Wellington City Libraries

We have moved!

2008-04-03T18:02:00.000+13:00

You can find our new blog here

Race Relations Day 2008

2008-03-19T12:19:00.005+13:00

Each year, 21 March is observed around the world as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The theme this year is "We all sit under the same stars". Because Race Relations Day falls on Good Friday, the official day of celebration will be Tuesday, 18 March.

What's on offer?

There will be activities and displays on at Wellington libraries for the whole week (17 to 20 March). A full schedule of events is available on our kids' Events page - we'll be making earth people, putting on performances and activities and much more!

Questionable culinary creations

2008-03-18T09:15:00.002+13:00

In this month's cooking recent picks, explore the cheese ripening caves of Tallegio, the underground cellars of Gorgonzola and the alpine delights of Gruyere; read James Lileks's acerbic, off-the-wall commentary on a remarkable assortment of questionable culinary creations from the golden age of American cookery and ads heralding the latest in kitchen technology (a bacon-egger?); and discover Italian regional cooking, Sardinian-style.

Best of 2007 - DVDs

2008-03-17T09:31:00.003+13:00

Continuing our theme of 'best of 2007', on our Movies page you'll find our picks for best DVD releases of 2007.

Best of 2007 - CDs

2008-03-12T18:10:00.004+13:00

Yes, it's that time. The time to separate the wheat from the chaff, the good from the bad. Over on our Popular Music page you'll find our picks for the best CDs of the past year.

Sublime Frequencies

2008-03-11T12:26:00.006+13:00

A new addition to the library catalogue is 24 CDs from Seattle publisher Sublime Frequencies. These are largely field recordings and radio collages from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and particularly South East Asia, and capture a slice of culture and history that can never be replicated. Highly recommended for an entertaining and eclectic look at the hidden corners of world music. The CDs are scattered throughout the world collection but can be found by doing a series search on Sublime Frequencies.

Shrunken heads and okapis' tongues

2008-03-01T14:35:00.004+13:00

Did you know that the okapi has such a long tongue that it can reach up to lick and clean its own eyes? Animal facts, genetics, elephants, Sir Edmund Hillary and all kinds of stuff to make: just some of the books highlighted in March's Kids Non-Fiction picks.

Out of Reach: the forbidden bookshelf

2008-02-27T12:04:00.003+13:00

Events continue at Johnsonville, Karori and Central Library: join Lynne Jackett, Iona McNaughton, Don Long and others after school this week as they read banned books. The Kids' events page has full details.

Out of Reach - the forbidden bookshelf

2008-02-22T17:10:00.003+13:00

Wellington City Libraries in partnership with the Wellington branch of the NZ Society of Authors are running a week long programme from Monday 25 February to Friday 29 February that seeks to highlight the occurrence of banning, sanitising and challenging children's books both here and internationally.

Books that have been banned or challenged around the world will be on display at Johnsonville, Karori, Newtown, Kilbirnie and Central libraries. Children attending class visits will be involved in discussions about whether certain books should ever have been banned or restricted in the first place. The main events for the week are a programme of readings from banned or challenged books by well known children's book writers, illustrators and librarians, and a celebrity debate: "Not enough children's books are banned in New Zealand".

Programme details are available on our kids' Events page, along with short biographies of the authors, librarians, Members of Parliament and illustrators involved in the readings and debate.

Wadestown Library to close for upgrading

2008-02-22T17:07:00.001+13:00

Wadestown library will be closed from Wednesday 27 February to Saturday 1 March so new mobile shelving can be installed. The shelves will allow more space for library and community events.

While the library is closed, users can return books through the after-hours slot. The Friday story time session will be held at Karori Library at 10.30am. Reserved items can be collected from Cummings Park Library, Ottawa Road, Ngaio.

The Community Co-ordinator's office will be closed, but you can still contact her on 499 1825.

The library will reopen on Monday 3 March at 10am. We apologise for any inconvenience.

For further details please contact: Karl Gaskin or Jill Spackman on 479 2344.

New Zealand's 4th Most Popular Folk Parody Duo

2008-02-21T17:51:00.004+13:00

In this month's DVD recent picks you'll find Season One of the Flight of the Conchords TV show; plus, learn how Star Trek and its poster-boy, William Shatner, inspired a generation of scientists in 'How William Shatner Changed the World'. (The original Motorola cell phone, affectionately called "the brick", was inspired by the classic Star Trek communicator...) Also included this month, 'Perfume', 'Becoming Jane', 'Knocked Up', 'The Bourne Ultimatum', 'SherryBaby' and more.

The art of simple food

2008-02-18T12:22:00.002+13:00

The art of simple food, kitchen chronicles from an undercover food critic, how to cook everything vegetarian (with vegan options), bistro cooking at home and Italian food - all in our cooking recent picks this month.

Previously,

2008-02-07T15:39:00.000+13:00

"Do you know what Jack was doing before he climbed the beanstalk? Or what Jack and Jill were arguing about before they went up the hill? And what happened before that? This book helps you find out what your favourite storybook characters were up to previously - because every story, every person and everything started somewhere!" (Amazon)

'Previously', by Alan Ahlberg is one of our picture book recent picks this month, along with Captain Pugwash, Raymond Briggs's 'Father Christmas', a horde of rascally rodents and some very stubborn mules. Have a look!

Te Ra o Waitangi: Waitangi Day

2008-02-04T10:14:00.000+13:00

Celebrate Waitangi Day in Waitangi Park at the Wellington City Libraries Story Tent, featuring a series of marvellous Maui myths that will enthral all ages told by storyteller and writer Moira Wairama.

Telling Times:

12.15 Maui finds his whanau and the Jawbone
12.45 How Maui used the Jawbone
1.15 Maui makes mischief

The Details:

When? Wednesday 6 February 2008

Where? Waitangi Park

Also check out our pathways to Whakapapa research

Extreme pumpkins

2008-02-01T16:22:00.000+13:00

Our craft recent picks bring you metal clay jewellery, a full-colour guide to pumpkin carving that's truly frightening, quilted bags and totes and Japanese quilt blocks.

