Information for Seniors

New Books at the Library

The life and times of Auckland: the colourful story of a city
By Gordon McLauchlan. (2008)
" Since pre-European times, Auckland has been culturally different from the rest of the country. Today, it is culturally and ethnically diverging further. Its city life is a rowdy coming together of diverse people, implicit with opportunity and excitement. As described in the book, Auckland's past is no different from its present and packed with colourful stories." (Cover)
book jacketDolls' houses: from the V&A Museum of Childhood
By Halina Pasierbska. (2008)
"This beautifully illustrated book highlights the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood's world class collection of dolls' houses. They are micrcosms of the eras in which they were created, tracing their development from German miniature houses intended as teaching aids and the exquisite Dutch cabinet houses illustrating the wealth and worldy links of their owners, to the dolls' houses of today. The specially commissioned photography reveals the astonishing skill and craft required to create a home in this mineature scale - showing every detail of household life." (Cover)
book jacketThe resistance: the French fight against the Nazis
By Matthew Cobb. (2009)
"The French resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II was a struggle in which ordinaary people fought for their liberty, despite terrible odds and horrifying repression. This bvook captures both the complexity and high drama of the French resistance, and how it became part of the establishment at the end of the war." (Cover)
book jacketMagnificent desolation: the long journey home from the moon
By Buzz Aldrin with Ken Abraham. (2009)
"Forty years ago, Buzz Aldrin became the second human - minutes after Neil Armstrong - to set foot on the Moon. The event remains one of mankind's greatest achievements and Aldrin described what he saw as 'magnificent desolation'. Made famous by this event, few know the rest of the story. Here Aldrin gives us a harrowing account of the lunar landing that came within seconds of failure, and his view of the space programme. He talks of his trials - and triumphs -back on Earth. From glory of being part of the mission that fulfilled President Kennedy's challenge to reach the Moon, Aldrin returned home to an Air Force career stripped of purpose or direction other than as a public relations tool that NASA used in a nonstop world tour. The twin demons of depression and alcoholism emerged - the first Aldrin confronted early and publicly and the second he met with denial until it nearly killed him. This is the human story of a genuine hero." (Amazon.co.uk)
book jacketTout sweet: hanging up my high heels for a new life in rural France
By Karen Wheeler. (2009)
"This is such a great read it's an extremely funny and true account of a woman starting a new life in France....alone. While seeking to attract a handsome and 'useful' male, the author is equally dodging unsuitables. You cannot help but love her natural enthusiasm and her fun personality. Karen Wheeler's writing brings her experiences vividly to life to make this first book a real page turner. Hilarious and brilliant." (Amazon.co.uk reviewer)
book jacketWildflower: an extraordinary life and untimely death in Africa
By Mark Seal. (2009)
"The biography of dedicated and world-reknowned environmentalist, Joan Root, who murdered in her home beside Kenya's beautiful Lake Naivasha. Was this a random murder or a contract killing by enemies she had made in her efforts to protect Kenya's wildlife? This is an inspirational history covering her early days in Kenya, her personal life, and groundbreaking wildlife filmmaking and protection of her lakeshore community's fragile ecosystem." (Cover)

Large Print Collection

These books have print that is larger than usual. The collection is available at Central and all branches. You can find the recent additions to our Large Print collection, or all the Large Print items in our catalogue. All Large Print titles are available to borrow or reserve. If you need to any of our staff can show you how to make your own reserves from our public access catalogues or from your home computer.


Staff Picks:

