Wellington Reads discussion
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Introduction and welcome thread!
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Wellington City Libraries
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Nov 15, 2012 08:10PM
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HiReading is my favorite hobby and I can never find enough time to read all the books I want to.
I am part of a bookclub at Kilbirnie Library which is fun and extends the type of books I read.
I'm currently reading the Game of Thrones books after watching the recent TV series - magic but keeping track of the increasing number of characters is challenging!
The book that has most moved me recently is Parihaka Woman. The Parihaka Woman
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I have far too many favourite authors and books to list here, but I'm looking forward to reading Lois McMaster Bujold's latest book "Captain Vorpatril's Alliance".
Hi June :-) I'm Celeste and I'm a librarian here at Wellington City Libraries. Reading is also my favourite thing to do, and I love mysteries, sf & fantasy, and non-fiction. Lately I've really been enjoying stunt non-fiction http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21... :-)
Hi Celeste,Isn't it great to develop a thread in your reading. A friend recommended The Making of Us by Lisa Jewel which I found sad and uplifting at the same time. I've just devoured two more of her titles including Before I met You - well worth reading.
Yes -- it's definitely always good discovering new authors! I really like getting recommendations from friends as well -- often their enthusiasm for a book is catching :-) And then if you like the author, and they're prolific, you've opened up a whole new thread of reading
Hello, I'm Susannah. I am currently based in the North Cluster and in CDT. I am in charge of buying for the 300s, History & Foreign Languages. I love dystopia fiction. My favourite book is Nineteen Eighty-four. I really enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy. I also read quite a few graphic novels.
Hi. My name is Paula and I am working in the Western Cluster. I have been living in New Zealand for just over 1 year, after relocating with my family (and Kiwi husband) from Northern Ireland.
I am interested in learning more about contemporary New Zealand authors. Any recommendations??
I am interested in learning more about contemporary New Zealand authors. Any recommendations??
Well wasn't it great to have some extra leisure time to read for those of you who had a break.I managed to power through some interesting books including Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey, a fascinating tale of the lost legacy of Highclere Castle.
This led me to The World of Downton Abbey which features stories from real servants of the time the TV series was set in.
June wrote: "Well wasn't it great to have some extra leisure time to read for those of you who had a break.
I managed to power through some interesting books including Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey, a ..."
Sounds very interesting...I am currently half way through watching series 2.
I managed to power through some interesting books including Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey, a ..."
Sounds very interesting...I am currently half way through watching series 2.
June wrote: "Hi
Reading is my favorite hobby and I can never find enough time to read all the books I want to.
I am part of a bookclub at Kilbirnie Library which is fun and extends the type of books I read.
I'm..."
Will check this one out as I am keen to learn more about New Zealand history. I don't want to wade through non fiction but would rather read fiction based on fact!
Reading is my favorite hobby and I can never find enough time to read all the books I want to.
I am part of a bookclub at Kilbirnie Library which is fun and extends the type of books I read.
I'm..."
Will check this one out as I am keen to learn more about New Zealand history. I don't want to wade through non fiction but would rather read fiction based on fact!
June wrote: "Well wasn't it great to have some extra leisure time to read for those of you who had a break.I managed to power through some interesting books including Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey, a ..."
Just wanted to share my latest reading achievement:
finished all 5 books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin.
Brilliantly written - but keeping track of all those characters is exhausting.
Time for some quiet murder/thrillers now.
Have the latest Paul Cleave (The Laughterhouse) beckoning.
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I have far too many favourite authors and books to list here, but I'm looking forward to reading Lois McMaster Bujold's latest book..."
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance was wonderful! We get to learn a bunch more about Miles' sometimes feckless cousin Ivan and how he copes with up to his high-Vor neck in trouble and intrigue.
Hi everyone,I am Andrea and I work for the Wellington City Libraries.I love murder/mysteries/thrillers mostly but I do throw in a little chick lit now and then. I always appreciate recommendations and recently "loved" The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier, she also wrote Girl with a pearl earring.But David Baldacci had me glued to his latest The Forgotten with a great plot twist and strong women characters as well as a great leading man. It was so good none of my housework is done!!!!
