Library Notes 16 October 2019

Published on October 16, 2019

Top 10 books

New Rental Fiction
Just One of the Groomsmen by Cindi Madsen
Hangman’s Gate by R.S. Ford
The Liberty Girls by Fiona Ford
The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey
The Ingredients of Us by Jennifer Gold
False Horizon by Joseph Reid
Savage Urges by Suzanne Wright
Bone on Bone by Julia Keller
The Electric Hotel by Dominic Smith
Reflections by Marcia Willet

Pam Coleman- Community Engagement Librarian  

It’s springing into summer and many of the lovely people I work with are animal mad. New lambs have just visited the library and we expect a flurry of kittens and puppies to follow. There are an abundance of books about animals – cats and dogs especially. The most popular pet books are obviously found in the non-fiction and are all about caring for your beloved companion. And of course, pets regularly feature in children’s picture books. If you have never read the delightfully funny picture book, ‘Why do dogs sniff bottoms?’ you will never know the answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries.  Now, a new adult fiction genre has even been coined ‘Pet Lit.’ Here’s the pick of the litter.

A rather special book, inspiring this column, passed through my hands this week. It’s called, ‘Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey.’

In a lyrical love letter to guide dogs everywhere, a blind poet shares his delightful story of how a guide dog changed his life and helped him discover a newfound appreciation for travel and independence. This is how he found himself at Guiding Eyes paired with a Labrador named Corky. In this vivid and lyrical memoir, Stephen Kuusisto recounts how an incredible partnership with a guide dog changed his life and the heart-stopping, wondrous adventure that began for him in midlife. Profound and deeply moving, this is a spiritual journey, the story of discovering that life with a guide dog is both a method and a state of mind.

The genre’s popularity for cat memoirs or ‘meowmoirs’ can be traced back to James Bowen’s ‘A Street Cat Named Bob,’ (Bowen’s total sales topped 1m), and ‘Marley and Me,’ by John Grogan, which sold more than 750,000 copies. Both are touching stories about how a pet can dramatically change your life.

There is also a more literary strand: Hiro Arikawa’s, ‘The Travelling Cat Chronicles.’ It also gives a fascinating insight into Japanese culture and traditions and celebrates simple values such as self-sacrifice and friendship.

Like pet sales, the genre rises during the festive season. Yes folks, we have done it – it’s only sixty sleeps until the silly season. Apologies for mentioning it!  Perhaps the pressure to celebrate boosts the appetite for comfort reads or as the sceptic in me thinks, it’s a panic buy for the loved one who has everything, including a precious pooch!  But remember, pet fiction is for life, not just for Christmas!

What’s On

Exhibitions
An exhibition of sculptured paintings, photographs and wooden furniture by local artists Radha Sahar and Charles Bagnall. 3 October to 31 October
Radha Sahar’s unique three dimensional paintings become alive as you move around the room. Nature is her theme, with natural materials such as flax, grasses and feathers often woven into the artwork by hand. She has works in the New Zealand parliamentary collection as well as other public and private collections.
Charles Bagnall has been creating objects – fine woodwork, houses and photographic records all his life. In this exhibition he will showcase his photography, snapshots of his perception of the world, alongside examples of his wooden furniture.
Radha and Charles are local artists, based here in the Horowhenua.

Heritage room:
The Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō are manned by volunteers 10am-12.30 pm Monday to Saturday.

Wednesday October 16:
Quiz Night: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō $5

Thursday October 17:
Raukawa Whanau Ora playgroup: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 9.30am-12.00pm
Lego Hour: Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 3.30pm-4.30pm

Friday October 18:
Friday Concert: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 12pm
SeniorNet: Get help with your tablets, phones and laptops
   -Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 10am-12pm
   -Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 2pm -4pm

Monday October 21:
Tai Chi Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Main Space 10am

Tuesday October 22:
Raukawa Whanau Ora playgroup: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 9.30am-12.00pm
JP Service: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 11.30am-1.30pm

Wednesday October 23:
Social crochet and coffee club: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō 10.30am
Quiz Night- 7pm Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō $5