New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 29 Jan – 5 Feb

 ”Needles and pearls” by Gil McNeil

The heart-warming sequel to “Diva’s don’t knit”. A year after her husband’s death, Jo Mackenzie is finally starting to get the hang of being a single parent. The boys are thriving, the wool shop is starting to do well and despite two weddings, an in-school knitting project and Trevor the Wonder Dog coming to stay, she’s just about keeping her head above water. [Cover]  

 

 “Willie Apiata VC : the reluctant hero” by Paul Little

Corporal Willie Apiata became the first New Zealander since the Second World War to be awarded the Commonwealth’s highest military award for his actions with the NZ SAS in Afghanistan. From his early life in small town East Coast New Zealand to his actions in the deserts of Afghanistan, this is his story in his words. This book will not only establish the place of Corporal Apiata in New Zealand’s history but will give an insight into the nature of a man who is truly a reluctant hero. While to most of us his actions seemed extraordinary and heroic, Corporal Apiata felt he was an ordinary Kiwi just ‘doing his job’. [Cover]

 “Quilt’ by Ruth van Haeff

Patchwork and quilting are enduringly popular crafts. The 15 simple, striking projects in this book range from traditional and romantic to edgy and modern. The projects are designed for both novice and experienced craftspeople, and are accompanied by step-by-step photographs and helpful diagrams. A techniques section at the beginning of the book provides guidance for the novice quilter. All projects include clearly explained methods and handy hints to help you perfect your quiltmaking. [Cover] 

 “Swimmer’s rope” by Stephanie Johnson 

 

Friends since childhood, Norman and Lyn grow up as next-door neighbours in Herne Bay at the turn of the twentieth century. When Lyn is sent to manage a central North Island timber mill at the tender age of fourteen, Norman goes to visit him. There he is forced to confront a mysterious adult truth. Later, in their twenties, the two men commit an act so appalling that it ruptures their friendship for many years. In 1972 the elderly Norman meets a young woman in a pub. Burdened by the memory he must at long last assuage, he presses Bronwyn into becoming his unwilling confessor. Swimmers’ Rope is a powerful novel about friendship, guilt and sex and our changing notions of loyalty and culpability. [Cover]  

 

 

 “The tractor in the haystack” by Scott Garvey 

For the aficionado of farm equipment, or the scion of an old farming family nostalgic for the old days, or the grown-up boy who still loves a classic piece of old-time machinery, the vintage tractor can be a thrilling find like no other. This book tells dozens of stories of such discoveries, of the treasured old tractor parked in a shed since 1927, of the pristine model unearthed at an estate sale, of the broken-down old beauty stashed in a barn where generations of children have made their secret hideaways. These are the classic tractors that are often as hard to find as a needle in a haystack–but far more fun to discover, as all of these delightful stories make abundantly clear. [Cover] 

 

  

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

 

Avril

 

 

New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 22 Jan – 29 Jan

 “Plant heritage New Zealand” by Tony Foster

New Zealand’s flora is among the most remarkable in the world. Plant Heritage New Zealand looks at the unique characteristics of New Zealand’s plants, and what makes them so special. It delves into the origins and evolution of the plants, how they have inspired songs, poems and works of art, Maori myths, stories and proverbs associated with them, and their many uses as a natural resource. Part 2 presents a selection of the plants and looks at classification, names, botanical description, traditional and modern uses, cultural heritage and significance to Maori. [Cover]

 

 

 “Kiwiosities : New Zealand traditions and folklore” by Gordon Ell

In 2003 New Holland published An A-Z of Kiwi Fact & Folklore, a fully revised edition of the best-selling New Zealand Traditions and Folklore (itself first published in 1993), covering more than 700 updated anecdotes, ideas and traditions that we share as New Zealanders and which help make us unique. This new title distils the folklore element into an attractive, entertaining and affordable volume that will entrance any reader with an interest in the roots of Kiwi culture. Line drawings are included from the original edition. [Cover]

 

 “How to raise pigs” by Philip Hasheider

No matter if your goal is to raise one pig or a herd, the expert advice in this hands-on guidebook will tell you all you need to know. Easy-to-follow advice helps you to -

1. Choose and buy the pigs suitable for you

2. House and feed pigs

3. Manage your herd and keep it healthy

4. Breed your herd

5. Deliver and raise piglets

6. Show pigs at fairs and club meets. [Cover]

 

