Lonesome George, the Goldilocks enigma, and baboon metaphysics

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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.