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New Books at the Library

Syndetics book coverKate / Sean Smith.
"The uplifting story of the woman who overnight became one of the most famous celebrities in the world. In this definitive biography of England's newest princess, Sean Smith has retraced the steps of Kate's journey, from her childhood in rural Berkshire and her unhappy time as a victim of school bullies, to her transformation from a plain, gangly girl into the beauty she is today. He reveals the true story of how the romance with William blossomed at St Andrews University and how they managed to survive as a couple after the relationship hit the rocks in 2007, becoming stronger with a firm commitment to each other that they were for keeps. He examines Kate's time spent as a royal apprentice and her evolving role as an ambassador for British fashion. The story ends in Westminster Abbey where Kate and William married, describing all the glamour and spectacle of their big day" (Global Books).

Syndetics book coverThe 1970s : a new global history from civil rights to economic inequality / Thomas Borstelmann.
"The 1970s looks at an iconic decade when the cultural left and economic right came to the fore in American society and the world at large. While many have seen the 1970s as simply a period of failures epitomized by Watergate, inflation, the oil crisis, global unrest, and disillusionment with military efforts in Vietnam, Thomas Borstelmann creates a new framework for understanding the period and its legacy. He demonstrates how the 1970s increased social inclusiveness and, at the same time, encouraged commitments to the free market and wariness of government. As a result, American culture and much of the rest of the world became more--and less--equal." (Drawn by publisher's description)

Syndetics book coverUnfair trade : how big business exploits the world's poor- and why it doesn't have to / Conor Woodman.
"Why the world's poor continue to lose out in the global market - and what can be done about it. How is it that our favourite brands can import billions of pounds' worth of goods from the developing world every year, and yet leave the people who produce them barely scraping a living? Is it that big business is incompatible with the eradication of poverty? And, if so, are charity and fair trade initiatives the only way forward? In 'Unfair Trade' Conor Woodman traces a range of products back to their source to uncover who precisely is benefitting and who is losing out. He goes diving with lobster fishermen in Nicaragua who are dying in their hundreds to keep the restaurant tables of the US well stocked. He ventures into war-torn Congo to find out what the developed world's insatiable demand for tin means for local miners. And he risks falling foul of the authorities in Laos as he covertly visits the country's burgeoning rubber plantations, established to supply Chinese factories that in turn supply the West with consumer goods. In the process, he tests accepted economic wisdom on the best way to create a fairer world - and suggests a simpler but potentially far more radical solution." (Global Books)

Syndetics book coverThe letters of Ernest Hemingway / edited by Sandra Spanier and Robert W. Trogdon.
""The collected Hemingway letters will be enthusiastically welcomed by the scholarly world as well as the legion of Hemingway enthusiasts around the world. He is not only one of the most important 20th-century writers in the world, but a fascinating and frank letter writer. This collection will be an invaluable addition to the world of letters."--Noel Riley Fitch." (Syndetics summary)

Syndetics book coverColour in the garden / Val Bourne.
"What a very useful book! It is a visual delight - a true feast for the eyes - with gorgeous pictures, mostly close-ups showing in superb detail many of the plants recommended for specific times of the year, while the more panoramic views very cleverly illustrate the mood of the season under discussion in each chapter. Possibly even more important for the reader, however, is the certain knowledge that this book is the distilled wisdom of a very experienced and "hands-on" gardener who has used these plant combinations to excellent effect in her own garden." (Amazon.co.uk)

Large Print Collection

These books have print that is larger than usual. The collection is available at Central Library and all the branches. You can find these books in the catalogue. All Large Print titles are available to borrow or reserve. If you need assistance, please phone in or ask any of our staff to show you how to place a reserve from our public access catalogue or from your home computer.

Staff Picks:

All My Patients Kick and Bite: More Favorite Stories from a Vet's Practice.
"The highly amusing, uplifting and entertaining follow-up to 'All My Patients Have Tales'. In this second collection by our intrepid vet, Jeff Wells has his work cut out for him when he learns that llamas do not take kindly to having their toenails trimmed, dog owners in the medical field can be a real pain, Scottish Highland cattle stick together and just might run a vet out of their enclosure, and fixing an overly amorous burro often needs to be prioritized. Told with Wells's trademark humor and gentle touch, these and many other heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny and strange stories will give readers a whole new appreciation for those who care for our pets.” (Global Books)

Stalin ate my homework / Alexei Sayle.
"Alexei Sayle was born in Liverpool on the day egg rationing came to an end. His family ate salad. They read the Soviet Weekly. They travelled on transcontinental trains, and in the back of futuristic limousines. They saw Communism in action and ate strange smelling sausages. His mother was very keen on boiled eggs and the Moscow State Circus. Teachers were scared of her. His father was a union leader who made friends wherever he went. He thought he was fluent in Esperanto. Alexei became a member of the Czechoslovakian Young Pioneers. Sometimes he was bored and other times confused. He thought he might be a great athlete, or maybe a famous artist. He spent a lot of time inventing complex explanations for the bizarre behaviour of grown-ups. Slowly it dawned on him that telling stories was a good way of making sense of his perplexing world." (Global Books)

Sound and Vision

Did you know there are discounts with your Leisure Card on reserves, DVDs, CDs, videos and cassettes? See our Borrowing page for more details.

