Don’t grow up – it's a trap!

What is it about the ever popular coming-of-age novel that makes it so appealing? Alison and Ineka investigate and highlight some recent cool literature about adolescent angst.

All the books discussed in this episode can be found in the Auckland Libraries catalogue, most in a range of formats. Click the links below to request or borrow a selection of featured titles:

Beartown by Fredrik Backman: bit.ly/Beartown_Fredrick_Backman

More than a woman by Caitlin Moran: bit.ly/More_than_a_Woman

The Perfume Burned His Eyes by Michael Imperioli: bit.ly/Perfume_Burned_his_Eyes

Falling into Rarohenga by Steph Matuku: bit.ly/Falling_into_Rarohenga

Pūrākau: Māori myths retold by Māori writers edited by Witi Ihimaera and Whiti Hereaka: bit.ly/Pūrākau

International Banned Books Week: Books unite us, censorship divides us.

Join Alison and Ineka as they highlight the value of free and open access to information. They review some current challenged titles and some from 40 years ago. Celebrate the freedom to read!

All the books discussed in this episode can be found in the Auckland Libraries catalogue, most in a range of formats. Click the links below to request or borrow a selection of featured titles:

George by Alex Gino: https://bit.ly/George_Alex_Gino

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds: https://bit.ly/Stamped_Jason_Reynolds

Widowland by C. J. Carey: https://bit.ly/Widowland_C_J_Carey

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick https://bit.ly/Man_in_the_High_Castle

Fatherland by Robert Harris: https://bit.ly/Fatherland_Robert_Harris

Farthing by Jo Walton: https://bit.ly/Farthing_Jo_Walton

Lace by Shirley Conran: https://bit.ly/Lace_Shirley_Conran

Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters: https://bit.ly/Detransition_Baby

The Pigman by Paul Zindel: https://bit.ly/Pigman_Paul_Zindel

This month Dedee chats to Henrieta Tornyai aka Henika, about being a musician stuck in lockdown, and her upcoming album Strange Creatures, which uses samples of birdsong she recorded on Tiritiri Matangi in the Hauraki Gulf.

She talks about the electronic instrument the theremin and two artists who have influenced her, Björk and Kimbra, who she admires for the way they blend electronic and organic sounds.

This interview was recorded on September 16, 2021

References:

Henika – artist links:

https://henika.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/henikamusic/

Artists mentioned in our Library collection:

Björk - Medulla (compact disc, 2004)

https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/search/card?id=8855cf49-1586-4376-95cf-491586037611&entityType=FormatGroup

Kimbra – Vows (compact disc, 2012)

https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/search/card?id=42014a51-5d19-4498-814a-515d1964983b&entityType=FormatGroup

All tracks used are from Henika’s upcoming album Strange Creatures, due for release on November 5, 2021

Tracks used in Part 1:

Perforated Heart

Dawn Chorus

This track is Part 2 of an interview with musician Henika.

In this track we talk about the music videos for the first two singles from her album Strange Creatures, featuring dancers wearing beautifully made papier mache bird heads. We also delve deeper into the message behind the songs.

This interview was recorded on September 16, 2021

References:

Henika – artist links:

https://henika.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/henikamusic/

Music videos:

Strange Creatures (21 April, 2021)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jauJscQDgIw&ab_channel=HenikaOfficial

The Future of the Species (11 August, 2021)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3haSFXeMg0&ab_channel=HenikaOfficial

All tracks used are from Henika’s upcoming album Strange Creatures, due for release on November 5, 2021

Tracks used in Part 2:

Strange Creatures

Future of the Species

Discover a riveting read on OverDrive with Poukōkiri Whakatapoko Tāpaenga / Senior Collections Librarian Maureen Ned's review of Tōku Vanessa e pōuriuri / My dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, written and recorded in te reo Māori.

Written in English, this bold and powerful 2020 novel follows 32 year-old Vanessa and her former English teacher, Jacob. Emerging allegations and the Me Too movement lead Vanessa to revisit the true nature of their relationship which begun when she was just 15 years old.

Mahuru Māori (1 - 30 Mahuru) is a chance to celebrate one of the official languages of Aotearoa. This year’s theme is: Tōku reo, tōku tūrangawaewae. My language, my home.

Find the eBook of My Dark Vanessa on the libraries' catalogue here:

https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3755201

Some exciting news to spice up this Literary Lounge Lockdown episode - the 2021 Booker Prize shortlist has just been announced. Alison and Ineka discuss the list and recommend some read-alike titles you could crack into while you wait to get hold of the reading world’s latest hot-ticket items.

Whakarongo (listen) as Poukokiri Rangahau Māori / Senior Māori Research Librarian Xavier Forsman reviews a favourite pukapuka, Purple Heart by Ta'afuli Andrew Fiu, in te reo Māori.

Available as an eBook on OverDrive and Libby and written in English, this inspiring memoir tells Fiu's story of growing up Samoan in Aotearoa and his experience of living with rheumatic fever. Through hospital stays, six heart surgeries and racial discrimination, his spirit remains strong nourished by the support of family and friends.

Mahuru Māori (1 - 30 Mahuru) is a chance to celebrate one of the official languages of Aotearoa. This year’s theme is: Tōku reo, tōku tūrangawaewae. My language, my home.

Find this book on the libraries' catalogue here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3143841

It's an honour to present to you Librarian Raniera Kingi (Poukōkiri Rangahau Māori) in conversation with the author and educator Hēmi Kelly. Hēmi (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whāoa) is a lecturer in te reo Māori at AUT. He is the author of ‘A Māori Word a Day,’ ‘A Māori Phrase a Day,’ translator of Te ruānuku / The Alchemist for the Kōtahi Rau Pukapuka project; and runs Everyday Māori on Facebook and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaymaori/.

In this track Bruce Ralston talks us through an entry into family history writing.

Bruce is editor of The New Zealand Genealogist and Chair of the Ted Gilberd Literary Trust that supports writing of family history. With a long career in libraries and archives, together with a half century of genealogical research, he is conscious of the struggle many have converting their research into formats that will engage other people. While a published family history is a fine objective, there are many other ways to tackle the matter in smaller bites.

Music: When it all falls by Ketsa

It’s another lockdown Literary Lounge with Alison and Ineka. So, grab a cuppa and make yourself comfy as we highlight the hilarious, the forbidden and the confessional corridors of our collections.