New books on display at Hurunui District Library from 26 Jan – 2 Feb

 

 

 

 ”Wind from a distant summit” by Pat Deavoll

For over three decades Pat Deavoll has been climbing at the elite level of her sport, in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, in the Canadian Rockies and Alaska and undertaking extreme, world-class expeditions to the great mountain ranges of Central Asia, including the Himalayas and the Karakorum. In Wind from a Distant Summit she tells of her beginnings in the mountains of New Zealand, and of how far a singular level of drive, determination and talent has taken her – there are few mountaineers in New Zealand, women or men who have managed her level of achievement, and who have climbed so hard for so long. This book however, is more than an account of her remarkable adventures, for it delves into the more personal aspects of elite mountaineering; the personal sacrifices required to lead a life lived out on the edge, the challenges of being a woman in an activity so dominated by men, and an exploration of the motivation that drives her and others to take such extreme risks. But what is perhaps most remarkable about Pat Deavoll is that she has achieved so much despite a life-long struggle with clinical depression, and about which she writes with a moving honesty. Wind from a Distant Summit is a rich and compelling story with enough humanity and insight to make this a wonderful read for anyone interested in the possibilities of an adventurous life. [Cover]

 

 

 

 ”The dovekeepers” by Alice Hoffman

The lives of four sensuous, bold and remarkable women intersect in the year 70AD, in the desperate days of the siege of Masada, when supplies are dwindling and the Romans are drawing near. All are dovekeepers, and all are keepers of secrets – about who they are, where they come from, who fathered them, and whom they love. There is Yael, the assassin’s daughter whose heartbreak leads to her true path in the ruins of the desert; Revka, the baker’s wife who loses her dearest treasure on earth and yet finds the strength to protect her family; Aziza, the warrior’s beloved who leads a secret life not even those closest to her could imagine; and Marit, beautiful witch of Moab, a woman as loyal as she is dangerous. [Cover]

 

 

 

 ”Big fat gypsy weddings”

Welcome to the wonderful world of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.This is the official book of one of the most talked-about TV series ever to have hit our screens. The show offered a unique insight into the traveller and gypsy communities, their lives, loves and their incredible wedding ceremonies.But there is so much more to these fascinating people and their culture and this book draws readers even further into an extraordinary secret world.All of the biggest, most colourful characters from the series are here – including Thelma the wedding dressmaker and Paddy the champion fighter. The book reveals what happened to some of the young lovebirds from the series – did they live happily ever after? And there’s a host of new and wonderful characters to get to know too.But it’s not just about weddings. This book sheds light on what it’s like to grow up living on the outside of society, suffering the suspicions of settled folk and trying to preserve the traditions of an ancient culture.Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is a gilt-edged invitation into the heart of gypsy and traveller life, brimming with unforgettable stories and brand new insights into a disappearing world. [Cover]

 

 

 

 ”The secrets of Rosa Lee” by Jodi Thomas

Everyone assumes Rosa Lee Altman lived a life without passion. But buried secrets are meant to be revealed…The once beautiful Altman home sits empty: its gardens overgrown, its windows boarded up — an old lady, now silent. But if some of the townsfolk have it their way, this lovely reminder of times past will be sold off to the highest bidder. When a group of community members with little in common is chosen to decide the fate of ‘the old Altman place’, they soon learn that Rosa Lee’s home is more than bricks and mortar. It’s also a place that harbours a love so strong, it has the power to change the entire town. But no one is prepared for what they discover beneath Rosa Lee’s overgrown roses — or how her legacy will change their lives forever. [Cover]

 

 

 

 ”No regrets” by Carolyn Burke

Edith Piaf was one of the most greatly loved singers of the twentieth century. From the start of her exceptional career in the 1930s, her waif-like form and heart-wrenching voice endeared her first to the French, then to audiences around the globe. As she moved from her youth singing in the streets to the glamour of the Paris music-halls, Piaf formed lasting friendships with such figures as Maurice Chevalier, Jean Cocteau and Marlene Dietrich; she wrote many of her own songs, aided the Resistance in the Second World War, and mentored younger singers like Yves Montand and Charles Aznavour. Yet her path to stardom was full of tragedies – the death of her daughter in infancy; the death of Marcel Cerdan, her greatest love, in a plane crash; her many illnesses, affairs and addictions, all of which nourished her passionate performances and strengthened her enduring bond with audiences. In this mesmerising, definitive new biography Carolyn Burke gives us Piaf in her own time and place, illuminating through sympathetic readings of sources hitherto unavailable both the charm and the pathos of the ‘Little Sparrow’ who enchanted generations and still enthralls us today. [Cover]

Other titles on display this week :

“Women’s stuff” by Kaz Cooke

“The colour of death” by Michael Cordy

“Gamble” by Felix Francis

“V is for vengeance” by Sue Grafton

“Wire jewelry masterclass” by Abby Hook

“Surface treatment workshop” by Darlene Olivia McElroy & Sandra Duran Wilson

“Battlefield 3″ by Andy McNab

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

 Avril