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The Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide to… Venom and Carnage

By

On Wednesday, 10 January, 2024

In comics and graphic novels, horror and spooky stuff, stuff to read, the wellington comic lover's guide to...

Welcome to the Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide, where we take you through the Wellington City Libraries’ collection of a comic book character. This post is all about those two gruesome toothsome puddles of alien goo, Venom and Carnage!

(GIFs via Giphy)


Who is Venom?

Venom is a ‘symbiote’, a race of alien creatures that parasitically bond to other beings to survive. When one of these symbiotes bonded to Spider-Man and was rejected, it found its way to disgruntled reporter Eddie Brock, who had a vendetta against Spider-Man. Eddie and the symbiote formed a partnership over their mutual hatred of the Wall-Crawler, transforming into a hulking ink-black monstrosity – Venom.

In addition to granting its wearer increased strength, durability, and the power to shapeshift and manifest weapons out of its body, the symbiote also replicated all of Peter’s powers and memories. Due to its previous bond with Peter, Venom also cannot trigger Spidey’s danger-alerting ‘Spider-Sense’, which makes Venom one of Spider-Man’s deadliest villains. Fortunately, the symbiote’s biology makes Venom weak to high-pitched sounds and extreme heat, a vulnerability that Spider-Man can always exploit.

Over the years, Venom has also spawned new symbiotes, including the maniacal Carnage, the quintuplet Life Foundation symbiotes (Riot, Lasher, Phage, Scream, and Agony), the inverted copy Anti-Venom, and the good-natured Sleeper.


Symbiote Spider-Man

Spider-Man first gained the symbiote in the original Secret Wars, where he thought it was just an all-black version of his costume. While Peter initially embraced the symbiote, over time it began to amplify his negative emotions and control him against his will, leading Peter to reject it.

Black Suit Spider-Man appearances

Secret wars / Shooter, Jim

Symbiote Spider-Man / David, Peter

Symbiote Spider-Man : crossroads / David, Peter

Symbiote Spider-Man : king in black / David, Peter

Spider-Man has rejoined with the symbiote on occasion, such as when he fought a Carnage-powered Green Goblin, or when a Doc Ock-possessed Peter (see ‘Superior Spider-Man’ in our Spider-Verse blog) tried the symbiote on for size as the Superior Venom. Some What If? stories explore what would have happened if Peter had kept the symbiote permanently, like the recent miniseries Spider’s Shadow.

The amazing Spider-Man : Red Goblin / Slott, Dan

The Superior Spider-Man. 5, Superior Venom / Slott, Dan

Spider-Man : Spider’s shadow / Zdarsky, Chip


Venom: Lethal Protector

Venom initially tried to be a hero, calling himself a ‘Lethal Protector’ following a simplistic eye-for-an-eye morality. During this period, Venom moved to San Franciso and was later captured by the Life Foundation, who forced him to create his first five offspring.

‘Lethal Protector’ era Venom reading order

Venom: Lethal Protector (only on Libby)

Venom : lethal protector : heart of the hunted / Michelinie, David

Venom : planet of the symbiotes / Michelinie, David

Spider-Man : maximum Carnage

Venom : the complete collection / Way, Daniel


Mac Gargan as Venom

Eddie would eventually lose the symbiote, and Mac Gargan (the Spider-Man villain know as the Scorpion) became its new partner. As Venom, Gargan worked with the Thunderbolts, and using the suit’s ability to shapeshift, passed himself off as Spider-Man on Norman Osborn’s ‘Dark Avengers’.

Mac Gargan as Venom appearances

Thunderbolts : caged animals / Ellis, Warren

Thunderbolts : secret invasion / Gage, Christos

Mac Gargan as ‘Spider-Man’ appearances

Dark Avengers (only on Libby)

Dark X-Men / Cornell, Paul

Siege : Mighty Avengers / Slott, Dan

Siege : battlefield


Anti-Venom

Remnants of the symbiote in Eddie fuse with his white blood cells to create Anti-Venom, a symbiote with none of Venom’s weaknesses and no mind of its own. Anti-Venom is harmful to other symbiotes and has the ability to cure any disease or ailment, leading Brock to gain a messiah complex over his newfound power to heal.

Anti-Venom appearances

The amazing Spider-Man : the return of Anti-Venom

Amazing Spider-Man : Venom Inc / Slott, Dan (also on Libby)

Black Cat [4] : queen in black / MacKay, Jed


Agent Venom

The Venom symbiote is captured by the US government and given to Flash Thompson, a military veteran and Peter Parker’s former classmate. Flash uses the symbiote’s abilities as ‘Agent Venom‘, a covert operative performing secret missions for the Army and working alongside the Secret Avengers and General Ross’ Thunderbolts.

Agent Venom appearances

Venom [1] / Remender, Rick (also on Libby)

Venom : the complete collection. Volume 2 / Remender, Rick

Venom : the land where killers dwell / Bunn, Cullen

Agent Venom teams

Secret Avengers. [Vol. 1] / Remender, Rick

Secret Avengers [3] / Remender, Rick

Thunderbolts. Volume 1, No quarter / Way, Daniel

Thunderbolts. Volume 2, Red scare / Way, Daniel

Thunderbolts. Volume 3, Infinity / Soule, Charles

Thunderbolts. Volume 5, Punisher vs. the Thunderbolts / Acker, Ben


Venom: Spaceknight

Agent Venom later joins the Guardians of the Galaxy as their Avengers envoy (see our blog on Guardians of the Galaxy for more on this series). Here, Flash changes his symbiote form to an armored-plated look as Venom: Spaceknight.

Venom, space knight [1] : agent of the cosmos / Thompson, Robbie

Venom, space knight [2] : enemies and allies / Thompson, Robbie


Back to Brock

The symbiote eventually returns from space and is bounced between different hosts: the veteran-turned-criminal Lee Price and Venom’s original host, Eddie Brock. After settling on Brock once more (and leaving Flash with a new Anti-Venom suit to compensate), Venom spawns another symbiote, the benevolent Sleeper.

Venom. Volume 1, Homecoming / Costa, Mike

Venom [2] : the land before crime / Costa, Mike

Venom : lethal protector. Vol. 3, Blood in the water / Costa, Mike

Amazing Spider-Man : Venom Inc / Slott, Dan (also on Libby)

Venom. Vol. 4, The nativity / Costa, Mike

Venom. First host / Costa, Mike


Venom: The King in Black

Donny Cates’ run on Venom deepens the mythology of the symbiotes, expanding on what exactly they are as a species and their role in the Marvel Universe. In this series, Eddie discovers he has a long-lost son named Dylan, fights a vastly more powerful Carnage, and confronts the mind-controlling ‘King in Black’, the god of all symbiotes.

Donny Cates Venom reading order

Venom. Vol. 1, Rex / Cates, Donny (also on Libby)

Venom. Vol. 2, The abyss / Cates, Donny (also on Libby)

These first two volumes are also collected as Venom. Vol. 1 / Cates, Donny

The war of the realms : Venom / Bunn, Cullen

Absolute Carnage / Cates, Donny

Venom. Vol. 3, Absolute Carnage / Cates, Donny (also on Libby)

Venom. Vol. 4, Venom Island / Cates, Donny (also on Libby)

Venom. Vol. 5, Venom beyond / Cates, Donny

Venom [6] : king in black / Cates, Donny

The ‘King in Black‘ storyline is continued in these spin-offs.

King in black : planet of the symbiotes / Chapman, Clay McLeod

King in black : thunderbolts / Rosenberg, Matthew

King in black : return of the Valkyries / Aaron, Jason

Spider-Woman. Vol. 2, King in black / Pacheco, Karla

King in black : Avengers / Thorne, Geoffrey

Savage Avengers. Vol. 4, King in black / Duggan, Gerry

Symbiote Spider-Man : king in black / David, Peter

King in black : Gwenom vs. Carnage / McGuire, Seanan

King in black : Namor / Busiek, Kurt

The Guardians of the Galaxy [2] : “Here we make our stand” / Ewing, Al


Venom and Son

In the current Venom series, Eddie ascends to becoming the new King in Black, discovering the extraordinary (and time-bendingly weird) extent of his new role. Meanwhile, on Earth, Eddie’s son Dylan becomes the new Venom and must confront a violent new symbiote named Bedlam, who has mysterious ties to his father.

Current Venom reading order

Venom. Vol. 1, Recursion / Ewing, Al

Venom [2] : deviation / Ewing, Al

Dark Web / Wells, Zeb

Venom [3] : dark web / V, Ram

Venom [4] : Illumination / Ewing, Al

Venom [5] : predestination / Ewing, Al


Across the Venomverse

Did you know that Venom had his own Spider-Verse? Across the multiverse, Venom has bonded to all sorts of other Marvel heroes, including Captain America, Rocket Raccoon, Black Panther, and Deadpool. In Venomverse and its sequel Venomised, Eddie Brock teams up with these Venom variants to fight the Poisons, an interdimensional hyperparasite race that feed on symbiotes.

Venomverse / Bunn, Cullen

Venomized / Bunn, Cullen

Extreme Venomverse

Death of the Venomverse / Bunn, Cullen

Ultimate Venom

In Ultimate Marvel (Earth-1610), Venom is not an alien, but a lab-grown organism created by Peter Parker and Eddie Brock’s parents. As in the original continuity, Venom bonds to Peter and then Eddie, and later spawns Carnage, which here bonds to Gwen Stacy. When Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man, he fights a deadlier, improved version of this Venom.

Ultimate Venom appearances

Ultimate Spider-Man : war of the symbiotes / Bendis, Brian Michael

Miles Morales : with great power / Bendis, Brian Michael

“Gwenom”

The symbiote appears in Spider-Gwen’s universe (Earth-65), also created as a lab-grown experiment. This Venom bonds to Gwen, creating the combo of ‘Gwenom’.

Gwenom appearances

Spider-Gwen. Vol. 4, Predators / Latour, Jason

Spider-Gwen. Vol. 5, Gwenom / Latour, Jason

King in black : Gwenom vs. Carnage / McGuire, Seanan

Renew Your Venoms

In the Renew Your Vows timeline (Earth-18119) where Peter and his family fight crime together, Mary Jane bonds with Venom to keep up with her super-powered husband and daughter.

The Amazing Spider-Man : renew your vows [2] : the Venom experiment / Conway, Gerry

The End of Venom

The miniseries The End imagines possible futures for Marvel’s heroes and villains. In Venom’s case, the symbiote comes into conflict with an artificial intelligence, starting a war that extends for over a trillion years.

The end / Larsen, Erik


Who is Carnage?

Carnage is Venom’s first offspring, created when Eddie Brock was sharing a prison cell with serial killer Cletus Kasady. The spawn of Venom bonded to Kasady and they became Carnage, a maniacal, all-red symbiote with an insatiable bloodlust.

Early Carnage appearances

Spider-Man : maximum Carnage

Superior Carnage / Shinick, Kevin

Deadpool vs Carnage / Bunn, Cullen


Carnage off his AXIS

In the crossover series AXIS, a magic spell causes the Avengers, X-Men and their villains to have their moralities inverted, causing the heroes to turn bad and the villains to turn good. Here, Carnage grows a conscience for the first time but is unsure how to use it, turning him good but without a stable guide on how to do good.

Carnage in AXIS appearances

Avengers/X-Men : Axis / Remender, Rick

Axis : Carnage & Hobgoblin / Spears, Rick

Nova [5] : axis / Duggan, Gerry

Later reverting to his evil ways, Carnage is hunted by a police task force, before being captured and bonded to Norman Osborn to become the Red Goblin.

Carnage [3] : what dwells beneath / Conway, Gerry

The amazing Spider-Man : Red Goblin / Slott, Dan


Absolute Carnage

Over the years, Carnage has grown a god complex, and continues to evolve in his quest for universal omnicide. In Absolute Carnage, he learns he can gain power by absorbing the DNA of former symbiote hosts (by force, naturally) and begins hunting them down, putting him in the path of Venom and Spider-Man.

Absolute Carnage / Cates, Donny

The amazing Spider-Man : absolute Carnage

Venom. Vol. 3, Absolute Carnage / Cates, Donny (also on Libby)

The Absolute Carnage storyline is continued in these spin-offs.

Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool / Tieri, Frank

Absolute Carnage : Miles Morales / Ahmed, Saladin

Absolute Carnage : Scream / Bunn, Cullen

Absolute Carnage : lethal protectors / Tieri, Frank

Absolute Carnage : the immortal Hulk and other tales / Ewing, Al


Extreme Carnage

Seemingly defeated after Eddie becomes the King in Black, the Carnage symbiote begins another campaign of death by hunting down various Spider-Man villains, like Hydro-Man and The Spot, and stealing their powers. This culminates in him gaining the ability to travel across the multiverse and becoming the villain of the most recent Venomverse series.

Extreme Carnage / Johnson, Phillip Kennedy

Carnage : black, white & blood

Carnage. Vol. 1, In the court of crimson / V, Ram

Carnage in hell / V, Ram

Carnage reigns / Ziglar, Cody

Death of the Venomverse / Bunn, Cullen


Red Goblin

Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, once fused with Carnage to become the Red Goblin, using his new symbiote powers to stage an all-out assault on the Spider-Man family and forcing Peter to bond with Venom once more to face him. Later on, Osborn’s grandson Normie bonded with a symbiote named Rascal to become a new Red Goblin, becoming an ally to the current Venom, Dylan Brock.

Red Goblin appearances

The amazing Spider-Man : Red Goblin / Slott, Dan

Venom [3] : dark web / V, Ram

Red Goblin [1] : it runs in the family / Paknadel, Alex

Red Goblin. Vol. 2, Nature/nurture / Paknadel, Alex

Cult of carnage : misery / Pirzada, Sabir


Ravencroft

When not raising havoc, Carnage is incarcerated in Ravencroft, an asylum for the criminally insane. Other famous inmates include Carnage’s girlfriend Shriek, the imperfect Spider-Man clone Doppelganger, Wolverine’s nemesis Sabertooth, and even Dracula.

Ravencroft appearances

Spider-Man : maximum Carnage

Ravencroft / Tieri, Frank

Ruins of Ravencroft / Tieri, Frank


Other Symbiotes

Both Venom and Carnage have spawned new symbiotes over the years, growing a deadly family tree that continues to wreak havoc over the Marvel Universe.

Life Foundation symbiotes

The five Life Foundation symbiotes (the brute Riot, the tendril-coated Lasher, the spiky Phage, the prehensile-haired Scream, and acidic Agony) have only appeared sporadically since their creation, usually as foot soldiers for bigger villains.

Life Foundation symbiote appearances

Venom: Lethal Protector (only on Libby)

Deadpool vs Carnage / Bunn, Cullen

Venom. Vol. 3, Absolute Carnage / Cates, Donny

Extreme Carnage / Johnson, Phillip Kennedy

Scream has a few spin-off titles of her own, mostly tying into Carnage-related storylines.

Absolute Carnage : Scream / Bunn, Cullen

Scream. Vol. 1, Curse of Carnage / Chapman, Clay McLeod

Agony and her current host Gemma Shin were members of Wilson Fisk’s Thunderbolts, serving as his enforcers during the Kingpin’s time as mayor of New York City. Later, she is offered redemption as a part of Daredevil and Elektra’s new team, The Fist.

