“The Nowhere Man” is book two of the Orphan X series by Gregg Herwitz, and delivers as much punch and pace as the first one. Luckily I didn’t have to wait long for this instalment and I read it in double quick time. This character is so likeable and talented and flawed. It’s great to find a book that captures your attention so well. I thought the kidnap part of the story was a little long but it didn’t detract from the overall pleasure of a well written book. Another cliff hanger at the end of this book will keep me biting my nails till the next instalment comes out, although I suspect I will have to wait a bit longer than a month.
Corinna
I do love a good romance, it makes you all warm and fuzzy inside when you read a good book. Obviously this is not restricted to perfectly written romances but I have to say, for me, although I love them, thrillers don’t leave me with the same gooey feelings. Despite that any well written book should be celebrated and lauded and passed around forever in my opinion.
Eloisa James
Eloisa James writes a great book, with sparkling conversations, likeable characters and storylines that – although they follow the tried and tested formula of girl meets boy, falls in love, has a disaster but comes right in the end – always manage to capture your imagination and keep you page turning until you have to rush to work, dinner or bed. “Seven minutes in heaven” is just such a great book. The chemistry between the characters is palpable. The story line is simple and engaging and the ending is all you could want in a romance, happy ever after, yes please.
Mrs Snowe is the proprietor of a very exclusive governess agency and Edward Reeve is in need of a governess for his two half siblings. What ensues is a romp through regency England and all the pitfalls of being a member of the ton. Ms James doesn’t hold back and neither do her characters. If you blush easily these books might not be for you, but if you want to smile when you put a book down and imagine how the characters will grow and continue their lives then this one is definitely a keeper.
Until next time
Corinna
An angel and a demon walk into a bar … no actually, but they did meet for coffee frequently. They’d known each other since the Garden of Eden, and were happily monitoring the Earth. Until one day when Crowley (the demon formerly incarnated as the Snake) is tasked with delivering the newly ‘born’ Anti-Christ to a maternity home, to be switched out with the newborn son of an American diplomat. Only, things don’t quite go according to plan – unless it’s an ineffable plan – and the baby is mistakenly placed with an ordinary English couple who live in a small village.
This error is unbeknownst to the powers of Good and Evil, until the Anti-Christ’s 11th birthday when he is supposed to come into his powers and start Armageddon. But the American child they think is the Anti-Christ is nothing but a spoiled brat. And his gift – a Hell Hound – makes a beeline for a different child.
Crpwley is in big trouble with the higher-up. But it’s a golden opportunity for the Angel. Who will find the Anti-Christ first? It doesn’t really matter though, because they both want the same thing – to stop Armageddon. Because they quite like it on Earth really and they don’t want to move back to Heaven or Hell at all.
Peppered in amongst all the mayhem is a guild of Witch Hunters, a Witch, a Prophetess, the Anti-Christ’s schoolyard friends, and other assorted characters. And the Anti-Christ himself is not as expected either – it’s all a matter of Nature or Nurture really.
If you like the late Sir Terry Pratchett, then you’ll certainly like this story. It’s full of humour, dry wit, irony and plain fun.
-Natalie
‘Walking the line’ by Mandy Magro is about Charlize Dawson, who discovered her husband was cheating on her, is given an assignment by her boss to interview a bronco rider from the outback.
Author Mandy Magro
The city girl finds life in the country very different from in the city, not only the clothing but for a pescetarian, living among those who eat meat there are those who hold different views. The cowboy whom she is to interview isn’t what she expected, but someone knows of a family secret which he doesn’t want revealed. What is she to do? Should she reveal this to the whole county or does someone have a hidden agenda?
Read this and find out, maybe you will enjoy this as I did.
Wyn
Little Ears is our free weekly story time for under 5-year-olds. We are changing the time it’s run at Woodville Library and Pahiatua Library to fit in with parent’s naptime schedules better. Everyone is welcome – it’s a great way to meet other parents or caregivers too.
From Term 2 May 2017:
Dannevirke Library – Mondays – 9.30am til 10am (no change)
Woodville Library – Wednesdays – 10.30am til 11am
Pahiatua Library – Tuesdays – 10.30am til 11am
Finalists : New Zealand Book Awards for Children 2017
The finalists will be announced on 7 June 2017.
Tararua District Library’s annual quiz for children Year 7/8 will be based on the ‘HELL Children’s Choice Award’ finalists excluding the Young Adult category. Details about this hotly contested quiz will be sent out to schools at the beginning of Term 3, and the quiz is usually held in September.
This post will be updated when more information is to hand, or you can check this website.
Winter Warmers Reading Incentive Programme for Children in school Year 1 to 8.
The programme runs for six weeks from 26 June to 11 August 2017. Enrolments are not yet being taken, but watch this space or our Facebook page
How does it work?
