilt-edged invitation into the heart of gypsy and traveller life, brimming with unforgettable stories and brand new insights into a disappearing world.” (description from amazon.com)

The apprentice A-Z : the totally unofficial guide to the hit TV series / Charlie Burden.
“Everything you have ever wanted to know about the hit show The Apprentice is within these pages! For example: A is for Alan—Lord Alan Sugar, an entrepreneur, media personality, and political advisor who grew up in an East End council flat and boiled beetroots for the local greengrocer, but who is now one for the most famous businessmen in Britain. From the colorful candidates to the eventual winners, this comprehensive A-to-Z details everything you want to know about The Apprentice, including details of Lord Alan Sugar, his successes, and all the behind-the-scenes gossip.” (description from amazon.com)

Sherlock Holmes on screen : the complete film and TV history / Alan Barnes.
“Conan Doyle’s master detective Sherlock Holmes has appeared on screen more times than any other fictional character. Sherlock Holmes on Screen surveys over a century’s worth of his exploits in film and television, from the silent era to the present day. Illustrated with rare archive pictures throughout, Sherlock Holmes on Screen is now updated with entries on the BBC’s modern-day Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and director Guy Ritchie’s all-action Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr – plus Sherlockian turns from Rupert Everett and Jonathan Pryce. This revised edition is the most comprehensive Holmes filmography ever published.”(description from amazon.com)

Start the year fresh with our personal development picks: learn how to survive a ‘shark attack’ in the form of betrayal at work or at home, discover how to balance your relationship as life changes, find out about a form of compulsive behaviour called “dutiful worrying” (Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s latest book), or start learning how to decode the mysteries of personality and make sense of people. Have a browse of this month’s selection!

Renegotiate your marriage : balance the terms of your relationship as It changes / Bonnie Jacobson
“Like all married couples, you have an unwritten, often unspoken, contract with your spouse. It’s not the piece of paper you signed on your wedding day; it’s the one in your head that sets the terms of your relationship, for better or worse. Those terms are subject to change, whether it’s because you lost your job, you just had your first child, your kids leave home, or one of you had an affair. In Renegotiate Your Marriage, Dr. Bonnie Jacobsen shows you how to modify your contract as your life together changes. You’ll learn how to negotiate the ups and downs that come with any long-term relationship – and keep your union happy, healthy and strong.” (Book cover)
 
Making sense of people : decoding the mysteries of personality / Samuel Barondes
“What really bothers you about your boss – or your daughter’s boyfriend? Could the person you’re dating really become your life partner? Can you really rely on your intuition about people? Drawing on extensive research, renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist Samuel Barondes gives you powerful, easy-to-use tools for understanding what people are really like and how they got to be the way they are. These tools will provide you with a system for assessing the person’s traits, character, and sense of identity, and then putting these elements together into a unified picture. Learning to think of people in this way will help you choose more satisfying relationships, recognise telltale signs of dysfunction and danger, and savour the complexity and uniqueness of everyone you meet.” (Book cover)

The dutiful worrier : how to stop compulsive worry without feeling guilty / Elliot D. Cohen.
“Do you feel it’s our duty to worry? If your answer to the question is “yes,” you may be suffering from a type of compulsive behaviour called dutiful worrying. On the positive side, Dutiful worrying can make you feel as if you’re actually doing something to improve or control your situation. But this unproductive habit eventually robs you of energy and peace of mind and can leave you feeling over whelmed. The Dutiful Worrier pinpoints why some of us become compulsive worriers and offers a four-step program to end this vicious circle. Complete with self-evaluations and exercises, this book offers guidance for keeping perspective and accepting that you are not responsible for preventing catastrophe. Without the burden of dutiful worrying, you will be able to enjoy life more freely and fully.” (Book cover)

