Auckland Libraries blog

For lovers of literature and those who don’t know where to start (and everyone in between!), we have the perfect podcast to help build your ‘to be read’ pile. Books and Beyond  is our weekly radio show and podcast where we explore the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads and… beyond! Discussing everything from time travel and banned books to Pacific poetry and feminist fiction, each week hosts Alison and Ineka share their love of reading and give you inspiration for what to add to your library request list. With informative insights, fresh perspectives, and a feast of fun – no matter the theme of the episode, one thing’s for sure – you will learn something new every episode! Meet the hosts Alison and Ineka are our Reading Engagement specialist team and are passionate about the benefits of reading for pleasure and wellbeing and want to inspire you to join them to get cosy with a great book. A science graduate and constant reader, Alison began her career as a chemist ...

Global Money Week is an annual global awareness-raising campaign on the importance of ensuring that young people are financially aware, and can acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial well-being and financial resilience. It is marked in 175 countries and is held every year in the last week of March. On these shores, Alison recently chatted to the author, educator and personal finance journalist Mary Holm , whose latest book, A Richer You: How to Make the Most of Your Money , is  available to request now from the Auckland Libraries catalogue. Mary was made an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2020 for services to financial literacy education. She says that financial literacy skills are vital for all Kiwis. This knowledge includes understanding the value of money, budgeting, saving and avoiding unnecessary expenditure.  Those who don’t have basic financial literacy skills can e...

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day where we celebrate the achievements of women, raise awareness of bias and take action for equality.  In this Books & Beyond International Women’s Day podcast special recorded during Auckland’s fourth lockdown, Alison & Ineka celebrate gutsy, feisty and science-y women who are the builders, shapers and makers among us. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: International Women's Day 2021 This year more than ever, we're reflecting on the strength, resilience and determination shown by women both here and abroad in times of crisis. Globally, research is beginning to show that countries led by women have had better outcomes related to COVID-19 . At the same time, women have been disproportionately affected by both job loss and additional caring duties on top of their workload as a result of the pandemic, whether working from home or on the front line.  This podcast is both a salute and a shout-out, ...

As part of our  Auckland Pride Festival 2021 celebrations, librarian Alison chatted to Lil and Tanya from the Rainbow community about their recent and all-time favourite queer reads.  You can listen to the conversation on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Pride 2021 edition Reading enriches our lives and allows us to see ourselves and others at the intersections and margins of our experiences. Queer reads bring our lives in from the margins and show us that we belong, we matter, and we can thrive. Here are some of Lil and Tanya’s faves: Books to rip your insides out Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg Available as a free download from the author's website. Beautiful writing and an important record of queer history from the pre-Stonewall era. There was no safety for young queer folk in their blue-collar town, even in the drag bars. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Also available as OverDrive ...

In this episode of Books & Beyond, we present to you the Sisters Gay, who joined us direct from their 2020 smash hit at the samesame but different LGBTQI+ Literary Festival , where they presented their show called Classics (an after-hours storytime for grown-ups and other family members). The Sisters chatted about the show and read some excerpts from Lorde (Audre, that is) et al. Listen on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: The Sisters Gay Books mentioned in the show Tahuri: Short Stories by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters Who Was That Woman, Anyway? Snapshots of a Lesbian Life by Aorewa McLeod Stung with Love: Poems and Fragments of Sappho by Sappho Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and … beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104....

Join Alison and Ineka in the Literary Lounge as they discuss books about love, Pride and teen angst.  Listen on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lounge: Love edition Books mentioned in the show Crossing the Lines: The Story of Three Homosexual Soldiers in World War II by Brent Coutts   Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s - 1950s by Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell One Minute Crying Time by Barbara Ewing - also available as an OverDrive eBook and eAudiobook .   Honeybee by Craig Silvey   2000ft Above Worry Level by Eamonn Marra   Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan - also available as an O verDrive eBook . Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6 , Sundays at 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to via the Au...

Join Alison and Ineka in the Literary Lounge as they discuss books about post-modern relationships and white picket fences. Listen on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lounge: Living the dream? Books mentioned on the show Poly by Paul Dalgarno Exquisite Cadavers by Meena Kandasamy Luster by Raven Leilani How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division by Elif Shafak Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman In Touch: The Letters of Paul Bowles edited by Jeffrey Miller Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyon d explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6, Sundays at 9.35 pm . Recent shows can be listened to via the Auckland Libraries podcast .

Alison has been on a mission over the summer to re-read her favourite books by the classic American author John Steinbeck .  In this episode, she’s joined by fellow Steinbeck fan, and high school teacher Daniel, and together they discuss the author’s enduring popularity, particularly amongst young readers.  Tune in to our podcast and find out how books that are so old can seem so new.  Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: A summer of Steinbeck Books mentioned in the show East of Eden by John Steinbeck  Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck  The Pearl by John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6 , Sundays at 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to via the Auckland Libraries podcast .

Alison and Ineka have been reading up a storm over summer and have some great suggestions for those of you who want to break out of your literary bubble and try books that are a bit different.  So, tune in for recommendations and then relax, reset and reflect and get your summer reading sorted!  Listen to this episode of Books and Beyond on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Relax, reset, reflect Books mentioned in the show Weather by Jenny Offill A Lonely Girl Is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir by Tyler Feder Apeirogon by Colum McCann Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and … beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6 , Sundays at 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to via the Auckland Libraries podcast .