- Children are given a booklet in which to write reviews about Tararua District Library books they have read (books must be at their current reading level).
- Each review earns a sticker on a map of New Zealand in the booklet
- Achieving five stickers earns a small gift, and at the end of the programme, a certificate and free book.
- Achieving ten stickers earns another small gift.
- Each sticker received qualifies the child to enter our weekly prize book draw.
Many schools have pre-registered entire classes to do Winter Warmers, in conjunction with us, as part of the curriculum. When enrolments open, we encourage you to check with your school office or teacher before enrolling at the library (as you wouldn’t need to).
Educators, please contact your local library if you would like to discuss the possibility of your school (in entirety or in part) participating in Winter Warmers. Full details of how it operates through the classroom can be emailed to you, on request, or you can arrange for a librarian to come to school to discuss further. Email library@tararuadc.govt.nz
Many people are surprised at the volume of new items we purchase – on average, about 400 per month, across all areas. If you’re curious as to what we’ve ordered, how can you find out? Go to our online catalogue (tararua.kotui.org.nz) and in the search box, leave it empty then click on search. This ‘zero’ search will bring up a huge result.
Now, using your filters on the left side, tick On Order from shelf location, then click on Include. That will re-run the search and bring up only those items still On Order (ordered, but not received). You can narrow the results down further with filters like Publication Date, or Material Type (book = adult, junior book = child/teen). Sometimes the Status of the item is confusing :
Ordered Items appear like this.
Ordered means it’s on order;
Available Soon means we have received the item, but it is not ready for issue ;
Available means it’s on the shelves ;
TR_Display means it’s in the library, on a main display shelf and can be checked out ;
On Loan means it’s checked out to someone ;
In Transit means the item is travelling between branches, it can be put on Hold.
Items that are Ordered may still be put on Hold.
You do need to be logged in to place a hold, or to create lists of items – top right of catalogue page, click on Log In. Enter your library membership number (make sure you enter B00 as B zero zero, not B oh oh). Enter your passcode – if you’ve forgotten, click on the red forgotten your passcode link ; our system will email you your passcode within 15 minutes (please check your junk or spam folder). Feel free to ask for a lesson within your local library, if you’re unsure how to do this.
Much of our collection is selected by demand meaning that we do buy the majority of items suggested to us by patrons – you can either suggest a purchase direct to a librarian, or fill out a suggestion for purchase form (click on Purchase Suggestions Tab on this blog).
If you need further help with navigating the catalogue, please click on the wheelchair icon on the top right of the catalogue screen, for more tips and tricks. Happy reading!
If you’re a horsey person, “The Horseman” by Charlotte Nash may make you cry. The story is set in Australia somewhere near Wonnangatta National Park and revolves around a young woman named Dr Peta Woodward, who suffers great loss within her family. She feels she needs to ‘get away’ from everything to sort herself out, so sets out on a solo walking trip through the Aussie high-country.
Peta enjoys the sense of freedom from a demanding profession and enjoys the quiet until she injures herself. She is rescued by a high-country horseman. During her recovery, Peta finds herself drawn into small-town life with all its intrigues, and activities. She also finds herself drawn to her rescuer, but is unable to decide what to do about it.
You need to read it to find out what happens to the horse.
Wyn
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
between the crosses, row on row
that mark our place; and in the sky
the larks, still bravely singing, fly
scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
loved and were loved, and now we lie
in Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
to you from failing hands we throw
the torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
we shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders fields.
– John McCrae
‘I am pilgrim’, the debut by Australian author Terry Hayes got a lot of good press when it came out. I heard about it on the radio and it seemed like just the kind of book I like. My first comment is it’s long, 700 pages. That might be a bit daunting for some but not impossible. What is a little more daunting is the length of background and build up in the book.
There are two stories kinda running parallel throughout the first two sections of the book, they come together sort of at the end, but I really didn’t get a feel for this book or love it. I finished the story and went meh ok, done, but I’m not sure if I would bother to read another. Now obviously if you read online reviews for this book I am in a minority but that’s OK, I don’t mind that.
There is talk that the book will be made into a film in 2017 and I suspect it will make a great film (depending on who they get to play Pilgrim, is Tom Cruise available?). However, despite the hype, if you’ve read other books in this genre I think you might be a little disappointed by Pilgrim’s story. Then again, maybe not.
Corinna
I like fast paced books such as ‘Turbo twenty-three’ by Janet Evanovich, but I think I’ve said before that they are very cookie-cutter, and I’m beginning to feel that the character Stephanie Plum needs to make a decision about her life and the two men in it. I realise that this would change the whole dynamic of the books but it’s been 23 books Ms Evanovich, surely by now she could be a bit more organised, clued in and generally ready to face her life and the choices she really does 
need to make. I would like to see the storyline or character move on.