Devil’s reign / Zdarsky, Chip

Devil’s reign : villains for hire / Chapman, Clay McLeod

Daredevil & Elektra. Vol. 1, The Red Fist saga / Zdarsky, Chip

Daredevil & Elektra [2] : the Red Fist saga. Part two / Zdarsky, Chip

The Life Foundation symbiotes eventually wound up at chemical corporation Alchemax (future workplace of Miguel O’Hara, the Spider-Man of 2099), before shortly being stolen. To track them down, Alchemax owner Liz Allan (a former classmate of Peter Parker) bonds with a symbiote fusion of Carnage and Anti-Venom, becoming Misery.

Cult of carnage : misery / Pirzada, Sabir


Toxin

Toxin is Carnage’s first offspring (and by extension, Venom’s grandchild). As the 1000th of his line, Toxin is stronger than both his parent and grandparent and more resistant to their weaknesses. Fortunately, Toxin is also the most benevolent of his family, with a strong dislike of other symbiotes.

Toxin appearances

Venom : the complete collection. Volume 2 / Remender, Rick

King in black : planet of the symbiotes / Chapman, Clay McLeod

Extreme Carnage / Johnson, Phillip Kennedy


Sleeper

Sleeper is Venom’s most recent offspring, and very protective of his ‘brother’, Eddie’s son Dylan. Like Toxin, Sleeper is a more benevolent symbiote, but is more secretive than his brethren, preferring to possess hosts without their knowledge. Sleeper also has the unique ability to generate chemical compounds from his body, such as mind-altering pheromones and corrosive acids.

Sleeper appearances

Venom. Vol. 4, The nativity / Costa, Mike

Venom. First host / Costa, Mike

Venom. Vol. 3, Absolute Carnage / Cates, Donny

Venom. Vol. 4, Venom Island / Cates, Donny (also on Libby)

Extreme Carnage / Johnson, Phillip Kennedy

Venom. Vol. 1, Recursion / Ewing, Al

Venom [2] : deviation / Ewing, Al

Soft Apocalypse for Beginners: Soft Apocalypse Scouts!

By

On Saturday, 6 January, 2024

In soft apocalypse (for beginners), stuff to do, wellington (you can't beat it etc. etc.)

Folks! Friends! Fellow humans living on this nice crispy earth!

The year is 2023. The global is warming, the 1 are %ing and things are looking iffy… Enter the Soft Apocalypse! It’s time for us to give capitalism the finger, and return to our humble roots as a pastoral society that bakes bread and sings Kumbaya way too often. AKA my escapist daydream when the Stresses of Life get a bit too much (my Soft Apocalypse plan includes joining a commune and inventing a new cryptid, Mary Shelley-style).

Welcome to Soft Apocalypse for Beginners, where we will be embarking on a journey of Learning to Look After Ourselves Even if the World is Ending (and saving the bees while we’re at it)!

Ah, summer. The season of weird sunburn patterns and everything being just a little bit sticky. Don’t get me wrong – I love summer, but in my high school days, this was also the hot little season in which I lost all sense of routine and purpose outside the structure of school. Thankfully, I am now an adult which means I can come up with whatever dumb activities I like for the sake of personal enrichment, and today I am here to share some of these said dumb activities, so if the hot season ennui is getting you down… why not become a Soft Apocalypse Scout??

I’ve made y’all some badges (because let’s face it, who the heck doesn’t like a good badge?), the templates of which you can find below, and I’m trusting each of you to DIY these badges into something a little more tangible , whether that means simply printing them off and sticking them to your foreheads, turning them into stickers using the HIVE Makerspace’s cricut machine, or even turning these into real badges using Wellington City Library’s badge-making machine!* I’m also trusting you to earn each and every one of these badges by accomplishing the associated task and/or challenge  – so without further ado, Soft Apocalypse Scouts move out!

*If you’re more into earning badges you don’t have to print yourself, surely you’ve already signed up for the Summer Reading Adventure?


via GIPHY


I solemnly swear to do my best every day, and in all that I do, to be brave and strong, to be truthful and compassionate, to be interesting and interested, to pay attention and question the world around me, to think of others first, to always help and protect my friends, then there’s a line about god or whatever, and to make the world a better place for Lumberjane scouts and for everyone else.

        –  Lumberjanes Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy


The Environment Badges

Digital scout badge depicting a silhouette hiking up a hill against a green background.

Hiking Badge: Explore a new hiking or walking trail to earn this badge.

Camping Badge: Earn this badge by spending a night in nature!


Camp / Rosen, Lev AC
“At Camp Outland, a camp for LGBTQIA teens, sixteen-year-old Randall “Del” Kapplehoff’s plan to have Hudson Aaronson-Lim fall in love with him succeeds, but both are hiding their true selves.” (Catalogue)

The Do-er Badges

Scout badge of two crossed tennis rackets set against an orange background.

Sporty Spice Badge: Learn or take part in a new sport to earn this badge.

Scout badge of a knife and fork set against an orange background.

Chef’s Kiss Badge: Learn to cook a new meal! Check out Soft Apocalypse for Beginners: Cooking the Books (but make it literal) for inspiration.

 


Vegan BBQ : 70 delicious plant-based recipes to cook outdoors / Beskow, Katy
“70 simple, summery recipes to cook on your barbecue, as well as delicious sides, dips and snacks to brighten up any alfresco event. From Katsu burgers with wasabi mayo, Buttered Hassleback squash, and Sizzling fajitas, to Brown sugar baked beans, BBQ patatas bravas or Kiwi and avocado salsa.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Literary Badges

Scout badge of a book against a red background.

Bookworm Badge: In order to earn this badge you can borrow and read a new book from your local library! (For bonus points – why not sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure 2024??)

Scout badge of a quill and inkpot set against a red background.

Author Badge: Try your hand at writing a poem, essay, or short story to earn this badge!

 


Dear Ally, how do you write a book / Carter, Ally
“With practical tips and helpful advice, Dear Ally is a treasure for aspiring writers at any stage of their careers. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at how books get made, from idea to publication, and gives you insight into the writing processes of some of the biggest and most talented YA authors writing today.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Aesthete Badges

Scout badge of two drama masks set against a blue background.

Thespian Badge: Attend or take part in a theatrical performance to earn this badge.

Scout badge with a crossed pencil and paintbrush in front of a white paint splatter, set against a blue background.

Artist Badge: In order to earn this badge, create an original work of art. Check out Weird Art (and How to Make It!) for ideas!

 

 

 

 

 


Drama / Telgemeier, Raina
“Callie rides an emotional roller coaster while serving on the stage crew for a middle school production of Moon over Mississippi as various relationships start and end, and others never quite get going.” (Catalogue)


The Self-Care Badges

Scout badge of a person in bed against a purple background.

Sleepy Baby Badge: Put your phone on DND at night and get eight hours sleep for three nights in a row.

Scout badge of four paper dolls holding hands, set against a purple background.

Friendship is Magic Badge: To earn this badge, organise a fun event for you and at least one friend.

 

 


Rookie on love : 45 voices on romance, friendship, and self-care
“A single-subject anthology about the heart’s most powerful emotion, edited by Tavi Gevinson. Featuring exclusive, never-before-seen essays, poems, comics, and interviews from contributors like Jenny Zhang, Emma Straub, Hilton Als, Janet Mock, John Green, Rainbow Rowell, Gabourey Sidibe, Mitski, Alessia Cara […] and many more!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Creature Badges

Scout badge of a pawprint, set against a brown background.

All Creatures Great and Small Badge: Earn this badge by volunteering at a local animal sanctuary, or completing one of the activities suggested in Soft Apocalypse for Beginners: Comforts for Creatures.

Scout badge of an alien doing peace fingers, set against a brown background.

I Want to Believe Badge: Research a historical alien or cryptid sighting, and create a movie, text, presentation or artwork inspired by what you learned.

 


Unnatural creatures
“Magical creatures from the werewolf, to the sunbird, to beings never before classified will thrill, delight, and quite possibly unnerve you in tales by E. Nesbit, Diana Wynne Jones, Gahan Wilson, and other literary luminaries. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

So there you have it! Your Soft Apocalypse Scout assignment for the summer. If your interest has been piqued, why not check out a local Scout (11-14yrs), Venturer (14-18yrs) or Ranger (12-17yrs) troop near you?

For a teaser of some activities that you might get up to as a Scout, check out their regularly updated e-zine from their 2024 Jamboree currently taking place just outside Hamilton!

Or if you’re feeling like something a bit more low-effort, have a browse through some of our summeriest, scoutiest books below:


Lumberjanes [1] : beware the kitten holy / Stevenson, Noelle
“Five best friends spending the summer at Lumberjane scout camp… defeating yetis, three-eyed wolves, and giant falcons… what’s not to love?! Friendship to the max! Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome summer together… and they’re not gonna let any insane quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Under the Stars Camping Australia and New Zealand: The best camsites, huts, glamping and bush camping / Lonely Planet (Corp)
“Discover more than 200 out-of-this-world camping hotspots in this epic guide that features breathtaking wild camping pitches, picturesque glamping sites, scenic campgrounds, cabins, huts and more – with practical details and expert tips for an adventure like no other.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Lumberjanes : campfire songs
“Cryptids, and kittens, and costumes, on my! Neither rain nor heat nor mischievous faeries can put a damper on the fun at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types! Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley are helping throw a huge, mid-summer costume bash with the rest of the Lumberjane scouts, but the decorations, snacks, and supplies keep going missing, thanks to some pesky faeries!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Hungry campers cookbook : fresh, healthy and easy recipes to cook on your next camping trip / Holder, Katy
“Hungry Campers Cookbook brings together the fun of family camping holidays with fresh, healthy, gourmet yet simple recipes.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Lumberjanes [14] : X marks the spot / Watters, Shannon
“The Roanoke scouts are eager to hunt down what they hope might be some kind of mystical hoard of gems and jewels, rad dinosaur bones, or maybe even more treasure maps (that you have to piece together to find an EVEN BIGGER prize, obviously)! What they end up finding is scattered pieces of an ancient Greek statue of a woman, who, when assembled, comes back to life as a vindictive ex-goddess!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Give me a sign / Sortino, Anna
“Seventeen-year-old Lilah, who wears hearing aids, returns to a summer camp for the Deaf and Blind as a counselor, eager to improve her ASL and find her place in the community, but she did not expect to also find romance along the way.” (Catalogue)

Excellent short walks in the North Island : 250 walks under 2 hours / Janssen, Peter
“Wherever you are in the North Island you’re sure to be within reach of a short walk with an excellent destination […] All walks will suit those who enjoy walking but do not want a long tramp with heavy boots and a pack, or travellers who are short on time.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Survive in the outdoors / Lawrence, Mike
“Step-by-step instructions for seven projects that will help you survive in the wild […] Prepare yourself before you set off on your next adventure! Whether you’re hiking in the wilderness or camping in your own backyard, Survive in the Outdoors! will equip you with the know-how you need. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Robinson Crusoe / Defoe, Daniel
“Robinson Crusoe is determined to devote himself to a life at sea. Luck, however is not with him in his various voyages–his first is shipwrecked and his second taken by pirates, yet nothing dissuades him from his passion. One day, en route to Africa, his ship is wrecked, leaving him marooned on an uninhabited island, with no way to return to civilization…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

How do you do, fellow kids? – Books written by actual teenagers!

By

On Tuesday, 2 January, 2024

In classic novels and other old stuff, fantasy, mysteries & whodunnits, science fiction, stuff to read

Given that this is the Teen Blog, I am making the assumption that you, reading this, are a teenager. And I’m also making the assumption that you like books. This is a library blog after all. AND, third assumption here, I’m assuming that you will find it cool or interesting to find out about books that were written by people the same age as you!

Rather than, you know, someone who was a teenager last century writing about what they think you’ll like.
*sweats in millennial*

via GIPHY

Will this post act as inspiration for you to start/continue writing your masterwork? Perhaps. Will it give you a new and exciting list of books to go ahead and read (and of course log for the Summer Reading Adventure)? Hopefully. Will it at least be an enjoyable short read to take up a few minutes of your long summer’s day? Er, maybe?

So here, in no particular order, is my list of books that were written by people your age or thereabouts.

Eragon / Paolini, Christopher / eAudiobook / eBook /
The first manuscript for Eragon was written when Paolini was 15, and his family self-published the book when he was 17. THEN Random House sniffed him out and offered to publish Eragon, which they did when he was 19. And yes, he did create the maps and a WHOLE LANGUAGE, forge his own knives and swords, and make his own bow and arrows and chainmail as part of writing Eragon.
They even made a movie (of rather dubious quality) back in 2007.
A fifth book set in the world of the Inheritance Cycle has just been released this year. We have copies of Murtagh on order (in print and audiobook form!) so you can jump over to our catalogue and add yourself to the hold queue if you’re interested.

Solitaire / Oseman, Alice / eBook
Have you been avidly watching Heartstopper, or rapidly devouring Volume 5 that came out this year?
Solitaire is Oseman’s first book – written when they were 17 and published when they were 19. It’s a bit more serious than Heartstopper so Oseman does recommend checking out the content warnings on her site before reading. And yes, that is Charlie’s sister you’re following there in Solitaire. And no, you don’t have to read Heartstopper before you read this. Or read this before you read Heartstopper.

Cover image used with permission from Denika Mead.

The death-hunters / Mead, Denika
Denika Mead was 15 when this, her first book (which is full of world-hopping adventure and exhilaration), was published. That was in 2019, which means that as I write this, and given my maths is correct, she is still a teenager! Mead has already published five books in the Royal Orchid series and one in the Agents of TIME series. AND she runs writing workshops and writes for The Sapling and lives in Lower Hutt.
Mead is known for her faced-paced narratives, and for readers who devour her books due to their not-put-down-able nature.

Tūhono. a journal of poetry by Wellington teens 
Yes, of course I’m sneaking Tūhono in here. We’ve got to have some self-promotion, right? All the poets published in Tūhono are local Wellington writers and, well, that’s the only criteria! If you have a read-through, you may come across someone you know. Or you may not realise you’re reading something written by a friend since there are a few pseudonyms/pen-names used in there.

The extraordinary and unusual adventures of Horatio Lyle / Webb, Catherine
Webb wrote her first book, Mirror dreams, when she was 14 and it was published two years later. Unfortunately, we don’t have copies of any of her first four books in our libraries, but we do have a copy of her fifth book, which I actually like a whole lot better so it’s like the universe has aligned so that I can feature my preferred book. Think Sherlock Holmes, but more likeable and likely to accidentally blow things up, and also there are supernatural beings about.
This one was published when Webb was 19, which means that she had five books published before the age of 20! That is one less than local author Denika Mead though…

These violent delights / Gong, Chloe
This one was written when Gong was 19 while she was on a uni break (as in, she wrote the whole thing in a month!) but it wasn’t actually published till she was 21. It still fits into the scope of this post though, as she was a teenager while she was writing it. Gong was born in Shanghai but grew up in Auckland from the age of 2 (then did skedaddle off to the US for university) so we are DEFINITELY claiming her as an NZ writer.
These violent delights features 1920s Shanghai, rival gangs, mysterious deaths, was a hit on BookTok, and was also featured in a previous BookTok blog! Go us.

Echo / Kelly, Arlo
Were you keeping an eye out on the New Zealand Book Awards for children and Young Adults this year? Well, I’m sure you were and I’m sure you saw Echo, which was a finalist for the NZSA Best First Book Award. Arlo Kelly was the youngest finalist, at 16 years old! He lives over in the Kāpiti Coast and the inspiration for Echo came from a walk along Makorori Beach with his sister, which has led to this thoughtful and emotive story that centres around a whale and a boy with Low Vision. Another local and very talented writer!

