Famous ghost stories

    ‘Dust’n'bones’ by Chris Mould

Most children love ghost stories and I remember wanting to be read the same creepy stories over and over even though it would keep me awake at night! In this book, Chris Mould retels 5 classic spooky tales (including ‘The legend of Sleepy Hollow’ by Washington Irving and ‘The tell-tale heart’ by Edgar Allan Poe) as well as 5 original stories. He stays faithful to the basic storylines, but they are adapted to be suitable for younger children.

The lavish illustrations (both colour and black and white) are terrific: ghostly without being too gruesome. Chris Mould has degrees in graphic design and illustration and is an award-winning children’s writer. This book is highly recommended for the young and the young at heart!

Sylvia

New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 27 March - 3 April

 “A seaside practice” by Tom Smith

When he arrives to take up his first posting as a GP in Collintrae, a small fishing village on the west coast of Scotland, young Tom Smith isn’t quite sure what to expect. Nothing in his medical training could have prepared him for what he comes up against in his first few years there - a baker with nine lives, Mad Maggie in the River Muck and a gaggle of giggling nuns. Heartwarming and gloriously eccentric, Dr Tom’s stories will touch everyone with their humour and charm. [Cover]

 “Trainland” by Neill Atkinson

Railways have played a central role in New Zealand politics, economics, trade union history, tourism and popular culture. Yet rail history has been largely neglected by professional historians. While the field has long been popular with enthusiasts, they have tended to focus on locomotive and rolling stock minutiae, engineering feats and so on, and have paid little attention to social and cultural aspects. This stunning looking book includes a brief outline of the development of rail in NZ; and looks at who uses the trains and why; daily life on and off the rails; the train in popular culture and the collective memory. Neill Atkinson is a professional historian with the Ministry of Culture & Heritage in Wellington and the depth of his research is matched by the accessibility of his writing. [Cover]

 ”The darkest evening of the year” by Dean Koontz

The story of a dedicated dog rescuer, the very special golden retriever she saves and the murderous adversaries they must face together. [Cover]

 ”Dragon Harper” by Anne & Todd McCaffrey 

Kindan is an apprentice harper at the Harper Hall but he is finding the lessons very difficult and although he has his friends, Nonala, Kelsa and Verilan, he also has enemies, such as the bully Vaxoram. Things begin to improve for Kindan when he beats Vaxoram in a duel and Vaxoram becomes first his servant and then gradually his trusted friend. [Cover]

 ”Give a man a horse” by Dianne Haworth

Give a Man a Horse is the inspirational story of a boy growing up in a New Zealand-Irish family of humble origins, fired by a passion for hard work and an implacable drive to get to the top. When Cambridge Stud owner and master bloodstock breeder Sir Patrick Hogan went against expert advice to follow his intuition and buy the young Irish stallion Sir Tristram sight-unseen, he could have had no idea he was about to embark on one of the world’s greatest thoroughbred breeding success stories. Feared as a man-eater with a vile temper, Sir Tristram possessed a mouth-watering pedigree. After a disastrous introduction to the stallion’s shareholders, an emotional Patrick made a promise to the horse he had given the stable-name of Paddy. Regardless of what happened from that point on, the stallion would spend the rest of his life being cared for at Cambridge Stud. In time, Paddy went on to repay the promise in full, and his success as a sire of champions would help to put Cambridge Stud on the map. Cambridge Stud would become the thoroughbred showplace of New Zealand, and arguably the most successful in the history of the Australasian thoroughbred industry, home to not only Sir Tristram but also his incomparable son and heir Zabeel and generations of superb mares, broodmares and yearlings. Since the stud’s inception in 1976, Sir Patrick has brought an enduring passion to the industry he has served so well, and is credited with doing more than anyone else to putting New Zealand on the international map for thoroughbred breeding.
[Cover]

To reserve any of these items please contact your local library or email info@hurunuilibraries.govt.nz

Avril

Rough diamonds & real gems

 “Rough diamonds & real gems” by R.M Winn

This is what English schoolboys used to call ‘a cracking good yarn’, but it is all about Australia, mainly Queensland. Each chapter is complete in itself but written in the same clear, racy style by the one author. Both my wife and I enjoyed it very much and learnt quite a lot about cattle raising in Northern Australia. Try it, you’ll enjoy it. E.H.W.