June wrote: "HiI'm currently reading the Game of Thrones books after watching the recent TV series - magic but keeping track of the increasing number of characters is challenging! "
I loved this show too, would you encourage me to read the books, or just wait to the next season????
Hi, I am Sylvia and I am a voracious reader. I love fiction that has a strong story line and interesting characters, especially family sagas. I also read all sorts of non fiction as I see such interesting books as I return and shelve. I have just read The Woman Who Changed Her Brain by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, a fascinating account of how we can change the structure of our brains. Also enjoyed The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall about a young girl's summer visits to her mother in Hungary.
Sylvia wrote: "Hi, I am Sylvia and I am a voracious reader. I love fiction that has a strong story line and interesting characters, especially family sagas. I also read all sorts of non fiction as I see such in..."
I am intrigued by the title "The woman who changed her brain" reminds me of yet another book I would like to read..."The woman who thought too much"
I am intrigued by the title "The woman who changed her brain" reminds me of yet another book I would like to read..."The woman who thought too much"
Hi, I'm Rebecca. I mainly read fiction but recently I have been reading non-fiction. Joan Didion's Blue Nights and Peter Ackroyd's Charles Dickens are both excellent. In terms of fiction I love the classics and New Zealand literature...Maurice Gee is amazing, psychological depth with such simple language.
Andrea wrote: "Hi everyone,
I am Andrea and I work for the Wellington City Libraries.I love murder/mysteries/thrillers mostly but I do throw in a little chick lit now and then. I always appreciate recommendations..."
Hi "The Virgin Blue" is one of my favourites. Although "Girl with the Pearl Earring" received all the attention, I think that Virgin Blue had a better storyline?
I am Andrea and I work for the Wellington City Libraries.I love murder/mysteries/thrillers mostly but I do throw in a little chick lit now and then. I always appreciate recommendations..."
Hi "The Virgin Blue" is one of my favourites. Although "Girl with the Pearl Earring" received all the attention, I think that Virgin Blue had a better storyline?
Rebecca wrote: "Hi, I'm Rebecca. I mainly read fiction but recently I have been reading non-fiction. Joan Didion's Blue Nights and Peter Ackroyd's Charles Dickens are both excellent. In terms of fiction I love ..."
Hi Rebecca. Last year, I saw the play "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion. I didn't really know much about her....the play was truly amazing and although it sparked an interest for me to read more about her...as yet I haven't.....just another book to add to my ever increasing wish list!!
Hi Rebecca. Last year, I saw the play "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion. I didn't really know much about her....the play was truly amazing and although it sparked an interest for me to read more about her...as yet I haven't.....just another book to add to my ever increasing wish list!!
Paula wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Hi everyone,I am Andrea and I work for the Wellington City Libraries.I love murder/mysteries/thrillers mostly but I do throw in a little chick lit now and then. I always appreciate ..."
Hi Paula, I agree re this being the better book. But I did like the movie of Girl with the pearl earring!
Andrea wrote: "Paula wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Hi everyone,
I am Andrea and I work for the Wellington City Libraries.I love murder/mysteries/thrillers mostly but I do throw in a little chick lit now and then. I alwa..."
Have yet to watch the movie....hope I won't be disappointed by the casting??
I am Andrea and I work for the Wellington City Libraries.I love murder/mysteries/thrillers mostly but I do throw in a little chick lit now and then. I alwa..."
Have yet to watch the movie....hope I won't be disappointed by the casting??
Andrea wrote: "June wrote: "HiI'm currently reading the Game of Thrones books after watching the recent TV series - magic but keeping track of the increasing number of characters is challenging! "
I loved this ..."
Read the books definitely
Andrea wrote: "Hi everyone,I am Andrea and I work for the Wellington City Libraries.I love murder/mysteries/thrillers mostly but I do throw in a little chick lit now and then. I always appreciate recommendations..."