Surviving a shark attack (on land) : overcoming betrayal and dealing with revenge / Laura Schlessinger.
“With her trademark no-nonsense approach, New York Times bestselling author Dr. Laura Schlessinger shows readers how to survive enemies – traitors, backstabbers, and saboteurs – at work and at home. Schlessinger has helped countless men and women become better husbands, wives, parents, and people. She’s helped them cope with grief, shown them how to handle adversity, and set them on the path to understanding and living happy, well-adjusted lives. Now she turns to an emotionally explosive subject that has touched all our lives: betrayal and the desire for revenge. And for the first time, she shares her own personal experiences with betrayal, humiliation, and pain, connecting with her readers as never before and putting this important subject into context. Powerful and thought-provoking, in Surviving a Shark Attack (on Land), Dr. Laura gives her readers the emotional defenses they need to overcome the worst life will throw at them, whether it’s a cheating spouse, a lying sibling, or a ruthless colleague.” (Book cover)

We have a great selection of new computing and technology books for you this month – and something for everyone, whether you’re a web developer or looking for help with home computing. Have a great idea for an app, but no idea how to market your project? Appillionaires has some tips for you! Also featured this month are titles on protecting your reputation (or your business’s) reputation online, getting started with Wordpress, designing mobile interfaces, using your iPhone, and getting the most out of JavaScript and jQuery. Enjoy!

Appillionaires : secrets from developers who struck it rich on the App Store / Chris Stevens.
“More than 10 billion apps have been downloaded from Apple’s AppStore and with the right combination of original ideas, great features, solid coding, unique designs, and savvy marketing, your apps could be a part of that staggering number. This book shows you how to turn your ideas into profit-making success stories. Citing a fascinating array of real-world examples, this useful book invites you to meet the rich and famous of the app development world. You’ll look behind the scenes of these successful visionaries to learn their secrets first hand and discover how these “bedroom coders” became overnight millionaires.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Designing mobile interfaces / Steven Hoober, Eric Berkman.
“With hundreds of thousands of mobile applications available today, your app has to capture users immediately. This book provides practical techniques to help you catch-and keep-their attention. You’ll learn core principles for designing effective user interfaces, along with a set of common patterns for interaction design on all types of mobile devices.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Digital assassination : protecting your reputation, brand, or business against online attacks / Richard Torrenzano and Mark Davis.
“This book shows how anyone can be a target of online identity attacks, and readers will find witty writing and expert advice on how to guard against and respond to such attacks. Loaded with interesting anecdotes on how the Internet, media, and other technologies are used by unscrupulous people to disparage an individual’s or company’s reputation, the book demonstrates how these attacks have become more prevalent and widespread, thanks to the Internet age.” (Booklist)

Professional C++ / Marc Gregoire, Nicholas A. Solter, Scott J. Kleper.
“Essential reading for experienced developers who are determined to master the latest release of C++. Although C++ is often the language of choice from game programming to major commercial software applications, it is also one of the most difficult to master. With this no-nonsense book, you will learn to conquer the latest release of C++. The author deciphers little-known features of C++, shares detailed code examples that you can then plug into your own code, and reveals the significant changes to C++ that accompany the latest release…” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

My iphone : covers iPhone 3GS, 4, and 4S running iOS 5 / Brad Miser.
“Connect to the Internet, Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi networks, and other iPhones, iPods, and iPads.
Use Siri to get information, write texts and emails, set reminders/appointments, and more just by speaking to your iPhone 4S.
Customize your iPhone with folders, wallpaper, ringtones, and much more.
Configure and sync your information, and efficiently manage contacts, reminders, and calendars.
Communicate via FaceTime videoconferences, conference calls, text, email, and more.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Optimizing Windows 7 : pocket consultant / William R. Stanek.
“Portable and precise, this pocket-sized guide delivers ready answers for optimizing the performance of your Windows 7-based PC. Zero in on core tuning, customization, and troubleshooting tasks using quick-reference tables, instructions, and lists. Topics include system boot and startup, software and hardware, search and indexing, system health, and personalizing the interface. You’ll get the focused information you need to solve problems and get the job done.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

