Deepen Your World View: New Travel Books

Up to the peaks of mountains and down under the ocean, following locals and adventurers alike, these new travel books will take you to all the corners of the world! You can discover some interesting hotels in Unusual Hotels or be inspired by adventurous women in Adventuress. Check out what you can discover in our new travel books:

Unusual hotels : world
“Discover the finest unusual hotels from around the world in this exceptional photographic guide. How about spending the night in a see-through capsule stuck on the edge of a cliff, in a secret contemporary work of art, in an old church, or in a house sitting atop a water tower? Would you like to treat yourself to a night in an igloo, in a circus, in a futuristic tree house, in an underwater bedroom or at an open-air suite? Sometimes, hotels can be destinations in their own right.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Adventuress : women exploring the wild / Amell, Carolina
“In turn inspirational and extraordinary, these profiles in female courage, determination, and adventure are illustrated with breathtaking photography from some of the most intriguing corners of the world. From the ocean’s deepest canyons to the earth’s highest peaks, these extraordinary women offer readers the inspiration and encouragement they need to pursue their dreams-whatever they are, wherever they may be.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Windswept : life, nature and deep time in the Scottish Highlands / Worsley, Annie
“Annie Worsley traded a busy life in academia to take on a small-holding or croft on the west coast of Scotland. Windswept explores what it means to live in this awe-inspiring place of unquenchable spirit and wild weather. Windswept evokes a place where nature reigns supreme and humans must learn to adapt. It is her paean to a beloved place, one richer with colour, sound and life than perhaps anywhere else in the UK.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Continue reading “Deepen Your World View: New Travel Books”

Katherine Mansfield centenary: Author talk with Redmer Yska

**Update:** Unfortunately our organised NZSL interpreter is no longer able to be at this event.

We apologise to anyone in our Deaf community who had been planning to attend — we will be recording and uploading this event to our YouTube channel, and providing subtitles for anyone who wishes to watch at a later date.


Join us for a special event on iconic writer Katherine Mansfield at Karori Library on Thursday November 30th, 6-7pm. (Facebook event)

Redmer Yska, author of ‘Katherine Mansfield’s Europe: Station to Station’ will be joined by our Local & NZ History Specialist Gábor Tóth to deep dive into Mansfield’s words, travels and her local Karori connection. Hear how Yska traced and pulled together letters, journals and research to compile this fascinating insight into Mansfield that acts as part travelogue, part literary biography, part detective story and part ghost story.

Redmer Yska is an award-winning writer and historian based in Wellington. ‘Katherine Mansfield’s Europe: Station to Station’ is Yska’s second book on the iconic writer, his first book on Mansfield ‘A Strange Beautiful Excitement: Katherine Mansfield’s Wellington’ was shortlisted for the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

Gábor Tóth is the Local & New Zealand History Specialist at Wellington City Libraries. He conducts research for both library customers and council staff as well as developing history resources such as the library’s heritage platform, Wellington City Recollect.

We anticipate this event will be very popular and will be seated on a first-come first-served basis, please arrive early to avoid any disappointment.

Planning a Holiday? Books for your future adventures

When you are on an overseas trip, is it easy to order food other than McDonalds? Would you like to know what to say in response to friendly local’s greeting? Here are some resources on language, culture and food, perfect to read while you plan your next flight to escape the winter and wind.

  • Mango Languages is the free resources for learning key phrases to survive your next trip at many popular travel destinations such as Indonesia, France, Japan, and more.

Lonely Planet Fijian phrasebook & dictionary
“Dazzling sands, perfect palm trees and waters so blue they glow – Fiji’s beaches look airbrushed. While most Fiji locals can speak English, it’s not their mother tongue. Never be stuck for words with our extensive two-way dictionary; order the right meal with our menu decoder; refreshed look and improved navigation. Get more from your trip with easy-to-find phrases for every travel situation. Use our carefully selected words and phrases to get around with ease.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

Japanese
“Rough Guide Japanese Phrasebook: a convenient, contemporary travel companion from Rough Guides’ trusted language experts. Compact, clear, and packed with key words and phrases to help conversation, this pocket-sized Japanese phrasebook is a trusty travel companion, and all you need to make yourself understood when you’re visiting Japan. With its emphasis on conversational usage, and pop language – this is the only phrase book you’ll need when exploring Japan.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