 ”A coming of age” by Duncan Petrie & Duncan Stuart

This book is a celebration of how far the New Zealand film industry has come in the last 30 years of making home-grown movies. This has been a time when film has leapt ahead as an industry and gained recognition from the home audience – and from international audiences too. It is illustrated throughout with posters from around the world for the films we love. [Cover]

 

 

 

 ”Native wit’ by Hamish Keith

Legendary art commentator Hamish Keith returned to much-deserved national attention last year when his television series and accompanying (Godwit) book The big picture seized the imagination of New Zealanders. The high-rating show and bestselling book rekindled fresh enthusiasm for the complex and fascinating story of our art heritage and cemented Keith’s stature as one of our most engaging, confronting and witty cultural commentators. Native wit, Keith’s witty, revealing memoir, gives readers an insight into his well-lived, rich and immensely varied life. Whether as a confrere of Colin McCahon, the chairman of the Arts Council, husband of Oscar-winning film costume designer Ngila Dickson, bon vivant and accomplished chef or arch enemy of doddering bureaucrats, Keith has a dynamic personality and a trenchant analysis that makes him a pleasure to read. [Cover]

 

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

 

Avril

 

 

 

 

New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 15 Jan – 22 Jan

 ”Coastal kitchen” by Ian Batchelor

New Zealand has an abundance of quality cafes and restaurants overlooking its breathtaking coastline. Coastal Kitchen is a celebration of these establishments and the exceptional cuisine that can be found there. From the farthest north to the deepest south, the beauty, attractions and gastronomical delights of each culinary mecca is described via regional introductions. A range of recipes has been selected, featuring only the freshest, tastiest produce. While fish and seafood dishes feature prominently, a full range of delicious meats, vegetarian dishes and desserts are also included to create a substantial recipe book that will cater to all tastes. From lively beach cafes with windswept backdrops to harbourside fine dining; from serene vineyards with sensational sea views to culinary caravans right on the sand, a wide variety of eateries have contributed their favourite recipes to form this collection. The extraordinary photographic talent of Ian Batchelor captures the food in situ, weaving in gorgeous coastal shots to truly capture the seaside eating experience and New Zealand’s magnificent coastline. [Cover]

 

 

 “Dreamboat dad” by Alan Duff

Yank is an ordinary enough teenager, except that he lives in a thermal wonderland (frequented by tourists eager to view the geysers and boiling mud) and except for the fact that one of those tourists (an American soldier visiting during the Second World War) was his father. The locals gave the boy the nickname of Yank, a name that makes him different and ensures his mother’s husband will never accept him as his own. So who was Yank’s real father? Yank has only his dreams to fill the void, until the day a letter arrives . . . A compelling novel with an unexpected revelation that throws a powerful punch. [Cover]

 

 

 

 ”Where shall we take the kids?” by Gaye Miller 

With this useful and much-needed travel guide for families on hand, holidays with the kids need never be hard work again. Inside this book you’ll find a plethora of suggestions for family-friendly, cheap and cost-free things to do while travelling the country. Pitched at both New Zealand families and those visiting from overseas, the book gives tips to parents embarking on road trips, camping trips, campervan holidays and flights to different parts of the country. It includes suggestions for hassle-free transportation, where to find the local information centre, public toilets with changing facilities and much more. This book originated out of the popular website and monthly e-zine Kids Friendly New Zealand www.kidsfriendlynz.com. This online resource centre caters to families travelling to, travelling around and living in New Zealand – providing all the necessary information to help families travel safely and with minimal fuss. [Cover] 

 ”All together now” by Monica McInerney

A group of friends on an unconventional diet learn some important life lessons, a fashion-challenged grandmother weaves some magic in a dusty charity shop, a grieving young mother takes a healing journey, and a shy woman from a family of high-achievers learns to follow her dreams. Family relationships, sibling rivalry, love lost and love found – these stories touch on the popular themes of Monica McInerney’s hugely successful novels, and are brimming with her trademark colour, warmth and humour. [Cover] 

 “Ken Ring’s predict weather almanac and isobaric maps for New Zealand 2009″ by Ken Ring 