JavaScript & jQuery : the missing manual : the book that should have been in the box / David Sawyer McFarland.
“JavaScript lets you supercharge your HTML with animation, interactivity, and visual effects-but many web designers find the language hard to learn. This jargon-free guide covers JavaScript basics and shows you how to save time and effort with the jQuery library of prewritten JavaScript code. You’ll soon be building web pages that feel and act like desktop programs, without having to do much programming.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Google secrets : do what you never thought possible with Google / Yvette Davis.
“Tech expert Jerri Ledford reveals the ins, outs, and little-known facts about Google to show you how to sharpen your skills so you can get more done, more efficiently. You may already be familiar with Google′s most popular applications, but this indispensable guide puts your knowledge to the test with insider tips, valuable insights, and unbeatable advice on Gmail, Google Voice, Google Sketchup, Google Analytics, and dozens more.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Getting started with WordPress : design your own blog or website / Todd Kelsey.
“If you’re a beginning blogger looking for an easy-to-follow, friendly guide to help you produce an attractively designed blog or website, this is the book for you. You’ll learn the basics of WordPress, one-click installs, and customizations. There’s also coverage of SEO, categorizing blog posts, and social media promotion strategies, such as importing your blog into a Facebook page. This book’s approach starts out simple using step-by-step examples and builds from there, enabling you to gain confidence in building your blog.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

A mixture of arty treats to start off your New Year – three great artist biographies and four stunning graphic art books. Enjoy!

Alessandro Raho / Michael Bracewell & Nicholas Cullinan.
“Exploring the career of Alessandro Raho (b.1971) from the early 1990s to the present day, this monograph, the first of its kind on the artist, places Raho in the context of the period in which his career was established and has flourished… Exploring the major themes and subjects found in his work, alongside his artistic and philosophic influences, this groundbreaking publication will appeal to experts and artistic enthusiasts alike and will be an essential purchase for all those interested in contemporary art.” (Adapted from Amazon.com description)

Hockney : the biography. Volume 1, 1937-1975 / Christopher Simon Sykes.
“In this astounding first volume of his authorised biography Christopher Sykes explores the fascinating world of the most popular living artist in the world today. David Hockney’s career has spanned and epitomised the art movements of the last five decades; His story is one of precocious achievement at Bradford Art College, the Swinging 60s in London where he befriended many of the iconic cultural figures of the generation, to California and the cool of the swimming pool series of paintings, through the acclaimed set designs for countless operas around the world and major retrospective exhibitions.” (Syndetics summary)

Infinity net : the autobiography of Yayoi Kusama / Yayoi Kusama ; translated by Ralph McCarthy.
“In 1957, encouraged by Georgia O’Keeffe, artist Yayoi Kusama left Japan for New York City to become a star. By the time she returned to her home country in 1973, she had established herself as a leader of New York’s avant-garde movement, known for creating happenings and public orgies to protest the Vietnam War and for the polka dots that had become a trademark of her work. Her sculptures, videos, paintings, and installations are to this day included in major international exhibitions.” (Adapted from Amazon.com description)

Erratic : visual impact in current design / [edited by Robert Klanten, Floyd Schulze].
“Change is one of the few constants in the world. In recent years, more and more images are being created that not only capture a moment in time, but also point to a change that can and will take place directly thereafter. Erratic is a collection of current, often playful work by designers, photographers, and artists who are exploring the reciprocal effects between stability and instability, symmetry and asymmetry, and pressure and counter-pressure.” (Adapted from Amazon.com description)

Fingerprint no. 2 : the evolution of handmade elements in graphic design / by Chen Design Associates ; with an introduction by Joshua C. Chen ; foreword by Debbie Millman ; commentary by Colin Berry and visual essays from Stefan Bucher … [et al.].
For many designers, creating things by hand is a reaction to too much computer-based design. Since the first Fingerprint was published, ideas that were once on the fringe have begun to thrive in the mainstream. From typography and illustration to book-making and film titles, elements of handcraft have soaked into everyday life. Fingerprint No. 2 reflects the evolution of those ideas. In this second volume, you’ll still find plenty of projects created entirely without the aid of computer technology. But you’ll also discover how designers are beining to incporate the two aesthetics—handmade and digital—in order to best communicate their message. A third, hybrid aesthetic is emerging, one that marries the technologies of the past and future into a vibrant, exciting present (adapted from amazon.com description)

