Share a book with dad this Father's Day


Celebrate the magic of fathers on Father's Day this year by sharing a special father's themed picture book.

Why not try some of our favourite dad books below?

 

1.       Daddies – Lila Prap
2.       My dad thinks he’s funny - Katrina Germein
3.       My dad’s the coolest – Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley
4.       Big brave daddy - Smiljana Coh
5.       Daddy’s having a horse  - Lisa Shanahan
6.       Kisses for daddy - Frances Watts and David Legge
7.       My daddy is a giant – Carl Norac and Ingrid Godon
8.       Daddy hugs – Karen Katz
9.       I love my daddy – Giles Andreae and Emma Dodd
10.   I love my dad - Anna Walker
11.   Some Dads - Nick Bland
12.   Why I love my Daddy – Daniel Howarth

Happy Father's Day 2012

Questioning titles

How important is the title of a book? More specifically, what do you think about about using a question as the title of a book?  It can be an effective ploy, drawing attention to the book, and piquing the readers curiosity. Such titles are found most frequently in non-fiction or childrens book collections. But what about as a title for adult fiction? As you browse the library shelves, searching for something new to read, have you encountered many, or any, fiction books with a question as the title? Did the use of this ploy interest you, or even intrigue you,  and was it enough to make you want to pick up the book to read it? 
Although the question on the book cover would probably be rhetorical, would you still expect find an answer within?
Here is a selection of adult fiction books using a question as the title.  Which of these questioning titles would you like to read?

Do androids dream of electric sheep? Philip K. Dick
Remember me? by Sophie Kinsella
N or M? by Agatha Christie
Where are you now? Mary Higgins Clarke
Would I lie to you? Clare Dowling
Can you forgive her? Anthony Trollope
Who needs Mr Darcy? Jean Burnett
Why not? by Shari Low
Who's that girl? by Alexandra Potter

Can you think of any others?

Get Reading "50 books you can't put down" 2012


The "Get Reading" campaign, is launched today, 26 August, 2012. If you are looking for a guaranteed great read, check out the list of "50 books you can’t put down", where you can find book summaries, first chapter downloads, audio and more. Found something you like? You can request a copy from the library, by just clicking on the book titles listed below.

The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman (Fiction)
Foal's Bread by Gillian Mears (Fiction)
The Engagement by Chloe Hooper (Fiction)
Beneath The Darkening Sky by Majok Tulba (Fiction)
The Light Between Oceans by M.L Stedman (Fiction)
Nine Days by Toni Jordan (Fiction)
Gaysia: Adventures In The Queer East by Benjamin Law (Non-Fiction)
We All Fall Down by Peter Barry (Fiction)
The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins (Fiction)
Secret Of The Tides by Hannah Richell (Fiction)
Velocity by Steve Worland (Action)
Rotten Gods by Greg Barron (Action)
Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum (Fiction)
The Girl In The Steel Capped Boots by Loretta Hill (Fiction)
Days Like These by Kristian Anderson & Rachel Anderson (Memoir)
Bandaid For A Broken Leg: being a doctor with no borders (and other ways to stay single) by Damien Brown (Memoir)
Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman (Fiction)
After The Darkness by Honey Brown (Crime Fiction)
Cold Grave by Kathryn Fox (Crime Fiction)
Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham (Crime Fiction)
Absolution Creek by Nicole Alexander (Fiction)
My Hundred Lovers by Susan Johnson (Fiction)
The Inca Prophecy by Adrian d'Hage (Action)
Blood by Tony Birch (Fiction)
No Sex In The City by Randa Abdel Fattah (Fiction)
The Boy Who Fell To Earth by Kathy Lette (Fiction)
My Journey by Jim Stynes (Memoir)
Micky O: Determination, Hard Work and a Little Bit of Magic by Michael O'Loughlin with Jim Main (Memoir)
Batavia by Peter FitzSimons (History)
The Price Of Valour: The Triumph and Tragedy of a Gallipoli Hero, Hugo Throssell, VC by John Hamilton (Biography)
The Prez by David Spiteri (True Crime)
Brave Heart: Lessons Learnt From Life by Brett Kirk & Hayley S. Kirk. (Young Adult)
The Traitor Queen by Trudi Canavan (Fantasy)
The Legacy of Lord Regret by Sam Bowring (Fantasy)
Endless by Jessica Shirvington (Young Adult)
The Confusion Of Princes by Garth Nix (Young Adult)
The Children Of The King by Sonya Hartnett (Young Readers)
Pennies For Hitler by Jackie French (Young Readers)
The 26-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton (Young Readers)
After by Morris Gleitzman (Young Readers)
Omega Squad 1: Time Thieves by Charlie Carter (Young Readers)
Brotherband 1: The Outcasts by John Flanagan (Young Readers)
Word Hunters: The curious Dictionary by Nick Earls & Terry Whidborne (Young Readers)
White Ninja by Tiffiny Hall (Young Readers)
EJ12 Girl Hero 14: Kimino Code by Susannah McFarlane (Young Readers)
Conspiracy 365 Code Black: January by Gabrielle Lord (Young Readers -Crime Fiction)
The Little Refugee by Ahn Do & Suzanne Do Illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Picture Books)\
Clementine Rose and the Surprise Visitor by Jacqueline Harvey (Young Reader)
The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland (Picture Book)
DADS: A Field Guide by Justin Radcliffe & Cathie Glassby (Picture book)



