Tag: Young Adult Fiction

Books From The Vault: Episode 6

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Welcome to our latest exciting and scintillating episode of Books from the Vault, to be found on Wellington City Libraries’ very own podcast channel called Kōtare: Wellington City Libraries Presents. Books from the Vault is a in which three intrepid librarian explorers take an in-depth and fascinating look at some of the treasure trove of titles to be found in our stacks.

Listen now! Books from the Vault: Episode 6

They dive deep into the vaults and unearth some wonderfully diverse books. After a brief description, they go on to talk vividly about the wider aspects of these works and, as an added bonus, discuss a range of linked and associated titles. This latest instalment is a children’s special.

In this episode, one of our CYA Specialists Mary Barnett selects Box by Penelope Todd; a young adult dystopian fantasy book set in Dunedin. Next, Zoë Miller, our Ethnic Communities Engagement Specialist, talks about Emeli Sione’s A New Dawn – a children’s book about the dawn raids of the 1970s and their effects on the community and individuals.

And finally, our Fiction Specialist Neil Johnstone talks about one of his favourite old-time books, The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston. First published in 1954, this is a classic English children’s book with elements of English folk mythology and ghosts, which is also heavily laden with historical detail. Intrigued? You can listen to the full episode here.

To subscribe, you can find all our podcasts on your favourite podcast player, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

Box / Todd, Penelope
“Derik is on the run. Not from the deadly epidemics on the rise in New Zealand but from the ruling government and its efforts to wipe out disease. The authorities have begun Endorsement: a nation-wide drive to implant a device in every citizen, to regulate body chemistry and control emotions. It’s a social experiment the whole world is watching. But Derik wants to think and feel, for himself. Trying to find shelter, he soon discovers he’s not the only one to have turned fugitive.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

A new dawn / Sione, Emeli
“Emeli Stone shares her Dawn Raid story to help us understand the real impact of this dark time in our history.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

 

 

The children of Green Knowe / Boston, L. M.
“It is a classic of its genre a Children’s book that is basically an  English  folk, ghost story that is also heavily laden with historical detail . It is really atmospheric the start is truly a fabulous bit of writing . At times it can be a bit scary and creepy but in a friendly way. An excellent gentle introduction to ghost stories.’ ( Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Continue reading “Books From The Vault: Episode 6” →

Author Interview: Nikky Lee in conversation

Neil


How long can it take to write an epic young adult fantasy novel ?
How do you go about creating an immersive and detailed fantasy world ?
How do you go about writing believable and compelling fantasy creatures ?
What does it take as a writer to bring such a huge project to a successful fruition ?
What is it like to win a PitDark publishing competition ?
And indeed what is a PitDark publishing competition ?

Well, our interview with debut fantasy novelist Nikky Lee reveals the answers to all these questions.

Fantasy novelist Nikky Lee has just released her first full length novel, The Rarkyn’s Familiar. The book  is a thrilling, young adult high fantasy epic tale (the first in a series), set in a wonderfully imagined and detailed fantasy universe.  The tale revolves round a young girl, Lyss, who accidently gets magically bonded to a half bird half  person creature called a Rarkyn; A bond that threatens to drive her mad. The book is a quest tale that features various forms of magic, and a narrative where different types of worlds intersect . At its core, the novel explores themes of acceptance, revenge, redemption and how to deal with anxiety.

Lee grew up in Western Australia and now lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with a husband, a dog and a couch potato cat. Whilst The Rarkyn’s Familiar is Nikky’s first novel, it is far away from her first published work. Nikky has already won a whole host of awards for her short stories, as well as being published in numerous magazines, anthologies. Nikky has also had works broadcasted on the radio.

We are thrilled that Nikky Lee took time out from her very busy schedule to discuss her new book, and we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to her. For more information visit www.nikkythewriter.com.

This interview was done in conjunction with Caffeine and Aspirin, the arts and entertainment review show on Radioactive FM. You can hear the interview below. You can also place a reserve for The Rarkyn’s Familiar which is due into the library soon, for details see below.

Rarkyn’s Familiar. / Lee, Nikky
“A perfect story for fans of Sarah J. Maas’ THRONE OF GLASS. An orphan bent on revenge. A monster searching for freedom. A forbidden pact that binds their fates. Lyss had heard her father’s screams, smelled the iron-tang of his blood. She witnessed his execution. And plotted her revenge. Then, a violent encounter traps Lyss in a blood-pact with a Rarkyn from the otherworld, imbuing her with the monster’s forbidden magic-a magic that will erode her sanity. To break the pact, she and the Rarkyn must journey to the heart of the Empire. All that stands in their way are the mountains, the Empire’s soldiers, and Lyss’ uneasy alliance with the Rarkyn. But horrors await them on the road-horrors even Rarkyns fear. The most terrifying monster isn’t the one Lyss travels with. It’s the one that’s awoken inside her. Monsters of a feather flock together.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

#TheFaultInOurStars Giveaway

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To celebrate the cinematic release of the much anticipated film adaptation of John Green’s celebrated book Wellington City Libraries in association with 20th Century Fox New Zealand are giving away 10 double passes to The Fault In Our Stars. To enter click here.

Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them – and us – on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous, given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. The Fault In Our Stars, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love.