Hedgehog warriors and winged skeletons

2008-01-30T19:13:00.000+13:00

This month our science fiction & fantasy recent picks feature apocalyptic worlds of magic and technology. Alien faster-than-light drives with dubious ethical origins, an earth riddled with tunnels that penetrate its depths and send demons boiling up through our subways and basements, alternate realities ruled by powerful, mafia-like families, and magical kingdoms with lyrical names deserted by all but a few residents. "From the Lake of the Dead and the City of Marrow, to the artists who remain behind in a ghost city of spice, here are stories of hedgehog warriors and winged skeletons, loyal leopards and sparrow calligraphers."

Purposeful, Original and Pithy

2008-01-24T17:02:00.000+13:00

In our January management recent picks - create a message that stands out with POP, survive a downturn and use best practice to prepare a winning bid or proposal.

Why eating bogeys is good for you...

2008-01-23T15:10:00.000+13:00

"Ever wondered why we have tonsils? What's the best way to cure hiccups? And if kangaroos keep babies in their pouches, what happens to all the poo? Mitchell Symons answers all these wacky questions and plenty more in 'Why eating bogeys is good for you... and other crazy facts explained'." Got a weird, wacky or wonderful question? Get it answered in our January kids' non-fiction recent picks.

Boys get anorexia too

2008-01-22T12:37:00.000+13:00

In our health recent picks this month read the life stories of six teenagers with Asperger Syndrome and how they feel AS has shaped their lives so far, master the art of running and read Jenny Langley's account of how anorexia affects boys/men too. "A much needed resource for other parents in similar situations."

Library hours - temporary changes

2008-01-19T13:51:00.000+13:00

All our libraries will be closed for Wellington Anniversary Day on Monday 21 January 2008. Libraries will resume normal hours on Tuesday 22 January.

Cummings Park Library will be closed for refurbishment from Saturday 26th January to Saturday 2nd February. For more information, see the CPk branch library pages

Sir Edmund Hillary, 1919-2008

2008-01-11T16:01:00.000+13:00

In some ways I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander: I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to succeed. -- Sir Edmund Hillary

These very self-effacing and unassuming words embody Sir Edmund Hillary who died today, aged 88. A New Zealand icon, he shot to fame in 1953 with his and climbing partner Tenzing Norgay's ascent of Everest.

Wellington City Libraries has collected a page of resources on Sir Edmund Hillary. These include a link to The Times' 1953 article, Everest Conquered : Hillary And Tensing Reach The Summit, written after the news of his and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay's successful climb spread around the world (to access the article you'll need to log in with your library card number and surname). You'll also find many books and website links about this 20th century New Zealand legend on our Kids' Catalogue.

Churchill and Roosevelt

2008-01-09T12:12:00.000+13:00

The war in Sicily and Italy 1943-44, America and the Korean War, the origin of the term 'Iron curtain', the Royal Navy in 1758, Indian England, the Goths and the 4.4 million year-old story of human history (just briefly in 612 pages), are among the subjects of our latest history picks.

Bloodthirsty long-dead forests and manifold minions

2008-01-08T09:15:00.000+13:00

Legendary heroes, ancient evils, a poet-sorceror, deadly assassins, dragons, untold destruction and eternal darkness - all in our latest science fiction and fantasy picks. Plus, book two of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant from Stephen Donaldson, and the next book in Naomi Novik's Temeraire series (imagine the Napoleonic war with an aerial corps of dragons...).

Pirate dinosaurs, boxes that aren't boxes, and the cow that laid an egg

2008-01-07T08:46:00.000+13:00

Majorie the cow who laid an egg, Charlie and Lola on a snow day, pirate dinosaurs, a Russian fairytale, a magical box and a girl who's afraid of Santa Claus - see our children's picture book picks for some of our new favourites.

Pirates, blind faith, and songs without words

2008-01-04T16:15:00.000+13:00

Amongst our contemporary fiction recent picks this month you'll find: two friends and childhood neighbours facing an unforeseen calamity, a canary yellow Mustang convertible and a treacherous hitchhiker, men at war on the edge of the great southern desert in Mesopotamia in 3157 B.C, and a small-time TV star with a mile-wide ego.

Jewelry, crochet and contemporary knitting

2007-12-28T17:30:00.000+13:00

In our craft recent picks for January we feature Ruth Lee's book, 'Contemporary Knitting'. Definitely not your grandmother's knitting book - unless your grandmother happens to be a cool, creative textile artist! Materials used include: insulated wire, paper yarn, plastics, rope, elastics, and even regular knitting yarn. Also featured this month: crocheted fibre necklaces and bracelets, ideas for scrapbooking sporting adventures, baby knits, and 22 patterns for handbags, totes, and carry-alls to knit and crochet from 20 top knitwear designers.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T11:35:00.000+13:00

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year's break, from all the staff at Wellington City Libraries. The library will be closed for Christmas Day, Boxing Day (open again after Christmas on Thursday the 27th), Sunday the 30th December (open Monday the 31st), and Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd of January. You can find our holiday hours here on our website. Happy holidays!

Chicks, buzzy bees, lazy Daisy, and Tiddler the story-telling fish

2007-12-21T14:58:00.000+13:00

"Charlie has this little sister Lola. It's very easy for Charlie to make Lola jump. Lola says, 'But I really want to make you jump, Charlie.' And Charlie says, 'Okay, Lola, but that will NEVER happen.'"

This month, find out if Lola manages to scare Charlie, see how brave a little mouse called George can be, have fun with Maisy, and see if you believe Tiddler's story - all in our December picture book recent picks.

