New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 30 Jul – 6 Aug

  ”Feed me now” by Bill Granger

With his trademark simple, straightforward food, Bill has put together a bright, joyful, fun collection of recipes that answers the day-to-day food dilemmas of busy modern families. Combining fresh flavours and ingredients, Bill’s recipes produce divine results every time as well as answering the need for fast, healthy food for families and friends. Nowadays families come in all shapes and sizes, with or without children, young and old, some related some not. All have a requirement in their busy lives to be fed nourishing meals, usually in a hurry. With his trademark simple, straightforward food, Bill has put together a bright, joyful, fun collection of recipes that answers the day-to-day food dilemmas of busy modern families. Covering all aspects of family life, the chapters include ideas for quick healthy breakfasts, fast lunches, nursery teas, cook-ahead ideas, after-work suppers and dinners with friends. A day in the Feed Me Now family might start with Rhubarb and strawberry breakfast crisp, mid-day could fuel up with an Open sandwich of mushrooms, hazelnuts and goat’s cheese, the afternoon might bring a treat such as Chocolate and pistachio biscotti while friends for dinner would enjoy Slow-cooked lamb leg with anchovies and orange. Combining fresh flavours and ingredients, Bill’s recipes produce divine results every time as well as answering the need for fast, healthy food for families and their friends. [Cover]

 ”A short history of New Zealand”  by Gordon McLauchlan

This highly regarded book has been in print since 2004 and has proved popular with tourists, students and ordinary New Zealanders as a lively and reliable short history of New Zealand. It has proved a handy and succinct alternative to bigger books such as Michael King’s The Penguin History of New Zealand. The timeline at the end of the book has proved particularly popular. Gordon McLauchlan has been assiduously reading New Zealand history, biography and fiction for more than fifty years. He knows New Zealand as intimately and affectionately as anyone alive and has set out in this updated edition of A Short History of New Zealand to provide for the general reader an historical narrative that is personal and colourful, and stamped with the authority of a lifetime of deep interest. This revised edition includes events since the turn of the twenty-first century, including the results of the 2008 General Election. [Cover]

 ”Footnotes to sex’ by Mia Farlane 

May Woodlea is a champion procrastinator – the 3 a.m. failure in us all. She is not writing the proposal for her PhD. She lives in a grotty bedsit with her long-suffering partner Jansen. She is plagued by her unforgivably cheerful younger sister Elizabeth. How will May find purpose in her life and escape the daily grind? Can May and Jansen rescue their relationship from a seeming eternity of grudge-holding, competitive tiredness, imagined slights and absolutely no sex? And what will happen when a glamorous, domineering French writer and an old flame of Jansen’s come on the scene? “Footnotes to Sex” is a painfully funny novel about procrastination, double-chocolate biscuits, the importance of commitment and what happens in relationships when the sex isn’t happening! [Cover]

“La’s orchestra saves the world” by Alexander McCall Smith

Thank you for the music. It’s 1939 and the war in Europe casts a long, all-encompassing shadow. In a sleepy town in Suffolk, the generous and determined widow, La, forms an amateur orchestra to entertain the locals and soothe her own broken heart. She recruits Felix, a refugee from Poland, to play the flute, and a touching friendship emerges. When the war is over and the orchestra disbands, La is left pondering her next move. What role can she play in her community now the war is over? And can she let herself love again? “La’s Orchestra” is another delightful story celebrating friendship and the healing power of music, told with the warmth and charm we’ve come to love from one of the nation’s favourite storytellers [Cover]

 “The carver and the artist” by Damian Skinner

This exciting book charts the growth and development of the Maori modernist art that emerged from the rapid urbanisation of Maori in the mid twentieth century and the complex transition of Maori cultural and social structures from a rural to an urban setting. It is a story of the conflict between tradition and innovation – two seemingly incompatible but not always opposing positions that were the source of a great upswelling of creativity. Artists like Arnold Wilson, Para Matchitt, and Selwyn Muru constructed a Maori art that reacted against the customary culture and attempted to respond to the modern world in which they lived. The book includes a rich selection of reproductions of Maori modernist art many of which are of brilliant works not widely known and often from the artists’ own collections. [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 23 Jul – 30 Jul

 “Parky : my autobiography” by Michael Parkinson

From prize-winning journalist to chat show king on a show voted one of the top ten British TV programmes of all time, Michael Parkinson’s starry career spans over four decades. Now an international celebrity himself, the man from a humble but colourful Yorkshire mining family who can tease out the secrets of even the most reticent star guest, at last reveals his own story, with the easy manner and insight that has kept his audiences fascinated. His distinguished career has involved working on highly acclaimed current affairs and film programmes. His wide interests and expertise include jazz, film, football and cricket. Witty, humorous and blessed with exceptional intellectual clarity, Michael Parkinson’s memoir is a joy to read. [Cover]

