New Kids DVDs at the library

New Adult DVDs at the Library

  

New DVDs at the library

Free reservations via our catalogue at:

www.wrl.nsw.gov.au

Thanks
Amanda and Karen

 

 

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The Collected Works of A.J. Fikry

by Gabrielle Zevin

 

 

Well this book has saved me. Yes, I had a problem for the last few months. That is, I have been unable to finish a book. Me! Me who loves books, loves reading. I just couldn't finish one. I would read a quarter and then flip to the end. I tried all genres, but nothing helped. There would be books piled high on my bedside table, but not much reading got done.  It's not the books' fault I know, it's me.  But then this glorious book landed on my desk. Yes it is only 243 pages, but I read every single word on every single page, from start to finish and I loved it entirely.

 

I won't tell you more because I want you to read it and love it like I do!

Janine

 



 

 



New DVDs at the library for August

Hi,
You can now reserve your library items for FREE on our library catalogue at;

www.wrl.nsw.gov.au (click on 'search catalogue')

Thanks
Amanda

 

 

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This e-mail, together with any attachments, is for the exclusive and confidential use of the addressee(s). Confidentiality is not waived if you are not the intended recipient. Any other distribution, use of, or reproduction without prior written consent is strictly prohibited.

Views expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual, except where specifically stated otherwise. If this e-mail has been sent to you in error, please delete the e-mail completely and immediately from your system. Although reasonable precautions are taken, Griffith City Council does not warrant or guarantee this message to be free of errors, interference, viruses or similar malicious code and does not accept liability for any consequences to the recipient opening or using this email or attachments.

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Lost and found (I think) by Brooke Davis

Lost & Found by Brooke Davis is an interesting, easy read with the quirkiest characters you will ever read. The characters will make you cringe, lough out loud and often say 'What the?!?'.

There is the cute 7yr old Millie obsessed with death, 82yr old Agatha Pantha who constantly shouts obscenities at people and measures her wrinkles each morning, and 87yr old Karl (the touch typist) who carries around 'Manny' (a plastic mannequin).... Need I say more.

A light read that will keep you going to the end, even if its just to say.... this is ridiculous!

I must admit it does have an ending that I didn't mind at all.

~ A

Unstuck in Provence by Carolyn Tate

~ The courage to start over ~

An enjoyable read, sharing one woman's

life changing, journey to become "unstuck".

This is a diary account that is honest, fun, and brave.

Carolyn shares with us, the highs and lows as she and her son

go on a journey of self discovery and growth.

Leaving everything that is comfortable and

familiar, behind in Australia

they venture off to Aix in Provence, France.

Follow Carolyn as she rediscovers her

Joie de vivre

check out her website: http://carolyntate.co

Rosie

#unstuck in provence

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

This was so sad, I just wanted to cry right from the beginning.

This book tugged at my heart, so beautifully written.

Here is a painful love story

of innocence in the shadow of darkness.

It broke my heart.....

It warmed my heart.....

Rosie

#Eleanor and Park

#Rainbow Rowell

RoboCop (2014)

After a very, very long wait the Robocop reboot has finally arrived. It was more than seven years ago when I first heard that they were going to reboot my childhood favourite and keep in mind that this was back when reboots as a concept had not yet worn out their novelty.

The interwebs have been especially unkind to Robocop (2014) and even I slung my fair share of mud at it's glossy black visage. The decision to put Alex Murphy in a black suit made him look unmistakably like he was wearing a rubber suit instead of the fully prosthetic cyborg that he is. If that wasn't already enough, he inexplicably retains his right human hand which, again, detracted even more from the cybernetic illusion.

But these are criticisms of an aesthetic and design nature and without having actually seen the film, not very fair ones at that.

When Robocop was finally released in cinemas I went along to see what a contemporary Robocop looks, sounds and feels like. No one was more surprised than I at how good this film is. It shares much with it's original but also stands alone. The aspects that it shares with the 1987 original have been intelligently revisited and re-imagined in a more sophisticated manner and the aspects that are new are worthy additions.

The original was a tale of a man transformed into a machine and his struggle to regain his humanity. The transformation was quick (but not painless!) and largely permanent. While in the original, Robocop may regain some semblance of his humanity, he never truly reclaims his former identity and instead becomes a new man, if it were.

The remake differs slightly in that when Alex Murphy is transformed into the cyborg we know from the original, he is physically more machine than man but his memories, personality and psyche are completely intact. This difference opened up the film to explore more thoroughly the chipping away at Murphy's humanity as his mind is tweaked and his free will slowly taken from him.