Let the sun shine on your evil side

2007-12-19T12:58:00.000+13:00

"Let the sun shine on your evil side" is the tag line for 'Solar energy projects for the evil genius' - one of our science recent picks this month. In this guide, the popular Evil Genius format ramps up your understanding of powerful, important, and environmentally friendly solar energy - and high-tech guru Gavin Harper gives you everything you need to build more than 50 thrilling solar energy projects. Also this month, global warming and the future of New Zealand, seeing through a world of numbers ("numbers have become the all-powerful language of public argument; this book shows how to see straight through them - and how to seize the power for yourself"), and where to watch birds in New Zealand.

Win an MP3 player...

2007-12-17T09:49:00.000+13:00

Wellington City Libraries has recently introduced a Downloadable Audiobooks collection available to all members via our website.

Library members can browse hundreds of titles and download them as audio files to MP3 players to read on the go. Many customers have their own players but some are available to borrow on a short term basis.

We are offering you the chance to have you very own MP3 player. Answer the following questions to go into the draw for a Creative Zen Stone MP3 player. Tiny in size, but definitely big on value.

(Survey closes midday Friday 21 Dec)

Ankh-Morpork's Royal Mint

2007-12-12T18:55:00.000+13:00

This month our science fiction recent picks include Terry Pratchett's new novel, 'Making Money'. Featuring former con-man Moist von Lipwig (last seen as Chief of the Post Office in 'Going Postal'), the latest from this famous writer with a penchant for footnotes has Moist in charge of the Royal Mint - serving at the whim of the Patrician, of course. Also included this month: the next installment of the Tales of Malus Darkblade series (set in the world of Warhammer); the story of a young clockmaker's apprentice visited by the Archangel Gabriel; and, 'The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror 2007'. Have a look.

Holiday hours

2007-12-11T12:31:00.001+13:00

Wondering when you can visit a library over the holiday season? Our libraries are open to a different timetable between 24 December 2007 and 3 January, check out the full details here.

Kitchens, bathrooms, and keeping chickens

2007-12-11T11:52:00.000+13:00

Remodelling your kitchen or bathroom? This month our home & garden recent picks feature some great ideas for a range of kitchen and bathroom styles and sizes. Plus, check out 'Tea for the tui : fun recipes to entice birds to your garden', by Rosemary Tully, and enjoy a slice of organic life with Sheherazade Goldsmith's brilliant ideas and simple solutions to set you on the path to a more organic and sustainable lifestyle. If you dream of growing your own vegetables, making jam from freshly picked fruit, or keeping a couple of chickens, this is the book for you!

Pirates ate rats? And leather bags?

2007-12-10T13:26:00.000+13:00

In our kids' non-fiction recent picks this month, cook swamp rat kebabs and mini eyeball pizza with Shrek and friends, find out about the culinary tastes of pirates (rats and leather bags...), scare yourself silly with the Encyclopedia Horrifica, find out how to draw cartoons, and read the story of chocolate, the bean that conquered the world!

Cantankerous and brilliant

2007-12-04T10:59:00.000+13:00

In this month's DVD recent picks, Dr. House (Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie) is back for a third season. Plus, visit Wisteria Lane for the third season of Desperate Housewives, catch up with Meredith and the other Grey's Anatomy interns in Season 3 of the hit medical drama, follow the legalese and drama in third season Boston Legal, and delve further into the mysteries of Lost, Season 3.

The story of tea

2007-12-03T09:07:00.000+13:00

In this month's cooking recent picks read about the cultural history of tea, learn Southeast Asian taste theory, discover the food of Spain, and read a selection of A.A. Gill's writing about food (observations from an unashamedly intolerant perfectionist, taken from his Sunday Times and Tatler columns).

Lonesome George, the Goldilocks enigma, and baboon metaphysics

2007-11-30T17:59:00.000+13:00

This month in our science recent picks, discover George - a Galapagos giant tortoise and the last of his kind still alive. 'Lonesome George : the life and loves of the world's most famous tortoise' is an exploration of our troubled relationship with our fragile planet (and also the "torrid tale of George's life and loves").

Also included this month: one man's mission to make time travel a reality, some startling new information about this country's natural history, and baboon metaphysics. (Yes, really.)

Survival at sea, home musical culture, and life among the larrikins

2007-11-28T12:16:00.000+13:00

Among this month's New Zealand recent picks you'll find a tale of two ships wrecked on the same island, a personal account of Māori-Chinese identity in Aotearoa New Zealand, a musical and social history of when the piano was New Zealand's home entertainment centre, and a biography of one of New Zealand's first international media celebrities (Makereti, 1873-1930). Also included - some legendary Kiwi ratbags...

Spaceman blues

2007-11-27T16:45:00.000+13:00

Apocalyptic cults, marauding orcs, excursions into Faerie, and the latest from Terry Brooks and Charles Stross - all in our November science fiction & fantasy recent picks.

Two tough teddies

2007-11-26T17:15:00.000+13:00

In this month's picture book recent picks, meet Tilly Ted and Gruffy Ted - two tough teddies off to find someone to love them, and read all about Charlie's little sister Lola's first ever school photo. Plus, find out how Izzy deals with a pesky mayhem-making dragon.

Down the Nile in a seven-foot rowboat

2007-11-22T12:25:00.000+13:00

You'll find crocodiles, testy river currents and all manner of adventures in Rosemary Mahoney's 'Down the Nile: alone in a fisherman's skiff' - featured in our travel recent picks this month. Read all about her humourous (and sometimes hair-raising) adventures as she discovers modern Egypt for herself. Also in our travel recent picks this month: great bicycle journeys, desert adventure and a taste of Tuscany.

Plush-o-rama!

2007-11-21T23:51:00.000+13:00

Our November craft recent picks feature Greggles the furry green-lipped monkey with his coif of tentacles (Curious Creatures for Immature Adults, by Linda Kopp), a menagerie of sock monsters to make, doodle-stitching with simple embroidery stitches, and lots of festive ideas for celebrating Christmas with craft.