New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 20 March - 27 March

 “The confetti cakes” by Elisa Strauss

New York city’s most sought-after cake designer shares her secrets for creating distinctive, gorgeous confections. [Cover]

 “The killer’s wife” by Bill Floyd

A gripping thriller about a woman who discovers her husband is a serial killer … even after he is jailed and sentenced to death the evil he has unleashed refuses to leave her alone. [Cover]

 “Classic kiwi pubs” by Debra Little

Debra Little has made it her personal mission to get back to basics when it comes to having a pint, and this pocket reference guide charts the hidden treasures that can be found in both the North and South islands. Each pub profile includes a brief history of the building, its owners and is accompanied by photography that captures the essence of each watering hole. [Cover]

 ”A wartime marriage” by Mary Jane Staples

It is 1918; the Kaiser’s empire is about to fall and Captain Harry Phillips, a prisoner of war in a Romanian hospital, has had a very hard time of it. Then, out of the blue, comes an offer he can’t refuse, a ticket home to his beloved England and to the arms of his much missed fiancee Elizabeth. But this ticket comes with a heavy price to pay; Harry must marry beautiful, headstrong Princess Irena of Moldova, who’s only hope of survival is to leave the country and he must risk both their lives by escorting her back to England. As they set off on their long and treacherous journey with enemies at every turn, Harry begins to realise that Irena is not only dangerous but extremely precious cargo. Will he sacrifice everything for this wartime marriage? [Cover]

 ”Mad dog” by Johnny Adair 

Raised as a Protestant, Johnny Adair earned his reputation as a paramilitary leader long before he understood the politics but quickly came to realise the purpose of the paramilitary antics - freedom and peace in Northern Ireland - and this belief fuelled his passion for the campaign, making him ruthless in his quest. Here, he tells his story.
[Cover]

To reserve any of these items please contact your local library or email info@hurunuilibraries.govt.nz

Avril

The Rev. Leonard Jones Memorial Collection

          We now have a new collection: The Rev. Leonard Jones Memorial Collection. This is a collection that focuses on mainly Christian theological works. We currently have a few titles but new titles will be added over the next few months. This collection will appeal to those who wish to delve deeper into religious studies and gain some insight into the development of Christian thought.

New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 13 March-20 March

 “Create your own bling” by Ilene Baranowitz

Demonstrates how to create glitzy items from bags acquired at garage sales and flea markets, using acrylic or metallic rhinestones. Featured projects include: handbags; cell phone, iPod and MP3 cases; business card cases; and, sunglasses. [Cover]

 “The way of the women” by Marlene van Niekerk

Life for white farmers like Milla in the South Africa of the 1950s was full of promise : young and newly married, she would raise children and create her own farm out of a swathe of Cape mountainside. Forty years later her family has fallen apart, the country she knew is on the brink of huge change and all she has left are memories - and her nurse Agaat. But as Milla’s old white world and it’s certainties recede, her guardian at last faces the prospect of freedom. [Cover]

 “Dinner in a basket” By Judith Cullen

With her ‘buy locally, cook seasonally’ mantra, Judith Cullen explores a selection of colourful, high-quality markets around New Zealand meeting the producers face to face. In “Dinner in a basket”, Judith takes us on a foodie’s journey, introducing each region’s finest produce and providing a tantalising array of delicious recipes to suit not only the region but the season. These recipes encourage all food-lovers and family chefs to plan their menus around what is readily available at each change of season. [Cover]