 “Finger lickin’ fifteen” by Janet Evanovich

Janet Evanovich’s lovable and hapless heroine, Stephanie Plum, is back! Her fifteenth adventure is guaranteed to be her most fantastic, hilarious and most outrageous ever! Finger Lickin’ Fifteen provides comic delight as it details the continuing misadventures of Stephanie Plum, who manages to get doused with barbecue sauce, flour and paint during the course of this novel. Both Stephanie’s apartment and at least three cars that she is driving explode. Stephanie consoles herself during these disasters with the realization, “Sometimes it was good not to have a lot of expensive stuff. Less to feel bad about when it got fire-bombed.” [Cover]

 “Sew what! bags” by Lexie Barnes

The 18 core projects in “Sew What Bags” show how to use bold, contemporary fabrics to make totes, drawstring sacks, messenger bags, organizers, satchels, and purses in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Every project is shown in a full-color photo accompanied by step-by-step, illustrated instructions. [Cover]

“Midnight fugue” by Reginald Hill

The highly anticipated return of Dalziel and Pascoe, the hugely popular police duo and stars of the long-running BBC TV series, in a new psychological thriller. It starts with a phone call to Superintendent Dalziel from an old friend asking for help. But where it ends is a very different story. Gina Wolfe has come to Mid-Yorkshire in search of her missing husband, believed dead. Her fiance, Commander Mick Purdy of the Met, thinks Dalziel should be able to take care of the job. What none of them realize is how events set in motion decades ago will come to a violent head on this otherwise ordinary summer’s day. A Welsh tabloid journalist senses the story he’s been chasing for years may have finally landed in his lap. A Tory MP’s secretary suspects her boss’s father has an unsavoury history that could taint his prime ministerial ambitions. The ruthless entrepreneur in question sends two henchmen out to make sure the past stays in the past. And the lethal pair dispatched have some awkward secrets of their own. Four stories, two mismatched detectives trying to figure it all out, and 24 hours in which to do it: Dalziel and Pascoe are about to learn the hard way exactly just how much difference a day makes! [Cover]

 “Business stripped bare” by Richard Branson

From its creation as a mail-order record company to the launch of Virgin Galactic, Virgin Group has become one of the successful and recognised brands in the world. In this book, the author offers advice along with the stories of his achievements. Sir Richard Branson is one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and his Virgin Group is one of the most recognised lifestyle brands, trusted and enjoyed by many millions of people. Now, in his trademark charismatic and honest style, Richard shares the inside track on some of his greatest achievements over forty years in business as well as the lessons he has learned from his setbacks. In Business Stripped Bare, he discusses why he took on one of the world’s biggest superbrands, how he built Virgin Mobile USA into the fastest growing company in history to reach a billion dollars in revenue, faster than Microsoft, Google or Amazon.com, and how Richard is the only person in the world to have built seven billion dollar companies from scratch in seven completely different sectors. Richard tells the story behind the launch of Virgin America, his new airline in the USA, how Virgin Galactic is set to initiate a new era of space tourism from a spaceport deep in the Mojave desert, and what he has learned about business from a diverse group of leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Jack Welch, Herb Kelleher, Steve Jobs and the founders of Google. He also shares his thoughts on the changing face of the global economy and how businesses worldwide need to work together to tackle environmental challenges and invest in the future of our world. Combining invaluable advice with remarkable and candid inside stories, Business Stripped Bare is a dynamic, inspirational and truly original guide to success in business and in life. Whether you are an executive, an entrepreneur or just starting out in the business world, Richard strips down business to show how you can succeed and make a difference. [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 16 Jul – 23 Jul

 ”Around the world in 80 gardens” by Montague Don

Monty Don visits each continent in this landmark series on gardens of the world. We are introduced to the unique floating gardens of the Amazon and the colourful alpine flower meadows of Norway, modest domestic gardens in Havana and Bali, Monet’s world-famous Giverny and the Dutch tour-de-force Het Loo, the formal magnificence of Renaissance Italian water gardens, the tropical planting traditions of Thailand, and the intriguing fusion of indigenous and colonial garden cultures in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Each garden is placed in context, horticultural preconceptions are abandoned and Monty is constantly surprised by the unexpected locations where gardens thrive. A vivid account of travel, adventure, beauty and the pursuit of knowledge. [Cover]

