Currawalli Street - Christopher Morgan

With simpicity and great beauty, Currawalli Street reveals the echoes between past and present through the story of one ordinary street and its families, from the pre-war innocence of early 1914 to the painful and grim consequences of the Vietnam War. (Back cover)

For a review written by David Hill go to http://bit.ly/LwHtkW

The Eye of the Tiger (not the song) - Wilbur Smith

I was an avid reader of Wilbur Smith's Ballentyne and Courtney series, especially the earlier books. The books were set in the rugged and dangerous landscape of Africa. The Eye of the Tiger follows a similar scenario however it is based not on the land but at sea and on tropical islands. This novel was first published in 1975, so it is not a recent novel.

                                                        (Source: Flickr - Globalisation Pictures)
The following excerpt may help you decide if you might like to read it.
Harry Fletcher, a man with a chequered past, has reformed and is making an honest living as a charter skipper fishing for big game in the seductive waters of the Indian Ocean. suddenly men from the would of violenceHarry has put behind him overturn his good intentions, involving him in a hectic race to recover a fabulous treasure from and ancient wreck. (Back Cover)

Scroll over book cover on the  Shelfari shelf for more information.

Tagxedo

Tagxedo turns words -- famous speeches, news articles, slogans and themes, even your love letters -- into a visually stunning word cloud, words individually sized appropriately to highlight the frequencies of occurrence within the body of text. (Source: Tagxedo website)

I created this image using the Tagxedo web tool. It features words that exist within this blog. It is a fun way to create a visual image to incorporate into your assigments that is linked to your content. There are many features that enables you to customize the image such as colour, theme, orientation and font. I suggest you got to www.tagxedo.com and check it out. For more information on 101 ways to use Tagxedo go to http://bit.ly/101tagxedo

Swords - Ben Boos

The latest edition to the Shelfari new books shelf is Swords. It is a beautiful illustrated book of swords with background information about them. Highly recommended even if you aren't even interested in swords. And with sadness to learn that the author has passed away.

Ben Boos: In Memoriam

by Candlewick Press on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 7:50am ·

Ben Boos (1971-2011)

It's with sad hearts that we announce that our beloved author/illustrator Ben Boos passed away June 22nd, 2011 in a tragic accident. He leaves behind a loving wife and 4 children. Ben Boos was the creator of Swords: An Artist's Devotion and Fantasy: An Artist's Realm as well as a designer for the Diablo video games. His artwork also appears in the upcoming Spring 2012 title What Color Is Your World? The world has lost a great talent. (Source: Facebook)

Guns and utu: a short history of the Musket Wars - Matthew Wright

                                  Wright disputes the many mythologies of these wars,
                                  examining the whys and wherefores of this generation-long
                                  collision. (Back cover)

An easy-reading book that can be used for personal interest or information on New Zealand history.

Earth dragon, fire hare - Ken Catran

New Zealand's forgotten war, fought in the deep green jungles of Malaya. In 1948 Britain and her allies are pitted against Communist terrorists in a struggle for freedom. On opposing sides are Peter Hayes, a young Kiwi soldier, and Ng, a dedicated guerilla. They are enemies, but, as the bitter conflict deepens, both will ask questions. Who fights for freedom? Who is the oppressor? (Back cover)

Having written for TV and film, Catran clearly knows a thing or two about introducing characters using an action-driven plot and maintain a non-stop pace right to the very end. He hooks the reader immediately, and has crafted a well-written, interesting (Catran gets bonus points for writing about a war I’d never heard nor read of) and easy read. (Reviewed by Keri Trim at Booksellers NZ ) For the full review go to http://bit.ly/K4u2eS

Visit from Massey University representative

The library has been hosting visits from university personnel from around the country to provide an opportunity for Year 13 students to hear what each university can offer. Today Leland Ruwhiu from Massey covered areas such as entry requirements, facilities and services, recommended and required Y13 subjects to be taking for specific areas of tertiary study, and the various Massey campuses. Leland was pleased with the enquiries and the level of preparation the students had already acheived.

For more information and pamphlets see Ms Land at the Careers Office.

The Tell Tale Heart - Edgar Allan Poe

The tell tale heart

Click on the link above to view an  animated short film of a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. It is moody, eerie and narrated with dramatic tension by James Mason.

Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 - October 7, 1849) was an influential American poet, novelist, short story writer and literary critic. The majority of his writings, both poetry and prose, fall within the horror genre. He is sometimes credited with inventing modern detective fiction with his 1841 short story Murders in the Rue Morgue. (Source: http://literature.wikia.com/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe)

New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards

The following books (except for Calling the Gods) are available at the library.

Winner of the New Zealand Post Children's Book of the Year and winner of the Non-Fiction category.

                                                 Honour award: Non-fiction category.

 Winner - Young Adult category.

                                   Winner of the Junior Fiction and Best First Book Award.

