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Some cracking reads got the conversation going at this month's Tea with Tales catch-up
16 October 2024
The group at Flaxmere Library Bookchat have been working their way through Kate Rhodes’ crime novels set on the...
10 October 2024
Books centred on family, two novels that inspired screen adaptations and even an All Black biography all turned up...
24 September 2024
Santa Montefiore has become a favourite author at Book Chat. Here's a look at some of her best loved books.
21 September 2024
Our Havelock North Library book group, Young @ Heart discovered books that stirred old memories in their recent...
17 September 2024
The team at Tea with Tales discussed some popular local authors, particularly Charity Norman's new book, at their...
14 September 2024
Here are some reading highlights that have been getting this book group through the winter.
10 September 2024
Here's a little bit about Cuppa Tech, the library drop-in sessions for anyone with a tech problem.
6 September 2024
Discover some top reads recommended by Flaxmere Library's fortnightly book group.
3 September 2024
This month Baker's Club journeyed back into the past, creating baking from recipes found on Recollect - the...
30 August 2024
Another month of reading, some youthful reminiscences and a fabulous author event at the library kept the...
17 August 2024
The group at Young @ Heart have been reading some New Zealand authors - here's a sampling of what they talked...
13 August 2024
July saw some of the book group getting through their tasks for Turn Up the Heat, our winter reading challenge for...
28 July 2024
We're catching up with Hastings Book Chat who always have the goss on the best reads coming into the library.
20 July 2024
Turn Up the Heat has introduced some of the readers at Book Chat to some excellent new books.
18 July 2024
Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey has been selected for the upcoming Together We Read Book Club, which, for two week...
15 July 2024
From a Booker Prize winner to the No. 1 most popular writer in the world, there was a lot to talk about at Tea...
7 July 2024
Have a look at the amazing books discussed by Hastings Library Book Chat at their June session.
27 June 2024
Turn Up the Heat is the library's winter reading challenge for adults and it kicks off today. Here are some...
24 June 2024
The book group that meets every fortnight on a Tuesday is particularly keen on historical fiction. Here's what...
20 June 2024
If large print or audiobooks are your preferred reading matter, check out what the gang have been reading at Tea...
13 June 2024
Find out the books that we got really excited about at the May session of Hastings Book Chat
2 June 2024
Lessons in Chemistry was a hugely popular novel that took the world by storm. If this was a book that left you...
27 May 2024
The group at Wine, Books & More have been reading flat out, working their way through multiple book series, the...
24 May 2024
The tea and scones hit the spot as did some really enjoyable reading matter at the May meet-up of Tea with Tales.
20 May 2024
These books while on very different themes both fall into the category of truth that is stranger than fiction.
17 May 2024
What do you read when you've read all the Shardlake books and want more? Here are a few series that might do the...
17 May 2024
Mystery ingredients were the focus at this month's popular Baker's Club session.
15 May 2024
Gentle relaxing reading seemed to be just the ticket at the last session of Havelock North Library's Young @ Heart...
5 May 2024
Here’s what the team have been reading at the book group that meets at Hastings Library on the third Wednesday of...
30 April 2024
If you're feeling a bit bereft after finishing Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters series, read on for some reading...
26 April 2024
Tune into Beamafilm for a brilliant selection of ANZAC themed movies and documentaries. Here's a bunch we like the...
22 April 2024
Yes there were the scones and, of course, the books, but there was also some lively chat about swearing in book...
19 April 2024
Here's a couple of unputdownable YA novels recommended by Li.
17 April 2024
Here’s a look at a special author that has been doing the rounds at Young @ Heart, the book club that meets once a...
13 April 2024
Historical fiction was overwhelmingly the favourite genre at last week's Flaxmere Library Book Chat. Read on to...
10 April 2024
For all things health oriented, you will find a heap of interesting information on Gale Health and Wellness - a...
7 April 2024
Come along to Havelock North Library to meet Tina Clough and Karen McMillan - two local authors who have new book...
3 April 2024
We were getting in the mood for autumn with a mix of anecdotes, memories and fabulous reads at the recent meeting...