Frankenstein or, the modern Prometheus / Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft / eAudiobook / eBook
I couldn’t not mention Frankenstein. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was 19 when she wrote this, the first example of science fiction. How many 19-year olds create a whole new genre? She had passed the double-decade milestone by the time it was published, but not by much!
Frankenstein has inspired many adaptations and reprints and editions. And it all came from this 19-year-old coming up with a ghost story to tell her husband and that Lord Byron guy!

If you’re getting to the end of this list feeling like you’re running out of time to produce your masterwork, please don’t despair! To change direction completely, here are a few FAMOUS authors who weren’t published, or didn’t even start writing, until much later in life. So you’ve still got plenty of time.

J.R.R. Tolkien, famous name, creator of Middle Earth and Elvish and Hobbits and the One Ring and all that, had his first work of fiction, The hobbit, published when he was 45. When his publisher requested a sequel, The fellowship of the ring followed a mere seventeen years later.

You must have read something by Dick King-Smith when you were younger. He wrote many many children’s books, including all those books about Sophie and also The sheep-pig (which became the film Babe). He was 54 when he sat down to write his first book, The fox busters, and he was 56 when it was published. And he still went on to write over a hundred books!

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote all those Little house books that you can find spread across our libraries. Her first book, Little house in the big woods, was published in 1932 when she was 65! And her books are still in print today.

Love, Libraries and Lives Lost – New Teen Books in the Collection

By

On Friday, 29 December, 2023

In comics and graphic novels, dystopia, fantasy, horror and spooky stuff, new stuff (ooh, shiny!), non-fiction, realistic fiction, science fiction, stuff to read

Do you need something fresh to read over the school holidays?  We’ve got a great selection of new books rolling into our collection this month as always.  We’ve selected a handful below to get you started!

Comics

Mall Goth / Leth, Kate
“Liv Holme is not exactly thrilled to be moving to a new town with her mother. After all, high school can be brutal, even more so when you’re a fifteen-year-old, bisexual goth. But Liv is determined to be who she is, bullies or not. Thankfully, she’s found the perfect escape: the mall. Under its fluorescent lights, Liv feels far away from her parents’ strained marriage and the peers who don’t understand her. Amid the bright storefronts, food court smell, and anonymous shoppers, Liv is safely one of the crowd and can enjoy the feeling of calling the shots in her own life for once.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The infinity particle / Xu, Wendy
“Clementine Chang moves from Earth to Mars for a new start and is lucky enough to land her dream job with Dr. Marcella Lin, an Artificial Intelligence pioneer. On her first day of work, Clem meets Dr. Lin’s assistant, a humanoid AI named Kye. Clem is no stranger to robots–she built herself a cute moth-shaped companion named SENA. Still, there’s something about Kye that feels almost too human. When Clem and Kye begin to collaborate, their chemistry sets off sparks. The only downside? Dr. Lin is enraged by Kye’s growing independence and won’t allow him more freedom. Plus, their relationship throws into question everything Clem thought she knew about AI. After all, if Kye is sentient enough to have feelings, shouldn’t he be able to control his own actions? Where is the line between AI and human?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass : the graphic novel / Vargas, Mel Valentine
“It’s the beginning of sophomore year, and Piedad “Piddy” Sanchez is having a hard time adjusting to her new high school. Things don’t get any easier when Piddy learns that Yaqui Delgado hates her and wants to kick her ass. Is there any way for Piddy to survive without closing herself off from those who care about her – or running away? (Adapted from Catalogue)

Fiction

Divine rivals : a novel / Ross, Rebecca
“After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again… All eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow wants to do is hold her family together. With a brother on the frontline forced to fight on behalf of the Gods now missing from the frontline and a mother drowning her sorrows, Iris’s best bet is winning the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette. But when Iris’s letters to her brother fall into the wrong hands – that of the handsome but cold Roman Kitt, her rival at the paper – an unlikely magical connection forms. Expelled into the middle of a mystical war, magical typewriters in tow, can their bond withstand the fight for the fate of mankind and, most importantly, love?” (Catalogue)

Also available as an eAudiobook, and an eBook on both Libby and Borrowbox.

Ryan and Avery / Levithan, David
“When Ryan and Avery met at a queer prom, they felt an instant connection. This is the story of their first 10 dates: the tender hopes, the skittish fears, the difficulty of introducing someone into your pre-existing life. There is always the possibility of heartbreak– and the chance that maybe, just maybe, you’ve found the right person to love.” (Catalogue)

Where he can’t find you / Coates, Darcy
“Abby Ward lives in a town haunted by disappearances. People vanish, and when they’re found, their bodies have been dismembered and sewn back together in unnatural ways. But is it the work of a human killer . . . or something far darker? She and her younger sister live by a strict set of rules designed to keep them safe–which is why it’s such a shock when Hope is taken. With every hour precious, Abby and her friends are caught in a desperate game of cat and mouse. They have to get Hope back. Quickly. Before too much of her is cut away. And before everything they care about is swallowed up by the darkness waiting in the tunnels beneath the home they thought they knew.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

What stalks among us / Hollowell, Sarah
“The last thing they expect to come across is a giant, abandoned corn maze. But with a whole day of playing hooky unspooling before them, they make their second mistake. Or perhaps their third? Maybe even their fourth. Because Sadie and Logan have definitely entered this maze before. And again before that. They quickly realize they’ve not only entered this maze before, they’ve died in it too. A lot…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The space between here & now / Suk, Sarah
“Seventeen-year-old Aimee Roh has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, a rare condition that causes her to time travel to a moment in her life when she smells something linked to that memory. Her dad is convinced she’ll simply grow out of it if she tries hard enough, but Aimee’s fear of vanishing at random has kept her from living a normal life. Desperate for answers, Aimee travels to Korea, where she unravels the mystery of her memories, the truth about her mother, and the reason she keeps returning to certain moments in her life.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The library of broken worlds / Johnson, Alaya Dawn
“In the winding underground tunnels of the Library, the great celestial peacekeeper of the three systems, a terrible secret lies buried. The daughter of a Library god, Freida has spent her whole life exploring the Library’s ever-changing tunnels and communing with the gods. When she meets Joshua, a mortal boy desperate to save his people, and Nergüi, a Disciple from a persecuted religious minority, Freida is compelled to break ranks with the gods and help them. To do so she will have to venture deeper into the Library– and she discovers the atrocities of the past, the truth of her origins, and the impossibility of her future.” (Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

Lads : a guide to respect and consent – step up, speak out and create positive change / Bissett, Alan
“In a world full of negative influences, LADS is a toolkit for teenage boys on respect and consent, helping them call out bad behaviour and giving them the confidence to be their best selves. Have you ever been in a situation where there’s a loud guy making dodgy comments, cracking jokes that only he thinks are funny or leering at the girls in the room? You can feel the tension, right? That Guy is the worst, but no one is saying anything, because the whole situation is intimidating and awkward. This toolkit will help you call out bad behaviour and understand the serious issues facing girls today. And it will make you feel confident navigating relationships, so that everyone feels happy, heard and respected, while being the best version of yourself.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

For more new books in the catalogue, go to: What’s new / December 2023 (wcl.govt.nz)

Y’all Just Love Desserts! Looking Back on the Year’s Sweetest Holidays

By

On Monday, 25 December, 2023

In isn't that cool?, silly holidays everyone cares about, stuff to learn, stuff to read

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s beginning to look a lot like our favourite December holiday! And the bells were ringing through the land, bringing peace to all the world and good will to man. What a bright time, it’s the right time to join in any reindeer games.

Yeah, you better watch out! You better not cry! You better not pout! I’m telling you why!  Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie. I gave you my tart, and the very next day, you gave it away, which is wild because pumpkin pie is really nice. All I want for this day is sweets! I mean if you manage a pumpkin pie, that’d be great, but it’s not as big of a thing in New Zealand.

Próspero año y día de la tarta de calabaza!

It’s December 25th, and you know what that means…

Merry Pumpkin Pie Day!


via GIPHY

But Pumpkin Pie, while delicious, doesn’t have the cultural impact here compared to the US of A. So why not celebrate other sweet-themed holidays. It’s the end of the year after all, so why not take a look back on all the various dessert and candy themed holidays!

Now you might not realise this, but there are so many of these sweet holidays, even the mainstream “actually celebrated” holidays. I mean, think of the major holidays: Halloween is about getting free candy, Easter is about getting chocolate eggs, and Valentines Day (plus it’s evil twin White Day) is about giving people heart themed chocolates. Down to our roots we want excuses to eat more sugar.


via GIPHY

Say, if you wanted to have a day for cake, that’s not your birthday, try November 26: Cake Day. There are also subcake days, like pancake day, cheesecake day, cupcake day, sponge cake day, and ice cream cake day. But then you can go hyper specific, like National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day (April 20th). But it’s not just cake, there are so many random desserts that people apparently care enough to make a whole day about. Like who is that excited over Oatmeal Nut Waffles?

For you, dear reader, I have compiled all of 2023’s various mouthwatering holidays into one convenient place. Have I potentially missed some? Maybe. But am I going to check? No. Am I going to insert random other days to teach you a lesson about blindly trusting internet sources without engaging critical thinking and because I think it’s funny? Perhaps.

Enjoy your journey!


via GIPHY

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The Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide to… Aquaman

By

On Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

In the wellington comic lover's guide to...

Welcome to the Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide, where we take you through the Wellington City Libraries’ collection of a comic book character or series. This post is all about DC Comics’ King of the Seven Seas… Aquaman!


Who is Aquaman?

The son of a lighthouse keeper and a princess from the undersea kingdom of Atlantis, Arthur Curry, discovers he has the power to breathe underwater, survive in deep ocean environments, and command marine life. Claiming his birthright as king of Atlantis, Arthur now protects the seven seas as its monarch and hero, Aquaman. Alongside him are his wife and queen Mera, and the Aqualads, Garth and Jackson Hyde.

Note: DC Comics are divided by publishing eras, determined by a point where they set the issue number (and sometimes, continuity) of a series back to #1. ‘Post-Crisis’ is everything from 1986-2011, the New 52 from 2011-2016, DC Rebirth from 2016-2021, and Infinite Frontier from 2021 to present.


The Legend of Aquaman

Aquaman’s Post-Crisis origin is told in The Legend of Aquaman, which has him as the son of an Atlantean wizard and the Queen of Atlantis. Exiled to land at birth and raised to adulthood by the lighthouse keeper Tom Curry, Arthur eventually returned to Atlantis and took the throne.

Aquaman : the legend of Aquaman / Fleming, Robert Loren


Sub Diego

The ‘Sub Diego’ storyline begins when a massive earthquake sinks the city of San Diego under the waves, leaving thousands dead and the survivors inexplicably gaining the ability to breath underwater. Aquaman and his new sidekick Lorena Marquez, aka Aquagirl, must help the new waterbreathers adapt to life under the sea, while preventing the rise of a new oceanic criminal syndicate.

Aquaman : to serve and protect / Arcudi, John

Aquaman : kingdom lost / Arcudi, John


Sword of Atlantis and Blackest Night

Arthur uses Atlantean magic to restore Sub Diego back to land, but as a consequence, he mutates into the monstrous Dweller of the Depths. He is then replaced with a younger Aquaman, Joseph Curry, who Arthur aids alongside a seemingly reformed King Shark.

Joseph Curry appearances

Aquaman : sword of Atlantis : once and future / Busiek, Kurt

Superman/Batman. Volume 4

Sometime after, Arthur perishes and is resurrected during the Blackest Night crossover, which sees deceased heroes and villains in the DCU return to life as superpowered zombies called Black Lanterns. In the sequel series Brightest Day, Arthur and Mera search for a cure for Arthur’s lingering Black Lantern powers, discovering the secret son of Black Manta along the way.

Blackest Night saga / Johns, Geoff (also on Libby)

Brightest day : omnibus / Johns, Geoff


The New 52

The New 52 reboots DC Comic’s long-running continuity, tweaking Arthur’s history in the process. Rather than being the king of Atlantis for some years, here Arthur is reluctant to take the throne until his hand is forced by Orm, his half-brother and self-proclaimed ‘Ocean Master’, attacking the surface with an Atlantean army.

Aquaman. Volume 1, The trench / Johns, Geoff (also on Libby)

Aquaman. Volume 2, The Others / Johns, Geoff

Aquaman. Volume 3, Throne of Atlantis / Johns, Geoff

Aquaman. Volume 4, Death of a King / Johns, Geoff

Aquaman. Volume 5, Sea of storms / Parker, Jeff

Aquaman. Volume 6, Maelstrom / Parker, Jeff

Aquaman. Volume 7, Exiled / Bunn, Cullen

Aquaman. Volume 8, Out of darkness / Abnett, Dan


DC Rebirth

The DC Rebirth period of Aquaman focuses on the geopolitical tensions between Atlantis and the United States, as Arthur must mediate between both sides to prevent an all-out war. Later, the Atlantean throne is usurped by the vicious King Rath, and Arthur finds new allies in the denizens of Atlantis’ slums.

Aquaman. Vol. 1, The drowning / Abnett, Dan

Aquaman. Vol. 3, Crown of Atlantis / Abnett, Dan

Aquaman. Vol. 4, Underworld / Abnett, Dan

‘Underworld’ is also collected as Aquaman : Underworld, the deluxe edition / Abnett, Dan

Aquaman. Vol. 5, The crown comes down / Abnett, Dan

Aquaman. Vol. 6, Kingslayer / Abnett, Dan

Aquaman/Suicide Squad : sink Atlantis / Williams, Rob


Drowned Earth

After leading the Justice League against an oceanic alien armada in Drowned Earth, Arthur loses his memories and is nursed back to health by a community of ancient sea gods (including Aotearoa’s own Tangaroa). This series sees Aquaman reconnecting with his allies both on land and Atlantis, and facing an improved mecha-powered Black Manta.

Justice League : Aquaman : drowned earth / Snyder, Scott

Aquaman. Vol. 1, Unspoken water / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Aquaman. Vol. 2, Amnesty / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Aquaman. Vol. 3, Manta vs. machine / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Aquaman. Volume 4, Echoes of a life lived well / DeConnick, Kelly Sue


Infinite Frontier

The Infinite Frontier era of Aquaman (or rather, Aquamen) focuses on former Aqualad Jackson Hyde, who now shares the Aquaman title with Arthur. Here, Jackson, Arthur and Black Manta must team up to stop a secret cabal of Atlantean sleeper agents.

Aquaman : the becoming / Thomas, Brandon

Black Manta / Brown, Chuck

Aquamen / Brown, Chuck

Also published in this era is Aquaman: Andromeda, a cosmic horror adventure that sees Aquaman aiding an experimental submarine crew to a spaceship graveyard in the ocean.

Aquaman : Andromeda / V, Ram


Aquaman’s teams

Aquaman is a founding member of the Justice League, valued for his status as regent of the oceans and his unique powerset. Arthur and the League have faced threats together such as the time-travelling League of Ancients (JLA. Volume six), the Ocean Master and his Atlantean army (Throne of Atlantis), and a disgruntled Justice League fan using the League’s secrets against them (The people vs. the Justice League).

Aquaman on the Justice League

JLA : New world order / Morrison, Grant

JLA. Volume two / Morrison, Grant

JLA. Volume four / Morrison, Grant

JLA. Volume five / Waid, Mark

JLA. Volume six / Kelly, Joe

Justice League. Volume 3, Throne of Atlantis / Johns, Geoff

Justice League of America : power and glory / Hitch, Bryan

Justice League. Vol. 6, The people vs. the Justice League / Priest, Christopher J.

Justice League. Vol. 7, Justice lost / Priest, Christopher J.