This eleventh edition allows you to accurately calculate the weather for any day in the year ahead. By examining lunar orbits and seasonal cycles, and analysing weather trends using state-of-the-art meteorological technology this invaluable best-selling outdoor companion provides easy-to-use weather forecasting for the whole country. [Cover]

 

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

 

Avril

 

New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 8 Jan – 15 Jan

 

“Doctor Who : The writer’s tale” by Russell T Davies 

 

This book shows how the author plans the series and works with the show’s writers, where he gets his ideas for plot, character and scenes.
“Writing isn’t just a job that stops at six-thirty…It’s a mad, sexy, sad, scary, obsessive, ruthless, joyful, and utterly, utterly personal thing. There’s not the writer and then me; there’s just me. All of my life connects to the writing. All of it.” A unique look into the BBC’s most popular family drama, Doctor Who: The Writer’s Tale is a year in the life of the hit television series, as told by the show’s Head Writer and Executive Producer. A candid and in-depth correspondence between Russell T Davies and journalist Benjamin Cook, the book explores in detail Russell’s work on Series Four, revealing how he plans the series and works with the show’s writers; where he gets his ideas for plot, character and scene; how actors are cast and other creative decisions are made; and how he juggles the demands of Doctor Who with the increasingly successful Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures spin-offs. Russell’s scripts are discussed as they develop, and Russell and Ben’s wide-ranging discussions bring in experiences from previous series of Doctor Who as well as other shows Russell has written and created, including Queer as Folk, Bob and Rose, and The Second Coming. The reader is given total access to the show as it’s created, and the writing is everything you would expect from Russell T Davies: warm, witty, insightful, and honest. Fully illustrated with never-before-seen photos and artwork – including original drawings by Russell himself – The Writer’s Tale is a not only the ultimate Doctor Who book, but a celebration of great writing and great television. [Cover]

 ”Living off the smell of an oily rag” by Frank & Dr Muriel Newman

Living off the Smell of an Oily Rag in New Zealand is a new oily rag book that updates the previous publications that are now out of print and adds a great deal of new material. It includes hundreds of never-before-published tips, many coming from readers of the earlier books and visitors to the oily rag website (www.oilyrag.co.nz). This new book is illustrated throughout and has the characteristic oily rag style of humour. Times are tough; many people are looking for ways to reduce living costs and manage their money better. But Living off the Smell of an Oily Rag in New Zealand will also appeal to flatters, conservationists, tightwads, in fact anyone wanting to spend less to save more. [Cover]

 “The stepmother’s diary” by Fay Weldon

The wicked stepmother is a classic figure of literature. From “Cinderella” to “Hamlet”, she is portrayed as an evil manipulator out to do down her husband’s children. Reality is all too often the reverse, with stepchildren using all their cunning to do down daddy’s new wife in a no holds barred, down and dirty fight to the death. [Cover]

 

“Images of war” by Glyn Harper

A collection of photographs of New Zealanders at war. In 1914, despite being forbidden, many a Kiwi soldier’s kitbag included a portable camera, known as ‘The Soldiers’ Kodak’. In a major research project, Glyn Harper and the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum have combined official war photographs with more informal images to produce a moving visual history. While primarily drawn from the Museum’s collection, many photographs from private sources have been included. From more than 25,000 photographs, just over 800 have been selected – most of which have never been published. Chosen to depict each theatre of the 1914-18 war, including Gallipoli, Sinai-Palestine and the Western Front, poignant images from the home front are also included, along with graphic portraits of wounded soldiers, whose treatment marked the beginnings of modern plastic surgery. Despite the First World War being described as the most important and far-reaching political and military event of the twentieth century, pivotal in forging our national sense of identity, relatively little photographic material has been published from a soldier’s perspective. Here, some 90 years after the war ended, is the first collection of photographs of New Zealanders at war. Poignant, stirring and at times unbearable, it records the appalling, brutalising, mundane and touching experiences of those who were there. Lest we ever forget. [Cover]

 

 “Gardening in New Zealand month by month” by Dennis Greville

An irresistible excuse for getting into your garden – whatever the time of year. Dennis Greville delivers expert advice on gardening month by month to produce healthy lawns, borders and crops throughout the year. Whether it’s an invigorating winter pruning, a much-needed mulch or a golden harvest of autumn fruit, his book ensures that any task is tipped for success. [Cover]

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

 

Avril