Juxtapoz illustration 2 / [edited by Saelee Oh ; writer, Evan Pricco].
The tenth book in the series revisits the magnetic attraction of the figurative line. Once again an exciting roster of contributors ranging from commercial illustrators to outsider artists put forth a retina-searing collection (Syndetics summary)

Vectorism : vector graphics today / [edited and produced by Viction:workshop].
Showcases over 480 vector works composed by over 50 graphic artists from all around the world (Syndetics summary)

Economics viewed through nature-tinted glasses, the biggest and most impactful volcanic eruptions and the ever present climate change are all discussed in this latest batch of books on the environment.

Making our place : exploring land-use tensions in Aotearoa New Zealand / co-edited by Jacinta Ruru, Janet Stephenson, Mick Abbott.
“Fascination with the interplay of people and place inspired the editors to bring together New Zealanders from differing backgrounds and disciplines to explore some of the stories and sites of conflict and change to be found amongst our sacred, historic, rural, urban and coastal landscapes. All engage with the underlying question: are there better ways to reconcile the tensions inherent in our struggles with the land and each other? Issues fundamental to identity are placed at centre stage: indigenous rights and restitution, development and conservation, claiming and naming.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Eruptions that shook the world / Clive Oppenheimer.
“A spellbinding exploration of the history’s greatest volcanic events and their impacts on the history of humankind.” “Fire & brimstone: how volcanoes work ‘Some volcanos are in a state of incessant eruption; some, on the contrary, remain for centuries in a condition of total outward inertness, and return again to the same state of apparent extinction after a single vivid eruption of short duration; while others exhibit an infinite variety of phases intermediate between the extreme of vivacity and sluggishness.’” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The wealth of nature : economics as if survival mattered / John Michael Greer.
“John Michael Greer has re-thought economics, starting from its fundamental premises, giving it a basis in ecological reality rather than political fiction… The result is perhaps the most important and readable book on economics since Small Is Beautiful. Richard Heinberg, author of The End of Growth. Building on the Foundations of E.F. Schumacher’s revolutionary “economics as if people mattered,” The Wealth of Nature examines the true cost of confusing money with wealth.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Our dying planet : an ecologist’s view of the crisis we face / Peter F. Sale.
“Marine ecologist Sale (asst. director, Coastal Program, United Nations Univ.; Coral Reef Fishes: Dynamics and Diversity in a Complex Ecosystem) pulls no punches as he addresses the impact of overfishing, deforestation, and the emission of greenhouse gases on the environment in general and on coral reefs in particular – the first ecosystem poised to become extinct according to his projections. He draws us into his life’s work by sharing personal reflections, explaining key concepts – many of which are familiar but are perhaps not thoroughly understood by nonscientists – placing critical issues in historical context, and suggesting courses of action, such as sustainable management. – Robin K. Dillow” – (adapted from Library Journal summary)

Upside / Bradley R.E. Wright.
“It’s easy to get discouraged or feel paralyzed by what you hear about the terrible state of the world. But what if the media and other prophets of doom have misled us? Could the world actually be getting better? The answers… and the facts behind them… may surprise you: Extreme poverty has been cut in half since the 1980s, in developing countries. Life expectancy has doubled around the world over the last 100 years. Literacy rates have soared from 25% to over 80% over the same period. Sociologist Brad Wright uses the best available data to uncover the truth about the world’s most important issues, including poverty, sickness, education, morality, and the environment. While admitting there is still work to be done, he shines a light on why so many things are improving and why no one is talking about it.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Biological diversity : exploiters and exploited / Paul Hatcher and Nick Battey.
“Offering a fresh approach to biology, the authors (both of the U. of Reading, UK) invite study of the living world in a manner that fundamentally integrates human interactions. The presentation focuses on 18 groups of organisms, arranged in sections on exploiters and exploited (although the authors suggest this division is somewhat arbitrary and some could logically be put in either group). They study both plants and animals, using particular cases as a means of investigating diversity and inter-relationships…” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Growth misconduct? : avoiding sprawl and improving urban intensification in New Zealand / edited by Karen Witten, Wokje Abrahamse & Keriata Stuart.
“New Zealand’s population is expected to grow by one million people in the next 20 years. The arrival of ‘peak oil’ and accumulating evidence of climate change force us to reconsider the way we grow our cities. This book provides insights into the multifaceted practice of urban intensification. It highlights both the promise and the limitations of planning models such as smart growth and new urbanism in New Zealand cities. Growth Misconduct? is intended to further our knowledge, spark debate and help us think critically about ways to create livable, beautiful, environmentally sustainable and prosperous cities…” – (adapted from Publisher’s description)