Books made of letters

As you may know, epistolary fiction are novels where most, or all, of the story is told through letters, diary entries and/or other documents. One or more characters tell the story from their own perspective, often without the omnipresence of a narrator. This being a subjective point of view of writing, it provides immediacy and authenticity to a story. 

This form of writing was particularly popular throughout the 18th Century, with Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula, being perhaps the most successful novel of all time using this format. Although the art of letter writing is fast disappearing, some modern epistolary novels, such as Where rainbows end by Cecilia Ahern have incorporated emails, will blogs and twitter posts be next? This format of writing continues to be used successfully in contemporary fiction. Here is a selection of titles to try.

Bridget Jones diary: a novel by Helen Fielding
Carrie by Stephen king
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Possession: a romance by A.S. Byatt
We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
The white tiger by Aravind Adiga

Do these books sound familar?  They each have another thing in common... they have all been made into movies!  You can read the book then watch the movie. For a chance to win two movie tickets and a book voucher, enter the Sutherland Library Books vs Movies - Which do you prefer? competition. In 25 words or less, write which format you prefer, the book or the movie, and why. Entry forms are available from Sutherland Library, near the circulation desk.  Entries close 31st August.

New Items Lists - First test lists now live

We know you've been waiting for them and now they're here. The first test New Items Lists are now available.  Thanks for your patience while we worked on these lists and now we'd really like to hear what you think.

Initially we've only created a couple of lists.  Once we've heard your feedback we will create more new items lists for different types of materials.

The first set of lists for New Adult Fiction, New DVDs and New Mills & Boon titles are available now on the Library's catalogue at
http://webpac.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/



A bit more about the New Items Lists...

These new lists work a bit differently to the lists you may have been familiar with on our old system.  Where previously the library produced a self-contained list each month, for example new fiction in July, in the new system the lists are updated daily and cover the previous month.

For instance, the New Adult Fiction list will show adult fiction titles received by the library in the past 4 weeks.  Each day new items added to the collection are then added to the list, while items older than 4 weeks will drop off the list.  Some lists may cover a different period, but all will work on the same continuous rolling model.

In addition, we have added the ability to subscribe to email updates for each list.  If you are interested in new DVDs, for example, you can sign up to receive a daily email listing the new titles added that day.  If there are no new DVDs added that day, no email.  And for any fans of RSS, there's also a feed for each list.


The list of new items in each category are coming from a direct query on our system database. Unfortunately, the items aren't really sorted in any useful order such as title or author. Also, the links to each title point to our 'classic catalogue' and not our main discovery interface (Encore), however, you can still perform all the actions you would otherwise have available (reserve, add to list, etc.)

Ideally we would change those two aspects if we could but it's just not possible.


Check these lists out and leave us a comment with your thoughts and questions or suggestions for other lists you'd like created. We can't promise anything now but we will look at your suggestions and requests and see what we can do.

The Reading Hour

The countdown is on, with The Reading Hour being celebrated this Saturday, 25 August. Everyone is welcome to come along to Miranda Library from 10.00am-11.00am, to join in the Reading Hour celebrations!  Hosted in conjunction with Kumon Miranda and Menai Education Centres, special guests will be reading books aloud to the gathered group. A variety of stories, including popular children’s books from the library’s collection will also be available for families to share on the day. RSVP online, or call Library Services.
 If you want to keep reading, you can also host your own Reading Hour, joining people from all across Australia who will be celebrating The Reading Hour by reading from 6.00pm-7.00pm.  Here's how:
Turn off the TV!!!
Hold a Family Reading hour.
Read some books you borrowed from the library.
Read a short story, or two.
Pick up a Quick Read from the library. They are novellas of less than 200 pages, by well known authors from around the world.
Busy? Multitask. Listen to an audiobook (you can download one from Overdrive) while you cook dinner, drive the kids around, walk the dog....
Take time out, go to a cafe, order a coffee, relax and read for an hour.
Online? Spend the hour reading news articles, blogs and book reviews.
Throw a Pyjama party, tell everyone to bring a book and enjoy the ultimate bedtime story session.
Read some stories to your children- or vice a versa.
Movie buff? Read the book then watch the movie. Which one did you like more?
 This is just the beginning. Reading for at least ten minutes a day equals an hour a week, it's a great way to be both entertained and informed at the same time.

