Auckland Libraries blog

Alison and Karen consider the phenomenon of the bad boy from a literary standpoint, from Byron to the Beats. Listen to this episode  and read on for the books mentioned in the show. Books mentioned in the show: Young romantics: the Shelleys, Byron and other tangled lives by Daisy Hay Just kids by Patti Smith M train by Patti Smith Rimbaud: the double life of a rebel  by Edmund White A season in hell by Arthur Rimbaud Infinite jest by David Foster Wallace Every love story is a ghost story: a life of David Foster Wallace by DT Max A supposedly fun thing I’ll never do again by David Foster Wallace Brief interviews with hideous men by David Foster Wallace The liars’ club by Mary Karr On the road by Jack Kerouac Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac Big Sur by Jack Kerouac Auckland Libraries podcast Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Catch us ...

Alison and Karen are in holiday mode and discuss a selection of very long books for your reading enjoyment. Listen to this episode  and read on for the books mentioned in the show. Books mentioned in the show include: Infinite jest by David Foster Wallace The goldfinch by Donna Tartt 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami A suitable boy by Vikram Seth The luminaries by Eleanor Catton Les miserables by Victor Hugo An angel at my table  by Janet Frame War and peace : original version  by Leo Tolstoy ; translated by Andrew Bromfield Lonesome dove by Larry McMurtry The Silk Roads: a new history of the world by Peter Frankopan Auckland Libraries podcast 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 .

In the world of fiction, some stories are so chilling we take comfort in the knowledge that they're fabricated. What most may not realise, is some of the biggest blockbuster books were inspired by equally spine-tingling but real stories! Perfect for this  Great Summer Read challenge , we've put together a list of books you might not have realised were based on a true story (or strongly wished they weren't!) There are murder mysteries, gripping dramas and even a heart-warming tale of acceptance. Whatever your preference, you won't be able to put them down! The Shining by Stephen King Stephen King's infamous book The Shining is a cult classic that was made even more popular when brought to life on screen by Stanley Kubrick in 1980. The book came after a trip King and his wife took in 1974 to The Stanley Hotel (Overlook Hotel). The hotel is rumoured to be haunted, and it is said that a nightmare King had whilst staying here was the brainchild for this te...

4 March 2020: Read update about Leys Institute Little Library opening date 31 January 2020: Read update on Leys Institute Library . 19 December 2019 The 114-year old Auckland Council-owned Leys Institute Library will close from 5pm, Friday 20 December until further notice. The twin buildings are home to the Leys Institute Library and Gymnasium. A recently completed seismic assessment has found structural issues that make the buildings unsafe to occupy in the unlikely event of an earthquake. Auckland Council’s Ian Maxwell, Director Customer and Community Services, says: “We have taken the necessary decision to close both Leys Institute buildings to ensure the safety of our staff and our customers. “We know the likelihood of an earthquake in Auckland is very low compared to many other parts of the country. There is no immediate risk to people currently using the buildings. The buildings are considered safe under normal conditions. “However, the engineering assessment has c...

Alison and Karen plan their holiday reading and recommend some great beach reads. At last, time to read! Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast . Books mentioned in the show include: Forest dark: a novel by Nicole Krauss Flights by Olga Tokarczuk; translated by Jennifer Croft The right swipe: a novel by Alisha Rai Kismet: a novel by Luke Tredget The body: a guide for occupants by Bill Bryson Wild fire by Ann Cleeves The overstory: a novel by Richard Powers A sharp left turn: notes on a life in music, from Split Enz to Play It Strange by Mike Chunn Me by Elton John Janis: her life and music by Holly George-Warren Made in Scotland: my grand adventures in a wee country by Billy Connolly with Ian Gittins Year of the monkey by Patti Smith 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 Plane...

Alison and Karen take a literary journey to Cornwall and discover why this rugged and mysterious place continues to provide inspiration for so many writers. Listen to this week's episode on the Auckland Libraries podcast. Books mentioned in the show: Jamaica Inn  by Daphne du Maurier ; introduced by Sarah Dunant Frenchman's creek  by Daphne du Maurier ; with an introduction by Julie Myerson Daphne Du Maurier : enchanted Cornwall : her pictorial memoir  edited by Piers Dudgeon ; photographs by Nick Wright Daphne du Maurier  by Margaret Forster Ross Poldark : a novel of Cornwall, 1783-1787  by Winston Graham Rough music  by Patrick Gale A perfectly good man  by Patrick Gale Sword at sunset  by Rosemary Sutcliff The crystal cave  by Mary Stewart 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 ...

This is your chance to set your own Great Summer Read challenge! We've collected some of the best wild card challenges from last year's competition to give you some inspiration. Try one of these suggestions, or come up with your own and then tell us about your wild card challenge in the comments section below! Read a complete series. Write a song or poem based on a book you've read. Finish a book, and then rewrite the ending the way you wanted it to go. Read a book selected at random from the shelf. Ask a librarian at your local library for a personal recommendation. Read a book you've lied about already reading! Try a food you've only read about in a book. Read the same book in tandem with your friend. Download an eAudiobook to listen on the go. Read a book in one day. Read a book published the year you were born. Quit all electronic devices for one day and just read. Read a book with at least one map in it. Read a book in a language other tha...