It was an interesting new direction which kept Alex believably human throughout the film which may have been a goal of the film makers in an effort to avoid what some might call the goofiness of the original. Speaking of which, as a pre-teen boy in the 80's, what I loved most about Robocop was the jerky, twitchy, bird-like and yet wholly robotic way that Robocop would walk, turn on his heel and draw his gun. Even the simplest action such as knocking on a door or turning his head would send ripples of excitement through me. The way he would hit henchman without even looking... I could go on and on. Utter coolness. In contrast the reboot sees a much, much faster and agile cyborg that moves with fluid grace which makes him more realistic as current day humanoid robots are already quite graceful.

The change from chrome to “tactical” black is still a step backwards even after seeing the film but it made me hate OCP more for it which only makes the film better. Fans of the original chrome are also treated to a new and genuinely improved version of the chrome suit and will be happy to know that the film vindicates fans of the chrome version through the course of the film.

The human hand's presence is still not explained and remains an idiotic inclusion. However it does serve a symbolic purpose, signifying his unbroken connection to his son. Though it is still stupid from a combat perspective and surely should have been ripped off in numerous violent action sequences throughout the film.

Performances are good all round. Joel Kinnaman plays a less cliched Alex Murphy and a more sympathetic Robocop. Gary Oldman plays a very similar character to the performance he brought to Batman's Commissioner Gordon and that's not a bad thing. Michael Keating is a bit flat but manages not to bring the movie down too much. Fans of Watchman were treated to the talented Jackie Earle Haley better known for his role as Rorschach who filled the obligatory role of antagonist's “just plain bad” right hand man. Samuel Jackson's character also helped bring a new dimension to the original's humourously morbid television spots that once were a satirical parody of the rise of amoral conglomerates and unfettered greed. The remake chose to instead use these staples of the series to shine a light on the prevalence of bias in today's media.

To conclude, the previous criticisms of the suit are largely absolved with some choice explanatory scenes in the early exposition and protests of “not another reboot” fall to the strength of this timely and quality re-imagining of an 80's sci fi classic.

Available on DVD at Griffith City Library.

From Good Reading Magazine June 2014... and most of it is true!

 

World Without End.... a paper weight or something more?

I could think of nothing better than reading a large (brick) of a book when I had a few weeks off work and lots of free time.

This Ken Follett sequel to The Pillars Of The Earth was just as captivating as the first. Set in 1320's England it grabbed me from the start with it's tales of corruption, backstabbing and murder. While its not for the faint-hearted (just like Pillars..) it will keep you wanting to turn the pages. At 1200+ pages this is really important!

It follows the story of Merthin, a child at the beginning, who grows to be a master builder; about Caris, a girl who wants to become a doctor during the times of witch trials and priests 'bleeding patients' to cure all; and Church Priors who squander money and reveal in controlling peasant citizens. This book has famine, plagues, fires and war. Its a must read for not just lovers of book 1, but for all those who are looking for a great read (its not challenging, just longish!).

Check it out at the library now!

~ A

PS. Pillars of the Earth and World Without End are also available in DVD format at the library if you can't bring yourself to read them!

New June DVDs at the library!

  

Dirt music - Tim Winton

Everyone should read at least one Tim Winton novel, if only to appreciate his passion and understanding of the Australian landscape.  His artistic turn of phrase is a joy to read and his word pictures capture the colour and unique make-up of our country. So many of his lines read like poetry, and it's no surprise that he's one of Australia's most awarded contemporary novelists.

Dirt Music is set in Western Australia, as many of his novels are, and focusses on a love triangle of three complex and basically emotionally tortured characters in a fishing community north of Perth.  The plot centres on how their lives intertwine as gradually their pasts are revealed to the reader.  It isn't until the three characters can deal with ghosts of the past that they can come to terms with the present.  Though I found the story slow to develop at first, but the plot races to an exciting ending. It's definitely a good read, after all it was a Booker prize shortlisted novel from 2001 and winner of the 2002 Miles Franklin Award.
Pam

The Engagement - Chloe Hooper

It's a warped blend of "Farmer wants a wife" and "Dangerous liaisons"!  This intriguing tale keeps you guessing till its final stunning conclusion.