28 March 2024
We take a look at a recent series of novels reprising Agatha Christie's famous sleuth, Hercule Poirot.
25 March 2024
Hastings Library Book Chat discovered some excellent mysteries as well a few historical novels at the group'...
22 March 2024
Li reviews two YA mystery/thrillers that make for engrossing reading.
16 March 2024
Check out the latest reading recommendations from the book group that meets fortnightly at Flaxmere Library
13 March 2024
Have a peek at the deliciousness on the tea table at the library's recent Bakers Club morning.
10 March 2024
Beamafilm, the library resource for streaming movies, TV series and documentaries, has a great selection of film...
8 March 2024
We're catching up with our Tuesday evening book group for another chance to grow your 'must-read' list.
4 March 2024
Here's a review of a haunting historical novel set in expat Penang.
2 March 2024
If you're looking for a good book, chances are you'll find one or two among this list of top reads from Hasting...
24 February 2024
Here's a review of a powerful and poignant novel, a thoughtful depiction of a tragedy and its aftermath.
19 February 2024
Historical fiction, mysteries as well as historical mysteries were popular choices at the latest Flaxmere Library...
16 February 2024
Here's a new book about Douglas Adams for all of you people who know which day of the year we celebrate Towel Day...
14 February 2024
Baking Club is a popular library event, held on the first Tuesday morning of each month at Hastings Library...
13 February 2024
At the first Young @ Heart Book Club meeting for the year, novels based on a true story seemed to be the order of...
11 February 2024
You had better keep the tissues handy for these YA novel recommendations from Li.
8 February 2024
The first meeting of the New Year saw scones and book chat abound...
7 February 2024
Here's a look at some of the best in Kiwi film-making that you can watch on Beamafilm - a fine choice for Waitangi...
5 February 2024
Wine, Books & More had plenty of crime fiction plus a few surprises on the table at their latest meeting, the...
27 January 2024
Check out these thrilling suspense novels all set in the snow - just the thing to help you forget how hot it i...
20 January 2024
We take a look at Gale National Geographic Kids, an online resource packed with interesting articles, pictures and...
16 January 2024
What makes a really good mystery novel? Here's one book that really got everything right alongside another that...
13 January 2024
Recent meet-ups at Flaxmere Library Book Chat garnered some terrific reading recommendations.
10 January 2024
Hiking, adventure and endurance are themes in these two books enjoyed by the Havelock North book group who are...
3 January 2024
Here's a look at the books Hastings Library Book Chat talked about at their last get-together for 2023.
31 December 2023
The team at Wine, Books & More certainly read a variety of books and you can see this in their latest list of top...
26 December 2023
We discover a wealth of interesting Christmas info through Britannica online, which you can find via the library...
24 December 2023
Which is best, the book or the movie? This review takes a look at the prequel to the Hunger Games series which...
22 December 2023
We caught up with our book group for the vision impaired at their December meeting. As usual, there was some...
20 December 2023
What’s your favourite reading genre? Maybe you like a heart-warming romance or a pacey crime thriller. Have a look...
16 December 2023
Baking Club is a popular library event, held on the first Tuesday morning of each month at Hastings Library...
13 December 2023
What kind of books do you like to peruse over the holiday period when the turkey’s been eaten and the Christma...
3 December 2023
We recently had a very well attended Readers and Writers Festival here in Hawke's Bay. Here's Miss Moneypenny'...
30 November 2023
Readers looking for a good book could do worse than check out the recommendations from Flaxmere Library Book Chat...
21 November 2023
Baking Club is a popular library event, held on the first Tuesday morning of each month at Hastings Library...
17 November 2023
Tea with Tales is a book group for people with impaired vision who meet on the first Monday of the month. There'...
15 November 2023
We take a peek at an awesome online resource - the digital version of NZ Geographic magazine, which you can acce...
13 November 2023
A new visual timeline about World War I brings history alive - and it's waiting for you on the library's Recollect...
11 November 2023
The latest meeting of the Young @ Heart book group was at a café and fuelled by great coffee they had plenty of...