 “Limestone” by Fiona Farrell

Clare Lacey is on a quest. In Ireland to attend an Art History conference, she sets out to find her father who walked out one day to buy a pack of cigarettes when she was a child, and disappeared. She is urged on her way by chance encounters: with a woman in a high tower, a blind man at a crossroads, a couple of rotund earthlings, a singer whose song she does not understand . . . Clues lie all around on a labyrinth of walls – but the final clue lies deep within. With Irish roots and a nod to the Irish classic, The Year of the Hiker by John B. Keane, this is a contemporary novel about inheritance, belief, art, love . . . and limestone. [Cover]

 “Dead and gone” by Charlaine Harris

In Bon Temps, Louisiana, a race of unhuman beings – older, more powerful and far more secretive than vampires or werewolves – is preparing for war. And Sookie Stackhouse will find herself an all-too human pawn in their battle as she investigates the murder of a were-panther. [Cover]

 “Shed chic” by Sally Coulthard

Sheds are no longer neglected outbuildings or decorative afterthoughts at the bottom of the garden. While the traditional garden shed was once a great place to escape to, these places have become the latest area of the home to be discovered by creative designers who see the garden as an extendable space, whether in the heart of the city or in a larger rural setting. Shed chic is all about making space. Outdoor buildings can double as additional rooms for over-crowded homes, they offer flexible and usable spaces that are versatile and practical converted into a neat and tidy office in which to welcome clients, an artist’s studio filled with inspirational clutter, a teenage den or a garden room for entertaining. [Cover]

 ”Poles apart” by Gareth Morgan

Gareth Morgan couldn’t decide whether he believed in climate change or not, so he hired the best international scientists to answer his questions and these are his findings. Combined with anecdotes from his own recent trips to Antarctica and the Arctic this is something completely unique in books about climate change – somebody who has approached the topic with an open mind, somebody who has the resources to explore such a topic and somebody who has personally investigated all of the issues. So what was his conclusion? Read the book to find out. In conjunction with excellent researcher and writer Dr John McCrystal, this is an accessible and fascinating exploration of one of the biggest topics of the 21st century. This book defines climate change, explains the science of taking the earth’s temperature, looks at the respective cases of the alarmists and the sceptics, examines the anecdotal evidence and the politics of this dialogue, and then comes to a conclusion based on all this research. [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 9 Jul – 16 Jul

 ”The artful gardener” by Gil Hanley

This handsome sourcebook is aimed at creative home gardeners looking for inspiration to develop or redevelop their properties, whether those properties be courtyard gardens or extensive acreages. With chapters on walls, entrances, water, support, plants, paving, seating, sculpture, pots, illusions, outdoor living and more, and with over 300 photographs, this book is a treasure trove of garden design excellence and creativity, both here, Australia and further abroad. The book is fully illustrated in colour by preeminent garden photographer Gil Hanly whose stunning photographs beautifully capture the wide variety of garden design in New Zealand. [Cover]

 ”Vaka moana” by K.R.Howe

Kerry Howe discusses the settlement of the Pacific in the context of the spread of modern humans across the world from their beginnings in Africa and examines early western ideas about the origins of the Pacific peoples. Rawiri Taonui, head of the School of Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Canterbury, shows how Polynesian oral traditions indicate a shared, migratory past. Geoff Irwin of the University of Auckland’s Department of Anthropology discusses the evidence pointing to the likely settlement routes and the likely strategies used by early voyagers. Auckland Museum Curator of Ethnology, Roger Neich, contributes a chapter on Pacific voyaging after the era of exploration. American anthropologist Ben Finney looks at the ocean-going canoes and navigation, and at the modern cultural renaissance which renewed interest in them has helped foster. Anne Salmond outlines the first contact between Pacific Islanders and Western explorers in the sixteenth century and what happened when these two maritime cultures met. [Cover]

“Planet cake” by Paris Cutler

A beautiful and funky beginners cake-decorating book that is written like a course, with learning outcomes, materials lists, equipment, step photography, instructions and hints. The book covers a range of popular cake designs for both sexes and all ages. The designs are fresh, vibrant and often whimsical, not traditional. The 28 designs include cupcakes, a handbag, shoe, present box, tyre, pirate, lollipop, makeup box, turntable, train, icecream and rocket. [Cover]

 ”Backyard battlefield” by Ruud Kleinpaste 

This book is a helpful guide for the organic gardener and although some chemical sprays are suggested they are certainly not the emphasis of the book and there are many less-harmful to the environment options for bug control covered including just leaving them alone to get on with it. Apart from being a useable reference book it is an interesting read in itself and sheds light on some of the suprising benefits of all sorts of bugs, even cockroaches. In addition, New Zealand gardeners will find it the ideal reference for their conditions, although it no doubt has wider application as well. [Cover]