Corrugated iron structures and Orange County choppers

2007-11-20T17:48:00.000+13:00

Loving and loathing our inner housewife, understanding an endangered state of mind and the darker side of Kiwi culture join the picks of popular non-fiction for November. Plus a NZ history book with a claim to the longest title yet chosen for our Recent Picks.

Dreading the Christmas shopping?

2007-11-19T12:48:00.000+13:00

Worried you may have to return gifts you receive? Then Law for Lunch this week may provide some assistance: "How consumer law can help you in the festive season". Join Angus McLeod, of the Consumer's Institute, at Central Library on Tuesday 20 November, 12-1pm as he goes over consumer rights : all welcome.

Brought to you by Wellington City Libraries in partnership with Wellington Community Law Centre.

Meet our newest blog

2007-11-15T13:08:00.000+13:00

Our new Business Blog, maintained by our specialist staff, will keep you up to date with current business issues, new resources and more.

This new addition increases our blog number to four: we also have Kids and Teens blogs.

Our 2007 fiction picks

2007-11-14T10:14:00.000+13:00

The custodian of paradise, Wayne Johnston (2007).
"This big fat 2007 novel, a sequel to 'The Colony of Unrequited Dreams' (1999) has everything going for it - a wonderful, eccentric central character, a compelling and somewhat gothic setting (Newfoundland), beautiful, clever prose and at the heart of it all - a mystery - who is the man known as The Provider? And what are Sheilagh Fielding's secrets."

We're getting in early this year - our New Fiction Picks for 2007 are now available for your perusal. We welcome your reviews too, of course - do you agree with our selections?

Something for (almost) everyone

2007-11-12T13:53:00.000+13:00

Whether you're into web development, graphic design, Linux, Pro-Tools or just creating better powerpoint files, there's something for nearly everyone this month in the Computing recent picks.

This month's (US) PC World featured article talks about Vista resistance: why is XP still strong?

Do you have neighbourhood issues?

2007-11-12T13:33:00.000+13:00

Or know someone who does? Then the theme of this week's Law for Lunch will interest you: "Neighbour disputes - living with the neighbours from hell" with Bill Atkin.

Bill Atkin, BA LLM, is a Professor at Victoria University, Wellington. Bill is the author of numerous books and articles and editor of the International Survey of Family Law. He also works in family law, assisted reproduction and elder law.

Law for Lunch, 2nd (Top) Floor, Central Library, noon-1pm, Tuesday 13 November.

Brought to you by Wellington City Libraries in partnership with Wellington Community Law Centre.

All welcome!

Law for lunch today: Power and gas complaints

2007-11-06T09:52:00.000+13:00

The popular series Law For Lunch returns to Central Library today at midday with the first session focussing on electricity and gas complaints. Judi Jones, the Electricity and Gas Complaints Commissioner, is a Wellington-based lawyer and former chair of the Consumers' Institute board.

The series runs throughout November, more information is available on Wellington City Libraries news page.

Superheroes and small-screen scares

2007-11-05T09:41:00.000+13:00

Arguably the most talked-about television show of the 2006-2007 season, the Emmy-nominated fantasy Heroes is among our DVD recent picks this month. Also featured this month: season one of the horror series Supernatural (in which two brothers encounter a host of otherworldly creatures, including vampires, ghosts, and witches, as well as such distinctly American phenomena as the wendigo), season two of Prison Break, the third season of The Shield, the first seasons of Big Love and One Tree Hill, Korean horror movie The Host, Spider-man 3, and lots more. Have a look!

Grumble Rumble Mumbler

2007-11-03T14:28:00.000+13:00

It's bedtime - but what's that noise? Could it be a monster? Or is it something else? Listen to author Melanie Drewery read her book The Grumble Rumble Mumbler on our Kids
Downloads page.

Misery loves company

2007-11-01T12:24:00.000+13:00

Are you feeling heartbroken, burnt out and miserable? Are you listening to far too much Coldplay? Is your self respect at rock bottom or did you just wake up this morning weeping uncontrollably (again) with the sad realisation that Miss Elizabeth or Mr Darcy are never going to call? Well never fear my despondent friends, join Neil and Craig this week for a Library radio show absolutely guaranteed to make you feel even worse! Following on from Craig and Neil's critically acclaimed underground metal radio show we invite you to tune in for a heart wrenching trip down Boo-Hoo Poor Me Boulevard. So grab your hankie and join us on Access Radio 4.30pm Saturday (783 AM) as we spin some of the most heartbreaking, melancholy, depressing and utterly miserable tunes imaginable. If nothing else you'll get to experience two blokes sobbing on air and that's got to cheer you up.

Beaumont is back

2007-10-29T09:23:00.000+13:00

October's mystery fiction recent picks include the latest in J.A. Jance's Beaumont series. Seattle cop J. P. Beaumont has the same job, working with the city's Special Homicide Investigation Team; the same girlfriend, fellow investigator Mel Soames; the same straight-shooting, stick-to-it, never-say-quit attitude. The Beaumont series has been going strong for more than 20 years now, and this time around Beaumont tackles the death of an ex-con. Also included this month: a forensic anthropologist investigates a possible death by spontaneous combustion in the Hebrides, a crime writer becomes embroiled in a mystery of his own, Daisy Dalrymple stumbles into yet another mystery, and Nick Stone's new novel is on show.

Kimono embroidery & felted jewellery

2007-10-24T13:49:00.000+13:00

Our craft recent picks this month feature the art of the talented embroidery artist Shizuka Kusano, whose canvases are Kimono. You'll also find 20 stylish designs for felted jewellery and 35 amazing contemporary knitwear designs that take their cues from decades and designers past, plus lots of ideas for creative recycling in embroidery.

The revolution will not be microwaved

2007-10-23T12:16:00.000+13:00

In this month's cooking recent picks you'll find 20 themed tea parties, an examination of underground food movements and our food choices, food and drink in American history, and more than 95 stylish, satisfying and simple midday meals to sink your teeth into. Have a look!