John Green is the bestselling author of many titles including Looking For Alaska, An Abundance Of Katherines, and Paper Towns.

Science Fiction author, John Christopher dies

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Syndetics book coverThe well-known British Science Fiction author John Christopher has died aged 90. His real name was Christopher Samuel Youd, but he wrote under eight pseudonyms, with John Christopher, being the best known. A prolific writer, he was awarded the Guardian Award in 1976 for his children’s novel, The Guardians. His first major success as a writer came with his science fiction novel, The Death of Grass, published in 1956 and republished in 2009. It was adapted into film in 1970, as No Blade of Grass. He began writing science fiction for young adults in 1966, with the Tripods Trilogy, that became a quartet with A Pool of Fire, published in 1988. The Tripods novels were adapted into a television series.

Ten Books: Crossover

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With the recent popularity of books like Twilight, The Book Thief, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, young adult literature is being increasingly noticed by readers who wouldn’t necessarily call themselves young adults any more. But young is a state of mind, and here are a few young adult titles that less young adults might enjoy, and find relevant.

  1. The Piper’s Son, Melina Marchetta. We can’t say enough good things about Melina Marchetta. The Piper’s Son examines grief, family, forgiveness, and love, following an almost-year in the life of 22 year old Tom McKee and his 42 year old aunt Georgie in the wake of some significant family disasters.
  2. The King of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner. Again, there aren’t enough good things. The King of Attolia is the third book in a series that contains more spoilers and plot twists than you can poke a stick at, making it rather difficult to describe. There are political subtleties and intrigues that are more than suitable for an adult reader. The first in the series is The Thief, but there’s a time paradox thing going on, in that Megan Whalen Turner says that The King spoils The Thief, but also The Thief spoils The King. Tis true, so where to start? I suppose it doesn’t really matter.
  3. The 10 pm Question, Kate De Goldi. If you haven’t already read it, then make sure you do! Although be warned, this book is most likely to make you think you may require therapy (and if you don’t think this while reading it then you’re certainly okay). Frankie’s worries about life and his family are so real it’s scary, but the story’s so good it doesn’t get bogged down in a pit of anxious depression. Loved the bird game.
  4. Dreamhunter, Elizabeth Knox. Again, if you haven’t you must. It took a while to get my bearings in this alternate world, but once there it’s like the inside of a dream and at the same time completely real (as dreams are). I like how practical and intelligent Elizabeth Knox’s female characters are especially, and have to admire fantasy that is exactly that, not derived from someone else’s imagined world, or Norse legend (it’s nice for variety). The story concludes with Dreamquake, and the two volumes have been published together as the wrist-breaking The Invisible Road.
  5. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, M T Anderson. The first volume is The Pox Party and the second The Kingdom on the Waves. Set in 18th century Boston, The Astonishing Life tells the story of Octavian, son of an African princess , who is the subject of an experiment into the learning capacity of different races, survives and flees the titular pox party to fight in the second volume for Lord Dunmore, the British governor of Virginia, in the hope of being freed. M T Anderson’s book Feed is also popular with book clubs.
  6. The Knife of Never Letting Go, Patrick Ness. The first book in the much praised Chaos Walking trilogy. The story is set in a dystopian future when good Christians have settled the planet New World, and where 12 year old Todd lives in the male-only settlement of Prentisstown. The inhabitants’ thoughts can all be heard – called the Noise – and things kick off when Todd and his dog hear a silence in the Noise. Fast paced and gritty.
  7. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You, Peter Cameron. Often mentioned in connection with The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. James Sveck is in the in between between high school and college, which would be an interesting time, except if you’re a jaded, brilliant pessimist who confesses to not liking people and who doesn’t know how to relate to the one person he does actually like. James’ narration is the star of the show in this often bleak, sometimes funny story.
  8. Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones. Another must read if you haven’t already. Especially if you’ve seen and liked the film by Hayao Miyazaki, although the film and the book are quite different in their fantasy-ness (one is very Hayao Miyazaki and the other is very Diana Wynne Jones). Howl is a talented yet flawed wizard and lives in a moving castle, courtesy of a fire demon named Calcifer; Sophie is a plucky teenager who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up an old lady who then ends up as Howl’s cleaning lady and conscience, and all the while there is the Witch of the Waste and much complex, dastardly magic. Trivia: both The King of Attolia and The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (see #2) contain a quote from HMC (being “What a lie that was”).
  9. Bog Child, Siobhan Dowd. Set in Ireland at the time of Bobby Sands’ hunger strike (see the movie Hunger, directed by Steve McQueen, R-16), Bog Child tells the story of Fergus (whose brother has joined the hunger strike) who travels across the Northern Irish border (south) to steal peat and digs up the body of a child who appears to be murdered. His story and that of Mel, the bog child, are interwoven in this excellent story by the late Siobhan Dowd.
  10. Tender Morsels, Margo Lanagan. A revisioning of the Grimm ‘Snow White and Rose Red’ fairytale, lyrically written but with a dark underbelly. The book has simultaneously caused swirling controversy and won acclaim (see this Guardian article, for example ). Lanagan was recently in Wellington for the Readers and Writers week, and wrote favourably about Wellington in her blog (even with the bad weather).