Lisa Heidke's Talk at Cronulla Library
In case you missed Lisa, we filmed her talk and it is available to view below or through the library's Vimeo site.
Lisa Heidke Author Talk from Sutherland Shire Libraries on Vimeo.
Look out for upcoming author talks through the What's On page. You can also subscribe to receive regular 'What's On' emails from the library.
Five questions in five minutes with Karina Machado
Karina Machado is bestselling author of "Spirit sisters:Australian women reveal true-life stories of the paranormal " and had just released a new book, "Where spirits dwell". Karina joins us for five questions in five minutes...
What are you reading right now, and what do you like/dislike about it?
I am a historical fiction buff so am currently losing myself in a classic of the genre: Sharon Penman's The Sunne in Splendour. What I enjoy the most about historical fiction, and about this book in particular, is the way it transports me. If life is getting overwhelming and I need an escape, hopping into bed with a wonderful story from the past is the best way, I find, to clear my mind. Suddenly, I'm projected out of the everyday and into a setting that, for all its brutality and discomforts, was in many ways a far simpler time. I find that soothing. Penman is incredible. The way she takes you back to England in the 1400s is uncanny, more like time travel than fiction writing. In that sense, it reminds me a bit of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.
I am a historical fiction buff so am currently losing myself in a classic of the genre: Sharon Penman's The Sunne in Splendour. What I enjoy the most about historical fiction, and about this book in particular, is the way it transports me. If life is getting overwhelming and I need an escape, hopping into bed with a wonderful story from the past is the best way, I find, to clear my mind. Suddenly, I'm projected out of the everyday and into a setting that, for all its brutality and discomforts, was in many ways a far simpler time. I find that soothing. Penman is incredible. The way she takes you back to England in the 1400s is uncanny, more like time travel than fiction writing. In that sense, it reminds me a bit of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.
Could you tell us a bit about your favourite book?
Oh, a tough one—to narrow it to just one, I mean! Truman Capote's In Cold Blood comes straight to mind. It introduced me, many years ago, to the possibilities available within non-fiction. Actually, I'm due a re-read. I don't re-read books very often and I've read that one twice, as I have Wuthering Heights—Emily Brontë's classic, in all its stark and eerie beauty, is up there with my all-time favourites. I am also in awe of The Great Gatsby, and I could not answer this question without mentioning Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree series, which I read as a child and have re-read to my children. What a way to open up the imagination.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love reading (see above), baking and cooking and enjoy being outside in the garden, though I claim no expertise there. Given that we're moving house next week, I have also acquired an obsession with home-decorating magazines.
What’s next for Karina Machado?
Apart from packing and unpacking boxes? Well, I am keen to do lots of decorating, baking and gardening at our new family home. And then? Who knows? I'm sure it won't be long until my fingers are itching to fly over the keyboard again (learning to touch-type was one of the best things I ever did!) I'm also hoping to head interstate for library talks to promote "Where spirits dwell"
If you could have dinner with two famous people, who would they be, and why?
I'd love to meet Stephen King, though I'd surely be dumbstruck by his genius. And Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's ill-fated second wife. She had an amazing mind, which I'm not sure enough people know about. I'd serve them my famous orange-and-choc chip muffins with their coffee!
I'd love to meet Stephen King, though I'd surely be dumbstruck by his genius. And Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's ill-fated second wife. She had an amazing mind, which I'm not sure enough people know about. I'd serve them my famous orange-and-choc chip muffins with their coffee!
Everyone is welcome to come along and join Karina Machado for an author talk/book signing at Cronulla Library on Tuesday, 15 November, at 6.30pm. You can book online or by calling the library.
Movember, 2011
November is also Movember, the month when men are encouraged to “grow a mo” and raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. An important part of maintaining health is to relax, and what better way to relax than by reading? This month try reading something by or about men with moustaches.
Mark Twain. Besides his impressive moustache, he is most noted for his novels “The adventures of Tom Sawyer” and its sequel, “The adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, which has been described by William Faulkner, (a fellow moustached author of American literature), as “the great American novel”.Bram Stoker: Best known for his gothic novel “Dracula”, this author was such a fan of the moustache that he gave Count Dracula one as well. He describes Count Dracula as “a tall man, clean shaven, save for a long white moustache, and clad in black from head to foot”.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the moustached creator of the perennial favourite fictional detective ‘Sherlock Holmes’. Although the famous character was not bestowed with a moustache, his esteemed assistant and first person narrator in the all but four of the books, Dr John.H. Watson is described in the books as wearing a moustache.
Poirot. One of Agatha Christie’s most famous and long lived characters, he is famous for his distinctive moustache as much as for his "little grey cells". As his clean shaven colleague Captain Arthur Hastings tells us, Poirot is "very stiff and military. Even if everything on his face was covered, the tips of his moustache and pink tipped nose would be visible.”
Russell Brand. A moustached English radio and television personality, comedian, actor and author. Read his autobiography “My booky wook”. If you enjoy this, read the follow up “My booky wook 2: This time its personal”.