South Pacific phrasebook / Te ‘Atamira
“Your passport to the most relevant South Pacific phrases and vocabulary for all your travel needs. Chat over dinner with a local family in Fiji, understand the hula in Hawaii, and join a traditional umukai feast in Rarotonga. With language tools in your back pocket, you can truly get to the heart of wherever you go. Languages: Fijian, Hawaiian, Kanak languages, Maori, Niuean, Rapanui, Rarotongan Maori, Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, Fijian Hindi, Pacific French and Spanish”. (Adapted from Amazon.com)

Flavours of South Australia : favourite restaurants, wineries and producers with their signature recipes
“You’ve never seen South Australia like this before. From farm gates to cellar doors and hidden bars to extraordinary restaurants, prepare to immerse yourself in the best of South Australia’s culinary scene. Within these pages you can journey from the remarkable restaurants in Adelaide to the world-renowned wineries and producers of the Barossa.” (Catalogue)

Tokyo : a pocket guide to the city’s best cultural hangouts, shops, bars and eateries / Wide, Steve
“Tokyo is a city of contemporary metropolis where there are bright lights and neon, bars under railway bridges, Michelin ramen and sushi, tech, toys, coffee and vintage shopping. The crazy, the cute, the chic and the traditional are all flourishing in this city. All you need to know to shop, eat, drink and explore. Also nearby places like Nikko, Hakone, Mount Takao, and the cute ‘Eno-den’ train from Kamakura to Enoshima and Fujisawa.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Korean BBQ & Japanese grills / Cramby, Jonas
“In Korean BBQ & Japanese Grills Jonas Cramby explores recipes of Korean and Japanese barbecue and culture. He shares his favourite recipes such as yakitori, yakiniku and izakaya-style classics and Korean BBQ. He also outlines how to perfectly ferment kimchi, how to grill indoors without choking and how to chill a refreshing lager without it turning to ice.  Simple salt and fire with the right practice and the right technique can turn into something sublime ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Thai in 7 : delicious Thai recipes in 7 ingredients or fewer / Holmes, Sebby
“Thai recipes often has too many ingredients, so it becomes a cuisine we treat ourselves at a restaurant rather than cook at home. Author shows how to make deliciously fragrant and fiery Thai dishes with ingredients from supermarkets. From Drunken Noodles with Tiger Prawns and Sweet Basil to Yellow Curry with Mushrooms and Crispy Tofu with Soy & Sesame Glaze. Also pickles and desserts to make your taste buds tingle.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

 

 

Explore like a local: Recent travel books

Are you planning on travelling to far off places 2023, or exploring closer to home? Either way, our recent travel books are sure to inspire you: with curated lists of unusual attractions, amazing islands, local travel tips and more!

You can reserve any of these items online for pick up from any of our branches, for free. Happy travelling!

Bring me! : the travel-lover’s guide to the world’s most unlikely destinations, remarkable experiences, and spectacular sights / Khong, Louise
“Now for the first time, BuzzFeed brings together all their tips, tricks, advice, and knowledge on hundreds of unlikely destinations and unique experiences in this officially licensed travel guide meets bucket list, where travelers are encouraged to seek out new adventures or simply daydream right from their couch. Get ready to see, taste, and explore hundreds of interesting places around the world, from weird museums and underwater adventures, to food festivals and extraordinary art. BuzzFeed’s Bring Me! offers thrill chasers the chance to see the world around them in exciting new ways”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

The writer’s journey : in the footsteps of the literary greats / Elborough, Travis
“Follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s most famous authors on the journeys which inspired their greatest works in this beautiful illustrated atlas. Some truly remarkable works of literature have been inspired by writers spending time away from their typical surroundings. From epic road trips and arduous treks into remote territories to cultural tours and sojourns in the finest hotels, this book explores 35 influential journeys taken by literary greats and reveals the repercussions of those travels on the authors’ personal lives and the broader literary landscape.” (Catalogue)