 “How to dress” by Gok Wan

Sartorial superstar Gok Wan from TV’s How to Look Good Naked is every girl’s favourite style guru and confidence booster. His fantastic new guide has all the advice and inspiration you’ll ever need to look and feel totally fabulous, whatever the occasion. Packed with Gok’s advice on how to look good at a party, wedding or on the beach, How to Dress is like having your very own personal styling session with Gok. Loved for recognising that women are beautiful whatever their shape or size, Gok Wan understands how women can work their assets and minimise the part of their bodies they dislike to maximum effect. Every woman deserves a Fairy Gok Mother to help them look their most gorgeous. His new book is packed with fashion tips to help you stay on the style highway and not stumble off into fashion faux pas territory. Choosing the right outfit for a wedding or looking your best on the beach or at work can be stressful and in How to Dress Gok simply unravels the rules of style so every woman can look their best all the time. How to Dress shows you how to look great throughout the year, whatever your lifestyle and regardless of what life throws at you. [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 2 Jul – 9 Jul

 

 “The Angel’s cut” by Elizabeth Knox

It’s Hollywood, 1929. While Conrad Cole is working late on elaborate plans for his aeroplanes and his films, a mysterious stranger appears at his door. Xas soon finds himself caught up in the glamorous and treacherous world of movie-making and entangled with both Cole and a young woman who owes her life to the eccentric director. Both of them are drawn to Xas without knowing his secret – that under his shirt he hides the remnants of great snowy wings that set him apart from humankind, and that he is destined to wander the earth forever, always hearing the beating of feathers behind him, threatening him that his dark brother has found him again. [Cover]

 “The handy astronomy answer book” by Charles Liu

From planetary movements and the exploration of our solar system to black holes and dark matter, this comprehensive reference simplifies all aspects of astronomy with an approachable question-and-answer format. With chapters broken into various astronomical studies-including the universe, galaxies, planets, and space exploration-this resource is an ideal companion for students, teachers, and amateur astronomers, answering more than 800 questions, such as “Is the universe infinite?” “What would happen to you if you fell onto a black hole?” “What are the basic concepts of Einstein’s special theory of relativity?” and “Who was the first person in space?” [Cover]

 “Vision in white” by Nora Roberts

Childhood friends Mackensie, Parker, Laurel and Emmeline have formed a very successful wedding planning business together but, despite helping thousands of happy couples to organise the biggest day of their lives, all four women are unlucky in love. Photographer Mackensie Elliott has suffered a tough childhood and has a bad relationship with her mother, which makes her wary of commitment. But when she meets Carter Macguire, she can’t stop herself falling for him, although his ex girlfriend is prepared to play dirty to keep him. Mackensie soon realises she has to put her past demons to rest in order to find lasting love…[Cover]

 ”Always the sound of the sea” by Helen Beaglehole

Lighthouses have a mystique, a romance, and an almost biblical significance about them. Elegant structures located on remote and exposed sites where the land is challenged by the sea, they beam light into the darkness and transform uncertainty into knowledge and safety. They are the subject of legends and yarns, shanties and poems, written and oral history around the world. New Zealand’s lighthouses – their location, design, construction, operation and demanning – have been well documented in Helen Beaglehole’s comprehensive history, Lighting the Coast. But the lives and work of the men and women behind the lights over the last 150 years deserves closer study. Why did they choose the life? What did the job entail from day to day and year to year? How did it change? How did they feel about their work? What were their fears, frustrations and rewards? In Always the Sound of the Sea, Helen Beaglehole again challenges the myths and the romance as she looks for answers to these questions in the words of the keepers themselves. Drawing on a rich and intriguing mix of letters, diary extracts, official correspondence and interviews – from an 1872 diary to interviews with the last of the lighthouse keepers – she brings together first-hand accounts of the life and work of these resourceful New Zealanders. Illustrated with family snapshots and other photographs, this book is both a sequel and a companion to her highly praised Lighting the Coast. [Cover]

 “How to read a photograph” by Ian Jeffrey

Ian Jeffrey is a superb guide in this profusely illustrated introduction to the appreciation of photography as as an art form.  Novices and experts alike will gain a deeper understanding of great photographers and their work, as Jeffrey decodes key images and provides essential biographical and historical background. Profiles of more than 100 major photographers, including Alfred Stieglitz, Bill Brandt, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, Paul Strand, Lazlo Moholy-Nagy, highlight particular examples of styles and movements throughout the history of the medium. Each entry includes a concise biography along with an illuminating discussion of key works and nuggets of contextual information. [Cover]

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

 Avril