I've just finished a couple of great titles ( Chic Lit-ish) by Catherine Robertson (who is giving a talk at WCL on March 6th by the way):
The Sweet Second Life of Darrell Kincaid and The Not so Perfect Life of Mo Lawrence.
Mo Lawrence is a character from the first book and I really like the development.
Ohhh ,thank you I will give Sweet Second life a go and come along to the talk too. How exciting.cheers
Andrea
Catherine is a very good speaker so I think it should be a good session.
Went to see "Anna Karenina". Have not read the book. Anyone else seen the movie/read Tolstoy's book? Am interested to know if the movie kept to the original story etc
Paula wrote: "Went to see "Anna Karenina". Have not read the book. Anyone else seen the movie/read Tolstoy's book? Am interested to know if the movie kept to the original story etc"No, I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but they got Best Costume Design at the Oscars! Judging from the photos they deserved it too! :-)
Just finished Annie Hawes "Ripe for the Picking" ,a lovely, gentle, funny romp through village life in Liguria. Am off to get her previous book "Extra Virgin".
Hi and sorry for the tardy intro post. My favourite author is Thomas Hardy and I'd recommend A Pair of Blue Eyes or The Woodlanders rather than those about his more famous and unfortunate heros Tess and Jude. I try to re-read one of his books each year...they seem to suit Autumn beautifully.
I like classics generally but also non-fiction, especially anything with an anthropological or travel theme. I specifically like being a part of book clubs as they force me to broader my literary horizons and I usually up discovering something that I love but would never have picked up ordinarily.
Bethlehem wrote: "Hi and sorry for the tardy intro post. My favourite author is Thomas Hardy and I'd recommend A Pair of Blue Eyes or The Woodlanders rather than those about his more famous and unfortunate heros ..."
Hi Bethlehem
I also love Thomas Hardy and one of my favourites is "Return of the Native". I agree that they can be re read and his descriptions are so beautifully atmospheric...have you read any of his poetry?
Celeste wrote: "Paula wrote: "Went to see "Anna Karenina". Have not read the book. Anyone else seen the movie/read Tolstoy's book? Am interested to know if the movie kept to the original story etc"No, I haven'..."
Oscar for best costume design very well deserved!
I am always interested in how a novel transfers (successfully or not)to the big screen. The BBC are renowned for their excellent adaptions of classic novels eg Bleak House and Jane Eyre, for the small screen.
Paula wrote: "Bethlehem wrote: "Hi and sorry for the tardy intro post. My favourite author is Thomas Hardy and I'd recommend A Pair of Blue Eyes or The Woodlanders rather than those about his more famous and ..."
Oh yes, I love Return of the Native too! I just love his characters and the things they do in the name of love...they get into such pickles!
No, I haven't read any of his poetry yet but it's coming up to that time of year so maybe I will this autumn. I also have a massive biography of Hardy that I picked up at a library book sale that I'm dying for the time to read ;)
Hello there,I work at Central and Karori libraries. Part of my job is in Collections, especially dealing with eBooks and digital audio books, graphic novels or comics as they once were known, the adult music collection and literature.
Am so busy these days that my reading habits have changed a bit - brief, interesting non-fiction has replaced longer novels and graphic novels have replaced shorter fiction.
Favourite fiction authors are Junot Diaz and Richard Ford; favourite cartoonists are Daniel Clowes and Charles Burns and favourte poets are Alistair Campbell, Charles Simic and NZer Lynn Jenner. Allen curnow, too!
Bethlehem wrote: "Paula wrote: "Bethlehem wrote: "Hi and sorry for the tardy intro post. My favourite author is Thomas Hardy and I'd recommend A Pair of Blue Eyes or The Woodlanders rather than those about his mo..."
Paula wrote: "Bethlehem wrote: "Hi and sorry for the tardy intro post.
My favourite author is Thomas Hardy and I'd recommend A Pair of Blue Eyes or The Woodlanders rather than those about his more famous and ..."