The islands book : a journey to the world’s most amazing islands / Atkinson, Brett
“Islands have long been a source of fascination for travellers and theres an endless variety to explore: from storm-battered Faroes to the sort of tropical islands where long-gone pirates may have buried their treasure hauls. Following a similar format to Lonely Planets iconic pictorial The Travel Book, The Islands Book presents 150 of the world’s most unique and enchanting islands.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Barcelona like a local : by the people who call it home
“This insider’s guide is packed with recommendations from Barcelonans in the know, helping you to discover all their favourite hangouts and hidden haunts. Of course, with a city as enchanting as Barcelona we could fill the pages of this book tenfold. Rather, Barcelona Like a Local offers a snapshot of local life, and it’s yours for the taking. Whether you’re a Barcelonan looking to uncover your city’s secrets or a traveller seeking an authentic experience beyond the tourist track, this stylish guide helps you to experience the real side of Barcelona.” (Catalogue)

My family and other enemies : life and travels in Croatia’s hinterland / Novakovich, Mary
“My Family and Other Enemies is part travelogue, part memoir that dives into the hinterland of Croatia. Mary Novakovich explores her ongoing relationship with the region of Lika in central Croatia, where her parents were born.. ‘Lika is little known to most travellers – apart from Plitvice Lakes National Park and the birthplace of Nikola Tesla’ she says. ‘It’s a region of wild beauty that has been battered by centuries of conflict.” – Goodreads.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

New Zealand / Atkinson, Brett
“Lonely Planet’s Experience New Zealand is your guide to unforgettable experiences and local surprises. Discover the Dark Sky sanctuary of Great Barrier Island, explore laneways of Wellington, and tour the Paradise region – all guided by local experts with fresh perspectives. Uncover New Zealand’s best experiences and get away from the everyday!” (Catalogue)\

 

Explore Australia 2023 : Australia’s Essential Travel Guide
“Explore Australia 2023 is the latest edition of the country’s longest-running and most trusted travel guide. Now in its 39th edition, this guidebook has been completely revised and updated to reflect the way we travel across the continent, making it more user-friendly than ever!”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Blue Mountains best bushwalks / Stuart, Veechi
“The thoroughly revised fourth edition of the bestselling Blue Mountains Best Bushwalks is the perfect companion for the bushwalking fan. The book features: 67 different walks, varying in length from 30 minutes to two days, accurate, full colour maps and step by step directions, detailed walk statistics including distance, total ascent/descent, grade and estimated time, detailed information on Blue Mountains history and natural environment, walking ideas for families with children, including safety tips, and over 200 full colour photographs.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Top 100 Non-Fiction books from 2022

Highlights of 2022

Our list of the top 100 non-fiction books for 2022 includes the best in memoirs and biographies, poetry, local history, science and technology, health, cooking, music, art and architecture. We’ve selected an eclectic mix of acclaimed local authors, New York Times Bestsellers, Pulitzer prize winners and breakthrough newcomers, meaning there’s plenty of choice for the deep-dive readers and coffee book lovers alike (and everyone in-between).

2022 Non-fiction Highlights — Browse the full list
Browse the full list with all our picks, or browse just the topic you enjoy!

I'm glad my mom died / Jeanette McCurdyMy fourth time, we drowned / Sally HaydenAs ever, the compelling human stories encompassing grief, love, personal trauma and strengths of character shine through, with a hearty selection of memoirs and biographies to choose from, including Sally Hayden’s critically acclaimed My fourth time, we drowned. Topping our most heavily reserved new non-fiction title of 2022 was Jennette McCurdy’s hit memoir I’m glad my mom died. A little further off the beaten path, was Hua Hsu’s ‘quietly wrenching’ coming-of-age memoir Stay True, and the visual delight of Kate Beaton’s graphic memoir Ducks: two years in the oil sands.

Contributions to the local poetry scene were beautifully espoused in Khadro Mohamed’s We’re all made of lightning and in the visual expressions of the poet/painter collaboration within Bordering on Miraculous. Shining locally likewise, the great architectural designs in Making Space and HomeGround, which highlight design as a conduits to push social boundaries in Aotearoa New Zealand communities.

Regenesis / by George MonbiotCalls for climate awareness were made riveting in The Alarmist, Nomad Century and Regenesis. Our oceans were also a focal point for many this year, and explored in great depth, with Jellyfish age backwards, Secrets of the Sea and in Adrift: the curious tale of Lego lost at sea, among others.