9 November 2023
Catch up with the eager readers that meet every third Wednesday at Hastings Library.
1 November 2023
We take a look at Ann Patchett's latest novel, a contemplation on love, marriage and family and the choices we...
28 October 2023
We check in with the evening book group: Wine, Books & More to see what books they've been excited to recommend.
19 October 2023
The Havelock North Young at Heart book club meet on the first Thursday of the month. Here are the top picks from...
16 October 2023
On the anniversary of Katherine Mansfield's birth, here's a look at a gorgeous book about the iconic New Zealand...
14 October 2023
See what they've been reading at this month's Tea with Tales - the Hastings Library book group of readers with...
12 October 2023
Gale Books and Authors is packed with user-friendly info for all book lovers - and it's a free online resource you...
3 October 2023
Old favourites like Diana Gabaldon and Tim Winton as well as new releases found their way to the table at Hasting...
30 September 2023
This book club has been meeting at Havelock North Library for over a decade. They always enjoy a wide selection of...
23 September 2023
What are you reading this Spring? Here's an assortment of novels that you might find appealing as the weather...
19 September 2023
Here's a look at one of the library's popular programmes that helps people get to grips with their techy problems.
15 September 2023
From learning Chinese to finding out about Chinese culture or history, the library's a good place to start for...
11 September 2023
Tea with Tales is the monthly book group held at Hastings War Memorial Library for people with significant vision...
9 September 2023
Extraordinary stories of survival sat next to cosy crime novels and swashbuckling historical fiction at our last...
9 September 2023
Have a look to see what the bookworms have been recommending at Flaxmere Book Chat. You're sure to pick up a tip...
6 September 2023
One viewer looks at some of the highlights from a year of streaming Beamafilm.
2 September 2023
You never know what's going to turn up on the table at our popular evening book group, Wine, Books and More.
30 August 2023
Discover new browsing possibilities with libbyapp.com
27 August 2023
Bakers Club is a popular library event, held on the first Tuesday morning of each month at Hastings Library...
23 August 2023
Take a look behind the scenes at a massive project involving the library's archives.
19 August 2023
Flaxmere Library has a keen bunch of readers that meet fortnightly on a Tuesday morning for Book Chat. Here are...
12 August 2023
Ahead of the library's special reboot of Poos and Farts Storytime, we reflect on a genre that can be guaranteed to...
8 August 2023
Here's a look at some of the library books and online resources for learning about the Cook Islands language ...
30 July 2023
See what our popular evening book group has been reading.
22 July 2023
Nicola Kenny has turned her digi-tech experience into an engaging new series of children’s books.
16 July 2023
Here's a hand to help you select a book for the TUTH Unreliable Narrator Challenge.
12 July 2023
If you’re interested in international politics and current affairs, here’s a library hosted database you might...
8 July 2023
We check in again with the book lovers at Hastings Book Chat to see what they recommend.
1 July 2023
We take a look at the books that have made Barbara Kingsolver one of the world's best-loved authors of literary...
20 June 2023
Here's the perfect book group for when you can't get to book groups in real life. This year it is also a Turn Up...
13 June 2023
We caught up with Hastings Book Chat to see what books have kept them up at night lately.
9 June 2023
Here's what we thought of Patrick Gale's latest book, a look at the life of Cornish poet Charles Causley.
25 May 2023
Yet again, a wide range of reading made it to the table at last month’s Wine, Books & More, our monthly Tuesday...
12 May 2023
Nerdvana is our annual tribute to all things nerdy. From VR gaming to Cosplay; D&D to Anime - you get the picture...
3 May 2023
Popular crime novelist Anne Perry died earlier this month. We look back on Anne Perry's long career as an author...
26 April 2023
See what the team have been reading at Wine, Books & More - the library's Tuesday evening book club.
22 April 2023
After a small hiatus in Book Chat get-togethers, it was fantastic to see the group again and talk about our...
5 April 2023
Booklovers are often attracted to a book which has the word "library" in the title. Our reviewer, Lara, gives u...
29 March 2023
Mrs Jewell and the wreck of the General Grant is a historical novel based on an actual shipwreck which occurred...