Dark nights : metal / Snyder, Scott

Justice League : Aquaman : drowned earth / Snyder, Scott

Aquaman and the Others

The New 52 establishes that Arthur was once a part of a team of mysterious heroes called The Others, each of whom possesses a unique Atlantean weapon (Arthur’s being his signature trident).

Aquaman. Volume 2, The Others / Johns, Geoff

Aquaman and the Others. Volume 1, Legacy of gold / Jurgens, Dan

Aquaman and the Others. Volume 2, Alignment Earth / Jurgens, Dan


Mera, Queen of Atlantis

Mera is from the kingdom of Xebel, another underwater city constantly at war with Atlantis. Initially sent to execute Arthur, Mera fell in love with him, and now uses her gifts of water manipulation and her royal connections to aid him as his queen.

Mera, Queen of Atlantis / Abnett, Dan

Mera : tidebreaker / Paige, Danielle


Garth, the first Aqualad

Garth was an Atlantean orphan whom Arthur adopted as his trusty sidekick, Aqualad. With powers identical to Aquaman, in addition to some proficiency in Atlantean magic, Garth became a founding member of the Teen Titans (later just ‘the Titans’).

Garth as Aqualad appearances

Teen Titans : year one / Wolfram, Amy

Titans hunt / Abnett, Dan

Titans. Vol. 1, The return of Wally West / Abnett, Dan

Titans. Vol. 2, Made in Manhattan / Abnett, Dan

Titans. Vol. 3, A Judas among us / Abnett, Dan

Titans : the Lazarus contract / Priest, Christopher J.

Aquaman : Underworld, the deluxe edition / Abnett, Dan

Heroes in crisis / King, Tom


Jackson Hyde, the second Aqualad

The second Aqualad is Jackson Hyde, the son of Black Manta and a Xebel spy. Raised in New Mexico as far from the ocean as possible, Jackson eventually discovered the truth of his parentage and joined up with Aquaman and Mera. Jackson has the same powers as Mera, using special gauntlets to shape water into weapons and generate electrical shocks through them.

This version of Aqualad first appeared in the animated series Young Justice as an Atlantean named Kaldur’ahm, then was introduced in the comics shortly after.

Aqualad in Young Justice appearances

Young Justice [2] : training day / Weisman, Greg

Young Justice [3] : creature features / Weisman, Greg

Aqualad in mainstream DC Comics appearances

Brightest day : omnibus / Johns, Geoff

Teen Titans. Vol. 2, The rise of Aqualad / Percy, Benjamin

Teen Titans. Vol. 3, The return of Kid Flash

Aquaman. Vol. 2, Amnesty / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Aquaman. Vol. 3, Manta vs. machine / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Aquaman. Volume 4, Echoes of a life lived well / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Aquaman : the becoming / Thomas, Brandon

Aquamen / Brown, Chuck

Jackson is openly gay, appearing in DC’s Pride comics and even has his own graphic novel romance, You Brought Me the Ocean.

DC Pride 2021

You brought me the ocean / Sanchez, Alex


Black Manta

Aquaman’s nemesis is Black Manta, a ruthless high-tech pirate commanding an undersea legion of criminal henchmen. While Manta is mostly out for loot and plunder, he has a personal vendetta against Aquaman, who in his early adventures was responsible for the death of Manta’s father. Recently, Manta has tried to persuade his teenage son Jackson Hyde into joining him in his criminal enterprise.

Black Manta appearances

Aquaman : kingdom lost / Arcudi, John

Brightest day : omnibus / Johns, Geoff

Aquaman. Volume 2, The Others / Johns, Geoff

New Suicide Squad. Volume 1, Pure insanity / Ryan, Sean

New Suicide Squad. Volume 2, Monsters / Ryan, Sean

New Suicide Squad. Volume 3, Freedom / Ryan, Sean

Aquaman. Vol. 1, The drowning / Abnett, Dan

Aquaman. Vol. 3, Manta vs. machine / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Justice League : Aquaman : drowned earth / Snyder, Scott

Black Manta / Brown, Chuck

Aquaman : Andromeda / V, Ram


Other Aquaman allies

Lagoon Boy

La’gaan is a fish-like Atlantean who took on the name ‘Lagoon Boy’ due to his resemblance to the classic movie monster, the Creature from the Black Lagoon. He’s been a member of the teen super-team Young Justice in the comics and became Aqualad’s replacement on ‘The Team’ in the show Young Justice.

Lagoon Boy appearances

Young Justice. Book six

Young Justice [4] : invasion / Weisman, Greg (based on the TV show)

Heroes in crisis / King, Tom

King Shark

Nanaue is a humanoid shark, the son of the Shark God Chondraka and a human woman from Hawaii. As King Shark, Nanaue’s nature wavers between articulate villain and bloodthirsty beast-man, and as such, his allegiance has shifted many times over the years. He’s been an ally to Aquaman in Sword of Atlantis, a mercenary in the Secret Six, and an operative in Task Force X.

King Shark appearances – Post-Crisis

Aquaman : sword of Atlantis : once and future / Busiek, Kurt

Secret Six : unhinged / Simone, Gail

Secret Six : the reptile brain / Simone, Gail

Secret Six : the darkest house / Simone, Gail

King Shark appearances – New 52 to present

Suicide Squad. Volume 1 (also on Libby) through Volume 5

Teen Titans. Vol. 2, The rise of Aqualad / Percy, Benjamin

Aquaman. Vol. 5, The crown comes down / Abnett, Dan

Suicide Squad : Blaze / Spurrier, Simon

Suicide Squad : King Shark / Seeley, Tim

If you’d like to learn about the actual Hawaiian legend that inspired King Shark, check out The Shark King : a Toon book/ Johnson, R. Kikuo


Aquaman across the Multiverse

Absolute Justice / Krueger, Jim – In a global conflict between the Justice League and the Legion of Doom, Aquaman must rescue his infant son from Brainiac and Black Manta.

Kingdom come / Waid, Mark (also on Libby) – Like many elder heroes in this alternate future, Arthur has retired, choosing to rule Atlantis while the first Aqualad protects the seas as the second Aquaman.

Flashpoint / Johns, Geoff  – In this dark alternate timeline accidentally created by The Flash, Arthur leads Atlantis in a brutal war against the Amazons.

Injustice : Gods among us : Volume 1 – As sovereign of Atlantis, Aquaman is one of the first challenges to a grieving Superman’s world-conquering Regime.

The Multiversity / Morrison, Grant – Aquawoman from the matriarchal Earth-11 joins a team of multiversal heroes to fight the evil interdimensional Gentry. Other multiversal Aquapeople featured here include the fascist Unterwasserman, the Mer-Man of Justice 9, and the hybrid hero Aquaflash.

Justice League incarnate / Williamson, Joshua – Aquawoman returns to the Multiversity to fight a reinvigorated Darkseid.

Multiversity : teen justice / Cohen, Ivan – Aquagirl Jaqui Hyde leads Earth-11’s teenage super-team Teen Justice.

Earth 2. Volume 4, The Dark Age / Taylor, Tom – On Earth-2, the Atlantean on the resident hero team ‘The Wonders of the World’ is Queen Marella.

Justice League beyond : power struggle / Gage, Christos – Set in the future of the DC Animated Universe, Aquaman’s daughter Mareena joins the Justice League Unlimited.

The Jurassic League / Gedeon, Juan – Aquaman’s equivalent on the dinosaur-dominated Earth-27 is the trident-wielding spinosaur Aquanyx.

Wildstorm : Michael Cray. Volume 1 / Hill, Bryan Edward – In the spy-oriented Wildstorm Universe, operative Michael Cray is tasked with hunting down ‘The Aquaman’, a New Zealand scientist who genetically engineers himself into an animalistic aquatic being.

SpongeBob comics. #2, Aquatic adventurers, unite / Hillenburg, Stephen – While not part of the DC Multiverse proper, it should be noted that the aquatic adventurers Mermaidman and Barnacle Boy from Spongebob Squarepants were inspired by Aquaman and Aqualad.

Soft Apocalypse for Beginners: The Summer Round-Up!

By

On Friday, 15 December, 2023

In reviews and reccs, soft apocalypse (for beginners), stuff to do, stuff to read

Folks! Friends! Fellow humans living on this nice crispy earth!

The year is 2023. The global is warming, the 1 are %ing and things are looking iffy… Enter the Soft Apocalypse! It’s time for us to give capitalism the finger, and return to our humble roots as a pastoral society that bakes bread and sings Kumbaya way too often. AKA my escapist daydream when the Stresses of Life get a bit too much (my Soft Apocalypse plan includes joining a commune and becoming the cryptid I want to see in the world).

Welcome to Soft Apocalypse for Beginners, where we will be embarking on a journey of Learning to Look After Ourselves Even if the World is Ending (and saving the bees while we’re at it)!

Believe it or not, it’s summer! Since it’s an established fact that you can’t beat Welly on a good day, how exactly can we make the most of the sunny season?? If you’re the type with access to a letterbox, then you will have hopefully received Wellington City Council’s summer edition of Our Wellington – Tō Tātou Pōneke which outlines some of the nifty and magical events that will be taking place in the capital over the next few months. I’ve taken it upon myself to highlight the (in my opinion) niftiest and most magical activities on offer, for your perusing pleasure:

via GIPHY

Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition

  • What: Explore the stories and characters of the Marvel Universe at the world-premiere exhibition.
  • Where: Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre
  • When: 14th December 2023 – 28th April 2024
santa at Waitangi Park
  • What: The last of WCC’s Christmas in the Quarters series of events, come along to meet Papa Tinsel himself and make the most of the activities on offer, including ice skating, a foam pit, face painting, food trucks and more!
  • Where: Waitangi Park
  • When: 11am-5pm 16th December
Summer Solstice
  • What: Celebrate the 2023 summer solstice with music, bonfires, and a solstice ceremony!
  • Where: Island Bay Beach
  • When: 8.30pm 22nd December 2023
New year’s eve
  • What: More live music, more food trucks, and – most importantly – fireworks! Come along to welcome in the New Year with ✨pizazz✨
  • Where: Whairepo Lagoon
  • When: 8pm-12am 31st December 2023

Gardens Magic

  • What: Live music! Lights! Sleepy pigeons! Explore the botanical gardens after dark with the astounding concerts and light displays on offer.
  • Where: Wellington Botanic Gardens
  • When: 9-28th January 2024
island bay festival
  • What: I opened up the website and immediately saw bagpipes and horses, so you know it’s going to be good. Come explore the best of Island Bay!
  • Where: Island Bay
  • When: 11-17th February 2024

Wellington pride Parade

  • What: Celebrate our rainbow whānau in style this summer with the annual Wellington Pride Parade featuring floats, performers, music and more!
  • Where: Courtenay Place, Dixon Street and lower Cuba Street
  • When: 5.30pm 9th March 2023

Not too shabby, eh? And that’s just what’s on offer through WCC – explore the wider Wellington region with local berry picking, flower farms, camping spots, and more. Plus –  keep an eye on the Wellington Advent Calendar for neat vouchers and nifty inspo for the sand season!

Have a beautiful summer, and meri kirihimete from all of us here at Wellington City Libraries!


Summer in the city of roses / Keil, Michelle Ruiz
“All her life Iph has protected her sensitive younger brother, Orr. This summer, with their mother gone at an artist residency, their father decides it is time for Orr to toughen up at a wilderness boot camp. When he brings Iph to a work gala in downtown Portland and breaks the news, Orr has already been sent away. Furious at his betrayal, Iph storms off and gets lost in the maze of Old Town.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
This one summer / Tamaki, Mariko
“Rose and her parents have been going to Awago Beach since she was a little girl. It’s her summer getaway, her refuge. Her friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had, completing her summer family. But this summer is different […] It’s a summer of secrets and heartache, and it’s a good thing Rose and Windy have each other.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Fat girls hiking : an inclusive guide to getting outdoors at any size or ability / Michaud-Skog, Summer
” Equal parts empowering and impassioned, personal and practical, this book adds an important voice to the conversation about diversity in the outdoors, raising visibility of hikers who have too long been marginalized. As the Fat Girls Hiking motto goes, “Trails Not Scales!””” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Camp / Rosen, Lev AC
“At Camp Outland, a camp for LGBTQIA teens, sixteen-year-old Randall “Del” Kapplehoff’s plan to have Hudson Aaronson-Lim fall in love with him succeeds, but both are hiding their true selves.” (Catalogue)
Summer days and summer nights : twelve love stories
“Summer meets love in both fantasy and reality in this anthology featuring renowned writers of both teen and adult fiction. Summer is the perfect time for love to bloom, and these short stories of teenagers facing the confusing maze of first love will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake.” (Abridged from catalogue)


The girl’s guide to summer / Mlynowski, Sarah
“Sydney Aarons is leaving her Manhattan townhouse for a summer backpacking around Europe with her best friend, Leela. They’re visiting London, France, Italy, Switzerland and everywhere in between – it’s going to be the trip of a lifetime. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)
All summer long / Larson, Hope
“Thirteen-year-old Bina faces her first summer without her best friend, Austin, who has left for soccer camp.” (Catalogue)
Unbored : the essential field guide to serious fun / Glenn, Joshua
“Vibrantly designed and illustrated, it’s crammed with activities that are not only fun and doable, but get kids engaged in the wider world–and provides information to expand their worldviews, too, inspiring them to learn more.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Lumberjanes [1] : beware the kitten holy / Stevenson, ND
“Five best friends spending the summer at Lumberjane scout camp… defeating yetis, three-eyed wolves, and giant falcons… what’s not to love?! Friendship to the max! Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome summer together…and they’re not gonna let any insane quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! ” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Recipes from an Italian summer
“380 summer recipes for all lovers of Italian food.” (Catalogue)
Paper planes / Wood, Jennie
“After a life altering incident, Dylan and Leighton are sent to a summer camp for troubled youth. They both need a good evaluation at the camp. Otherwise, they’ll be sent away, unable to attend high school with their friends […] Can Dylan and Leighton save their friendship and protect their future while trying to survive camp?” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Ugly Christmas sweater party : Christmas crafts, recipes, activities / Shay, Brandy
“Put on your ugly holiday sweater and get ready to PARTY! Whether you’re planning your own wacky celebration or contributing to someone else’s festive affair, here are the most deliciously ugly (in a good way!) ideas for making Christmas merry. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Easy vegan Christmas : 80 plant-based recipes for the festive season / Beskow, Katy
“Easy Vegan Christmas is a 80-recipe cookbook showcasing simple vegan recipes, for a fuss-free festive season.” (Catalogue)

✨Unsettling✨ nostalgia for your holiday reading

By

On Wednesday, 13 December, 2023

In reviews and reccs, stuff to read

Ah, December. A time of things-slowing-down, the official start of Summer, and oh, that Christmas thing as well. With the warm* weather, many people going off on holiday, and the end of the year rolling around, I always start to feel nostalgic. And my nostalgia often manifests as reserving a bunch of my favourite books to re-read.

*Warm-er? Warm-ish? Not-as-much-rain?

Now I’m sure I’ve mentioned before my love for The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, and my almost-constant-need to be listening to one of the audiobooks**. So if you haven’t read or listened to those you should immediately go and do so! These books are wonderfully written, full of complex and real characters, political machinations, some excellent god/human interactions, complicated relationships, and very good depictions of characters dealing with trauma. But they’re also funny and all the characters tell stories to each other and care a lot about their people and ugh, they’re just so good.

**Yes, I really like them as audiobooks. I have had conversations about this with Teen Blogger Grimm who just cannot get into the audiobooks because magnificent narrator Steve West pronounces the names differently to how she says them in her head, but while we cannot agree on this point, we do agree that these books are Excellent and Everyone should read them.