You can also browse through our elibrary and use your card to download audiobooks and transfer them to your own portable device e.g. iPods, iPhones, MP3 players etc. Take a guided tour and check out our collection of available downloadable material

Staff Picks:

The tempest [videorecording] / a film by Julie Taymor.
"This modern retelling of William Shakespeare's final masterpiece is an exciting, mystical, and magical fantasy. Exiled to a magical island, the sorceress Prospera conjures up a storm that shipwrecks her enemies, and then unleashes her powers for revenge." (Publisher's description)

Alley urchin [sound recording] / by Josephine Cox ; read by Maggie Ollerenshaw.
"By 1870 Emma Grady has spent seven years of servitude as a convict in Australia. Now having earned her ticket of leave, she lives for the day when she will return to Marlow Tanner, the man she loves, whose child she had borne and lost. She cannot know that the child she has given up for dead is being lovingly raised by Marlow's sister. Young Molly grows up to be an expert pickpocket, but her fierce loyalty to the woman who cares for her earns her the admiration of all. Will Emma ever be reunited with Marlow? And what of the child lost to both of them?." (Publisher's description)

Useful websites

  • The Seniornet site contains comprehensive and up to date or their activities. Great for help on anything you may be trying to do on the net.
  • The British Library has an online gallery called Sacred which 'discovers' what we share. With videos, podcasts and interactive features to complement the sacred texts you can discover how Judaism, Christianity and Islam have so much in common.
  • Sermons by Bible: these are available on an American website. These are from the Old and New Testaments. You can also search for sermons by topic, speaker, staff pics and top sermons.
  • WCL's guide for mature employment seekers or jobseekers over 45
  • University of the Third Age (U3A)
    Generally known as U3A, the University of the Third Age is a fast growing, informal learning environment for older adults. Each U3A group offers a range of small classes, discussion groups and larger meetings with visiting speakers. Classes are often held in private homes and are held in the daytime to suit retired people. Costs are kept to a minimum. This is a university in the original sense of the word, open to all with no admission requirements, no examinations and no awards. To locate a New Zealand branch, try U3A Online
    and for Wellington click on the link above.
  • Grownups (www.grownups.co.nz)
    This site caters for the 50+ community. Includes everything you could possibly want/need.
  • NZedge (www.nzedge.com)
    Home to a global community of New Zealanders, a new way of thinking about our identity, people, stories, achievements and role in the world. Travellers may enjoy NZedge with its great links for other NZ sites, and for connecting NZ expatriots to each other.
  • Age Concern (www.ageconcern.org.nz)
    Age Concern is a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation working to promote the rights and well being of older people, koroua and kuia. Positive ageing is not about how to live longer nor how to avoid growing old. Its about celebrating older age. It provides information and services including accredited visiting, elder abuse and neglect prevention, and health promotion. There is much information on resources available for older people and ageing issues. It has links to other national and international websites.
  • Eldernet (www.eldernet.co.nz)
    This site provides relevant and comprehensive information about services available for older people. It includes a database of resthomes, residential care and retiremment villages, home help, community groups and public hospitals.
  • Funding Information Service (www.wcl.govt.nz/mygateway/commfund.html)
    If your community group is looking for funding use this free database to find which is the best source for your needs.
  • The Retirement Commission of New Zealand is largely devoted to financial issues, there is much food for thought.
  • Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center
    Contains thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, definitions, directories, and information on: Fitness, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Prescription Drugs, Herbal remedies, and alternative or complementary treatments, and more.
  • SeniorNet
    Gives people over the age of 55 an opportunity to learn more about the new communication and information technology. With learning centres throughout the country, there's sure to be one located conveniently for you.
  • Raising Grandchildren
    A New Zealand site that aims to provide support to grandparents who are primary caregivers to grandchildren in difficult circumstances and to ensure fair treatment from the legal and child protection services in New Zealand, in order to stabilise and normalise the lives of the children involved.
 

Design: Luka Cvrk - Solucija | Last updated, Wednesday 27 April.

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