21 March 2023
Read on to discover even more fabulous books. Here's what else the crew at the Wine, Books & More book group have...
3 March 2023
The well-read folk who attend Tuesday evening’s Wine, Book & More book club at Hastings Library sure get through a...
24 February 2023
Hastings Library Book Chat began the new year with some amazing books and some lively discussion. Find out what...
4 February 2023
Our favourite non-fiction reads of the last year seem to divide neatly into two types of reading matter - personal...
26 January 2023
If you want to try some of the best fantasy and science fiction novels at the library, this could be the list for...
21 January 2023
If you fancy curling up with a lovely, warm-hearted read, you might try one of these novels recommended by the...
13 January 2023
Historical novels are always popular, and with such a huge range of places and periods to choose from, there'...
7 January 2023
These are the books that impressed us for their originality, the cleverness of the writing, and the power of the...
31 December 2022
These are the books we loved that tend to be about people in everyday modern life - stories that are easy to...
24 December 2022
We're finishing off the year with a look at the books that have hit the spot with our library staff, beginning...
17 December 2022
If you're looking for some book recommendations, you could do worse than check out what the team has been reading...
8 December 2022
We've had copies of the book, Where the Crawdads Sing in the libraries for a couple of years and they're still...
30 November 2022
The author who brought us 'The Appeal' gives the reader a second puzzling crime novel that will keep you guessing.
24 November 2022
Our annual Book Lovers Night is on the 23rd of November. Our guest author on the night is Nafanua Kersel, whose...
17 November 2022
Hana gives us the lowdown on Dinovember - a very important month on the library calendar or indeed any calendar...
31 October 2022
I'm not sure when I've seen such a curious variety of books as this list of recommended reads from the group that...
27 October 2022
Bake from a library book - so many to choose from!
10 October 2022
Here's what the group from Flaxmere Book Chat have been talking about lately.
8 October 2022
Our reviewer and David Bowie fan has a gander at the latest book about rock's eternal chameleon, chronicling the...
30 September 2022
Here's a philosophical sort of novel that will take you down the canals of England, from the author who gave u...
24 September 2022
An honest book about closed adoption in New Zealand.
19 September 2022
We bake with vegetables and Emma's cookies turn green
15 September 2022
Hastings Book Chat meets just once a month on the third Wednesday of the month and for these keen readers, there’...
2 September 2022
Writing can be a solitary activity. But every so often writers feel the need to get together in small group...
27 August 2022
Emma writes about a mysterious cheeseless cheese cake she tried at August's Baking Club.
18 August 2022
Always on the look-out for interesting themes for children's Storytime, our team have collated a bunch of book...
15 August 2022
Here's a look at one of the books that recently made The Booker Prize longlist. If you're worried that this mean...
5 August 2022
This is the final category in this year's NZ Book Awards for Children and YA. It’s amazing that three of these...
29 July 2022
The Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award recognises the best in books for children written in te reo...
24 July 2022
Wonderful artwork can really make a story. These are the books on the shortlist for the Illustration award in thi...
16 July 2022
You'll spot some familiar names in this year’s line-up for the NZ Book Awards for Children and YA Non-Fiction...
12 July 2022
Emma shares poetry collections our staff have loved.
9 July 2022
I don’t know how the judges are going to decide on a winner for this year’s Young Adult Fiction Award – a hotly...
8 July 2022
We’re taking a look at the Picture Book Award in our second post on the NZ Book Awards for Children and YA. Alway...
4 July 2022
We’re running a few posts on the books that have made the finals in the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young...
28 June 2022
The group at Flaxmere Library Book Chat have had enjoyed some terrific reads in recent weeks. Here are just a few...
17 June 2022
The latest Vera Stanhope mystery and number nine in Cleeves's super-popular series is the perfect book you can...
10 June 2022
A novel about a fictional Hollywood star that reads like a memoir. - our reviewer will have you putting this one...
26 May 2022
Here’s a snapshot of the books that recently made the shortlist for the 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Formerly...
4 May 2022
Here's the pick of the bunch from a great list of books the group have been sharing at Book Chat.