Take your pick: 1001 buildings or 1001 ways of looking younger?

2007-10-17T11:48:00.000+13:00

October's Buyer's Choice has a full range including the above: not-so-perfect pups and how to solve their problems, fresh looks for your home, a history of communism, vacation homes around the world, and 100 views of Edo.

Never said goodbye

2007-10-15T08:46:00.000+13:00

This is the second solo CD from former Catatonia lead singer, Cerys Matthews. Now based in Nashville she eschews the more traditional country feel of her debut CD 'Cockahoop', with a musically diverse CD that covers all the bases from the power-pop stylings of her previous band, to lounge jazz, new folk, & acoustic based songs.

Featured album: Never said goodbye by Cerys Matthews

For more music reviews, check out our Popular Music Staff Picks

Thirteen tales of love and revenge

2007-10-09T09:46:00.000+13:00

The Pierces are two Alabama-born sisters. After an alternative folk/rock debut on Sony that was well received critically but didn't sell, they delivered a second much more shiny pop album before they decamped for the indies to make the kind of music they wanted. Their album 'Thirteen tales of love & revenge' is an eclectic mix of lounge pop, country, gypsy folk, & new wave, full of the great harmonies that only siblings can achieve...

Featured album: Thirteen tales of love & revenge by The Pierces

For more music reviews check out our Popular Music Staff Picks

Time Being - Ron Sexsmith

2007-10-08T16:22:00.002+13:00

If 2004's Retriever showed off the extroverted side of Ron Sexsmith's personality, his latest CD shifts back towards the more introspective work that characterised his earlier works, possibly due to the presence of Mitchell Froom back at the producers helm. Sexsmith's voice only gets better as he ages & this is another set of quietly melodic songs.

Featured album: Time Being by Ron Sexsmith

For more music reviews check out our Popular Music Staff Picks

Leigh Nash - Blue on Blue

2007-10-01T09:02:00.001+13:00

The band Sixpence None the Richer seemingly came out of nowhere with the big hit 'Kiss me' in 1999, but they'd been around for a number of years before that making swirling alternative pop with vaguely Christian underpinnings. Alas they fell victim to a legal battle with their record label and were unable to release another album for 5 years, by which time the momentum generated by 'Kiss Me' was gone. 'Blue on Blue' is the debut of lead vocalist Leigh Nash. Produced by Pierre Marchand (Sarah McLachlan) the CD is a bit more 'pop' oriented than her previous band, but her great voice highlights some of the weaker songs. Worth checking out if you're a fan of female singers.

Featured album: Blue on blue, by Leigh Nash

For more music reviews check out our Popular Music Staff Picks

These four walls

2007-09-26T12:32:00.001+12:00

Given the precarious state of the music business it's almost hard to believe that Shawn Colvin has been making music for over 20 years, and not just putting out average albums with the occasional hyped 'comeback', but making a consistent body of work that builds on itself making each new album her best yet. With only 2 new albums in the last 11 years it's probably no surprise that she hasn't scaled the commercial heights she deserves, but this CD, her first for the new 'Nonesuch' label, is as good as anything she has done before. Working once again with producer/songwriter John Leventhal she once again delivers a stellar set of songs, melodic & finely crafted, yet lacking in any unnecessary flourishes, and as always her lyrics are able to tell stories of the ups and downs of life & relationships in fresh new ways. Highly recommended.

Featured album: These four walls, by Shawn Colvin

For more music reviews check out our Popular Music Staff Picks

Cheesy Wotsits and a stuffed otter

2007-09-25T11:35:00.000+12:00

In this month's kids' fiction recent picks you'll find... a stuffed otter, Bionicles and the Island of Doom, Rainbow Magic fairies, a ballerina, and the Undy family. Plus, the next book in the CatKid series.

Es Cuba : Life and love on an illegal island

2007-09-18T09:24:00.000+12:00

This month our travel recent picks are full of intriguing travel memoirs set in exotic destinations - Cuba, Casablanca, France, Nepal, Tibet...

Spongebob and Elvis Presley

2007-09-11T09:26:00.000+12:00

Our new kids' sound and vision recent picks include Dora, Spongebob and Hello Kitty, plus the soundtrack of Cars, and favourite Island songs from Disney's Lilo & Stitch. Elvis Presley (being Lilo's favourite singer!) of course features, along with some more typical Hawaiian music performed by the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus...

The power of a positive NO

2007-09-10T09:12:00.000+12:00

In our September personal development recent picks we feature the latest book from bestselling author William Ury, 'The power of a positive NO : how to say no and still get to yes', as well as a guide to beating stress and Peter Walsh's 'It's all too much : a guide to living a richer life with less stuff' (click the title link on the page to go through to the catalogue and view excerpts and an annotation). Have a look!

Transformers and the Yuk Factor

2007-09-06T14:27:00.000+12:00

This month's kids' non-fiction recent picks include the ultimate guide to the Transformers (mythology, history, profiles of key characters from the different generations...), and 'The Yuk Factor' - a book which will test your yucky knowledge and answer such burning questions as 'Why was worm stew eaten in the Middle Ages?' (really - why?!) and 'What is onychophagia?' (compulsive nail-biting). Also included this month - 'The 7 day bully-buster', and 'Buzz' (a guide to every creeping, crawling, flying, sticking, stinging, poisoning, recycling, buzzing insect you can imagine). All this and more - have a look!

Chocolate & Zucchini

2007-09-05T16:41:00.000+12:00

Campside cooking, tempting vegetarian recipes, 'The complete Middle East cookbook', gluten-free recipes, food customs and traditions, cookies, cakes and cupcakes, and 'Chocolate & Zucchini' - the cookbook born of the blog of the same name. Featuring beautiful recipes (not just zucchini and chocolate, although a few incorporate both ingredients...) from a Parisian woman who learned to cook in San Francisco, 'Chocolate & Zucchini' is a must-see! All this and more in our September cooking recent picks.