A small cat lying in a box with all her legs hidden

You need a picture to break up all these words. Please enjoy this unsettled cat – where did all her legs go?!

Why am I telling you about these books again? Well, mainly because the books I tend to get nostalgic for are not books like this series***. I get the itch to go back and re-read some of those (dare I say it) simpler adventure stories**** I enjoyed when I was younger. But whenever I venture forth into the stacks to retrieve these particular books, I’m always surprised by how dark and grim they are, and by the unsettled feeling I’m left with.

***But I still wanted to tell you all about this series again! Go read them. Seriously.

****Ok, ‘simpler adventures’ maybe, but still often a bit twisty.*****

*****I apologise for the footnotes? Not sure why so many are creeping into this particular post.

So, obviously, I’ve decided to share some of these books that I love with you, in case you also want something to read over the summer that is vaguely unsettling, enjoyable, and not too long. So read on for books about bone porridge, many discreet murders, horrible family members, and a fair share of malignant spirits.

The stolen lake / Aiken, Joan
This is always the first one that comes to mind. Joan Aiken wrote a fantastic series of books that started with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase about an alternate history version of England where the Stuarts kept the throne, and it was never passed on to the Hanovers. Different books in the series focus on different characters. The Stolen Lake features Dido Twite, a girl who was swept out to sea and picked up by a ship in a previous book. She’s slowly navigating her way home, and in this book her ship is called to aid fictional New Cumbria in South America. Dido finds herself in a very grim place, where giant birds carry people off and the queen eats bone porridge (sourced from the bones of young girls she’s had thrown to the piranhas) to maintain her youth. Brilliant stuff!

Is underground / Aiken, Joan
Another in the same series as The Stolen Lake! No bone porridge here, just some pretty awful child labour. Children, including the Crown Prince of England, have been going missing in London and another young Twite is tasked with figuring out what’s going on. And what’s going on (and this is not a spoiler given the cover illustration) is that they’re being kidnapped and transported up North to work underground in a coal mine. And a foundry. And there may be accidents involving molten metal.

The owl service / Garner, Alan
Why yes, that character probably did murder that other character in the past. But what can you expect when a fragment of tale from the Mabinogion amplifies itself throughout history and keeps repeating and repeating and repeating? Owls are bad, flowers are not, but both are still creepy. I could say SO MUCH about this book, but that might put you off. Just let me tell you this: you don’t need armies of ghosts or witches with ovens to create something truly spooky and (I can’t forget my keyword here!) unsettling. Just some plates found in an attic, some pebble-dash, and a whole lot of interpersonal angst.

Under the mountain / Gee, Maurice
Ah, my most-read book in my primary school library. It’s set in Auckland and has been made into both a TV series and a movie over the years and is full of volcanoes and weird-worm/slug-mud-aliens that are set on total world domination and annihilation. It’s just one of those fun adventures with some red-haired twins with special powers, right? Err, not quite. It’s slightly scary, very unsettling, and not everyone comes out unscathed in the end.

Tripswitch / Gordon, Gaelyn
Another New Zealand author who has written something that is both kinda fun, and very unsettling the more you think about it. Three orphaned cousins are brought together to live with their aunt (coincidence? Or multiple sororicides on the aunt’s part?), and she’s just so …evil? Mean and nasty yes, but when you find out the reason she had her twins everything just gets much more serious. But there’s also a lot of humour in it (the sports team who just decide to steal a bus??), which possibly makes the grim details stand out a bit more.

Black Maria / Jones, Diana Wynne
Diana Wynne Jones is WONDERFUL. She’s written some marvellously fun and twisty books for children full of weird magic and quirky characters. But she’s also written some truly chilling books. This is one of them, and there’s just so much going on. From buried imprisonment, to not-really-dead fathers, a sweeter-than-ever Great-Aunt with a will of iron, to an entire town under one person’s thumb, it just makes you look at small town life in a different way. And Great-Aunts.

The time of the ghost / Jones, Diana Wynne
More Diana Wynne Jones creepiness. This time, we learn what happens when some kids mess with something beyond their ken or control. When the ghost comes back in time she knows that something awful is going to happen, so we also know this, but all the characters that the ghost is watching don’t know this so as they creep closer to disaster we just know that something will go wrong, but we don’t know what will go wrong… So there’s a lot of tension and trying to figure things out, and let me just say that I will not be going near any soft toys left outside to grow mildew after reading this!

The changeover / Mahy, Margaret
Margaret Mahy’s another author who can write joyful and fun, adventure and excitement, and also haunting and chilling. And this book is the latter. Laura’s day starts with a warning, and ends with her younger brother getting his soul slowly sucked out of him through a stamp on his hand. This is very understated horror, but there’s just so many very normal things in there that what happens really sticks in your mind. They even made a movie of it, set in post-earthquake Christchurch!

And I’ll even add a bonus book in, because how can you talk unsettling childhood stories without delving into the Brothers Grimm?

The complete Grimm’s fairy tales / Grimm, Jacob
We all know some of the Grimm’s fairy tales, but there are a whole lot more that not many people stumble across. And a lot of them are VERY weird!

Below, I have written out one of the shorter unsettling stories from this particular collection, under the Read more. If you want to feel incredulous that such a story was written, and really put the grim in Grimm, well then, just read on…

Read More

Memoirs, Mysteries, Memes and Murder: New Books for Teens in the Collection

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On Wednesday, 6 December, 2023

In comics and graphic novels, fantasy, horror and spooky stuff, mysteries & whodunnits, new stuff (ooh, shiny!), non-fiction, stuff to read

Those summer holidays are going to be here soon, and it’s the perfect time to get stuck into some new books.  I mean, have you considered the Summer Reading Adventure yet?  We have a fresh crop of new books to add to your reading list, whether your into comics, fiction or non-fiction… or maybe all three?

Comics

Mexikid : a graphic memoir / Martin, Pedro
“Pedro Martin’s grown up in the U.S. hearing stories about his legendary abuelito, but during a family road trip to Mexico, he connects with his grandfather and learns more about his own Mexican identity in this moving and hilarious graphic memoir.” (Catalogue)

The Calvin and Hobbes portable compendium. Book 1 / Watterson, Bill
“Calvin and Hobbes is unquestionably one of the most popular comic strips of all time. The imaginative world of a boy and his real-only-to-him tiger first appeared in 1985 and could be read in more than 2,400 newspapers when Bill Watterson retired on January 1, 1996.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

All the lovely bad ones : a ghost story graphic novel / Peterson, Scott
“Travis and his sister, Corey, can’t resist a good trick. When they learn that their grandmother’s quiet Vermont inn, where they’re spending the summer, has a history of ghost sightings, they decide to do a little ‘haunting’ of their own. Before long, their supernatural pranks have tourists flocking to Fox Hill Inn, and business booms. But Travis and Corey soon find out that theirs aren’t the only ghosts at Fox Hill. Their thoughtless games have awakened something dangerous, something that should have stayed asleep. Can these siblings lay to rest the troubled spirits they’ve disturbed?” (Catalogue)

Fiction

Broken hearts and zombie parts / Hussey, William
“A savagely funny gay YA romance about body image, self-acceptance and falling in love. Jesse Spark has a broken heart and in a few short weeks he’ll require major surgery to repair it – which means he only has a month to accomplish two almost-impossible tasks. 1) Shoot his epic zombie movie on a shoestring budget if he has any hope of getting into film school. 2) Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar – because how will anyone ever fancy him after that?” (Catalogue)

How to find a missing girl / Wlosok, Victoria
“Seventeen-year-old amateur sleuth Iris and her sapphic detective agency investigate the disappearance of Iris’s cheerleader ex-girlfriend, who also happens to be the creator of a notorious true-crime podcast about Iris’s missing older sister.” (Catalogue)

The scarlet veil / Mahurin, Shelby
“Six months have passed since Célie took her sacred vows and joined the ranks of the Chasseurs as their first huntswoman. With her fiancé, Jean Luc, as captain, she is determined to find her foothold in her new role and help protect Belterra. But whispers from her past still haunt her, and a new evil is rising–one that Célie herself must vanquish, unless she falls prey to the darkness.” (Catalogue)

09If you tell anyone, you’re next / Heath, Jack
“Jayden Jones is missing. Everyone thinks he ran away. His best friend, Zoe Ross, knows they’re wrong. Zoe’s search leads her to the 17-a secret group chat, used by anonymous teens to blackmail the powerless. To join, you have to put on a mask and record yourself completing a challenge. The challenges are always illegal. Sometimes dangerous. Maybe deadly. Who are the 17? What have they done to Jayden? And what will they do to silence Zoe?” (Catalogue)

Non-Fiction

Accountable : the true story of a racist social media account and the teenagers whose lives it changed / Slater, Dashka
“When a high school student started a private Instagram account that used racist and sexist memes to make his friends laugh, he thought of it as “edgy” humor. Over time, the edge got sharper. Then a few other kids found out about the account. Pretty soon, everyone knew. Ultimately no one in the small town of Albany, California, was safe from the repercussions of the account’s discovery. Not the girls targeted by the posts. Not the boy who created the account. Not the group of kids who followed it. Not the adults–educators and parents–whose attempts to fix things too often made them worse. In the end, no one was laughing. And everyone was left asking: Where does accountability end for online speech that harms? And what does accountability even mean?” (Catalogue)

Video game of the year : a year-by-year guide to the best, boldest, and most bizarre games from every year since 1977 / Minor, Jordan
“For each of the 40 years of video game history, there is a defining game, a game that captured the zeitgeist and left a legacy for all games that followed. Through a series of entertaining, informative, and opinionated critical essays, author and tech journalist Jordan Minor investigates, in chronological order, the innovative, genre-bending, and earth-shattering games from 1977 through 2022. Minor explores development stories, critical reception, and legacy, and also looks at how gaming intersects with and eventually influences society at large while reveling in how uniquely and delightfully bizarre even the most famous games tend to be”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

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

The Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide to… The Marvels

By

On Sunday, 3 December, 2023

In comics and graphic novels, eLibrary, stuff to read, the wellington comic lover's guide to...

Welcome to the Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide, where we take you through the Wellington City Libraries’ collection of a comic book character or series. This post is all about the cosmic-powered ladies who go higher, further, faster: Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan – The Marvels!

The Marvels Fight GIF - The marvels Fight Iman vellani - Discover & Share GIFs

(GIF via Tenor)


Who is Carol Danvers?

Carol Danvers is a US Air Force pilot who was exposed to an alien weapon that belonged to the militaristic Kree Empire. Gaining extraordinary powers of super-strength, flight, energy manipulation and energy absorption, Carol became a superhero. Currently bearing the title of Captain Marvel, she protects the Earth from intergalactic threats.


Carol as Ms. Marvel

Before Carol became Captain Marvel, she was Ms. Marvel, the distaff counterpart to the Kree warrior Mar-Vell, the first Captain Marvel. Carol was a steadfast member of the Avengers during this time, joining on the pro-registration side of the superhero Civil War, fighting against the Skrulls in the Secret Invasion, and opposing the X-Men alongside the entire Avengers roster in Avengers vs X-Men.

Carol as Ms. Marvel appearances

Ms. Marvel : this woman, this warrior. Volume 1, 1977-1978 / Claremont, Chris

The Avengers : the Kang Dynasty / Busiek, Kurt

Civil war : Ms. Marvel / Reed, Brian

Captain Marvel : Carol Danvers : the Ms. Marvel years. Vol. 2 / Reed, Brian

Captain Marvel : Carol Danvers : the Ms. Marvel years. Vol. 3 / Reed, Brian

Ms. Marvel on the Avengers

Avengers Disassembled (only on Libby)

House of M / Bendis, Brian Michael (also on Libby)

New Avengers: Volume 4 (only on Libby)

Civil war / Millar, Mark (also on Libby)

The Mighty Avengers : Venom bomb / Bendis, Brian Michael

Secret invasion / Bendis, Brian Michael (also on Libby)

Siege : battlefield

Avengers vs. X-Men (also available in Te Reo, where Ms. Marvel is called Hinemīharo)


Carol as Captain Marvel

After going by Ms. Marvel, Binary, and Warbird, Carol took up the mantle of Captain Marvel. Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Pretty Deadly) and getting a slick new costume courtesy of artist Jamie McKelvie (The Wicked + the Divine), this series established Carol as a top-tier Marvel hero, gaining her a huge fan community called ‘The Carol Corps’ (which was later made canon in a Secret Wars comic). Here, Carol reconnected with her Air Force roots, confronted the Kree soldier responsible for her heroic origin, and travelled through space saving alien communities in need.

DeConnick Captain Marvel run reading order

Captain Marvel / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (collects the first appearances of the new Captain Marvel)

Captain Marvel. [Vol. 1], In pursuit of Flight / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (also on Libby)

Captain Marvel [2] : down / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (also on Libby)

Avengers : the enemy within / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

The Enemy Within storyline is also collected as Captain Marvel : Earth’s mightiest hero. Vol. 2 / DeConnick, Kelly Sue

Captain Marvel [1] : higher, further, faster, more / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (also on Libby)

Captain Marvel. Vol. 2, Stay fly / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (also on Libby)

Captain Marvel [3] : Alis volate propriis / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (also on Libby)

Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (tie-in to Secret Wars)

Captain Marvel [3] and Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps are also collected together in Captain Marvel : Earth’s mightiest hero. Vol. 4 / DeConnick, Kelly Sue


Alpha Flight

After DeConnick’s departure, Captain Marvel’s series was taken up by Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas (Agent Carter). Here, Carol becomes the leader of Earth’s new space defense force, Alpha Flight.

Captain Marvel. Vol. 1, Rise of Alpha Flight / Fazekas, Michele

Rise of Alpha Flight is also collected in Captain Marvel : Earth’s mightiest hero. Vol. 5 / Fazekas, Michele

Alpha Flight later spun-off into the Hulk-hunting team Gamma Flight, who appeared throughout Immortal Hulk and eventually got their own series.

Gamma Flight / Ewing, Al


Civil War II

A surprise attack by Thanos catches the Avengers off-guard, leaving War Machine dead and She-Hulk comatose. As the superhero community reels from the attack, a new hero appears, Ulysses, who has the ability to predict the future. Carol embraces him, believing Ulysses could prevent further crimes and disasters before they happen. Tony Stark opposes her on the premise that these predictions could violate people’s rights, and the Marvel heroes choose sides, setting off a second Superhuman Civil War.

Carol in Civil War II appearances

Captain Marvel Volume 2: Civil War II (only on Libby)

Vol 2: Civil War II is also collected in Captain Marvel : Earth’s mightiest hero. Vol. 5 / Fazekas, Michele

Civil war II / Bendis, Brian Michael (also on Libby)

Ms. Marvel [6] : Civil War II / Wilson, G. Willow

Guardians of the Galaxy. Vol. 3, Civil War II / Bendis, Brian Michael (also on Libby)


A New Origin

After Civil War II, Carol returns to her role as leader of Alpha Flight, and learns the undiscovered truth about her heritage and her powers.

The mighty Captain Marvel. Vol. 1, Alien nation / Stohl, Margaret (also on Libby)

The mighty Captain Marvel [2] : band of sisters / Stohl, Margaret (also on Libby)

The mighty Captain Marvel [3] : dark origins / Stohl, Margaret (also on Libby)

The life of Captain Marvel / Stohl, Margaret


Kelly Thompson run

In Kelly Thompson’s run on her series, Captain Marvel explores apocalyptic futures, becomes an Accuser for the Kree Empire, and finds a new nemesis in Ripley Ryan, a reality-altering journalist.

