Library Notes 30 July 2021
Published on July 30, 2021
Top 10 Adult Fiction Books
Before the Ruins by Victoria Gosling
The Russian key by Jeri Laber
The Smuggler's Wife by Evie Grace
The Girl Remains by Katherine Firkin
Sistersong by Lucy Holland
Kololo Hill by Neema Shah
The Stars We Share by Rafe Posey
Land of big numbers by Te-Ping Chen
Scream from the void by Anne Tibbets
Surrogate by Susan Spindler
Pam Coleman
Community Engagement Librarian
When bibliomaniacs (extreme preoccupation with collecting books) meet Lexima, the goddess of words, they often become leximaniacs (an intense love of—bordering on obsession with—words). They are always on the prowl for strange and curious words or just delight in their weirdness. I confess, while I’m a great lover of books I’m not a bibliomaniac, but I am definitely a leximaniac.
English is my first language, but it’s a mystery to all of us, whether you've been speaking it since day one, or you've just started to learn it. From its bizarre spelling rules to its free-for-all grammar, it's a daily struggle just trying to form sentences that make sense. No wonder people are turning to emoji to express their thoughts, rather than coping with some weird English words.
There are 750,000 words that make up the English language and it’s not too much of a challenge to find the strangest ones.
I recently came across the word nudiustertian which simply refers to two days ago (the day before yesterday, in fact). Unfortunately, this expression has fallen into disuse, although it is far more melodious than the day before yesterday. My favourite one this week is ‘flub’ which means to botch or bungle something. I like it because it’s strangely imitates the sound associated with messing something up. Try using it in a sentence this week!
If you are a leximaniac try this website to check out the ‘word of the day’ - https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day
Language is a living thing. It grows and changes every time a person learns it. Languages evolve over time. Words change their meaning over generations. The word ‘wireless’ meant ‘radio’ just two generations ago. It now means a form of internet connection without cables to this generation.
One thing though, language and its potential to convey meaning and tell stories, is essential to who we are and how we inhabit the world. Writers through their words examine how language isn’t just a necessity, but a gift.
What’s On
Exhibitions
#CaptureYourHorowhenua: Matariki, photo competition entries, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Gallery, July
Leon van den Eijkel Retrospective: A Colourful Nation – Kleur Bekennen, 7 July to 25 July.
Heritage Room:
The Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō are manned by volunteers Tuesday to Saturday at the following times:
Tuesday, 10.00am-12.30pm
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 10.00am-12.30pm and 1.00pm-3.00pm
Saturday, 10.00am-12.30pm
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom Heritage Room has the Research Librarian available all day every Friday.
Saturday 31 July
Let’s Go Clubbing, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10.00am – 3.00pm FREE
On Saturday 31 July from 10.00am – 3.00pm we are holding a clubs Expo, ‘Let’s Go Clubbing,” which will showcase many of the clubs our community has on offer. A number of cultural, sporting, or activity-base clubs will have stalls on display in the Youth Space and Main space areas and there really will be something for everyone. The aim of the expo is to highlight the fantastic activities available in our community and to encourage people to stretch themselves and try something new. It is a free event and it’s not too late to register your club. If so, contact [email protected].
Monday 2 August
Library Meet Street: Te Takeretanga o –Kura-hau-pō, social group, coffee and chat, all welcome, 10.00am-11.00am
Tuesday 3 August
JP Service: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 11.30am-1.30pm
Wednesday 4 August
Social crochet and coffee club: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10.30am
Wednesday Cooking: The Youth Space. 5.00pm-6.00pm
Quiz Night: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 7.00pm-9.00pm, $5
Thursday 5 August
Social crochet and coffee club: Te Awahaou Nieuwe Stroom, 10.30am
Made to Sew: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Youth Space, 10.30am
JP Service: Shannon Library, 2.00pm-3.00pm
Friday 6 August
Local Music Showcase, Friday Concert: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 12.00pm
SeniorNet: Get help with your tablets, phones and laptops
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10.00am-12.00pm
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 2.00pm-4.00pm