When Liese and Alexander play out their fantasies in an initially harmless game, the lines between illusion, danger and madness suddenly start to become blurred.  Set in country Victoria this cautionary tale is a thriller that you won't be able to put down.
Pam

Finding Colin Firth ~ Mia March

Contrary to what the title might suggest, you will not find a smouldering Darcy emerging from a pond in "THAT" white shirt.
Nor will you hear him utter those famous words......"I like you.....very much......
just as you are".......swoon.

In fact, much to my horror, he doesn't even make an a appearance!!

This is an easy "feel good" read about three women and how their lives become entwined by a common thread.
Oh and there is pie. Well, more to the point, it brings to light how tastes, aromas and textures can conjure sweet memories and expose our deepest feelings and hopes.
It's the simple things that connect us to our past, the present and to whatever the future brings.

You will even find a Colin Firth Pie(Cherry Pie) recipe to try.

Rosie

#findingcolinfirth

The Fire Witness - Lars Kepler

 

 

THE VICTIM

THE SUSPECT

THE WITNESS

 

THE MURDER

 

This is no open and shut case, as is perceived by the authorities.

JOONA LINNA, Sweden's answer to James Bond is back. While battling with his

own demons, Linna is the only one with the audacity to see there is more to this case.

Looking beyond the evidence, in this psychological thriller, the life of a young girl, and those

around her, is at stake.

 

This is a fast paced read, one I could not put down. Loved it!!

 

Rosie

 

 

#firewitness

 

 

 



Lex Luthor: Man of Steel

I've read a lot of comics in my time. Reams of good comics and even more pedestrian quality books brought down by uninspired writing or sub par art. But when I recall my impression of "Lex Luthor: Man of Steel" I can honestly say that this "one off" Superman story belongs to a very short list of books that I would describe as Great.

Perhaps the book appeals to me specifically because the regular Superman comics never grabbed me but the idea of Superman has held great fascination for me. You may of already guessed by the title but "Lex Luthor: Man of Steel" (LL:MoS) is told from the perspective of Superman's arch nemesis and like all great villains Lex believes himself the true hero. LL:MoS beautifully illustrates Lex's perception of himself as a righteous champion of humanity and the only hope against an omnipotent alien. Seen through this unique lens Superman's god-like powers are portrayed in a more dangerous and malevolent fashion and the potential risk he poses to humanity emphasised.

"What if he changes his mind? What if... tonight-- he looks down at us and decides we're not capable to manifest our own destiny? What if tomorrow he wakes up believing he knows best for us? That it's not enough to protect the world... when he can rule it? The only safeguard against that happening... is his word." - Lex Luthor in conversation with Bruce Wayne

Writer Brian Azzarello well known for his gritty "100 Bullets" depicts Luthor as the genius and sociopath that we all know but also gifts the reader with a rare glimpse of the internal justifications and motives that drives Luthor's madness. The product is thoughtful and mature story populated with realistic characters in unrealistic circumstances. A story that paints Lex Luthor as a delusional yet brilliant and above all tragic character.

Speaking of painting, artist Lee Bermejo shines with his characteristic 'painterly' style. Some of the greatest art I've ever seen in a comic. The interesting thing Bermejo does in this book is for most of the panels he uses a traditional, yet expert, mixture of solid blacks and aggressive yet minimalistic line work that reminds me so much of Jae Lee's work on the original Marvel Sentry series. Those that are paying attention will have noticed that I wrote 'most of the panels' are in this style. Interestingly, Bermejo punctuates his page layouts with a panel or two that have been done in jaw dropping style. Lee switches from minimalism to all out pencil shading techniques with ingenious use of ink washes. Together with colourist Dave Stewart's understated palette, the final product is nothing short of perfection. Metropolis is painted in such palid and emotional hues that the reader can't help but feel the city as Lex feels it.

Stop reading this review and go borrow it from Griffith City Library. ***** 5 Stars

 

Comics at the library is front page news and with good reason. It's comics people! :) Spidey's spider-sense was tingling so he swung in to the library to investigate. Luckily resident comic buff Mike was on hand to assure the friendly neighbourhood hero that the collection stocked all the good stuff.

Local paper, The Area News snapped the front page scoop of Spidey perusing the collection before returning to his heroics.

 

The wait is over. Comics  are now available to borrow at the Griffith City Library. Real, honest to goodness comics! The collection has debuted with almost 90 trade paper back books and there is more where that came from!

We've got Spider-man, Batman, X-men, Superman and more. And it doesn't stop at superheroes (but honestly we could have and the collection would still be awesome), we've also got sci-fi comics such as Y: The Last Man and Manhattan Project with plans to expand into the 'slice of life' genre in the near future.