The atlas of climate change : mapping the world’s greatest challenge / Kirstin Dow and Thomas E. Downing.” Since the first edition of this highly acclaimed Atlas was published in 2006 (it won the ‘Planeta Environment Book of the Year’), climate change has climbed even further up the global agenda.
This new edition features:- The outcomes of the negotiations at the UNFCC conference in Copenhagen- The latest developments in climate change research and data on its impacts around the world- New coverage of the role played by the world’s oceans- Estimates of the economic impact of climate change- Updated maps and graphics wherever data is available.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The atlas of birds : diversity, behavior, and conservation / Mike Unwin.
From the publisher. The Atlas of Birds captures the breathtaking diversity of birds, and illuminates their conservation status around the world. Full-color maps show where birds are found, both by country and terrain, and reveal how an astounding variety of behavioral adaptations — from flight and feeding to nest building and song — have enabled them to thrive in virtually every habitat on Earth…” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Global energy transformation : four necessary steps to make clean energy the next success story / Mats Larsson.
“Over the next few years, political and financial power will move in the direction of individuals, companies and nations that are able to use energy in a more efficient way. This book describes this challenge and presents a way forward by which we may achieve the goal of increased energy efficiency in the different areas that need to change.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns was born on the 25th of January 1759, and the 25th of January every year is now celebrated as Robert Burns Day. Traditionally marked with a Burns supper, enthusiastic Burns Clubs all over the world will be celebrating tonight with a good measure of whisky.

The son of a tenant farmer in Ayrshire and a pre-Romantic poet, Robert Burns is a cultural icon in Scotland and the Scottish Diaspora around the world for his poetry and songs in both English and the Scots language (not Gaelic). An interesting New Zealand connection, is that his nephew – Thomas Burns – immigrated to New Zealand and was a prominent religious leader in the early settlement of Otago. There are many memorials to Robert Burns all over the world, and if you’ve visited Dunedin you will have seen the statue of Robert Burns in the Octagon that commemorates him there.

In lieu of celebrating with the more traditional haggis and whisky, we thought we’d collect together some books and web links to commemorate the Ploughman Poet. Enjoy!

Robert Burns / selected by Donald A. Low.
“Let other poets raise a fracas ‘Bout vines, an’ wines, an’ drucken Bacchus, An’ crabbit names an’ stories wrack us, An’ grate our lug: In glass or jug.–from “Scotch Drink”. Robert Burns, the son of a tenant farmer in Ayshire, Scotland, endured great hardship before emerging as a poet and songwriter in his native dialect, as well as in English. This “Bard of Scotland” caught the spirit of his country, as these 23 verses and songs so vividly show. Though his works frequently focused on two of his greatest pleasures–women and Scotch–he also found inspiration in local subjects. His “Tam O’Shanter” is one of the finest examples of narrative verse ever written: it vividly evokes the Scottish landscape and weather, the native inns and native folk, all while telling a compelling, almost supernatural story of the drunken Tam. From “The Twa Dogs” to “Death and Doctor Hornbook,” this colorful collection is a pure delight.” (Syndetics summary)

The bard : Robert Burns, a biography / Robert Crawford.
“Biographies of Burns are as plentiful as hangovers after Burns Suppers, and some of them are equally unrewarding. But this one is genuinely useful. Evenhanded and earnest, it isn’t the raciest version of Burns’s high-octane career: Those who want a simplified story can look elsewhere. But The Bard, while approachable and concise, sets a new standard for scholarly readings of Burns’s life. This biography is enlightening and entertaining, a good read in a gray month.” (Amazon.co.uk)