                                                  Honour Award - Picture Book category.

                                                       Honour Award - Young Adult.

                                                        Honour Award - Junior fiction.

Winner of photo competition

Monday school assembly; there was a tangible sense of anticipation and the 'drumroll' of feet just before the announcement of the winning entry for the competition held last week. Contestants were required to identify the staff members whose faces were only partially revealed behind a book or under a hat, and in one case photographed when he was much younger. The second requirement was to name one book labeled/tagged in the library blog with 'level one reading'. Although there was a great response, only 17 correct entries made the draw. Our lucky winner is Joshua who chose a $20 iTunes card for his prize. Congratulations Josh!

New books

I have added 6 new books to the Shelfari shelf. Scroll over cover or click on cover for more details about each book.

No time for fear: how a shark attack survivor beat the odds - Paul de Gelder

                                                    (Source :You Tube. Paul de Gelder - No Time for Fear)

Paul lost two limbs, and his career as an elite navy clearance diver was flung into jeopardy. Drawing on everything his eventful life had taught him - from his wild teen days to his haul up the ranks of the defence forces - Paul left nothing to chance in his recovery. His inspiring story takes 'never say die' to a whole new level. (Back cover)

Author of the Year Award goes to...

                                                   (Source: You Tube. Author of the Year - CBCBook)

The Children's Book Council (in the U.S.A.) has announced Jeff Kinney as their author of the year at the 2012 CBCA's. He was in esteemed company with other nominations being Christopher Paolini, James Patterson and Rick Riordan. The video features the presentation of this award, well worth viewing.

Graphic novels

         On display and available for issue are number of new graphic novels.

The lifeboat - Charlotte Rogan

Over the course of three perilous weeks, the passengers on the lifeboat plot, scheme, gossip and console one another while sitting inches apart. Their deepest beliefs about goodness, humanity and God are tested to the limit as they begin to discover what they will do in order to survive. (Back cover)

(Source: You Tube. Charlotte Rogan on The Lifeboat)

Book with a difference!

Reading this book is is a bit like taking a wonder along a trail, where there are twists and turns on the way.

(Image source: Strand Books)

It is titled Kapow by Adam Thirlwell (not available at FDMC library). For more info about this unusual book go to: http://bit.ly/KxtMaj

The day she cradled me - Sacha De Brazin

                                                        (Image source: www.listener.co.nz)

A fascinating novel based on the life of the infamous baby farmer Minnie Dean, the only woman in New Zealand ever to be hanged. (Back cover)

The Nutters Club: helping nutters from the inside out - Mike King with David Codyre

                                                          (Source: www.radiolive.co.nz)

Mike King is in his own words a 'Certified Nut'. Every Sunday he and psychiatrist, Dr. David Codyre, host the hugely popular Nutters Club radio show on RadioLive. The show focuses on the life experiences of a Guest Nut who shares their story to help others with Mental Health issues.

This book focuses on 11 people from different walks of life who talk about their life challenges. Through each story you learn about coping mechanisms, recovery and hope, in a way that is non-preachy and easy to understand. Includes stories from Mike Chunn and Denise L'Estrange-Corbett and some insight into Mike King's personal battle with depression, drugs and alcohol. (Back cover)

Untamed: the extraordinary adventures of the Swazi Man by Davey Hughes

Davey was born in Scotland and came to New Zealand as a young boy. It was this country that shaped him, that gave him a sense of adventure and a yearning for the hills and mountains. (Inside cover)

                                                                                 (Source: www.mightyape.co.nz)


Keep up with Davey's adventures at www.swazi.co.nz

Calico Joe by John Grisham

John Grisham - Calico Joe is a stunning and poignant novel about sons and their dads, the forgiveness and redemption that can be needed in these relationships, all set in the world of Major League Baseball. (Source: www.calicojoe.com)


An unforgettable novel about childhood, family, conflict and guilt, and how a lifetime of tragedy might finally be forgiven. (Backcover) 


For reviews go to:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/13154952-calico-joe

An evening with Helen Brown

Taranaki is being spoilt this month with a visit from another author, New Plymouth-born Helen Brown. Well-known journalist and author for 28 years, she will be at Benny's Books on Wednesday 30 May, 5.00 - 6.30pm. It is a free event but bookings are essential. Phone Benny's Books: 7594350.

Helen's book After Cleo, came Jonah is a sequel to Cleo.

                                                        Source: www.borders.com.au

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Peter James will be in town!

Fans of Peter James will have the opportunity to experience an evening with this English author on Monday 14th of May, 6pm at the Plymouth International Hotel.
Tickets are $10 includes wine and nibbles, available from Benny's Books.

We have his book titled Dead Simple. Four bodies. One suspect. No trace. Described by the Daily Telegraph as 'A terrific tale of greed, seduction and betrayal'. (Back cover)

An event not to be missed!