Alison and Ineka talk elegies, eulogies and the euphoria of lives well lived. We promise you at least one Eureka moment. (Hint: it’s to do with dogs who drive cars). Find out on this Literary Lounge episode of Books & Beyond . Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary lounge: Everything begins with E Books mentioned in the show  Homeland elegies by Ayad Akhtar  Death in her hands by Ottessa Moshfegh  Zen heart: what I've learned from animals and life by Mark Vette  The Pōrangi Boy by Shilo Kino Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore  The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on Planet FM104.6 , Sundays at 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to via the Auckland Libraries podcast .

What happens when the biography you are writing is secretly a memoir and your emotional support animal has gone rogue? Will you ever find the wisdom to live in harmony with the planet?  Find out on this Literary Lounge episode of Books & Beyond with Alison and Ineka. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lounge: Biography edition Books mentioned on the show Aroha: Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet   by Dr Hinemoa Elder  Pet: stories by Kathryn van Beek   Bruce goes outside by Kathryn van Beek   My autobiography of Carson McCullers  by Jenn Shapland   The trauma cleaner: one woman's extraordinary life in the business of death, decay, and disaster  by Sarah Krasnostein   Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls-Wilder  by Caroline Fraser   Remote sympathy  by Catherine Chidgey   Last Hope Island: Britain, occupied Europe, and the brotherhood that helped turn the tide o...

This episode of Books and Beyond features Alison in conversation with local author Lil O’Brien, who has recently released her memoir. Not that I’d kiss a girl: a Kiwi girl’s tale of coming out and coming of age  Tune in and find out how Lil’s sadness and subtext became motorbikes, main text and happy endings.  Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Not that I'd kiss a girl Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on   Planet FM104.6 ,  Sundays at 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be listened to   via the Auckland Libraries podcast .

Alison and Ineka are still in Literary Lockdown on tonight’s episode of Books & Beyond. This feast of fun and fabric includes discussion about repurposed beer crates, flotation tanks and side hustles – with a side of reading thrown in for good measure. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lockdown - Fun and Fabric continued   Books mentioned in the show:   My dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, 2020  Available in the Fiction collection , Overdrive eBook , Audiobook on CD and Large Print   Afakasi Woman by Lani Wendt Young, 2019 Short story collection - available in the Pacific collection   Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, 2020 Available in the Fiction collection , OverDrive eBook , and Large Print    An unexpected Grace by Kristin von Kreisler, 2014  Available in the Fiction collection , Overdrive eBook and Large Print    Three apples f...

It’s a frenzy of soft furnishing tonight because Alison and Ineka are in Literary Lockdown. Find out who has the best pouffe, and what these two have been reading during Level 3. Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lockdown Books mentioned in the show:   Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry  Also available in OverDrive eBook and BorrowBox eAudiobook   Where are we now by Glenn Patterson Guaranteed Available in OverDrive   Thick: and other essays by Tessie McMillan Cottom Also available in OverDrive eBook   The immortals of Tehran by Ali Araghi Also available in OverDrive eBook and OverDrive eAudiobook   Real Life by Brandon Taylor Also available in OverDrive eAudiobook Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on ...

Alison and Ineka discover the power imbalances and pressures still experienced by so many – even though we’ve been “closing the gaps” for years. Join them as they read about normal families, nearly normal families and uncanny valleys. Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Lust in the dust Books mentioned in the show:   Follow the rabbit-proof fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara After the carnage by Tara June Winch The daughters of Mars by Tom Keneally The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton Breath by Tim Winton Only killers and thieves by Paul Howarth  All the birds singing by Evie Wyld Red dust dreaming by Eva Scott The slap by Christos Tsiolkas Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us on  Planet FM104.6 , Sundays at 9.35 pm. Recent shows can be...

Alison and Ineka discover the power imbalances and pressures still experienced by so many – even though we’ve been “closing the gaps” for years. Join them as they read about normal families, nearly normal families and uncanny valleys. Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lounge   Books mentioned in the show:   Uncanny valley: a memoir by Anna Wiener (2020)  BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR: A rare first-person glimpse into high-flying, reckless startup culture in Silicon Valley at a time of unchecked ambition, unregulated surveillance, wild fortune, and accelerating political power.  A nearly normal family by M T Edvardsson (2019) CRIME: Eighteen-year-old Stella Sandell stands accused of a brutal murder of a shady businessman. She is an ordinary teenager from an upstanding local family. This novel asks how well do you know your own children? How far would you go to protect them?...

Alison and Ineka have been reading about recovery, resilience and revenge. Join us and make literature subversive fun again. Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Literary Lounge   Books mentioned in the show:   Nothing to See  by  Pip Adam (NZ author – Adult Fiction)   Days of Distraction  by  Alexandra Chang (Adult Fiction)   The Weekend  by  Charlotte Wood (Adult Fiction)   The Natural Way of Things  by  Charlotte Wood (Adult Fiction)   How to escape from prison  by Paul Wood (NZ author  -  Adult Non-Fiction )   Disappearing Earth  by Julia Phillips (Adult Fiction)   My dark Vanessa  by  Kate Elizabeth Russell  (Adult Fiction)   Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems...