Auckland Libraries blog

If you’ve got a long list of books you want to read, but it feels like there’s never enough time to read – why don’t you give our fantastic selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks on BorrowBox a go? With a wide range of popular New Zealand, Australian and international authors, you can read on the bus, enjoy a short chapter with a morning cuppa or listen while you’re vacuuming the house! No cost, high reward Borrowbox is free if you have a library card, and the number of titles is staggering. There are 1000s of free eBooks and eAudiobooks on offer, from classics like Lord Jim and Lee Child’s blockbuster novels to modern sensations like Where the Crawdads Sing (more on that later). Not sure where to start? Take a page out of someone else’s book. You can explore what’s flying off the shelves by browsing through the bestsellers section or find the next big thing by looking at what’s trending . The lowdown You can borrow up to 15 eBooks and 15 eAudiobooks at a time, so you’ll never be sh

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 Auckland Libraries podcast .

This episode of Books and Beyond is a window on Waitangi weekend. Join Alison, Ineka and Sue as they discuss the rich resources relating to our founding document Te Tiriti o Waitangi that are available from Auckland Libraries and further afield. Listen to this episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries · Books and Beyond: Waitangi Day 2021 Books mentioned on the show The Treaty of Waitangi Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Illustrated History by Claudia Orange (new edition published 2021) What Happened at Waitangi?  by Claudia Orange New Myths and Old Politics: The Waitangi Tribunal and the Challenge of Tradition by Tipene O’Regan He Pukapuka Pātaku i Ngā Mahi a Te Rauparaha Nui / A Record of the Life of the Great Te Rauparaha  by Tamihana Te Rauparaha; translated and edited by Ross Calman Imagining Decolonisation edited by Rebecca Kiddle; authors: Bianca Elkington; Moana Jackson; Ocean Mercier; Mike Ross; Jennie Smeaton; Amanda Thomas Bridget William

Our top pick for Waitangi Day 2021 is the updated edition of Dame Claudia Orange's illustrated history of the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi - available now online as part of the Bridget Williams Books Treaty of Waitangi Collection  and in print .   Claudia Orange's writing on Te Tiriti has contributed to New Zealanders' understanding of the Treaty for decades. In this new edition of her popular illustrated history, she brings the narrative up to date, covering major developments in iwi claims and Treaty settlements – including the establishment of "personhood" for the Whanganui River and Te Urewera, applications for customary title in the foreshore and seabed and critical matters of intellectual property, language and political partnership. In full colour and including illustrations, photographs, maps, copies and translations of founding documents, biographies and recent research into the Treaty documents and those who signed, this is a valuable update

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 .

With international travel off the cards for a little while longer, we've selected some reads to take you around the world from the comfort of home. Sweden A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Ove is the block's grumpy old man who enforces strict neighbourhood rules and whom everybody avoids. One ordinary day a new family moves in next door to Ove and turns his world on its head. Also available on  DVD . United States of America Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens For years, rumours of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. She's barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark. But Kya is not what they say. Also available on  DVD . Botswana The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith Wayward daughters. Philandering partners. If you've got a problem, and no one else can help you, then pay a vis

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 .

For many Aucklanders, reading has been a top priority in 2020. People have told us that they have read to learn and discover, and to escape into the pleasures of a good book. Read on for the  books that have been the most popular with Aucklanders in 2020: Adult fiction Blue moon by Lee Child The night fire by Michael Connelly The giver of stars by Jojo Moyes Grown ups - Marian Keyes Past tense - Lee Child Adult non-fiction Becoming - Michelle Obama Lady in waiting: my extraordinary life in the shadow of the crown by Anne Glenconner Veg by Jamie Oliver The body: a guide for occupants by Bill Bryson Jacinda Ardern: the story behind an extraordinary leader by Michelle Duff Children's fiction The missing movie by Geronimo Stilton The getaway by Jeff Kinney The test of time: the sixth journey through time by Geronimo Stilton The hunt for the Colosseum ghost by Jeff Kinney The island of dragons: the twelfth adventure in the Kingdom of Fantasy by JKRowling Children's no

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 of war by Lynne Olson   Auckland Li

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 .

If you haven't visited the library in a while, finding your way around can be quite a daunting task. We all know libraries are full of fascinating, gripping and titillating reads, but with endless options - where do you begin? We’re sharing our top five tips to help you get the best out of your library experience. Whether you know exactly what you’re looking for or don’t know where to start, these library hacks will help you find those hidden gems and make the checkout process a breeze. 1. Recently returned The recently returned section is a great place to start, as these are tried and tested by other customers! There will be a variety of genres on display, for those who don’t know what they’re looking for or if you're looking to try something new. 2. My Librarian Finding a good book can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re interested in! You can request a personalised recommendation from one of our librarians, just by filling out a short que

It’s all about reading recommendations this week on Books and Beyond. Librarians Karen and Louisa highlight the top 10 most requested books at Auckland Libraries at the moment, the most popular choices Aucklanders made when asked what book they’d take to a desert island, two very different online book lists, and what they are currently reading. Read on for all the books mentioned in the show. Karen is reading and recommends: The Graham Kerr cookbook: The Galloping Gourmet  by Graham Kerr The cost of living  by Deborah Levy Modern Romance  by Aziz Ansari Louisa is reading and recommends: Don Quixote  by Miguel de Cervantes Call me Zebra  by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi My grandfather would have shot me: a black woman discovers her family's Nazi past  by Jennifer Teege My Judy Garland Life  by Susie Boyt Top 10 most requested books at Auckland Libraries right now are: Still me by Jojo Moyes 12 rules for life: an antidote to chaos by Jo