So if you're a fan or are interested in trying comics then rush in and grab a book or two from the Griffith City Library. If you are new to comics and you'd like the library's resident comic guru to help get you started, I work Wednesdays and Fridays.

For fans of Manga, don't forget that the library already has a modest collection of Manga titles located in the Youth Fiction section.

For those familiar with the Western Riverina's online catalogue, Griffith's comic collection can be found under 'Fiction Comic' in collections or just follow the link.

Special thanks goes to Ben Schaefer for donating over twenty trades to the collection!

Your friendly neighbourhood,

 

Mike Lee

New DVDs at the Griffith City Library

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife, my all time favourite Hear a Book. Henry is a Librarian of course who falls in love with Claire the love of his life whom he sometimes meets when she is only 6 years old. Henry has a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel. This Hear a Book tugs at the heart and also shows the emotion of frequent absence which sometimes occur in marriage, but its all about the love these two share and the ending, OMG, time for the tissues............. #taglovethisbook.

Love T

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Søren Kierkegaard

Gabriela McKenzie, a woman desperate to find her kidnapped daughter.........

This is a brilliant crime thriller, delivered in reverse.........yes, chapter 1 is at the end!!
Too gimmicky?
Well it had me hooked from the start. At times it was challenging to read as the events unravel in reverse. But be assured you will be well rewarded at the end....or should I say, beginning.
Don't be fooled into "thinking" you know how the book ends, well you've already read Chapter 36, right? Not so!

All is not what it appears to be.

Totally twisted, cleverly delivered, with plenty of suspense.

Rosie

Not my fault...

So I was told to read 'The Fault in our stars' by John Green by 3 other library staff. It's also one of our new Book Club titles, a teenage novel, a bestseller and a quick read (my favourite kind). Well.....

I was smitten from the very first pages, and it's the quickest I've read a book in about a year. The fact that I was staying awake at night to read it was evidence enough. Why is it so damn good???

The storyline itself is incredibly sad, but uplifting at the same time. The 2 main characters, Hazel & Augustus, both cancer patients, are incredible people who meet at a support group & I totally fell in love with them (as they did with each other). The dialogue between these 2 wonderful teenagers is quirky, intelligent, and hilarious, all while they dealt with some terrible odds. Hazel (who narrates the story) completely had me when she started quoting my favourite poem of all time "The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock" by John Keats. Seriously, who does that?

Beautifully written, this is the first time I can actually remember openly sobbing while reading a book. My daughter was very concerned & quite sensibly suggested "why don't you stop reading it if it's making you so sad?". No way, no how was I going to stop reading this, in fact I didn't move from the couch that Saturday arvo until the last page was turned. Very novel for me (pun intended).

"The Fault in our stars" is now at the top of my 'favourite book ever' list. Give it a go, if you don't mind the tear-stained pages...

Jo :)

The Rosie Project

Fall in love with the adorable and "a little too clever for his own good", Don Tillman.
.........oh and did I mention that his has aspergers? But don't tell him that!

This book was laugh-out-loud hilarious, with lots of quirky and highly inappropriate
stumbles along the way. Well, it just goes to prove that it's all about perspective really.

In his search for a wife he devises a "scientifically sound" compatibility questionnaire.

"So how compatible am I?" I hear you ask, well take the quiz and find out!!

http://quiz.therosieproject.com.au/compat.html

Rosie xx

Treat yourself...read this series!

 

From our youth fiction collection...ask me where to find them!

Mon :)
There's also a movie...check out the trailer...

 

 

Fast-paced thrill ride!

 

Being a parent of active primary school students, finding ‘time out’ while juggling school, work and family time can sometimes be difficult. Many times I have gone to bed to read and find myself struggling to keep my eyes open… ‘just one more page’ or ‘just till the end of the chapter’… opps… didn’t happen! Lights out, try again tomorrow night!!

I am currently reading ‘Too close to home’ by Linwood Barclay. I have just discovered this author (recommended by a library member). I have read ‘Fear the Worst’ by Barclay and enjoyed it from start to finish.

If you like a fast-paced thriller that keeps you in suspense until the very end, I suggest giving Linwood Barclay a try!

Guaranteed you won’t want to put it down!

~ EF

Scare your socks off!

 

 

If you are after a good crime fiction look no further. I came across Lars Kepler, swedish crime writier, and boy did he scare the bejeebers out of me.