Dirt & deity : a life of Robert Burns / Ian McIntyre.
“July 21, 1996, is the 200th anniversary of the death of Scotland’s great national poet, Robert Burns, which is reason enough to bring McIntyre’s exhaustively documented–indeed, for all practical purposes, documentary–biography, first published in England last year, to America. But besides marking the occasion, the book has strong virtues to commend it, too. McIntyre strives mightily to tell the facts about Burns; to that end, he constructs a fabric made up of excerpts from letters, recollections of those who knew Burns, occasional public records, and the testimony of Burns’ poems. He stitches these materials together with clear, precise prose, concisely sketching Burns’ historical and cultural milieu as he proceeds; and he refrains from speculating about cloudy details in Burns’ life or interpreting Burns’ works. He doesn’t coddle old legends or foster new ones but reinforces the familiar image of Burns as a sparkling conversationalist, something of a rake (as were several friends), and, unfortunately for his longevity (he died at 37), rather a boozer–and, supremely, what Jews call a mensch, for a’ that.” (Booklist)

Rhymer Rab : an anthology of poems and prose / Robert Burns ; edited by Alan Bold.
“The poems and songs of Robert Burns are known throughout the world, yet many people are unaware of the wealth of writing of all kinds which he left at his death in 1796. This is a collection of verse and prose which gives insights into Burns’s complex and contradictory character. It includes some of his most revealing letters, ranging from formal appeals to potential patrons, to bawdy accounts of sexual conquests; from the elevated passion of the “Clarinda” letters to the touching domesticity of notes to his wife and family; and from fiery political satire to poignant pleas sent in the final days of his life. Here also are extracts from commonplace books, passages from travel journals and other significant pieces, including the complete text of the Autobiographical Letter, Burns’s only extended account of his meteoric rise to fame.” (Amazon.co.uk)

From our databases:

• Burns, Robert (1759-1796). Accessed via Gale Biography In Context.

Website Links:

• Index of Robert Burns’ Poems with English translations (Via the World Burns Club)
• BBC audio archive of 716 works by Robert Burns (created to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth in 2009)

Monday 23rd January is Wellington Anniversary Day, and there is more to it than  just a day off for us Wellingtonians!

If you’re interested in reading or seeing more, come check out our Early Wellington display of books and images on the 2nd floor of the Central Library.

So, what is Wellington Anniversary Day?

• An anniversary day commemorates the founding of a province or an early settlement event.
• The first New Zealand Company immigrant ship, the Aurora, arrived 22nd January 1840.
• The first settlement celebration was held on 22nd January 1841.
• Wellington Anniversary Day is the Monday that falls closest to the 22nd of January.

Read about the very first Wellington Anniversary celebrations:

• Article from the New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 30 January 1841: Celebration of the Arrival of the First Settlers (Papers Past)
• Early colonial society through a prism: reflections on Wellington’s first anniversary day by B. R. Patterson, published by Wellington Historical and Early Settlers’ Association (NZ).

Names for Wellington:

• Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui – The head of Māui’s fish.
• Te Whanganui a Tara – The great harbour of Tara.
• The first European settlement, Britannia, was where Petone is now situated.
• Popular choice for a new name was Durham. In England, Durham’s name comes from the Old English “dun”=hill and the Old Norse “holme”=island.
• Finally in 1840 the name Wellington was chosen to honour the Duke of Wellington, who was a strong supporter of the New Zealand Company.

Wellington Heritage Trails:

(PDFs of some of these are available on the Wellington City Council website)

• Heritage trail: Te ara o nga tupuna = The path of our ancestors
• Heritage trail: Petone, Hutt City
• Heritage trail: old shoreline, Wellington City
• Heritage trail: maritime Wellington City
• Heritage trail: Thorndon: power, passion, prose & piety.
• Heritage trail: Aro Valley: cottages, crannies & curiosities.
• Heritage trail: northern suburbs, Wellington City
• Heritage trail: Karori, Wellington City

Books of interest:

• A guide to Wellington’s Maori history: nga korero mua o te upoko o te ika
• Te Whanganui-a-Tara: the story of Wellington Harbour
• Wellington Harbour; a heritage of Tara
• Britannia by the river
• Early Wellington
• Wellington: history, heritage & culture
• Old Wellington in colour: from hundred-year-old picture postcards
• Wellington: biography of a city
• Colonial capital: Wellington, 1865-1910
• Wellington at work in the 1890s
• Heritagelink: the official magazine of the Wellington Historical & Early Settlers Assn.