I've read Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Hardy and remember a lovely scene where the hunky main character has to carry the fine women of the novel across a swollen river - swoon-worthy!
Have also read Hardy's romantic and occasionally pesimistic (some would say, realistic..) poetry on love, life and our choices. Hardy lead me to A E Housman (especially a Shropshire Lad) whose poetry and ballads are just as good. Anyone read Housman?
Haven't yet but I will now...thanks for the tip!
Monty wrote: "Bethlehem wrote: "Paula wrote: "Bethlehem wrote: "Hi and sorry for the tardy intro post. My favourite author is Thomas Hardy and I'd recommend A Pair of Blue Eyes or The Woodlanders rather than ..."
Not in any depth...but will revisit "A Shropshire Lad"
Hi I'm Beth and I'm a readaholic... Currently reading Vanda Symons books and really enjoying her work. Looking forward to being involved with this group.
If you like Vanda Symons books you might like to try another NZ author, Paul Cleave. His novels are set in Christchurch and are excellent.
Beth wrote: "Hi I'm Beth and I'm a readaholic... Currently reading Vanda Symons books and really enjoying her work. Looking forward to being involved with this group."Hi Beth! Welcome :-) Yup, we're all readaholics here... :-)
Have you seen Vanda Symon's blog? It's quite cool -- she doesn't post that often, but it's always really interesting stuff :-)
http://vandasymon.blogspot.co.nz/
Thanks for that - will keep an eye on her posts.
June wrote: "If you like Vanda Symons books you might like to try another NZ author, Paul Cleave. His novels are set in Christchurch and are excellent."Will add him to my list. Tx
Hi, I'm Tiffany and I don't work at WCL but wish I did :) so I confess to a little envy of those of you who do work there. I don't quite know how to accurately describe my reading habit. I was going to say I'm a book addict but that implies it's an addiction I could break if I had to - and I am not sure I could. What would a life without books look like? I'm not sure I want to even imagine. I am fervently fostering a similar love of books in my two kids. We're very regular library visitors (I was very proud the other day when my 7 year old sighed as we walked out of the library and said "oh Mum, I just hate leaving".)
I read pretty widely and randomly - anything and everything except sci-fi, fantasy and horror.
Looking forward to picking up some good book suggestions from this group.
Tiffany wrote: "Hi, I'm Tiffany and I don't work at WCL but wish I did :) so I confess to a little envy of those of you who do work there. I don't quite know how to accurately describe my reading habit. I was ..."
Welcome! Great to have you in the group!
Tiffany wrote: "Hi, I'm Tiffany and I don't work at WCL but wish I did :) so I confess to a little envy of those of you who do work there. I don't quite know how to accurately describe my reading habit. I was ..."
Welcome to the group. I had to laugh when you said anything but sci-fi, fantasy, horror. I am right there with you. I will look forward to your book suggestions.
Tiffany wrote: "Hi, I'm Tiffany and I don't work at WCL but wish I did :) so I confess to a little envy of those of you who do work there. I don't quite know how to accurately describe my reading habit. I was ..."
Andrea wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "Hi, I'm Tiffany and I don't work at WCL but wish I did :) so I confess to a little envy of those of you who do work there.
I don't quite know how to accurately describe my readin..."
Hi Tiffany and a Big Welcome..
I smiled to myself about reading anything except sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Totally agree! At times I feel that I should break out of my book comfort zone and venture into the unknown world of sci-fi, horror and fantasy...but then again.....
There are enough books on my To Read list without needing to venture into sci-fi, fantasy and horror. If I ever run out of books (unlikely!) then maybe, just maybe, I'll step outside my literary comfort zone. Maybe ;)
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Chloe wrote: "Come to the Dark Side! We have lots of vampires that don't sparkle!"Tempting....
Chloe wrote: "Come to the Dark Side! We have lots of vampires that don't sparkle!"Yup, my comfort reading is generally from the Dark Side, I think. I always knew I was probably a Sith Lord... :-P
Wellington Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
Changels: Initiation (other topics)The Parihaka Woman (other topics)