Captain Marvel. Vol. 1, Re-entry / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel. Vol. 2, Falling star / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel [3] : the last Avenger / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel [4] : accused / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel [5] : the new world / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel [6] : strange magic / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel [7] : the last of the Marvels / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel [8] : the trials / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel. Vol. 9, Revenge of the Brood, part 1 / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel. Vol. 10, Revenge of the Brood / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel : dark tempest / Nocenti, Ann


Captain Marvel’s Teams

As Captain Marvel, Carol has been a member of the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, The Ultimates, and the all-female team A-Force.

Captain Marvel’s team appearances

Avengers [1] : Avengers world / Hickman, Jonathan

Avengers by Jason Aaron. Vol. 1 / Aaron, Jason (also on Libby)

Guardians of the Galaxy. Vol. 3, Civil War II / Bendis, Brian Michael (also on Libby)

A-Force : hypertime, 1 / Wilson, G. Willow

A-Force [2] : rage against the dying of the light / Thompson, Kelly

The Ultimates [1] : start with the impossible / Ewing, Al


Who is Monica Rambeau?

Monica Rambeau is a harbour patrol lieutenant who became a superhero with the ability to manipulate the electromagnetic spectrum, going by Captain Marvel, Photon, and Spectrum. A natural-born leader, Monica has commanded the Avengers, Ultimates, Thunderbolts, Strikeforce, and the anti-corporate splinter cell Nextwave.

Monica Rambeau appearances

Nextwave, agents of H.A.T.E. : ultimate collection / Ellis, Warren

Captain Marvel [2] : down / DeConnick, Kelly Sue (also on Libby)

Mighty Avengers. Volume 2, Family bonding / Ewing, Al

Mighty Avengers [3] : original sin : not your father’s Avengers / Ewing, Al

Captain America and the Mighty Avengers [2] : last days / Ewing, Al

Avengers : no road home / Waid, Mark

Strikeforce [1] : trust me / Howard, Tini

Captain Marvel [7] : the last of the Marvels / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel [8] : the trials / Thompson, Kelly

The amazing Spider-Man : beyond [4]

Thunderbolts : back on target / Zubkavich, Jim

Monica Rambeau. Photon / Ewing, Eve L.


The Ultimates

Both Monica and Carol (along with Black Panther, America Chavez, Blue Marvel, and a reformed Galactus) were members of the Ultimates, a team dedicated to solving larger-scale threats, like evil living universes and nightmarish cosmic beings. Here, Monica’s powers evolve to the point where she becomes a being of living energy.

The Ultimates reading order

The Ultimates [1] : start with the impossible / Ewing, Al

The Ultimates [2] : Civil war II / Ewing, Al

The Ultimates 2 [1] : troubleshooters / Ewing, Al

The Ultimates 2. Vol. 2, Eternity War / Ewing, Al


Who is Kamala Khan?

Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American superhero fan from New Jersey who, after being exposed to the Inhuman’s ‘Terrigen Mist’, gained the ability to grow, shrink and shapeshift. Inspired by her idol Captain Marvel, Kamala took up the identity of Ms. Marvel, fighting any villains that threaten her home of Jersey City while balancing life as a high-school student.

Ms. Marvel reading order

Ms. Marvel [1] : no normal / Wilson, G. Willow (also on Libby)

Ms. Marvel [2] : Generation why / Wilson, G. Willow (also on Libby)

Ms. Marvel [3] : crushed / Wilson, G. Willow (also on Libby)

Ms. Marvel [4] : last days / Wilson, G. Willow (also on Libby)

Ms. Marvel [5] : super famous / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel [6] : Civil War II / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel. Vol. 7, Damage per second / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel [8] : Mecca / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel [9] : teenage wasteland / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel. 10, Time and again / Wilson, G. Willow

G. Willow Wilson’s entire run on Ms. Marvel are also collected in these double-sized volumes, which are read in this order:

Ms. Marvel : Kamala Khan / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel : metamorphosis / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel [3] / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel meets the Marvel Universe

Ms. Marvel : army of one / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel. Game over / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel : something new / Wilson, G. Willow

Ms. Marvel : generations / Wilson, G. Willow


Ms. Marvel: Outlawed

In the most recent run on Ms. Marvel by Saladin Ahmed (Miles Morales), Kamala battles an alien invasion, gains her version of a symbiote in the living armour ‘Stormranger’, and inadvertently becomes the catalyst for a law that restricts the age of active superheroes to 18 and over.

Ms. Marvel [1] : destined / Ahmed, Saladin (also on Libby)

Ms. Marvel [2] : stormranger / Ahmed, Saladin (also on Libby)

Ms. Marvel [3] : outlawed / Ahmed, Saladin (also on Libby)

Marvel voices : identity

Ms. Marvel : beyond the limit / Ahmed, Samira (also on Libby)


Ms. Marvel’s Team-Ups

Ms. Marvel initially joined the Avengers, before she split off with Miles Morales and Nova to form the Champions, a team of young heroes dedicated to fighting the social justice issues that the Avengers don’t address.

Ms. Marvel Team-up collections

Ms. Marvel team-up / Ewing, Eve L.

Ms. Marvel : fists of justice / Houser, Jody

Ms. Marvel in the Avengers and Champions

All-new, all-different Avengers. Vol. 1, The magnificent seven / Waid, Mark (also on Libby)

All-new all-different Avengers [2] : family business / Waid, Mark

All-new all-different Avengers. Vol. 3, Civil War II / Waid, Mark

Champions [1] : change the world / Waid, Mark

Champions [2] : the freelancer lifestyle / Waid, Mark

The first two Champions volumes are also collected as
Champions : because the world still needs heroes / Waid, Mark

Champions. Vol. 3, Champion for a day / Waid, Mark

The Avengers & Champions : worlds collide / Waid, Mark

Champions [1] : outlawed / Ewing, Eve L. (also on Libby)

Champions. Volume 2, Killer app / Lore, Danny (also on Libby)

A grizzled, older variant of Kamala is a member of the Exiles, a multiverse-hopping team of heroes, each from a different parallel universe.

Exiles [1] : test of time / Ahmed, Saladin

Exiles. Vol. 2, The trial of the Exiles / Ahmed, Saladin


Other Captain Marvels

Marvel Comic’s original Captain Marvel was the alien Kree warrior Mar-Vell. Since his passing, both his son Genis-Vell and daughter Phyla-Vell (a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy) have been Captain Marvel, before Carol Danvers took up the name.

Genis and Phyla-Vell appearances

Genis-Vell : Captain Marvel / David, Peter

Guardians of the Galaxy. 1, Then it’s us / Ewing, Al

The Guardians of the Galaxy [2] : “Here we make our stand” / Ewing, Al

Of course, the original Captain Marvel was the Fawcett Comics hero (now owned by DC Comics) we now call Shazam. You can find out about his exploits on our blog for him here.


Moonstone and Star

Carol Danvers has inspired not just heroes, but villains as well. Her enemy Karla Sofen, the super-powered psychologist Moonstone, once impersonated her as Ms. Marvel on Norman Osborn’s ‘Dark Avengers’.

Moonstone as Ms. Marvel appearances

Captain Marvel : Carol Danvers : the Ms. Marvel years. Vol. 3 / Reed, Brian

Dark Avengers (only on Libby)

Dark X-Men / Cornell, Paul

Siege : Mighty Avengers / Slott, Dan

Recently, Carol fought Ripley Ryan a.k.a Star, a reporter and wannabe hero who became the host to the Infinity Gauntlet’s world-altering Reality Stone.

Star appearances

Captain Marvel. Vol. 1, Re-entry / Thompson, Kelly

Captain Marvel. Vol. 2, Falling star / Thompson, Kelly

Star : birth of a dragon / Thompson, Kelly

King in black : thunderbolts / Rosenberg, Matthew

Summer Reading: A Guide for Adventurers

By

On Friday, 1 December, 2023

In real life, real problems, stuff to do, stuff to read, troubled teens trying to put their past behind them

The first day of December is a sacred day for the librarians of Wellington — for today, the Summer Reading Adventure begins!

Yes, that’s the Wellington Cable Car. Yes, that does appear to be a rather cranky dragon nesting at the cable car station. What of it?

From now until the 31st of January 2024, you can win free stuff just by reading books, writing or filming book reviews, and undertaking perilous quests for the betterment of all humankind*!

Every time you complete an activity or log a book in the Summer Reading Adventure, you go in the draw to win one of our fabulous Grand Prize packs, which include things like tickets for the movies and theatre shows, book vouchers, gaming-related paraphernalia, and much more. We’ll also be doing weekly spot prize draws for the best-written book reviews. And what’s more, you even get a rad collectible badge just for signing up, and can earn more along the way!

So what are you waiting for? Pick up an Adventurer’s Guide from your local library, or check it out below, to get started — or just head straight over to our Summer Reading website to kick things off. Don’t forget to check out our previous blog post for heaps more info about how you can take part in this year’s Summer Reading festivities!

* well, okay, maybe just the betterment of the library. But still!

Soft Apocalypse for Beginners: It’s the [Fri]End Times

By

On Friday, 24 November, 2023

In exclusive academies for rich kids who form cliques, real life, real problems, soft apocalypse (for beginners), stuff to learn

Folks! Friends! Fellow humans living on this nice crispy earth!

The year is 2023. The global is warming, the 1 are %ing and things are looking iffy… Enter the Soft Apocalypse! It’s time for us to give capitalism the finger, and return to our humble roots as a pastoral society that bakes bread and sings Kumbaya way too often. AKA my escapist daydream when the Stresses of Life get a bit too much (my Soft Apocalypse plan includes joining a commune and ✨becoming one with the wilderness while I process seeing the Eras Tour movie✨).

Welcome to Soft Apocalypse for Beginners, where we will be embarking on a journey of Learning to Look After Ourselves Even if the World is Ending (and saving the bees while we’re at it)!

It’s the [Fri]End Times and you’re only as strong as your commune, so today is a crash course in Having Healthy Friendships by me (a certified Friend who receives an enormous amount of trickle-down therapy through Pinterest).

Friendships can sometimes be more complicated to manage than romantic relationships simply because we live in a romance-obsessed society, and so we’re constantly being bombarded with advice, dos/don’t-dos, and narratives that are tuned towards maintaining or ending romantic relationships. While some of these lessons are applicable to our friendships too, we often fall down because we just don’t think about having to apply them. But unhealthy friendships and poor boundaries with your platonic pals can be just as damaging as the worst romantic relationship.

So here I am with your annual reminder that the ancient Greeks had eight words for love (including words specifically for the love and connection between friends), and it’s time we all invested a little more into looking after our friendships.


via GIPHY


One Flag, Two Flag, Red Flag, [Green] Flag

It’s 2023 and red/green flags aren’t just for romantic relationships any more. While it’s great to DIY the flag identification in your relationships, sometimes the best thing to do is to consult the impartial judge of a healthy relationship checklist. This can be especially helpful if you’ve experienced gaslighting in the past and want the validation of an unbiased outside source.

Some examples of red flags could look like:

  • Your friend putting you down, hurting your feelings, or causing you deliberate discomfort
  • Feeling drained after every interaction with them
  • Nagging or pressuring you into something you’re not comfortable with
  • Their friendship and support are conditional

Good vibey green flags might look like:

  • Sharing positive, uplifting experiences together
  • You both have lives and relationships outside of your friendship
  • They celebrate your wins rather than getting jealous
  • You feel comfortable expressing boundaries with one another

Check out some more great friendship checklists here and here!

In Our Boundaries Era

I’ve spent the last couple of years getting into my boundaries era – and ngl it absolutely slaps. Having better boundaries has been insanely helpful with improving my relationships with family, friends, partners, myself, my finances, my phone… Anything you can think of, I’ve slapped a boundary on it. And don’t get me wrong, it can be hard and embarrassing and make you say “ew ew ew” while doing an uncomfortable dance and crying alone in your room. But it’s been completely worth it. Boundaries are a vital form of self-care, and anyone who tells you that it’s selfish to protect yourself is a Bit of a Twerp. Because here’s the thing – anybody who loves you, respects you, and is worth any of your time will be proud of you for looking out for yourself.

As we’ve established, I am not a therapist, I am just a vibey lady who likes boundaries and Taylor Swift. So instead of walking you through the boundary setting process, allow me to direct you to:

Go forth! Block that person, mute that channel, set that bedtime, tell your overbearing auntie that you don’t like it when she pinches your cheek! I believe in you <3

And I extra believe in your ability to forgive me for that YouTube clip <3

Friendship is a Two-Way Street (and other things the Muppets might have said)

Do I need to say more than that heading? Friendship is a two-way street – not only do you have to make sure the friends in your life are right for you, but it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re being a good friend to others. Now, this doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself or your needs to make them happy (boundaries, remember?). But it does mean that it takes two to platonic tango.

Is your friend always the one making plans, taking cute candids of you, and generally romanticising the world into a nicer place for the two of you to be? The emotional labour is very real, so it’s always worth a check-in to make sure you’re contributing equally to the relationship. If you feel like maybe you’re getting your affection wires crossed (not an innuendo), maybe take a love languages quiz and see if there are better ways for you to make each other feel cared about.

Do it for the found family trope. And make some friendship bracelets while you’re at it.


Squad / Tokuda-Hall, Maggie
“Becca moves to an upscale Silicon Valley suburb and is surprised when she develops a bond with girls who belong to the popular clique – and even more surprised when she learns their secrets”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

We used to be friends : a novel / Spalding, Amy
“At the start of their senior year in high school, James (a girl with a boy’s name) and Kat are inseparable, but by graduation, they’re no longer friends. James prepares to head off to college as she reflects on the dissolution of her friendship with Kat while, in alternating chapters, Kat thinks about being newly in love and having a future that feels wide open”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)


The Ivies / Donne, Alexa
“The Ivies, five prep school elites who would kill to get into the colleges of their dreams, has a showdown after Liv gets into Harvard and queen bee Avery does not.” (Catalogue)

How to break up with your friends : finding meaning, connection, and boundaries in modern friendships / Falconer, Erin
“With clear-eyed guidance, you’ll learn how to take stock of those currently in your life, see exactly how you are serving each other, deepen your essential friendships, and, ultimately, have the courageous conversations needed when it’s time to “break up” with others.”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The kid table / Seigel, Andrea
“Explores the quirky dynamics in an extended family full of close-knit cousins who both help and hinder each other as they celebrate holidays and momentous occasions together.” (Catalogue)


Elles 2 : The Elle-Verse / Toussaint, Kid
“Elle is just another teenage girl… most of the time. Bubbly and good-natured, she wastes no time making friends on her first day at her new school. But Elle has a secret: she hasn’t come alone. She’s brought with her a colorful mix of personalities, which come out when she least expects it… Who is Elle, really? And will her new friends stand by her when they find out the truth?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The do-over / Painter, Lynn
“Sixteen-year-old Emilie, stuck in a cosmic Groundhog/Valentine’s Day nightmare where she discovers her family is splitting up and her boyfriend is cheating on her, decides to embark upon The Day of No Consequences, but when her repetitive day suddenly ends, she must face the consequences of her actions.” (Catalogue)

The Raven Boys / Stiefvater, Maggie
“Though she is from a family of clairvoyants, Blue Sargent’s only gift seems to be that she makes other people’s talents stronger, and when she meets Gansey, one of the Raven Boys from the expensive Aglionby Academy, she discovers that he has talents of his own–and that together their talents are a dangerous mix.” (Catalogue)

Three sides of a heart : stories about love triangles
“These top YA authors tackle the much-debated trope of the love triangle, and the result is sixteen fresh, diverse, and romantic short stories you don t want to miss. A teen girl who offers kissing lessons. Zombies in the Civil War South. The girl next door, the boy who loves her, and the girl who loves them both. Vampires at a boarding school. Three teens fighting monsters in an abandoned video rental store.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


What is consent, why is it important, and other big questions / Spilsbury, Louise
“”A detailed look at the concept of consent, how it works, and why it matters. The book encourages children to think about what consent means to them, and about the importance of personal boundaries – both knowing your own, and respecting other people’s. It talks about how to say no, and what to do if you feel your consent has been violated.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


The teenage guide to friends / Morgan, Nicola
“A comprehensive guide to teenage friendships, by award-winning author and well-being expert Nicola Morgan […] Contents include a section on making friends, keeping friendships strong, and what happens when they break down – as well as a look at online friendships, cyber-bullying, toxic friendships and frenemies, and empathy.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The Summer Reading Adventure for Teens Looms on the Horizon

By

On Tuesday, 21 November, 2023

In real life, real problems, stuff to do, stuff to read, troubled teens trying to put their past behind them

Welcome, Adventurer

Is reading kinda your thing? How about slaying dragons? Facing off against a centuries-old archmagus in order to steal his arcane codex so you can use the magic contained therein to pull off similar heists in the future sound like a fun and standard start to your summery mornings?