Cyborg secret agents and vampire sleuths

2007-09-04T10:11:00.000+12:00

Cyborg secret agents, black holes, a futuristic noir thriller, the fifth book in Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series, a version of MI5 that deals with supernatural threats, a vampire sleuth, and the latest from Stephen Baxter - all in this month's science fiction recent picks.

The hunt for a missing masterpiece

2007-09-04T09:56:00.000+12:00

To whet your interest - in this month's non-fiction recent picks you'll find: the incredible story of the theft of a great painting and the brilliant detective who gets it back; the tale of Samuel Plimsoll MP, "The Sailor's Friend", who worked with his wife Eliza to defend sailors against nefarious and unsafe practices at sea in nineteenth century Britain; a history of spies and subversion in New Zealand; a shocking look at the debt industry and how today's credit merchants are trying to get everyone into the credit game; the Middle East and US foreign policy; a manga version of the Bible - and much more.

I was a Plunket baby

2007-09-03T10:29:00.000+12:00

In our September New Zealand recent picks you'll find: Volume 2 of Taiawhio (18 new conversations with contemporary Maori artists), 100 years of Plunket, a photographic guide to New Zealand insects, New Zealand mysteries that have intrigued the nation (con artists, conspiracies, disappearances, deaths, mysterious creatures and unusual visitors), mushrooms and fungi of New Zealand, foodie adventures in Auckland, and much more...

Journeys with the black dog

2007-09-03T10:20:00.000+12:00

This month's health recent picks feature an anatomist's guide to your organs and your health, coping with radiotherapy, making autism a gift (a positive, practical guide for those who are affected by autism and autism spectrum disorders), Oliver Sacks' 'The man who mistook his wife for a hat', inspirational stories of bringing depression to heel, and why we need disease - an evolutionary perspective.

Super happy crochet cute!

2007-09-03T10:12:00.000+12:00

In this month's craft recent picks... Amigurumi - Japanese-inspired dolls that have motivated crocheters everywhere to grab their hooks and create collections of irresistibly funky-cute creatures; collaborative quilting and beaded crazy quilting; patchwork projects to use up that fabric hoard or 'stash'; a selection of books on feltmaking (also known as felting). Have a look!

Teen Blog

2007-08-31T16:15:00.000+12:00

We have added a new blog to the Teens pages - and will update it with news, study help, events and other things of interest. It is called Teen Blog! We value your comments!

Louis Sachar's latest

2007-08-28T11:58:00.000+12:00

Check out our recent kids' fiction picks for Louis Sachar's latest, one beastly beast, two aliens, three inventors and four fantastic tales from Garth Nix, and the third book in the Mistmantle Chronicles.

A wild wind from the north: Hongi Hika's 1823 invasion of Rotorua

2007-08-23T15:42:00.000+12:00

This month's New Zealand recent picks feature Don Stafford's account of Hongi Hika's 1823 invasion of Rotorua - of the utter devastation it wrought, and of the reconciliation that took place 100 years later. Also featured are Mary Holm's treatise on how to make Kiwi Saver work for you, Conal McCarthy's history of colonial cultures of display and the remarkable story of Maori resistance to, involvement in, and eventual capture of the display of their culture, and diverse accounts of more than 40 ethnic groups that have brought their culture and customs across the world to New Zealand. Have a look!

Life in a changing China

2007-08-23T15:26:00.000+12:00

The peasant revolutionary turned lifestyle guru, the former Shaolin monk working on a Shanghai building site, the conservative father now running a gay hotline - and the teenagers who just want to dress up as their favourite Japanese cartoon characters. Our popular non-fiction recent picks this month feature 'Getting rich first: life in a changing China', by Duncan Hewitt, and some other fascinating reads on a mixed bag of subjects - climate change in New Zealand, planning for retirement ('What color is your parachute? for retirement : planning now for the life you want'), a history of the trial, building schools in Afghanistan, gay life and culture, and lots more.

Gluten free, and a year of eating dangerously

2007-08-22T16:41:00.000+12:00

Great gluten free recipes, three generations of Italian family cooking, recipe ideas for entertaining from Rachel Allen, and Tom Parker Bowles' Year of Eating Dangerously (brought up on mushy peas and shepherd's pie, he decides to examine the cultural divides that make some foods verboten or "dangerous" in British culture while being seen as lip-smacking delicacies in others...). All in this month's cooking recent picks.

Down at Fraggle Rock

2007-08-22T16:34:00.000+12:00

This month's kids' sound and vision recent picks feature season one of Fraggle Rock and Jane and the Dragon, plus a couple of rotten rats in Flushed Away!

Mr. Funky's super crochet wonderful

2007-08-22T15:37:00.000+12:00

Elegant wire jewelry, card making, 'quilt your favourite photos', punk, gothic and vintage knitting projects ('Dominknitrix: whip your knitting into shape'), beading with gemstones, quilting with treasured fabrics, and crochet projects for those who love Hello Kitty, bohemian 70's inspired fashion and Japanese style. All in this month's craft recent picks.

Music Specialist Spotlight: Soul singer David Ruffin

2007-08-17T14:31:00.000+12:00

Soul singer David Ruffin was one of the members of the 'classic 5' line up of Soul legends 'The Temptations'. Hired to replace volatile founding member Elbridge Bryant who was fired for attacking another band member with a beer bottle, Ruffin's role was as a secondary singer, the lead singing duties being divided between the falsetto of Eddie Kendricks & the baritone of Paul Williams. All this changed one night, as legend has it, when fellow Motown singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson saw Ruffin performing a song live.

