4 minute read
LITERATURE
FULL PROGRAM ONLINE
melvillecity.com.au/libraries
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Much more than books
LEARNING IS ABOUT TRYING NEW THINGS, AND LIBRARIES DO THAT REALLY WELL. WE’RE TEACHING PEOPLE TO SEND EMAILS, OR TO PAINT WATERCOLOURS, OR TO DELIVER POETRY AT A LIVE EVENT. MOST EVENTS ARE FREE, AND THEY REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
lorraine Horsley, Cultural PrograMs offiCer
AH Bracks Library + Creative Space, captured by Luke Latty
Singing and storytelling. Art workshops. Nursery rhymes in Mandarin and Noongar. Book launches. Philosophical debates and panel discussions. Movies and poetry recitals. There’s a lot more than books at your local library.
This spring and summer, the city’s libraries are alive with a series of events and community programs that celebrate the changing role of libraries in our lives. Far more than a place to browse the bookshelves, libraries are centres of learning, creativity and community.
WILDLIFE CAMERAS
What goes on in your backyard at night? Melville Libraries’ wildlife cameras open up the secret world that goes on all around us, every night. Available to borrow from your local library, the cameras offer a rare glimpse into the lives of the nocturnal native animals who share our homes and gardens. Run in collaboration with Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre (PLEEC), the program helps identify and protect the native wildlife in the city.
MAKING NOISE
Our libraries are places where stories are told and ideas are exchanged, and it’s often far from quiet.
Melville’s bi-monthly library events program includes authorin-conversation talks, Music @ the Library, Reconciliation in Conversation, Sustainability and Art for Adults, along with feature events like book launches, panels and guest speakers.
From tinkering on an Edison robot with your children, to mastering a language, to making a coil basket, there’s always something to do at the library.
You could even read a book.
This summer’s top reads
… according to our librarians and library staff
Junior fantasy fiCtion
SEVEN WHEREWITHAL WAY
An exciting read this year was Samantha Ellen Bound’s Seven Wherewithal Way. This book featured enough magic and adventure to capture a young person’s imagination to join the characters on a fun filled quest. My next highly anticipated release is Maria Tureaud’s spooky debut novel The Last Hope in Hopetown.
Charlie, Library Team Leader
CriMe fiCtion
EXILES
After seeing the movie some time ago, I finally got around to reading Australian author Jane Harper’s awardwinning bestseller The Dry recently. It was an absolutely riveting read which didn’t disappoint! I now can’t wait to read Harper’s latest offering in the outback noir genre, Exiles, as well as continuing with my favourite author Fredrik Backman’s poignant novels, including his latest release, The Winners.
Helen, Librarian
Junior board book
LET’S COUNT WILDFLOWERS
I have been enjoying some vibrant Australian picture books which make me want to head outdoors. The board book, Let’s Count Wildflowers by Perth-based Tracey Gibbs is a wonderful way to share spring with your baby. The bold colours of Hilary Bell’s picture book, Summer Time, have me longing for days at the beach.
Jo-Anne, Collection Development Librarian (Young People)
Mystery fiCtion
EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE
The intriguing title, Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson pulled me in and blew me away. I loved every minute of this witty and brilliantly clever mystery. I can’t wait to get my hands on Richard Osmand’s The Bullet That Missed and Anthony Horowitz’s The Twist of a Knife.
Samantha, Library Customer Experience Officer
HistoriCal fiCtion
HORSE
My favourite authors keep on giving – Geraldine Brooks with her story Horse about an American champion called Lexington and the young, enslaved boy who loved and protected him was beautifully written as always; now I’m looking forward to Alex Miller’s A Brief Affair and Diana Reid’s Seeing Other People.
Christy, Collection Development Librarian
young adult fiCtion
I’ve been reading the captivating and beautifully written Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. An incredible yet realistic YA (Young Adult) coming-of-age story about finding yourself. It has me excited to read The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough next.
Amy, Library Customer Experience Officer
STAFF PICKS
HuMorous fiCtion
DINNER WITH THE SCHNABELS
A real stand-out book this year was Toni Jordan’s Dinner with the Schnabels – a humorous and heartrending look at an Australian family in a post-pandemic world. I’m looking forward to reading Maggie O’Farrell’s The Marriage Portrait, which is set in Renaissance Italy and inspired by Robert Browning’s poem My Last Duchess.
Emily, Librarian
adult non fiCtion
POWER PLAY
Power Play by Tim Higgins is an eye-opening account of the hurdles jumped by Elon Musk to build the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle. Bringing Tesla to market was a fifteen-year struggle in the face of opposition from rivals, investors, and whistle-blowers. My next read is Cadre Country – How China became the Chinese Communist Party.