These stories are fun and easy to read. I like the characters. I would have Ranger in a New York minute, commitment issues or not, and I suspect I will keep reading them just to see how they pan out and how Ms Evanovich manages the aging of the characters, but to be honest if you’ve read one of these books they are all very similar and I think, in time, I will begin to resent the fact that the characters don’t seem to move on, grow up or mature in either their behaviour or lifestyle.
Fun, light reading if you want an hour or two of time-out.
Corinna
“Good me, bad me” by Ali Land is what I call a cross-over novel, suitable for both teens and adults. The main character is fifteen-year-old Annie, who is now in witness protection with the new name of Milly. Why? Because she dobbed her mum into the police – her mum, the serial killer of nine little children. Milly’s father left years ago, and her older brother got himself taken into care to get away from their Mum, but she was left behind, alone at the age of five – and abused, manipulated, tortured and groomed ever since.
The father of the foster family she’s placed with is a psychologist, assigned to help prepare to testify at the court case. He thinks she is wracked by survivor’s guilt, and she is – after all, she didn’t tell on her mum for ten years, and then only because her mother had horrendous plans for her sweet sixteenth. And also, the last murder victim was someone she knew. But it’s not just that – there’s much more involved.
Pheobe, her foster-sister, is a jealous bully, who is determined to make Milly’s stay with them a misery – and temporary. And although Pheobe initially comes across as mean and spiteful, by the end, one can’t help but feel just a little sorry for her. Because Milly is beautiful, smart and cunning and Pheobe really doesn’t know who she’s dealing with. Milly has had a very good tutor, after all….
This book initially seemed quite simple, however the character development is fantastic and it really drew me in. The author leaves trails of clues, which keep you wanting to read long into the night. That said, I have to admit that I did suspect the ending a chapter or two beforehand. But there was still enough doubt to keep me reading on. I can see this on the big screen one day, and I could imagine a sequel – Milly in a 10 years would be a very interesting character indeed. Those of you who like family drama, suspense fiction, or real-life stories, will probably love it as much as I did.
Natalie
I am always looking for a new author – someone to keep me on the edge of my seat while entertaining me. Alex Berenson has good reviews and this book ‘The Silent Man’, was OK. It’s the third in a series and unfortunately, we do not have the first two books although if I was really hooked I could probably order the previous two through the interloan option at the library. It’s an easy read, but I felt a little disjointed coming into a series on the third book and I think I missed a lot of relevant information regarding the characters.
The hero is a little dark. He seems to have rebounded from being on the ‘wrong’ side of the law regarding terrorism and the mind-set of the ‘baddies’. I think he may grow as the story advances and this makes me want to keep reading. This particular story involved a believable storyline and the simplicity of the wrong people getting hold of weapons that could end civilisation. Especially now, I can believe that the fanatics of any religion could cause maximum damage with a few lucky breaks so it’s not so farfetched as some thrillers. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series, mainly to see the growth of the main character.
Corinna
The Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon, consists of eight novels – it has been around for a number of years and was originally called Cross Stitch. I started reading it last year, and can’t believe that I have not read it sooner! Where have I been all this time!!
Be warned – these books are hefty reads – not for the faint-hearted on so many levels – rich with history, politics, war and no shortage of steamy love scenes that would put ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ to shame! The reading is not easy going – for me, personally, there were some tedious parts (war and politics)- but these are interwoven with an often racing plot full of twists and turns and completely un-put-down-able.
The absolute immersion in the history I found so absorbing. And throw in the fact that the central character, Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser (called Sassenach by her highlander soul mate Jamie Fraser) is a time traveller – makes for an absolute rollicking read! I just want to go home and throw myself under the covers and never get up until I have reached the end of Claire and Jamie’s fascinating life.
The novels go back and forth in time – from 1940s Inverness, Scotland to 1740 Inverness, at the first stirrings of the Jacobite rebellion. Over to France, back to Scotland – and then forward to 1940s Scotland and 1960s America – THEN back to 1770 Scotland and across the water to Colonial America, at the beginnings of the War of Independence.. Phew! I have learned so much , and have so much left to go – I LOVE this series so far ( am currently reading An Echo in the Bone, book 7). And to top it off, it is now out on DVD – so I am making my way through the DVD series as well – which is available to borrow through Tararua District Library.
So, come on, I dare you! If you haven’t discovered the Outlander series, and love a good dose of history/romance/action/war/fantasy, you will love this I guarantee! But don’t expect to find these books sitting idly on the shelves, this series is so popular, that you often will need to reserve it. Diana Gabaldon hasn’t finished yet – she is currently researching and writing her 9th novel “Don’t tell the bees that I’m gone”. No word yet on publication, her books generally take 2-3 years to write.. ohhh.. the anticipation!
Pamela
Tararua Library