 

The Hypnotist is the first book in the series involving Detective Inspector Joona Linna -

 

"A triple murder, all the same family. The killer is at large, and it looks as if the elder sister escaped the carnage. But she is missing and it seems only a matter of time until she too is murdered. Detective Inspector Joona Linna demands to investigate the grisly aftermath -  against the wishes of the national police. Where can Linna begin? The only surviving witness is the boy, Josef, whose mother, father and little sister were killed before his eyes, and he's shut down, comatose with shock. Obsessed and desperate, Linna turns to disgraced specialist Erik Maria Bark...."

 

Couldn't wait to read more on the sexy Inspector Linna and thoroughly enjoyed  

The Nightmare and The Fire Witness...although I did have to sleep with the light on for a while!!

 

Janine





Across the Nightingale Floor

Set in feudal Japan this slightly unconventional fantasy novel written by Lian Hearn is for fans of the genre and the uninitiated alike. Hearn does a beautiful job of depicting the subtle, understated nature of Japanese culture of the time while juxtapositioning the cultures beauty against the inherent cruelty of a world perpetually pitched on the knife’s edge of war.

  The story follows the fate of a young boy set on a road of self discovery and revenge. Clichéd, yes, but the measure of a book like this is not in it’s originality but instead in it’s ability to weave believable, and above all, interesting characters through a compelling narrative which Hearn does a little better than most. Surrounding our young protagonist is a small contingent of supporting characters including a wilful young woman, through which the reader feels most keenly the largely patriarchal society of the period.

   If  you are looking for a different kind of fantasy novel or for those that balk at the traditional dungeons and dragons fair, Across the Nightingale Floor might be worth a read.

3.5 /5 stars

- Mike 

I found it, I found it!

 

I've found the new teenage series to get us all interested in reading again.

 

Have you been in a reading slump? Tired of looking at all those books on your night stand and not really wanting to pick any of them up? Well do we have the series for you!

(steak knives not included)

 

The LUX novels by Jennifer Armentrout have had some staff and a lot of library borrowers going crazy. We just can't read them fast enough.

 

Similar to the Twilight series (that is the non-human, love story/triangle storylines) these novels centre on Katy (human/hybrid) and Daemon (alien). Part love story, part fantasy these books will get your heart pumping and your thoughts racing long after you have read them. Each book (4 so far) has a great continuing storyline to keep you interested and engaged. Is there really aliens among us? And how far will the government go to using them all the while hiding them from sight?

 

This series is going to be made into a movie!

 

~AM

Passion for Fashion?



Our Library has for loan each month the latest addition of Vogue Australia.
Keep up with the ever changing trends in fashion beautifully displayed for us all to peruse. 
We can all look our best by adopting some of the simple ideas that are featured and look amazing! Otherwise we can just dream!! Be it the new trends in large pearls or the latest handbag rage ...it is all there for the borrowing. Lets not forget those stunning shoes that can add inches to our height in just seconds....
The magazine is not only dedicated to keeing us all informed on the latest fashion from around the world but also features articles on people from all walks of life that have endeared themselves to us through there quest for success and fame.
Interested???
Come in and see the fantsastic staff who will be pleased to help you track down Vogue Magazine.
Fashion not your passion.....  we have a vast array of magazines that cover not only fashion but adventure,sport, music, current affairs and travel to mention but a few.
There is something for everyone at the Library.

CD

Ruby Moonlight by Ali Cobby Eckermann

A novel in poetry format? My immediate reaction: "Boooooring!" I'd read another poetic novel years ago and it was trite and unispiring, I'd hated it. As far as I was concerned, conversation over. I was greeted by silence from across the desk. I looked up to see me colleague's look of disappointment at my judgemental reaction. Master manipu... I mean motivator? You betcha. So, feeling a little guilty I picked up Ruby Moonlight...

And loved it. It gave me a whole new perspective on the possibilities of verse! It's a short read so I read it in less than an hour but was left thinking about it long after the final page.

Ruby Moonlight is set in colonial Australia, a time of great tension between Aboriginals and white settlers. Amid the harsh landscape and the brutality of it’s inhabitants a young aboriginal woman and an Irish loner build their own oasis, a relationship extraordinary and fragile. The tale is both beautiful and heartbreaking, even more so for the elegance of it’s telling.

Ruby Moonlight is a unique, delicately crafted treasure. Don't miss out on reading it like I almost did, grab a copy at your local library ;-)

~ K