book jacketA taste to die for
By J.G. Goodhind. (2007)
"Chefs can be arrogant, competitive and downright murderous at times, so when Bath International Taste Extravaganza (BITE for short) organize a best chef competition, Honey Driver, the Hotels' Association police liaison officer, senses trouble. Her instinct proves correct when the winning chef is found dead in his own kitchen. Then a second, and a third...On top of this Honey's mother has fallen for the charms - and the white Rolls Royce - of a wealthy butcher, supplier to the catering trade. Is he after her mother's body - well preserved as it is - or is he after the hotel's meat order? Honey's own relationship with dishy DCI Doherty is on hold. He's too tired, and the pressure is on to find the murderer. Is this a case of past grievances? And once it's solved, will Honey finally get her man? " (Amazon.co.uk)
book jacketPlaying the enemy: Nelson Mandela and the game that made a nation
By John Carlin. (2009)
"In June 1995, Nelson Mandela conquered the hearts of white South Africa and united his country, black and white, behind their rugby team. This is the extraordinary story of the journey until the day of the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup when the Springboks faced New Zealand's all-conquering All Blacks. At stake was not a sporting trophy but the country. When Nelson Mandela appeared wearing a Springboks jersey and led the all-white Afrikaner-dominated team in singing South Africa's new national anthem, he conquered the hearts of white South Africa. This book tells the extraordinary human story of how that moment became possible. It shows how a sport, once the preserve of South Africa's Afrikaans-speaking minority, came to unify the new rainbow nation, and how, occasionally, something as simple as a game really can help people to rise above themselves and see beyond their differences." (Amazon.co.uk)
book jacketThe dog whisperer: how to train your dog using its own language
By Graeme Sims. (2009)
"Reverend Graeme Sims's fifteen dogs follow his every command as if they can read his mind. But their willingness is down to an enlightened training method using his technique of dog whispering, which is based on the idea of treating the dogs as partners not as servants and human and dog learning to understand each other. This detailed, step-by-step instruction book shows you how to communicate properly with your dog, including guidelines on: how to choose the right breed, or whether you're the right owner for a dog, and other training tips." (Amazon.co.uk)
book jacket Godiva
By Nerys Jones. (2008)
"This novel is one of the most moving and profound I have read for years. The precision of the historical detail and the generosity of the characterisation make it an enjoyable book from which you can learn and upon which you can reflect." (Amazon.co.uk reviewer)

Sound and Vision

Did you know there are discounts on with your Community Services Card on DVD, video, CD and cassette? See our Borrowing page for more details.


Staff Picks:

dvd cover Man of the year
Comedy superstar Robin Williams plays Tom Dobbs, a comedian who made it to the top by telling it like it is. When he decides to run for President to unleash his trademark comic rants on the powers-that-be, something extraordinary happens - he wins! This irreverent comedy hit shows that computers are fallible. with an all-star cast this could be the best comedy of the year!" Produced, written and directed by Barry Levinson. Universal Pictures, 2007.
English for the deaf/hard of hearing."
Last year in Marienbad
"Originally produced as a motion picture in 1960, by Alain Resnais set in a baroque spa hotel, an unnamed sophisticate attempts to persuade a similarly unnamed married woman that they have not only previously met, but that they were also romantically involved and had planned to elope together. The woman recalls no such encounter and so begins a sensual and philosophical examination of the uncertainty of truth.".
Grand Prize, Venice Film Festival
In French with English subtitles.
dvd cover Trials of life. The complete series Man of the year
Still one of the most comprehensive wildlife documentaries ever made. "The Trials of Life" examines animal behaviour in all its infinite variety and in doing so we are allowed to witness some of the most enchanting animal personalities, as well as some of the most fearsome. Leaving parents, searching for food, building a home, finding a mate; each day brings a new test, a challenge for even the fittest and best adapted animal. Taking some three and a half years to make, David Attenborough travelled almost a quarter of a million miles to complete this fascinating and insightful documentary" BBC TV production in association with ABC and Turner Broadcasting System Inc. 2007.

Featured Magazine

Taste
This monthly magazine has lots of recipes, as you would expect, and all the ingredients are readily available in New Zealand. Interesting articles on regional food, teen food or fresh ideas for times when you want something a little different. Recipes usually are short and straightforward, and can be usually be made within the hour - obviously not for slow cooking like soups, cassoulet, pot roasts etc. Interviews and book reviews this is a great 'foodie' magazine.

Found in the Food and Wine magazines, on the first floor of the Central Library's Science and Humanities magazine collection (North End).

Mezzanine Community Centre Reopened:

Reopened for Senior Groups to carry out activities and meetings, from Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm. At the moment the following programme is running:

Time: Event:
Mondays 2.00pm - 3.30pm English Conversation Classes
Thursdays 10.00am - 11.30am Beginners Ballroom Dancing
Fridays 10.00am - 11.30am Tai Chi Classes
4th Tuesday of the month, 10am - 2pm Embroidery Group
Last Wednesday of the month, 1.30pm - 3.30pm Grey Power Central

Also available are...

Basic Computer Training:

Basic computer training is available at $2.00 per hour, please fill in the booking sheet, which is situated on the computer table and the tutor will contact you to arrange a suitable time.

Free Legal Advice:

Wellington Community Law Centre offer free legal advice here each Thursday from 1.15pm.

Interested? Get in touch:

If you belong to a senior group and would like to use this space to meet or carry out an activity Monday - Friday between 9.30am - 3.30pm, please contact:

Helen Young, Community Advisor, Seniors
Wellington City Council, Phone: 801 3532

 

Popular Home