 ”The edge of greatness” by James Allen

Michael Schumacher is the outstanding Formula One driver of his generation and the greatest ever. This title examines Schumacher’s career. It tells the story behind Schumacher’s record five consecutive world titles, uncovers the secrets of how he has stayed at the top for so long and examines the impact of his domination on the sport. [Cover]

 “Friday nights” by Joanna Trollope

It’s Eleanor who starts the Friday nights. From her window she sees two young women, with small children, separate, struggling and plainly lonely - and decides to ask them in, and see what happens. What happens is that a group gradually forms, a group of six different and disparate women, who become a circle of friends. [Cover]

To reserve any of these items please contact your local library or email info@hurunuilibraries.govt.nz

Avril

Environmentally friendly houses

“Sticks, stones, mud homes: natural living” by Nigel Noyes

“Sticks, stones, mud homes: natural living” describes alternative methods of house design and construction using the principles of minimal environmental impact and sustainable practice.  Each chapter illustrates a particular building technique with photographs and text referring to actual “lived-in” homes.  Some techniques (rammed earth, mud brick) use materials which are low in “embodied energy” (the amount of energy needed to create a product), while others focus on “waste” products such as straw bales, or recycling of salvaged materials like stone and wood.  The interesting final chapter explores the eco-potential in modern mass-produced materials like corrugated iron and fibre-cement sheeting.

This is an introductory and inspirational book rather than an instruction manual.  The many beautiful colour photographs show that ecological homes can be stylish, comfortable, and economical.  Helpful references for specific building techniques and environmental living in general are provided in the list of recommended reading, while the glossary explains technical terms and describes certain proprietary products.  The author has also included references to internet searching and some relevant websites.

Alison 

New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 6 March-13 March

 “Dawn French” by Alison Bowyer

 Dawn French is the doyenne of British comedy, with a successful career that started in the 1980s. This biography tells the story of her rise to fame, from her first meeting with Jennifer Saunders to their 20th anniversary at the BBC. It looks at her long-lasting marriage to Lenny Henry and how she juggles the demands of parenthood and career. [Cover]

 “My life” by Fidel Castro

Presents a series of interviews by Ignacio Ramonet, well-known activist and editor of “Le Monde Diplomatique”, in which Fidel Castro describes his life. He discusses his parents, his earliest influences, the beginnings of the revolution, his relationship with Che Guevara, the Bay of Pigs, the Carter years, and Cuban migration to the US. [Cover]

 “Trial by trickery : Scott Watson, the Sounds murders and the game of law” by Keith Hunter

In his book ‘Trial by trickery’ the author, Keith Hunter, contends that the conviction of Watson not only falls short of the test of reasonable doubt but was contrary to the evidence; the media was manipulated; witnesses whose accounts did not fit the police scenario were bullied, moulded or discarded; and the trial seemed to Hunter more an exercise of gamesmanship than a pursuit of truth. [Cover]

 ”Fields of fortune” by Jessica Stirling

On the brink of a disastrous marriage Nicola Templeton finally rebels, and flees to Edinburgh to seek refuge with her sister. Charlotte’s own runaway marriage has already turned their father into an implacable foe and it seems that Nicola too may be cut off from her share of the Craigiehall estate if she does not bow to his will. [Cover]

 “Oscar Wilde and the candlelight murders” by Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth’s first foray into crime fiction features celebrated poet, wit, playwright and raconteur Oscar Wilde whose unparalleled access to all degrees of late Victorian society, from society drawing rooms and the bohemian demi-monde to the underclass, offers him a unique opportunity to investigate a series of brutal murders. Set against the exotic background of fin-de-siecle London, Paris, Oxford and Edinburgh, The Oscar Wilde Murders is the first in a series of classic English murder mysteries in the tradition of Conan Doyle and Dorothy L Sayers. [Cover]

To reserve any of these items please contact your local library or email info@hurunuilibraries.govt.nz

Avril