From 1 December 2023 — 31 January 2024, you are invited to take part in an Adventure — a Summer Reading Adventure, to be precise. In this year’s Summer Reading Adventure, teens aged 13-18 will be able to embark on the journey of a lifetime by reading books; writing, drawing or filming reviews; and completing quests to help you either specialise as one reader class, or multi-class as them all!

Hark — is that the unearthly screech of some otherworldly demon we hear reverberating in the deep places beneath our beloved city?

How to Play

All Adventurers, seasoned or otherwise, need somewhere to start. From the 1st of December, you’ll be able to pick up an Adventurer’s Guide from the library, but you don’t need to wait! Right now, you can head over to our Summer Reading Adventure website to pre-register. You can take part in the Adventure in three different ways, depending on how far you’re willing to take your newfound powers:

  1. Log your reading — tell us how many books you’ve read and you’ll earn mysterious tickets that you can cash in to get a chance to win the Grand Prize of your choosing!
  2. Write, draw or film book reviews — get creative and tell us what you thought about the books you’ve read, and you’ll go in the draw to win fabulous spot prizes as you do.
  3. Complete quests — choose your own adventure and complete up to three unique questlines, following the path that most closely aligns with the type of Adventurer you wish to be.

You mentioned something about quests?

Indeed, questing is possibly the most important part of being an adventurer. The adamantine dragon that has taken up residence in the Cable Car tunnel is unlikely to vanquish itself.

For this Summer Reading Adventure, you can complete quests in three categories:

  • Might: a fitting first choice for an Adventurer! Will you follow the path of axe and spear as a mighty Barbarian; take up sword and shield as a Fighter of the realm; mix sword and warhammer with holy fire as a learned Paladin; or opt for the relative quietude of life as a wise Cleric?
  • Magic: ever has the pen been more mighty than the sword! Will you tame the wild elements as a powerful Sorcerer; accept the bargain of he-who-dwells-between-worlds as a mysterious Warlock; harness the power of books and learning as a scholarly Wizard; or heed the call of the wild as a shapeshifting Druid?
  • Stealth: why bludgeon your enemies with a mace or blow them apart with crude magicks when a soft word in the right ear could be all it takes to ease your passage through this perilous land? Will you use your voice to influence those around you as an inspiring Bard; hone your natural agility as an ascetic Monk; keep yourself and your companions out of harm’s way as a hardy Ranger; or strike from the shadows as a sharp-tongued Rogue?

Each quest you complete helps you further specialise as a Reading Adventurer — complete enough of them, and you can Multi-Class, which puts you in the running to earn some sweet spot prizes.

Reaping Your Reward

As with all good Adventures, these quests come with the tantalising promise of reward for your Herculean (or perhaps Sisyphean) efforts. Each quest chain you complete, or reading milestone you meet, will earn you collectible badges, digital achievements, and the chance to win awesome spot prizes, as well as tickets towards one of our four Grand Prize packs.

Prizes for this year’s Summer Reading Adventure have been generously sponsored by our friends at Ben & Jerry’s, Experience Wellington, Read NZ Te Pou Muramura, Te Papa Press, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia, Staglands, Wētā Workshop, Ye Olde Pinball Shoppe, and Light House Cinema. Keep an eye out on the blog to find out more as the prize packs get announced over the summer.

Get Your Greek On! The Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV Show is Out Soon!

By

On Monday, 20 November, 2023

In fantasy, movies (they're like books that move!), stuff to read

18 years after the release of The Lightning Thief, the Percy Jackson series is finally getting a proper adaptation into live action for the first time!

For the first time!

The FIRST time!

You cannot convince me otherwise.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, why not get our Greek on by reading stories about their oh so wonderful mythology?

Now, where else to start our Greek Mythology bonanza than where it all began. No, not with those old geezers from Greece but Percy Jackson! Why not give the old Lightning Thief a reread for the millionth time (or gods forbid, the first time). How else are you going to be able to go through every new episode of the show knowing exactly what minute detail they miss or change? We’ve got to get our smugness supply somewhere. Here at the library, we have all the Percy Jacksons you could ever want. Obviously we have the book, but that’s not all we got! We got the eBook, the audiobook (on CD (which are those old person things used in cars)), the audiobook again (but this time digital), the terrible movie that does not exist, and the graphic novel! So many options, so many books.

The lightning thief / Riordan, Rick
“After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.” (Catalogue)


But why stop there?

One of the great parts of Percy Jackson is how he takes these millennia-year-old stories (back when the world was still in black and white) and modernises them, retelling them for newer generations. The Lightning Thief is a delightful hodgepodge of various different myths and legends. However, Mr Riordan wasn’t the first person, nor the last, to do this to Greek myth. So lets have a look at other people’s takes on the monsters, deities, heroes, and tales told in The Lightning Thief.

Super minor spoilers for that book ahead.

That time some spooky grandmas knitted a sock ominously

Threads that bind / Hatzopoulou, Kika
“Descendants of the Fates are always born in threes: one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself. The Ora sisters are no exception. Io, the youngest, uses her Fate-born abilities as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante. But her latest job leads her to a horrific discovery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. To find the culprit, she must work alongside Edei Rhuna, the right hand of the infamous Mob Queen—and the boy with whom she shares a rare fate-thread linking them as soul mates before they’ve even met. But the investigation turns personal when Io’s estranged oldest sister turns up on the arm of her best suspect. Amid unveiled secrets from her past and her growing feelings for Edei, Io must follow clues through the city’s darkest corners and unearth a conspiracy that involves some of the city’s most powerful players—before destruction comes to her own doorstep.” (Catalogue)

Sometimes people are just really stubborn about things… Bull-headed, if you will

Bull : a novel / Elliott, David
“A modern twist on the Theseus and Minotaur myth, told in verse. Much like Lin-Manuel Miranda did in Hamilton, New York Times best-selling author David Elliott turns a classic on its head in form and approach, updating the timeless story of Theseus and the Minotaur for a new generation. A rough, rowdy, and darkly comedic young adult retelling in verse, Bull will have readers re-evaluating one of history’s most infamous monsters. — Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

The Gods really need to get better at holding on to their stuff

Daughter of Sparta / Andrews, Claire
“Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing her body and mind into that of a warrior, hoping to be accepted by the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But an unexpected encounter with the goddess Artemis—who holds Daphne’s brother’s fate in her hands—upends the life she’s worked so hard to build. Nine mysterious items have been stolen from Mount Olympus and if Daphne cannot find them, the gods’ waning powers will fade away, the mortal world will descend into chaos, and her brother’s life will be forfeit. Guided by Artemis’s twin—the handsome and entirely-too-self-assured god Apollo—Daphne’s journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythological legends such as Theseus and Hippolyta of the Amazons, and pit her against the gods themselves.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


To be honest, I’m actually quite fond of snakes, I don’t know what all this fuss is about

Medusa / Burton, Jessie
“Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love, betrayal … and destiny itself.” (Catalogue)


The Goddess of Love is a nosey busybody and more trouble than she’s worth

Lovely war / Berry, Julie
“In the perilous days of World Wars I and II, the gods hold the fates — and the hearts — of four mortals in their hands. They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it’s no match for the transcendent power of Love.” (Catalogue)


Going to the underworld? Pshh, what could be so hard about that?

The shadow thieves / Ursu, Anne
“Something extraordinary is about to happen to Charlotte Mielswetzski. It’s not the very cute kitten that appears out of nowhere. It’s not the arrival of her cousin Zee, who believes he’s the cause of a mysterious sickness that has struck his friends back in England. And it’s not the white-faced, yellow-eyed men in tuxedos who follow Charlotte everywhere. What’s so extraordinary is not any one of these things. It’s all of them. Then Charlotte’s friends start to get sick, Charlotte and Zee set out to find a cure. Their quest leads them to a not-so-mythical Underworld, where they face Harpies that love to rhyme, gods with personnel problems, and ghosts with a thirst for blood. Charlotte and Zee learn that in a world overrun by Nightmares, Pain, and Death, the really dangerous character is a guy named Phil. And then they discover that the fate of every person — living and dead — is in their hands.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


Daughter of darkness / Corr, Katharine
“Enter the Underworld in an epic new fantasy, where the Gods of ancient Greece rule everything but fate. Deina is trapped. As one of the Soul Severers serving the god Hades on earth, her future is tied to the task of shepherding the dying on from the mortal world unless she can earn or steal enough to buy her way out. Then the tyrant ruler Orpheus offers both fortune and freedom to whoever can retrieve his dead wife, Eurydice, from the Underworld. Deina jumps at the chance. But to win, she must enter an uneasy alliance with a group of fellow Severers she neither likes nor trusts. So begins their perilous journey into the realm of Hades. The prize of freedom is before her but what will it take to reach it?” (Catalogue)


Even! More! Myths!

Mythos / Fry, Stephen
“The Greek myths are amongst the best stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney. They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. You’ll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia’s revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis. Spellbinding, informative and moving, Stephen Fry’s Mythos perfectly captures these stories for the modern age – in all their rich and deeply human relevance.” (Catalogue)


Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods / Riordan, Rick
“Who could tell the stories of the gods of Olympus better than a modern-day demigod? In this whirlwind tour of Greek mythology, Percy Jackson gives his personal take on the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece, and reveals the truth about how they came to rule the world.” (Catalogue)


Percy Jackson and the Greek heroes / Riordan, Rick
“If you like poisonings, betrayals, mutilations, murders and flesh-eating farmyard animals, keep reading…In this gripping follow-up to Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods, demigod Percy Jackson tells the stories of twelve of the original Greek heroes in all their gory, bloodthirsty glory. Want to know who cut off Medusa’s head? Which hero was raised by a she-bear? Who tamed Pegasus, the winged horse? Percy has all the answers…” (Adapted from Catalogue)


The Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide to… Invincible

By

On Wednesday, 15 November, 2023

In comics and graphic novels, eLibrary, the wellington comic lover's guide to...

Welcome to the Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide, where we take you through the Wellington City Libraries’ collection of a comic book character or series. This post is all about the teenage superhero who doesn’t always live up to his name… Invincible!

(GIF via Giphy)


What is Invincible?

Invincible is a comic series published by Image Comics about the adventures of a young superhero, Invincible. Written by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and drawn by Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley (The Amazing Spider-Man), the series ran for 144 issues, plus a couple of spinoff series.

Invincible was praised for its clever skewering of classic superhero tropes, memorable and well-developed characters, and phenomenal fight scenes that rival nothing else in modern comics. In 2021, Invincible received an animated adaptation on Amazon Prime, and is currently being adapted into a live-action movie.


Who is Invincible?

Mark Grayson is your average high schooler, except that his dad is the hero Omni-Man, a superpowered alien representative from the distant planet Viltrum. When he turns 17, Mark discovers he has superpowers just like his father, including flight, super-strength and invulnerability, and creates his own costumed moniker, Invincible.

Omni-Man takes Invincible under this wing, joining a world already full to the brim with heroes, like Atom Eve, the Teen Team, and the Guardians of the Globe. But as he begins to adjust to his new powers and responsibilities, Mark gets more than he bargained for when he learns the real purpose behind his father’s mission to Earth.


How to read Invincible

We have the entire Invincible series in our collection, and there are a couple different ways you can read it.

Ultimate Collections

The entire Invincible series has been reprinted in twelve giant Ultimate Collections, each volume containing around 12 issues of the series apiece.

Invincible : ultimate collection, Volume 1 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 2 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 3 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 4 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 5 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 6 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 7 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 8 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 9 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 10 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 11 / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 12 / Kirkman, Robert


Original Volumes

We still have most of the original volumes of Invincible from when it was still being published. If you’re waiting on reserves for the Ultimate Collection, these might help you out in the meantime (each catalogue entry will tell you what issues are collected in each volume).

Invincible [4] : head of the class / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [5] : the facts of life / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [6] : a different world / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [7] : three’s company / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [12] : still standing / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [14] : the Viltrumite War / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [15] : get smart / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [16] : family ties / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [17] : what’s happening / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [18] : the death of everyone / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [19] : the war at home / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [21] : modern family / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [22] : reboot / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [23] : full house / Kirkman, Robert

Invincible [24] : the end of all things. Part one / Kirkman, Robert


Compendiums on the eLibrary

We also have the entire series on our eLibrary, Libby!

Invincible. Compendium One (issues #0-47)

Invincible. Compendium Two (issues #48-96)

Invincible. Compendium Three (issues #97-144)


Invincible spinoffs

Not included in the Invincible Ultimate Collections are the spinoff series Guarding the Globe and Invincible Universe. These series focus on a new team of the Guardians of the Globe as they tackle the global crises that spin out of the events of the main Invincible comic.

Guarding the Globe takes place after the Invincible War arc (collected in Ultimate Collection Volume 8), while Invincible Universe takes place after The Death of Everyone arc (collected in Ultimate Collection Volume 9).

Guarding the globe [1] : under siege / Kirkman, Robert

Guarding the globe [2] : hard to kill / Hester, Phil

Invincible Universe. Volume 1 / Hester, Phil

Invincible Universe [2] : above the law / Hester, Phil

Retro Gaming Consoles at Karori Youth Night

By

On Monday, 13 November, 2023

In isn't that cool?, stuff to do, stuff to learn

Young people aged 14— 18 are invited to join us at Karori Library’s last youth night of 2023 on Saturday, 18 November from 5 – 8pm.

Television displays the video game Sonic the Hedgehog

Testing our retro gaming consoles!

These after-hours events are for teens who are into books, gaming, making music, watching movies, crafts, eating pizza, and generally just hanging out!

This month we explore the fourth & fifth generation of gaming consoles from the 16 bit and early era of 3D graphics capabilities! Yes, that does mean the original Sonic the Hedgehog from 1991 will be making an appearance!

The retro consoles we will get a chance to use include the Dreamcast (1999), Sega Megadrive II (1993) and the Nintendo 64 (1996).

Our Youth Nights are totally free (pizza included!) but you do need to be 14+ in order to come, so please come prepared to show your student ID. Once you’re in, our space is yours! Check out the event calendar for more details.

Youth Nights will be back in February, so send any ideas for activities to karori.youthnight@wcc.govt.nz.

Pukapuka about gaming history!  