Cronulla School of Arts Patchwork Group Demonstration


The lovely ladies from the Cronulla School of Arts Patchwork group will be giving a demonstration of their patchworking 'prowess' at Cronulla Library on Tuesday, August 21 from 10.00am.

Anyone with an interest or admiration for this crafty art is welcome to come along and view their work. It is sure to be a colourful treat!

When: Tuesday, August 21 - 10.00am to 12.00pm
Where: Cronulla Library
(Cronulla Central) 38-60 Croydon St, Cronulla NSW
Ph: 9523 4980

This is a free event, all are welcome to attend.

Receive Hold Notifications Via Email

Sutherland Shire Library Services will be making hold notifications available via email from Monday September 3rd.

This means that when you reserve an item to borrow, you will receive an email letting you know it is available for pick up. This service will not incur any fees in addition to the regular hold fee.

If you would like to receive your hold notifications through email instead of regular mail, please ensure the email address listed in your library account information is correct and up to date.

You can check and update this online through your library account

Please see a library staff member in any shire library or call 9710 0351 should you have any questions or require assistance to update your details.

Does a good book make a good movie?

Does a good book make a good movie? What do you think?

About a quarter of  the Man Booker Prize winning books have been adapted to the silver screen, along with many of the shortlisted books for this prestigious prize.  Read the book, and watch the movie, then tell us what you think!

The blind assassin by Margaret Atwood
Possession by A.S Byatt
Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey
Disgrace by J.M Coetzee
The remains of the day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Schindlers Ark by Tom Kenneally.  Movie title: Schindlers list
The English Patient by Michael Oondaajte
Last orders by Graham Swift

 Have you read these? Coming soon to the movies:

Cloud Atlas:  Australian release:  February, 2013.
Life of Pi: Australian release: January 2013.

Throughout August, take the opportunity to fill in a "Book vs Movie-Which is better?" competition entry form at Sutherland Library, telling us in 25 words or less which you preferred, the movie or the book, and why. Drop your entry in at Sutherland Library for your chance to win movie tickets and a book voucher. Competition closes 31st August, 2012.

Question Your Health - Information Sessions in August


The library is full of health resources - books, magazines and online articles can all be utilised by customers wanting to know more about how to stay healthy. As part of the 'Question' theme for August in the National Year of ReadingInformation Sessions for adults on a variety of health topics will be held at Sutherland Library each Tuesday in August 2012.

Each session is presented by an expert on the topic, plus a presentation from library staff on finding more information on the topic through library resources.

·   Diabetes Awareness 
  Tuesday August 7, 10.30am-12pm

·   Medicine Management
  Tuesday August 14, 10.30am-12pm

·   Maintaining Healthy Joints and Bones 
  Tuesday 
August 21, 10.30am-12pm

·   Nutrition & Wellbeing 
  Tuesday August 28, 10.30am-12pm

Sessions are free, bookings essential. Book online through the library website or call 9710 0351. Refreshments provided for attendees.

National Year of Reading August Theme-Question.


 'Question' is the August National Year of Reading theme.

168th of 2nd 365: A choice. Which translation to continue reading? By Flickr user Dumbledad.

This month, question your reading matter; whether it be fact or fiction. Question the content, the media, any controversial issues and ethics. What about the philosophies, the politics and your own beliefs?
 Do you have a favourite genre?  Is it adventure, romance or science fiction?  Or do you find you can't put down that  mystery, thriller or fantasy novel? What makes it riveting reading?
Question what you reading. This doesn't just include books, it could be a newspaper or magazine, a recipe, a blog or a twitter post.
Why are you reading?  Is your  reading required for study or  to help you become better informed?   Remember reading is also a great way to relax, unwind and be entertained.
How are you reading it? As an ebook, on your ipad, iphone or ereader, or in a more traditional format (aka the print version)?  Have you tried downloading a e-book (or even an audiobook to listen to) from Overdrive?
Read a questionable book; whether its been banned somewhere or because its biased. Question what you are reading by joining a book group. Read outside your comfort zone to answer the question of why people read what they read.
Are you  wondering where to find your next great read?  The answer is at the Library. Try NoveList,  a database with over 600 different lists of recommended reads across many different genres, award winning books, and first chapter excerpts. Maybe you've  found yourself in a dilemma because you've read all the books written by your favourite author. Try Who Else Writes Like? to find some new authors who write in a similar style or genre to writers you enjoy.
So, tell us, what are you reading right now?