Murder, history, politics, religious reformation. Watching Queens come and go. Good Catholics having their saints and idols removed from churches, their monasteries dissolved and monks thrown out into the streets. And all because your Monarch, who you are fast going off, wanted a divorce and it wasn't granted by the Pope. Oh, and murders and the solving of…
Bibliobishi’s Optimistic Reading and Viewing for January and Beyond
Working as I do at Christchurch City Libraries, I hear of (and read) so many great books, and watch so many excellent movies and tv, that my For Later Shelf remains stationary, no that's not quite true, it continues to grow. Shrinkage would mean less getting distracted by the ideal cover bringing such promise of a great read…
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti
Samuel Hawley is a very violent man. I say this because he will still hurt someone if they in any way harm his adored 12 year old daughter Loo. But to be fair to the man, his extreme villainy and violence were conducted in his past. A past which becomes more and more important as the story progresses…
Remembering Norman Kirk
A big man in every sense, Norman Kirk was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 to 1974, and leader of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1965 to 1974. He died on 31 August 1974 and I would like to pay homage and possibly introduce him to another generation of Kiwis. It's not a…
The Changeover by Margaret Mahy
Laura sometimes receives ‘warnings’ and this time the danger is supernatural. With a movie version due soon, Joy reviews this YA classic.
Cabin Fever
I am totally hooked on small houses, cabins log and otherwise, tree houses, yurts, ex-railway carriages, caravans... essentially dinky living and I'm not alone I don't think. Apart from the sheer ingeniousness required to squeeze everything into the limited space, what is that gets me? Is it some basic psychological need coming from cavewoman days that cons me into…
The Dead Poets and the Non Poetry Reader
It is for his prose that I love the writing of Laurie Lee, although it's darn near poetry anyway. Cider with Rosie was what started this love affair, the flames were fanned by Village Christmas, a slim little number that had me wanting to be 'carol-barking' with the young Laurie and the boys from the village choir, trudging through the snow and being…
I do not like Fantasy, I do not like it Anywhere
But I'm reading Fantasy novels and worse (despite my carefully nurtured prejudiced convictions) I'm really getting into some of it. How the heck did that happen? I mean, Lord of the Rings was a once read and never watched. I gave it a go though and never got round to reading Harry Potter and don't feel the need. Enough! You get…
Book tea and tales with Jenny Pattrick – Community Read
Community Read kicked off yesterday at the Library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - Book chat, tea, and tales with bestselling author Jenny Pattrick. Jenny and her husband Laughton sang a little number especially composed by Laughton for the book launch of Heartland. A heartwarming morning at Te Hapua with #JennyPattrick, cake and song! @teamshakunga…
Cosplay and Comics at Papanui Library
Love reading and drawing your own comics? Do you want help with your drawing, assistance with your technique and tips on comics, publishing etc and a free comic? All of this for no charge? Right then get yourself signed up for our free comic drawing workshop at Papanui Library with Spencer Hall, artist/cartoonist. The workshop is for ages 12-18…
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