The greatest stories ever played : video games and the evolution of storytelling / Hansen, Dustin
“A lifelong gamer with over 20-years experience in the gaming industry examines the storytelling skills in some of the most beloved and moving games of the past thirty years in this fun and informative YA non-fiction title”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)
Gamer girls : 25 women who built the video game industry / Kenney, Mary
“Discover the women behind the video games we love–from the iconic games they created, the genres they invented, the studios and companies they built–and how they changed the industry forever. From classic games like Centipede and Solitaire to popular modern games like Final Fantasy, Uncharted, and Halo, this book explores the work and history of 25 influential women in the video game industry and how their contributions ultimately built and transformed the medium that we know today…” (Abridged from catalogue)

Video game creators / Arbona, Alejandro
“Did you know that Nintendo started in the mid-19th century as a playing card company and that the Japanese giant also sold rice and operated taxi cabs? And did you know that the very first video game was called Tennis for Two and was created by a US government scientist named William Higinbotham? Today, video games play a gigantic role in our culture and none of this would have been possible without people like Shigeru Miyamoto, the creative mastermind that turned a failed business venture into the game that eventually inspired him to build Donkey Kong and Mario Bros., or Donna Bailey, who created the arcade sensation video game Centipede…” (Abridged from catalogue)

Gamish : a graphic history of gaming / Ross, Edward
“This… illustrated book transports us through the history of video games, from the pioneering prototypes of the 1950s to the modern era of blockbuster hits and ingenious indie gems. Exploring the people and politics behind one of the world’s most exciting art-forms, this is a love letter to something that has always been more than just a game.”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)

Write Your Heart Out! It’s National Novel Writing Month!

By

On Wednesday, 8 November, 2023

In silly holidays everyone cares about, stuff to write, troubled teens trying to put their past behind them


via GIPHY

Books are great. We all like books here, right? It’d be odd to be on a library blog if you didn’t. But you know, sometimes the books we want to read just aren’t there, because we’re all geniuses with brilliant ideas beyond what mere humankind can comprehend. Which leads us to a problem, we want these books to exist – but they don’t.

Yet.

That, my friend, is where writing comes in. Why wait for some hack other person to write the amazing book in your head, when you yourself can do it! All you need is that little organ in your noggin and some kind of writing utensil. Perhaps even the device you are viewing this on.

It just so happens that this month is none other than National Novel Writing Month, or as its friends know it, NaNoWriMo.

NaNoWriMo is a month-long challenge, celebrating the act of writing, by attempting the gruelling task of writing a novel in a month!


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Well, technically it doesn’t have to be a full novel, with the actual numeric goal being fifty thousand words. So, all of you epic fantasy lovers who want to write a thousand-page tome of a novel that you could kill someone with, you don’t have to write all of it in the month. For reference, fifty thousand words is about half of a Hunger Games or a medium length fanfic. While it may seem overwhelming (and it is a lot to write) if you break it down its only like 1 word a second, or 1.7 thousand words a day.

But why put yourself through this? Why do this marathon of writing?

It’s to give you a goal to strive for, motivation to finally actually start putting those ideas from head to paper (or keyboard). So why not try it, even if you don’t succeed in the big goal, you’ll still have written. You’ll still have some of your brilliant idea put into reality. And remember, you don’t have to write good, you just need to write. It doesn’t matter if what comes out is ‘garbage’, you can always rewrite, rework. But to be able to edit and perfect your creation, you have got to start somewhere.

But maybe you’re new to the whole writing shindig and need some advice on how to write good. No worries, below I have included a collection of helpful “how-to” guides, for you to peruse.

Good luck, and merry writing!


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The tough guide to fantasyland / Jones, Diana Wynne
“A unique guide to fantasy literature helps readers understand such subjects as virginity, why High Priests are always evil, how Dark Lords always have minions, and useful tips on what to do when captured by a Goblin.” (Catalogue)

Spilling ink : a young writer’s handbook / Mazer, Anne
“After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice, accomplished authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix inspirational anecdotes with practical guidance on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot, make revisions, and overcome writer’s block. Fun writing prompts will help young writers jump-start their own projects, and encouragement throughout will keep them at work.” (Catalogue)

Rip the page! : adventures in creative writing / Benke, Karen
“Here are the ideas, experiments, and inspiration to unfold your imagination and get your writing to flow off the page This is the everything-you-need guide to spark new poems and unstick old stories, including lists of big, small, gross-out, and favorite words; adventurous and zany prompts to leap from; dares and double dares to help you mash up truths and lies into outrageous paragraphs; and letters of encouragement written directly to you from famous authors, including: Annie Barrows, Naomi Shihab Nye, Lemony Snicket, C. M. Mayo, Elizabeth Singer Hunt, Moira Egan, Gary Soto, Lucille Clifton, Avi, Betsy Franco, Carol Edgarian, Karen Cushman, Patricia Polacco, Prartho Sereno, Lewis Buzbee, and C. B. Follett. This is your journal for inward-bound adventures–use it to write, brainstorm, explore, imagine–and even rip” (Catalogue)

Dear Ally, how do you write a book / Carter, Ally
“Have you always wanted to write a book, but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’re really great at writing the first few chapters . . . but you never quite make it to the end? Or do you finally have a finished manuscript, but you’re not sure what to do next? Fear not — if you have writing-related questions, this book has answers! Whether you’re writing for fun or to build a career, bestselling author Ally Carter is ready to help you make your work shine. With honesty, encouragement, and humor, Ally’s ready here to answer the questions that writers struggle with the most. Filled with practical tips and helpful advice, Dear Ally is a treasure for aspiring writers at any stage of their careers. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at how books get made, from idea to publication, and gives you insight into the writing processes of some of the biggest and most talented YA authors writing today.”–Amazon.” (Catalogue)


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But I’m not a writer/No way am I doing this fifty thousand words nonsense!

Firstly, thank you for reading through my blog even if you aren’t going to NaNoWriMo. Secondly, I’ll tell you a secret, the goal of 50k, like any goal, is made up, imaginary. The point of the challenge is to get writing, and write to your fullest extent within that time frame. If that extent is just a sentence? That’s fine! You do you! We are all different people and that is amazing! Some people use NaNoWriMo to get started with their poetry!

But what if you wanna celebrate but don’t feel like participating directly – maybe your creative juices have been drained by looming exams?

No worries! The library is, first and foremost, a purveyor of books. So why not read about writing?

Fun fact! The first book here: Fangirl was actually written during NaNoWriMo, and is about writing! Write what you know, I guess.

Fangirl – The Novel / Rowell, Rainbow
“Cath struggles to survive on her own in her first year of college while avoiding a surly roommate, bonding with a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words, and worrying about her fragile father.” (Catalogue)

Fangirl. 1 – The Graphic Novel / Maggs, Sam
“When twin sisters Cath and Wren go to college, Cath fears that it may be time to give up her love of the Simon Snow series, and possibly grow apart from her sister.” (Catalogue)

Brooding YA hero : becoming a main character (almost) as awesome as me / DiRisio, Carrie
“Join Broody McHottiepants as he attempts to pen Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me, a “self-help” guide (with activities–you always need activities) that lovingly pokes fun at the YA tropes that we roll our eyes at, but secretly love.  As his nefarious ex, Blondie DeMeani, attempts to thwart him at every turn, Broody overcomes to detail, among other topics, how to choose your genre, how to keep your love interest engaged (while maintaining lead character status), his secret formula for guaranteed love triangle success, and how to make sure you secure that sequel, all while keeping his hair perfectly coiffed and never breaking a sweat.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Enter title here / Kanakia, Rahul
“Reshma is a college counselor’s dream. She’s the top-ranked senior at her ultra-competitive Silicon Valley high school, with a spotless academic record and a long roster of extracurriculars. But there are plenty of perfect students in the country, and if Reshma wants to get into Stanford, and into med school after that, she needs the hook to beat them all. What’s a habitual over-achiever to do? Land herself a literary agent, of course.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Afterworlds / Westerfeld, Scott
“In alternating chapters, eighteen-year-old Darcy Patel navigates the New York City publishing world and Lizzie, the heroine of Darcy’s novel, slips into the “Afterworld” to survive a terrorist attack and becomes a spirit guide, as both face many challenges and both fall in love.” (Catalogue

The comedienne’s guide to Pride / Thomson, Hayli
“When Taylor is accepted as a finalist for a diverse writers’ internship at Saturday Night Live, it turns her life upside down. And if Taylor wants a shot at winning, she’ll have to come out about both of her secrets: she wants to be a comedian … and she’s a lesbian. The only thing keeping Taylor from self-combusting is her pining for Salem’s most bewitching actress – out and proud classmate, Charlotte Grey. So when Taylor finds herself sitting opposite Charlotte to discuss a school project, Taylor’s simmering need to tell everyone exactly who she is and what she wants burns hotter than ever…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Stand Alone Graphic Novels for Teens with Busy Schedules

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On Monday, 6 November, 2023

In comics and graphic novels, lgbtqia+, stuff to read

It’s that time of year, exams, assignments, school dances and proms, everything is happening and it’s really hard to find time to concentrate on reading anything too lengthy or complex.  Picking up a series right now could be just a bit much in a busy schedule.  But you need some down time, right?  Here’s a list of recent picks of standalone graphic novels for you to give yourself a break with.

Four-color heroes / Fairgray, Richard
“Written and illustrated by Aotearoa/New Zealand-born creator Richard Fairgray, the story is set in a New Zealand high school during the passing of the Civil Union Act 2004. As tensions rose nationwide over the basic equal rights of same-sex couples, two boys were fighting a battle on a smaller scale, against enemies from within and without, as they found love and self-discovery through the pages of a comic book.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Crumbs / Stirling, Danie
“In a very special town, there’s an even more unusual bakery with a selection of baked treats hand-crafted to help your dreams come true. For Ray, a quiet young woman with special powers of her own, the order is always the same: a hot tea with a delicious side of romance. When Ray meets Laurie, the kind barista who aspires to be a professional musician, she gets a real taste of love for the first time. But even with a spark of magic, romance isn’t so simple.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Family style : memories of an American from Vietnam / Pham, Thien
“Thien’s first memory isn’t a sight or a sound. It’s the sweetness of watermelon and the saltiness of fish. It’s the taste of the foods he ate while adrift at sea as his family fled Vietnam. After the Pham family arrives at a refugee camp in Thailand, they struggle to survive. Things don’t get much easier once they resettle in California. And through each chapter of their lives, food takes on a new meaning. And for Thien Pham, that story is about a search… for belonging, for happiness, for the American dream.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Every day : the graphic novel / Levithan, David
“Every morning A wakes in a different person’s body, in a different person’s life, learning over the years to never get too attached, until he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Sunshine : how one camp taught me about life, death, and hope / Krosoczka, Jarrett
“When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. Going into it, Jarrett was worried: Wouldn’t it be depressing, to be around kids facing such a serious struggle? Wouldn’t it be grim? But instead of the shadow of death, Jarrett found something else at Camp Sunshine: the hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. He learned about the captivity of illness, for sure but he also learned about the freedom a safe space can bring.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

In limbo / Lee, Deborah
“Ever since Deborah (Jung-Jin) Lee emigrated from South Korea to the United States, she’s felt her otherness. For a while, her English wasn’t perfect. Her teachers can’t pronounce her Korean name. Her face and her eyes – especially her eyes – feel wrong. In high school, everything gets harder. Friendships change and end, she falls behind in classes, and fights with her mom escalate. But Deb is resilient and slowly heals with the help of art and self-care, guiding her to a deeper understanding of her heritage and herself.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Breath of the giant / Aureille, Tom
“The Giants live in the Lost Territories of the North, atop the mountains. The Ones who find their way there will, by killing one of these beasts, collect his breath and pass it on to a lifeless body. Against the Gods’ will, the deceased will then come back to life. Sisters Iris and Sophia are determined to find one of these Giants. They lost their mother too soon and put all their hopes in this quest. But the journey ahead of them will bring way more than they were bargaining for.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Issunboshi : a graphic novel / Lang, Ryan
“In a feudal Japan where creatures of myth and folklore are real, a demon sets out to reforge an ancient weapon to take over the world. The only person who can stop him is a six-inch-tall would-be samurai, who also happens to be the final and most important piece of the weapon.” (Catalogue)

 

Over my dead body / Boo, Sweeney
“One day, everything was exactly as it was supposed to be. And the next, the closest thing Abby ever had to a sister, Noreen, was just… gone. Distracted by the annual preparations for the Samhain festival, Abby’s classmates are quick to put Noreen’s disappearance aside. The Coven will find her, Abby’s friends say. They have it under control. But Abby can’t let it go. Soon a search for answers leads her down a rabbit hole that uncovers more secrets than Abby can handle.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

NCEA Exams are Looming, but so is Fight Procrastination Day!

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On Saturday, 4 November, 2023

In real life, real problems, silly holidays everyone cares about, stuff to learn, troubled teens trying to put their past behind them

Ah procrastination, our greatest friend and fiercest enemy. In case you didn’t know September 6 is Fight Procrastination Day, where your procrastination gains tangible form and beats you up.

Wait, gimme a second.


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Okay so apparently Fight Procrastination Day is a day where we try to not procrastinate, to do those things we’ve been putting off. I know, I know, it sounds like fantasy, but I have heard from reputable sources that it’s possible.

Apparently.

So-

Now we-

To celebrate???

Man I have no idea where to take this…

Eh

I have time

I’ll do it later


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Oh look at the time, bright and early…. November!?

Wow, I really let my time go. But I put all this effort into… finding a funny holiday? No no, this is fine, we can save this. November, November, what’s in November. Oh yeah! Exams. That totally works.

Now I just have to write something helpful for study…

You know what? Why fix what isn’t broken. Fellow Teen Blogger Alayne already wrote a brilliant study guide for dealing with the looming exams. So like, read that.

Study Hacks to Avoid NCEA Panic Attacks – Teen Blog (wcl.govt.nz)

No it’s not plagiarism, I’m just sending you to where the information is.

The fact I may or may not have run out of time is completely irrelevant.


The book of big excuses / Turner, Tracey
“Need to weasel your way out of blame? Or explain some strange behaviour? This is the book for you – for every type of situation, here are excuses from the historical to the hysterical.” (Catalogue)


 

Oh *&@$! I gotta turn in the blog. Guess I’ll just keep my notes to self in. Content right?

Big Library Read – Artie and the Wolf Moon

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On Wednesday, 1 November, 2023

In horror and spooky stuff, new stuff (ooh, shiny!), stuff to read

The Big Library Read is now underway!

Big Library Read is like a worldwide digital version of a book club! Big Library Read is an opportunity for library users around the whole world to read the same ebook at the same time without any reserves queue!

This year, from 2 until 16th November 2023, the selected title is Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens.

Click here to borrow the book on Libby now!

After sneaking out against her mother’s wishes, Artie Irvin spots a massive wolf—then watches it don a bathrobe and transform into her mom. Thrilled to discover she comes from a line of werewolves, Artie asks her mom to share everything—including the story of Artie’s late father. Her mom reluctantly agrees. And to help Artie figure out her own wolflike abilities, her mom recruits some old family friends. Artie thrives in her new community and even develops a crush on her new friend Maya. But as she learns the history of werewolves and her own parents’ past, she’ll find that wolves aren’t the scariest thing in the woods—vampires are.

– Blurb

Just like a book club, you can contribute to discussion here: https://biglibraryread.com/join-the-discussion/.

Check out a letter from the author, and a discussion guide, over on Big Library Read’s current title page.

If you haven’t already, you can always download Libby on your smartphone as your one-stop-shop eLibrary! eLibrary Help – Getting started (wcl.govt.nz)

Happy reading folks!

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