The collapse of historic empires, stories of divided nations and political parties in turmoil were explored in a multitude of ways in the vast array of global history titles featured on our list. Included are Legacy of Violence: A history of the British Empire by Pulitzer prize winning Historian Caroline Elkins, and Fragments of a contested past: Remembrance, denial and New Zealand history by Joanna Kidman.

Wawata: Moon Dreaming / by Hinemoa ElderWe let the world’s first astronomers take us on a star gazing tour, and found daily wisdom in Hinemoa Elder’s Wawata: Moon Dreaming. Cap off 2022 by allowing yourself to become enveloped in worlds both near and far, and understand our past, present and future within the Top 100 non-fiction books of 2022 list. Pair with our Top 100 fiction books list, and you’re all set for your Summer Reading Adventure.

Domestic travelling and international dreaming

At this point in history we are lucky to be able to travel freely within New Zealand and the bubble countries. So what about also taking your mind on a journey with these travel books?

Also there are a few links to the world’s famous destinations, which you can virtually visit. Click on the links to these destinations you may not previously have been to, are now free, so sit back and enjoy.

DisneylandBlenheim PalaceMuseum Du Louvre,   Taj Mahaland the  Roman Colosseum.

RV travel lifestyle.
“RV Travel Lifestyle, New Zealand’s longest-running NZ-owned motorhome travel publication. We visit NZ’s most beautiful spots north to south from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island and everywhere in between. Hire or buy an RV for an amazing way to explore our pristine and often wild places. We visit cycleways, historic and cultural sites, stunning beach and mountain destinations to inspire our readers.” (Catalogue)

North & south.
“North & South is New Zealand’s premier monthly current affairs and lifestyle magazine, specialising in long-form investigative journalism, delivered by award-winning writers and photographers. North & South also showcases New Zealand ingenuity and creativity, explores the country and profiles its people. It is a touchstone of New Zealand life.” (Catalogue)

The lord of the rings location guidebook / Brodie, Ian
“Since the first screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, New Zealand has become the embodiment of Middle-earth to millions of movie-goers and Tolkien readers the world over.This definitive full-colour guidebook showcases the principal movie set locations around New Zealand as seen in all three films.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Surf dreams : New Zealand surf culture / Morrison, Derek
“This book presents 15 major surfing communities and those who live there and who live to surf (Ahipara, Tutukaka, Piha, Whangamata, Mt Maunganui, Raglan, Taranaki, Gisborne, Lyall Bay, Kaikoura, Westport, Greymouth, Sumner, Dunedin, Riverton). The characters, the competitions, the breaks, the communities, the dream lifestyles”–Publisher information.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Gourmet trails : Australia & New Zealand.
“This book is perfect for travel enthusiasts and foodies. Each trail features a blend of food producers, farmers markets, restaurants and cafes, wineries and breweries, all combining to create a weekend-long itinerary that is not only a delicious taste experience but also shines a light on local food culture, specialties and traditions. It includes detailed itineraries recommending the most interesting stops, the best places to stay and, of course, where to eat along 40 weekend-long trails.” (Adapted from catalogue)

Behind Winery Doors : Marlborough & Nelson New Zealand
“Features 45 of Marlborough and Nelson’s leading vineyards including maps of the region. Each vineyard is captured in photographs, memorabilia, sketches and where appropriate, press clippings, along with information about their history, how they came to the name and logo, and what they proudly produce.” (Catalogue)

4WD North Island : 102 off road adventures / Cockroft, Andy
“This book covers a wide variety of 4WD tracks (some of them very tough indeed). It includes a free CD which has photos taken all along the routes and details for the GPS user. The author, Andy Cockroft, is very well known and active in 4WD circles.” (Adapted from catalogue)

 

 

Our delicious adventure : recipes and stories of food and travel / Grover, Jane V.
“Yearning to break with the routine of the everyday, Jane Grover and her family – fisherman husband Mr G and their brave teens – spent a season exploring Australia’s southern coastline from Sydney to Perth and recorded their adventures in delicious, juicy detail. Enjoying the simple life, they camped under the stars, fished for dinner and cooked on campfires on the beach as they took on this beautiful country. Join her as she gathers cockles on the Fleurieu Peninsula, nets blue swimmer crabs in Streaky Bay, savours local raspberries from the Albany Farmers’ Market and eats freshly shucked oysters from the shoreline of Bruny Island in Tasmania.” (Adapted from catalogue)