Parra Pods

Join us in this exciting episode of Parra Pods as we delve into the vibrant world of City of Parramatta Libraries.

Learn about our diverse range of free programs, from sewing and knitting groups to cutting-edge technology workshops like 3D printing and virtual reality. 

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Don't miss the chance to explore our extensive collections, enjoy public iPad lending, and make use of our convenient library app. Tune in for all the details, and we look forward to welcoming you to one of our seven library locations soon!

Welcome to the latest episode of Parra Pods, the City of Parramatta Libraries podcast dedicated to book lovers. Today, Erica is joined by Shelley, a seasoned children's book reviewer from the Children's Book Council of New South Wales, to delve into the City of Parramatta Libraries Summer Reading Holiday Program for 2024-2025.

This year, the program invites young readers aged 0-16 to 'Escape into a World of Imagination' with a myriad of exciting stories and the chance to win fantastic prizes. Shelley highlights three must-read picture books available in the library's collection, offering insights into storytelling that fosters creativity and learning. From whimsical bunnies in "I Am Wrigley" (Ages 3+) to the thoughtful narratives of "The Turtle and the Flood" (Ages 3+) and "A Friend for Ruby," (Ages 4 - 8) these reads cater to varied age groups and interests.

Listeners will also learn how to become library members and access these wonderful resources. Stay tuned for more Parra Pods episodes in the coming year, sharing new adventures in storytelling!

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A library technician by day and considered a master of dark, atmospheric fantasy in her writing, Alicia Jasinska is the author of the enchanting dark fairy tale, The Dark Tide.

In partnership with Sydney Writer's Festival 2022.

What makes a book a classic? The fact that it is beloved? That it has stood the test of time? That it is of a quality that makes it stand out? Like fairytales and folk tales before them, children’s classics are usually a mix of all of these things.

Join Nisa and Antonia as they talk about some established and modern classics for children: 

Chronicles of Narnia: the lion, the witch and the wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. (Originally published) Geoffrey Bles, 1950.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. (Originally published) Reynal & Hitchcock, 1943

Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume. (Originally published) Bradbury Press, 1970

Hitler’s daughter by Jackie French. HarperCollins Publishers, 1999

Spanning the last years of primary and all the way up to early adulthood, young adult fiction has an appeal that knows few bounds. Back by popular demand, this is the third in our series of YA book chats. Join Nisa and Antonia as they discuss the following titles:

Listen Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied. Penguin Books, 2021

Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Ezekiel Kwaymullina. Allen & Unwin, 2018

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. Walker Books, 2021

The Selection by Kiera Cass. Harper Collins, 2012

Thrillers and crime fiction are genres of writing that fascinate the reader through the depiction of danger, of darkness, of suspense and anxiety that surrounds the criminal or crime-related events described in the story.

Join Nisa and Bryony as they discuss some books that fall neatly and not-so-neatly within the overlapping boundaries of these genres:

The Herd by Andrea Bartz, Ballantine Books, 2020

Keeper by Jessica More, Penguin, 2020

Your House Will Pay by Step Cha, Faber & Faber, 2019

The Animals of Lockwood Manor, Mantle, 2020

Fantasy Fiction

Sitting under the umbrella of ‘speculative’ fiction, Fantasy Fiction pulls the reader into a universe made up of complex relationships, of magical beings, of fascinating creatures and of supernatural elements that are often based on or influenced by existing myths and mythology.

Join Nisa and Rachel as they discussed two novels and two novellas in the genre:

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart. Orbit, 2020

The Unspoken Name by A. K. Larkwood. Tor, 2020

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo. Tor, 2020

Order of the Pure Moon Reflected by Water by Zen Cho. Tor, 2020

YA books can be about love, loss, transitions, first experiences, school, future aspirations… anything experienced by young people. What makes YA literature unique is that the perspective is a teenage one. Back with more YA in 2021, join Nisa and Antonia for the first set of books they’d like to highlight:

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. Electric Monkey, 2019

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. Hot Key Books, 2020

Welcome to the New World: Waking Up in Trump’s America by Jake Halpern and (illustrated by) Michael Sloan. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020.

Craving some more YA chat? Checkout our other YA podcast here!

One of the greats of espionage fiction – John le Carre – passed away at the end of 2020.

Join Nisa and Sandra as they take a quick tour through some of his books and focus on two titles in particular:

Our Kind of Traitor - John le Carre. Viking, 2010

The Night Manager - John le Carre. Hodder and Stoughton, 1993

One of the most popular fiction genres, mysteries take the reader on a journey that involves trying to solve a puzzle, finding clues, engaging in logical deduction, considering (and discarding) red herrings… the who, why and how of a crime that must be solved, an event that must be explained.

Join Nisa and Crystal as they discuss a mix of classics and new books in the genre:

Death in the East - Abir Mukherjee. Penguin Random House, 2019

The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman. Viking Press, 2020

Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie. Collins Crime Club, 1934 and Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie and François Rivière. Harper, 2007

A Study in Scarlet - Arthur Conan Doyle. Beeton’s Christmas Annual Magazine, 1887