New Young Adult

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Contemporary Women's Issues (CWI)

OK so here is one for the girls

– so they say. So ladies, let’s find out all about this database.

The database covers areas such as age, education, employment, health, income, and legal issues for example. The front page of the database is uncluttered and easy to navigate. There is a Full text search box and then four search option buttons:

• Search title and enhanced title

• Article author

• Search full texts and citations

• Book author

There are options to custom design your search such as:

• Date range – from mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy

• Subject area – alphabetical list

• Geographic region – and yes, you can choose New Zealand

• Article type – any, instructional or research etc

• Publication – electronic journal, journal, national newspaper, newsletter and report

• A specific source – there is a huge list with years and an A-Z title list

One of the features that can be useful is that when you get a search result list, you can see at the right of most results the word count.

There is also the ability to use the Ctrl key on your keyboard to multi-select options for your search. For example, you might like to select Australia and New Zealand as geographic regions.

The results are also presented with the most recent at the top of the list. When you go into a result you get a tools option for printing, emailing or downloading the information. Your search terms appear in red text for ease of finding.

At the bottom of the home page you can find a link called “About CWI” and this gives you a very detailed guide on how to use the database, which is most helpful for a first time user.

This database would be helpful to find data to support research in many different areas relating to women, but could certainly by used by men as well.

Vanessa

New Non-Fiction

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The Island

Victoria Heslip.

Alexis Fielding feels there is something wrong with her life. She just doesn't know what.

When Alexis decides to visit Crete her mother Sofia gives her a letter to give to an old friend in the small village of Plaka. Sofia has always kept her life before moving to London a secret but it is perhaps time to let Alexis know about her past and her family's origins. Origins that are tied into the small island of Spinalonga, a mere stones throw from Plaka. An Island that for many years was one of Greece's largest leper colonies and for a time was home to several of Alexis' ancestors.

This novel is engaging more for its location and history than for the actual story. Through reminiscences we are told the story of Alexis' family line over four generations. Their trials and tribulations. Don't get me wrong the story is very readable it just pales in comparison to the story of the area in which it is set. Add to this the fact that the novel covers the years leading up to the discovery of a cure for leprosy and you have a rich novel which will engage you throughout.

The Island has also been made into a television series. Alas it's only in Greek so far and you might have to be brave to watch all 20 plus episodes with subtitles.

Learn the secret ways of the library.

Have you ever wondered about the intricacies of the Dewey Decimal system? Probably not. Let's be honest there's a lot of information in those wee strings of numbers and most of us don't really need to know all the details. But the basics could definitely come in handy.

With that in mind Jill, our non-fiction buyer, has made herself available on Tuesdays from 11 – 12.30 to teach anyone and everyone a little about using the library. Starting on the 16^th of August Jill will be teaching you the basics of the Dewey Decimal system, which collections are where in the library, and anything else you might need to know.

This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who would like to pick up a few tips on how to get the best out of our on-line catalogue in the library or using it from home.

Jill regularly posts reviews to this blog so if you want to put a face to the name and learn about the library at the same time you can sign up now by phone at 2111 444, in person at the help desk or in the comments field of this post.

Get Lost in the Forest of Your Imagination

Library week is a great way to celebrate libraries and what they represent. We support and encourage literacy and literature by all means so we are offering our patrons special treats throughout the week. The theme this year is ‘Get Lost in the Forest of Your Imagination’.

Bring your overdue books back during our happy hours happening from 12 - 1pm and 5 - 6pm daily as there is sure to be a surprise for you. Spot prizes are available throughout the week also.

Kyle Mewburn, author of Old Huhu and Hill and Hole, is visiting for the Southland big read on Wednesday 17 August at 10.30am. He will be reading a few of his great picture books in the Childrens’ Services Story Room, so make sure you bring your books along for him to sign.

To go along with the theme we would love people to dress up on Friday 19 August as a forest dweller and join us for a forest puppet show for the littlies at 6pm, and then a Spooky Story time for the tweens at 7pm.

Kirsty G.

New in Children's

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Dark Prince: Author's Cut Special Edition

Christine Feehan

When originally published back in 1999 Dark Prince was one of the first paranormal romances. This is a story that encompasses despair, danger, adventure, mystery, love and passion. Since I first read it years ago, it has been a favourite book of mine. However I always felt that something was missing. But the extra 100 pages included in the author's cut, has fleshed out the story nicely, given more depth to the characters and providing deeper insight into the Carpathian culture.

Mikhail Dubrinsky and Raven Whitney are the two lead characters. Mikhail is the prince of the Carpathians, the powerful leader of a wise and secret ancient race that thrives in the night. While Raven Whitney, is a telepath who has helped hunt some of the worlds most depraved serial killers. From the moment they meet, Raven and Mikhail are helpless to resist the desire that sparks between them.

Mikhail is a wonderful lead character with his mental roller coaster while Raven proves his equal as his soul’s saviour.

Readers of the twenty-one books in the series will enjoy the revised edition of the thriller with its marvellous underlying premise while newcomers will find this is an excellent way to enter Christine Feehan's Dark Carpathian series.

(Reviewed by Jillian)

This is not the end!

If, like me, you have just seen the final Harry Potter movie but are still not ready to leave the incredible magical world created by J.K Rowling – never fear! You are only a few mouse clicks away from an amazing variety of web pages, fan sites, encyclopedias, and much, much more.
There has been a lot of buzz over the last few months about J.K Rowling’s mysterious new online project, Pottermore. It is promoted as an interactive online experience, which seems to mean an opportunity to read the books online, but with loads of new information written by J.K Rowling, as well as games and fun extras like being sorted into a house and buying a wand. It is launched in October so grab your broomsticks and head to http://www.pottermore.com/ to sign up.
Other sites to check out…
Lexicon - J.K Rowling herself used this amazing online encyclopedia to check facts when she was writing the final books in the series. There are maps, lists of spells, family trees and just about anything else Harry Potter related that you could think of. Even the most dedicated fan can find some new information on this site.
MuggleNet – One of the biggest online fan sites. Mugglenet has the latest information on everything Harry Potter including the books, movies, and Pottermore. It also has a podcast called Mugglecast, which, amongst other things, has a chapter by chapter discussion on the books.
Scholastic – Games, quizzes, polls and more from the publishers of the book series.
Warner Bros. – This is the official site for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. You can download wallpaper and screensavers, watch videos, find your patronus and, my personal favourite, have a message translated into Parseltongue.
And of course, nothing beats enjoying the books the way J.K Rowling intended for us. Maybe it’s time for a re-read.

Kirsty A.

Mennonite in a little black dress

Rhoda Janzen

Author Rhoda Janzen left her Mennonite upbringing when she left graduate school and for many years lived the secular life. When her husband leaves her for Bob, whom he met on a gay website, and then shortly after she is involved in a car accident, she makes the decision to go back home to her family to give herself time to heal.
Back in the fold, Janzen describes for us what life is like living the Mennonite way and tells us what her childhood was like. She talks about shameful foods and wounding words, and she does it in such a delightful, philosophical, and conversational way. There are definitely some laugh-out-loud moments despite the issues with her former husband. At the end of the book, Janzen gives a quick “Mennonite for Dummies” type overview which is also hilarious.
I loved this book. Author Rhoda Janzen has such a deadpan, dry style of wit – and her use of language – just beautiful. You could say that “Mennonite” is like chick lit for the literary.

(Reviewed by Jill)