Here are three famous Aussie sporting icons turned authors who each sport trademark mo’s.
Merv Hughes. Read his biography, "Merv: The full story" by Patrick Keane, pick up some killer lines in his latest book, "Merv Hughes' best sporting insults" or read about another great way to relax, fishing! "Merv: Caught in the deep" by Merv Hughes.
Max Walker, also famous for his sporting exploits on the cricket pitch, has written 14 books, seven of them becoming best sellers.
John Newcombe. The former tennis great has written two autobiographies about his life, on and off the tennis court.
Merv Hughes. Read his biography, "Merv: The full story" by Patrick Keane, pick up some killer lines in his latest book, "Merv Hughes' best sporting insults" or read about another great way to relax, fishing! "Merv: Caught in the deep" by Merv Hughes.
Max Walker, also famous for his sporting exploits on the cricket pitch, has written 14 books, seven of them becoming best sellers.
John Newcombe. The former tennis great has written two autobiographies about his life, on and off the tennis court.
Finally we can’t forget the most influential author of all time, Shakespeare. The bard himself was a mo bro.
Taming The Next Wild Frontier: Technology
Here at the library we’re taming the next wild frontier – technology. Through a series of informative talks presented by a variety of tech-savvy speakers, you can learn more about the ever shifting and often disorienting landscape of technology and information tools.If you are an older adult who already has an interest and basic knowledge on gadgets and technology and want to keep abreast of what's out here, the Sutherland Library will be running monthly ‘Taming Technology’ information sessions on the first Thursday of the month at 10.30am to discuss and provide information on a variety of technological topics including smartphones, e-readers, buying and selling online, digital cameras, flatscreen TV types and much more.
Guest speakers with experience on the topic of the month will share their knowledge and answer questions. Come along to these free sessions for an educational and interesting morning out.
The November topic - 'iPhones, iPads, iPods' will be presented by an ex-Apple Genius and will give and overview of these popular Apple products and the different applications that may benefit you. Book Online for a spot or call Sutherland Library on 9710 0351.
What: Taming Technology
Where: Sutherland Library
30-36 Belmont St Sutherland
When: 10.30am, 2nd Thursday of every month
Who: All are welcome to attend, disabled access is available.
Cost: Free!
Refreshments provided.
30-36 Belmont St Sutherland
When: 10.30am, 2nd Thursday of every month
Who: All are welcome to attend, disabled access is available.
Cost: Free!
Refreshments provided.
Please Note: These sessions are held with the aim to provide introductory information only. Sutherland Shire Council does not promote any products or brands over others nor does it receive incentives from presenters. Please use your own discretion and seek expert advice before purchasing any products that may have been presented on during a Taming Technology session.
Knit Two
The Engadine Knitting Group members have been enjoying their monthly get togethers so much that they have added an extra monthly meeting day. They now meet on the 1st Tuesday and the 3rd Thursday of each month 10.30 am to 12.00 noon.
The group will be celebrating Christmas with special morning teas during their December meetings. Their next meeting will be on Thursday 17th November and new members are always very welcome!
Melbourne Cup Day 2011
The race that stops a nation is on today. There’s no need to spend your Melbourne Cup winnings on your next read, just borrow them for free from the library. Why not take a chance on one of the books in our guide to top racing fiction.Dick Francis: Leading the pack is Dick Francis. Sadly missed, this former jockey has written numerous bestselling mystery tales set in the racing world.
Felix Francis: Taking up the reins from his father, Felix Francis has recently released “Gamble”, reminiscent of a Dick Francis mystery.
John Francome: A seven times Champion jockey, this bestselling author may well be your favourite.
Mark Daniel: Author of “Pity the sinner” odds are if you like racing thrillers, you’ll enjoy this.
Kentucky Rich by Fern Michaels: The first in a romance series of three books that follows Nealy Coleman’s amazing journey as she makes a place for herself in the dynamic and demanding world of horse racing. A banker trifecta.
Enid Bagnold: "National Velvet", a perennial favourite that you may have read before. Its worth re-reading, or, if you haven’t read it take a chance on this classic tale.
Lyndon Stacey: This author has more than an outside chance of offering a great read. Murder, and mystery in the racing world- it’s a winning combination.
“ Goulburn's deliverance” by Grant Rodwell. Feeling patriotic? Try this champion tale set in Sydney and Melbourne, featuring the Melbourne Cup.
Peter Klein: “Ring of fire” is his latest racing-related crime thriller. A fast paced and exciting read, it’s tipped to be a winner.
"Princess: the Miss Andretti story", by John Hunt: Are true stories a sure thing for you? This is the true rags-to-riches story of Miss Andretti, the horse from nowhere, bred from nothing, who cost nothing, was originally trained by a nobody and yet conquered the racing world.
"Lord of Misrule", by Jaimy Gordon: At the rock bottom end of the sports of kings is cheap horse racing. Try your luck and read about this often violent and ruthless world.
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