The next day he came to the Temps dressing room with a new song he thought Ruffin would be perfect for. The song 'My Girl' became their 1st number one, sold over a million copies, and elevated Ruffin to lead singer. More leads followed and Ruffin's dynamic live performances made him the group's focal point. Ruffin was never much of a team player though, with a deep and often troubled personality. A growing addiction to cocaine fuelled his personal demons, and his demons fuelled his ego. When 'The Supremes' became 'Diana Ross & the Supremes’ Ruffin, who was singing most of the leads, failed to see why he shouldn't get top billing as well. The group voted him out and the embittered Ruffin filed suit against Motown demanding an accounting of his money and a release from his contract. Forced to finish out his contract Ruffin went solo and had his first big hit with 'My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)'. Things looked good for a while but then the hits dried up. Ruffin was never popular with Motown management & an entire album ('David') was cut but never released until 30 years later, when it became regarded as his best solo work. But teaming with uber soul producer Van McCoy he made a mid-70's comeback with 'Walk away from love', which became his last big hit.

After leaving Motown he recorded a couple of solid albums for Warner Brothers, hooked up with the Temptations again for a 'Reunion' album in the early 80's, recorded a live album with Kendricks & 80's Blue Eyed Soul stars 'Hall & Oates', cut an under-rated duo album with friend and fellow ex-Temptation Eddie Kendrick, was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, then toured with Kendrick and fellow ex-Temptation Dennis Edwards (who replaced him as lead singer) as 'The Former Lead Singers of the Temptations'. But the 80's in general weren't kind to Soul music or any of its surviving practitioners, and Ruffin was never kind to himself, his demons finally consuming him as he died of an overdose in a Philadelphia crack house in 1991. David Ruffin was 50 years old.

Ruffin's legacy remains in his music. His aching voice was never really equalled in 'The Temptations' and as a Soul singer he belongs in the same pantheon as legends like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding & Al Green. Ruffin's gift was similar to Sinatra's in that he could inhabit any song as if he'd written it, channelling the drama and darkness inside him into whatever story the lyrics were telling. On Wish it would Rain he channels the pain of Motown writer Rodger Penzebene on the title track & the song 'I could never love another (after loving you)', both written by Penzebene (who committed suicide just after the song reached number #1) about his wife's infidelity. The Ultimate Collection is a selection of Ruffin's post Temptation solo sides, and reveals a surprisingly consistent level of work, the song titles seeming to form a montage of vignettes in which Ruffin could live out the drama of his life: 'My whole world ended (the moment you left me)', 'I've lost everything I've ever loved', 'Walk away from love', 'Statue of a fool', 'Rode by the place (where we used to stay)' & 'Let somebody love me'.

Wholly irresponsible experiments and sacred geometry

2007-08-14T09:26:00.000+12:00

In this month's science recent picks we bring you dazzling explosions, geysers, fireballs and impacts - with a collection of wholly irresponsible experiments. Also included are Roger Deacon's 'Wildwood: a journey through trees', a quest around the world to discover what lies behind man's profound and enduring connection with wood and with trees; and a magical mystery tour of maths history in 'Math for mystics'. Plus: 'The elegant universe of Albert Einstein : the collected lectures of the Royal Society of New Zealand E=mc² series' (broadcast on National Radio), and the Holy Grail of birdwatching (wherein one man races to see more than 700 birds in 12 months to break the Australian birdwatching record).

A heartfelt expression and a nostalgic glimpse into a wasted youth

2007-08-08T18:01:00.001+12:00

The staff reviews for August on the Popular Music page include CDs by Black Mountain, Dolores O'Riordan, Dungen, Smog, the new Ryan Adams and more. New music books also feature, this month celebrating the "special breed" of music managers (Epstein, McLaren et al), film musicals and a Rolling Stone writer's memoir ("life and loss: one song at a time"). The latter's sad but fascinating and the mix tapes are also worth a look.

Other Popular Topics pages this month focus on Napoleon, ballet DVDs and children's nutrition.

The month for Boxed Sets...

2007-08-06T15:53:00.000+12:00

Volume one of The Practice, Season One of Roswell, Season One of Quantum Leap, Season Two of ER., the second Season of Numb3rs, the fourth season of King of the Hill, Season Nine of The Simpsons and Series One of Hotel Babylon - check out our selection of new Boxed Sets in this month's DVD recent picks. Also featured this month: Out of the Blue - the story of November 13, 1990, in Aramoana.

Download our audiobooks for free!

2007-08-02T15:40:00.000+12:00

We have a great range of audiobooks available via our new Overdrive.com subscription, which you can download and listen to via your computer or when you're mobile.

There's Norah Roberts, classic novels, language tapes, self improvement titles, Little Britain, biographies... the list goes on. Available all hours, we're ready when you are!

335 ships and 40,000 men

2007-07-31T14:06:00.000+12:00

This month our history recent picks feature: the story of the Union Jack, Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798 (involving 335 ships and 40,000 men), India after Gandhi (the history of the world's largest democracy), and more. Check out 'Bankrolling Basra', Andrew Alderson's account of his time as an officer in Britain's Territorial Army in charge of Basra's Central Bank. Given authority for over one fifth of Iraq's finances, he decides that the route to stability is to get the cash flowing again. What follows is a series of frequent, hair-raising adventures delivering suitcases, crates and binbags stuffed with millions of dollars wherever needed and by whatever means - in helicopters, speedboats, planes and landrovers...

Culinary dedication

2007-07-30T09:35:00.000+12:00

Amongst our travel recent picks this month: William Black explores the highways and byways of French cooking with his mind (and his mouth) firmly open. In the process he samples such delights as tete de veau and fried cow's udder, and has a mixed bag of gastronomic experiences... Also included this month are a solo journey by bicycle through South America, the official travel guide for the Rugby World Cup 2007, one hundred and one beautiful towns in Italy, and the true tales of an American Nanny in Paris.

Wisecracking sisters on a shocking pink motorcycle

2007-07-27T14:22:00.000+12:00

Vampires, Venice Beach, the 19th Amos Walker mystery from Loren D. Estleman, wisecracking sisters on a shocking pink motorbike, a detective with synesthesia who sees coloured shapes when he listens to suspects talk, an Irish noir thriller featuring Private Eye Ed Loy, and a murder-mystery speculative-history Jewish-identity noir chess thriller. All this (and more) in this month's mysteries recent picks.