We’ve done our first round-up of the new cooking books for the year! You’ll find some inspiring cooking for Summer – restaurant cookbooks, party cakes for all those January birthdays, seasonal sustainable food, and more. Plus – a workbook for managing food intolerances. Have a browse – and enjoy!

Bite By Bite : 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make For Any Party / Peter Callahan (foreword by Martha Stewart).
“Callahan invented high-end party food as we know it; now, he shares his secrets. Callahan invites readers to enter his world of whimsy and wit, where tuna tartare becomes an ice cream cone, shrimp cocktail becomes lollipops, and frites are served next to mini sliders.” (Syndetics summary)

Cook This Now : 120 easy and delectable dishes you can’t wait to make / Melissa Clark.
“A journal-style narrative about the author’s first year of feeding her family seasonally, sustainably, and sumptuously – eating real, fresh, whole, non-processed foods, choosing local and seasonal and sustainable whenever possible, and eschewing factory meats and overfished seafood. But also about eating well and not making herself crazy. This is a look at her choices, how she succeeds and fails, and most importantly, what she’s choosing to cook.” (Global Books)

Gingerboy : Creative Street Food / Teage Ezard, Chris Donnellan.
“Iconic Melbourne restaurant Gingerboy is renowned for its funky decor, Asian-inspired dishes and hip laneway location. Serving creative street food, based around plates for sharing, chefs Teage Ezard and Chris Donnellan take a unique and bold approach to the food of the region.” (Library Catalogue)

Marque : A Culinary Adventure / Mark Best ; recipes by Mark Best and Pasi Petranen ; photography by Stuart Scott.
“MARQUE is a highly illustrated, contemporary recipe book, celebrating and reflecting on Marque, the succesful Sydney restaurant. Also included will be the personal journey of chef and owner Mark Best and approximately 80 of Marque’s signature recipes. Most will be complete dishes but the book will also contain a myriad of smaller recipes and techniques which are the backbone of chef, Mark Best’s creations. A stunning book to treasure as both a compilation of beautiful recipes and a record of one of the world’s best restaurants.” (Global Books)

Hip Hip Hooray : 50 Fun Party Cakes / Julie Lanham.
“A spectacular homemade cake can make a great party unforgettable. Children and adults alike will have a ball deciding which of the 50 inspired cakes to make first: the submarine, the robot, or perhaps the lollypop cottage? With Julie Lanham’s clear step-by-step instructions, you’ll find these eye-catching cakes are surprisingly easy to make. The comprehensive introduction includes baking tips, decorating techniques and shopping suggestions. You’ll also find recipes for basic cakes and icings, and all the templates you’ll need.” (Library Catalogue)

Top 100 Finger Foods : 100 quick and easy recipes for a healthy, happy child / Annabel Karmel ; [photography by Dave King].
“Following up on her hit bestseller “Top 100 Baby Purees,” British media star and “Today” show favorite Karmel presents a scrumptious guide to creating tasty tidbits that young children can really sink their teeth (and gums!) into. Loaded with simple instructions, this is an ideal source for making mealtime fun.” (Syndetics summary)

Food Intolerance Management Plan / Sue Shepherd & Peter Gibson ; food photography by Mark O’Meara.
“The Food Intolerance Management Plan is a scientifically developed program and comprehensive recipe book for those suffering from common digestive illness. Based on the revolutionary Low-FOBMAP Diet, it shows people with food intolerances how to enjoy their food while remaining free of the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome and related conditions, such as gluten, fructose, lactose and wheat intolerances.” (Library Catalogue)