State of the universe 2007

2007-07-26T16:11:00.000+12:00

Human-grizzly bear interactions, a natural history of the atmosphere, and profiles of 120 amazing, terrifying and bizarre prehistoric monsters that strode the land, terrorised the seas and patrolled the air - all in our science recent picks this month. Plus, take stock of the universe in 2007, become a historical tourist in the world of weights and measures, and re-discover your sense of wonder in the natural world through Darwin. Factoid: hapless 1920s inventor Thomas Midgley was responsible for both the process of adding lead to petrol, and the development of CFCs. Solving a refrigeration problem, he inadvertently created chemicals that punched a hole in the sky...

Singing our song, all day long, at Hogwarts

2007-07-25T13:16:00.000+12:00

We were very excited this morning to receive our 50 normal lending copies of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. Eager library staff rushed out on Saturday to pick up 10 interim copies to fill early reserves but we now have our full complement - so make sure to put your name down on the waiting list for one of the library's copies!You can click here to go straight to the catalogue record and place a reserve.

Mr. Allbones' ferrets

2007-07-24T15:31:00.000+12:00

Check out our suspense/thriller recent picks for, amongst other things, 'Mr. Allbones' ferrets : an historical pastoral satirical scientifical romance, with mustelids' by New Zealand author Fiona Farrell. Other suspense/thriller recent picks include: a personal story of a family's history in Southern Italy, a smart comedy of manners and obsession, an illicit relationship in the summer of 1953, and an eco-thriller with ruthless fishing industrialists.

Dramatherapy

2007-07-24T11:06:00.000+12:00

Our health recent picks this month feature the art of learning (highly-ranked chess player Josh Waitzkin muses on his personal experience mastering chess and his discovery that the mindset and learning techniques he'd applied to chess were actually transferable to other skillsets...), dramatherapy (the power of drama as a therapeutic medium because of its foundations in metaphor), history's first pandemia plague which occurred seven centuries before the Black Death, and the true-life story of Dr. Jayant Patel, better known as Doctor Death, who shocked Australia when the truth came to light that he may have killed as many as 87 people under his care.

Making stuff

2007-07-23T10:25:00.000+12:00

This month our craft recent picks feature beaded beads, perfect pearl jewelry, goldsmithing, silver work, sketchbooks for embroiderers and textile artists and inspiring craft projects to recycle your old possessions and make something out of nothing. (Make a notebook out of a record cover, knit an i-Pod cosy, fold beautiful origami fairy-lights, recycle your old T-shirts into bathmats or placemats, customise your own clothes, make your own jewelry, decorate your house...)

Would you believe?

2007-07-23T10:10:00.000+12:00

Would you believe Cleopatra's lipstick was crushed beetles? Check out our children's non-fiction recent picks this month for the next instalment of the 'Would you believe' series of books, complete with awesome (and sometimes gruesome!) photographs of weird fashion trends. Also included this month: books on global warming, dogs, how to draw animals, World War I, railway stations, rubbish, comets, asteroids, meteors, and ear-invading creepy crawlies...

Town of evening calm, country of cherry blossoms

2007-07-20T15:01:00.000+12:00

A baby rabbit who goes to nursery school and can't come to terms with the fact that he's not human, the Trojan War, life after World War II in Japan through the eyes of a woman in 1955, and a 10,000-mile road trip on a greyhound bus. For these and many more ('Arabian Nights' in the Fables series, Frank Miller's 'Sin City: family values'...), check out our graphic novel recent picks.

Rain-slicked streets and 22,000 horses

2007-07-20T14:28:00.000+12:00

This month's fiction recent picks range across place and time - Egypt and Palestine during and after World War I, 1960s London, the rain-slicked streets of Chicago, 1930s Europe, Labour's election victory in 1997, the smoke and ash of the burning towers and the global tremor of September 11 in the intimate lives of a few people...

Pimp Our Trollies

2007-07-19T19:55:00.000+12:00

Karori Library's "Pimp My Trolley Competition" is on this Thursday @ 5pm for all teen SUBTXTers. You will have 30 minutes to pimp one of our library trolleys - and the best pimped-out trolley will win a prize! Food and drink will be provided and 50 bonus SUBTXT points will be given to all attendees. Register to compete at the Karori Library upstairs information desk (ask the nice librarian).

Ghosties & ghoulies & long-leggity beasties

2007-07-19T17:35:00.000+12:00

This month our science fiction and fantasy recent picks feature: talking gargoyles, magic worked in the form of jewelled glass, an impending dark age, and the latest from Simon Green, Kage Baker and John C. Wright...

Timothy Pope, Timothy Pope, what can you see through your telescope?

2007-07-18T12:47:00.000+12:00

Will Cornelius P. Mud ever be ready in time for school? Would Morton's baby brother be more fun if he were a hulkingly huge lime green dragon? What can Ben do to make Penguin speak? These and other questions answered in this month's picture book recent picks! (Also featuring such classics as 'Shark in the Park', and 'Mr. Gumpy's Outing'.)

Wicked fun and inspired lunacy

2007-07-18T12:24:00.000+12:00

A return to form for The West Wing with season 6, a Wizard-of-Oz-inspired episode of Scrubs in season 5, and a teenaged Superman in Season 1 of Smallville - check out our DVD recent picks for these and much more. (Little Britain Live, Marie Antoinette, The Outer Limits, Hex, Apocalypto...)

Graphics and Games for SUBTXTers

2007-07-16T22:32:00.000+12:00

Head along to the Kilbirnie Library this Wednesday 18th July for Teens Rule the Library: Graphics and Games! Between 6-8pm there'll be prizes, food, Playstation competitions on the big screen, comic drawing competitions, a real life comic artist, and of course great books, CDs, and DVDs.

All SUBTXTers that come will gain 50 automatic points. Bring your friends - and if they sign up for SUBTXT you will get even more points!!