30 April 2022
Take a trip back to 1995 with a diary written by rock influencer, Brian Eno, with some oddly interesting insight...
27 April 2022
Here's some fiction just perfect for that Easter break, or anytime really, all available at the library.
13 April 2022
Since his death, Bowie has inspired a bunch of books, like this book of andecdotal encounters from Bowie obsessive...
10 April 2022
The library has a great selection of movies from a wide range of genres. Here's a quick review of two French...
3 April 2022
These are the books we read with a torch under the bedcovers, thinking, "just one more chapter".
1 April 2022
Here's an assortment of old favourites that have been treasured for all kinds of reasons including story...
27 March 2022
Here are our favourite early readers - the books that first got us or our children launched into independent...
23 March 2022
We're celebrating Children's Book Day on 2 April by sharing the children's books we loved when we were small. Such...
18 March 2022
Here's look at two graphic novels that take you into the world of the Watchmen.
16 March 2022
The new Kate Quinn novel looks at the important work of three women code breakers of Bletchley Park, their...
12 March 2022
JAM is happy to discover a new book from Marika Cobbold, an entertaining novel about fake news and the trouble it...
3 March 2022
Graphic Novel fans will be sure to recognise the Fables series by Bill Willingham. Rob reviews this classic...
19 February 2022
Here's how to keep track of all those books you want to read using My Lists.
11 February 2022
Here are some brilliant self-help book recommendations from Andrea, who doesn't read a lot of non-fiction but...
4 February 2022
Claire Fuller recently won the Costa 2021 Novel Award for Unsettled Ground. Here's what our reviewer, JAM, thought...
24 January 2022
Our first Book Chat for the year was at Flaxmere Library where the group got off to a flying start with some...
17 January 2022
Hastings District Libraries recently interviewed Marie Munro whose book "Nana's Shed" - "The Wharau of Kui"...
14 January 2022
Our Li reads a lot of books so her top selection from 2021 is bound to be interesting.
12 January 2022
Here are some of the best non-fiction and graphic novels we read as well as one serious disappointment as we wrap...
8 January 2022
The YA section of the library is well worth checking out for some thought-provoking and entertaining reads. Here...
3 January 2022
Including genres of science fiction and fantasy these books are packed with interesting worlds - some of them huge...
30 December 2021
There's nothing like a good mystery or a ripping yarn packed with suspense. This is a very mixed batch of novel...
27 December 2021
When we live in uncertain times, it can be a blessing to escape into a book to another time and place, where...
24 December 2021
Contemporary Fiction is one of those terms we give to books that are not any particular genre but tend to mirror...
21 December 2021
We've been asking library staff the tough question: What books did you enjoy most in 2021? We'll be running a...
17 December 2021
Every year there’s a swag of new books with a Christmassy theme, just perfect when you want to take a break from...
15 December 2021
A new series of Irish detective stories begins with this novel set in 1980s Dublin. Fans of Benjamin Black and...
14 December 2021
Our reviewer had his first experience of an e-audiobook with this sci-fi thriller and surprised himself with how...
10 December 2021
Bluetooth is shortwave wireless technology that can connect devices. Did you know that many hearing aids have thi...
7 December 2021
Wine Books and More met again after a spell of several months so they had a lot of bookish conversation to catch...
5 December 2021
Many readers enjoy screen adaptations of books, but if you’re like me, you prefer to read the book first – just in...
30 November 2021
Flaxmere Book Chat met up again for the first time in a while, eager to share and discuss their favourite read...
20 November 2021
According to the blurb, Esther Freud's latest novel is 'about love, motherhood, secrets and betrayal - and how...
8 November 2021
This is the eighth in a series of blog posts focussed on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
- Library Li
1 November 2021
This is the seventh in a series of blog posts focussed on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
-Library Li
1 November 2021
This is the sixth in a series of blog posts focussed on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
- Emma L
1 November 2021
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts focussed on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
- Emma L
1 November 2021
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts focussed on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
- Emma L
1 November 2021
This is the third in a series of blog posts focussed on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
- Emma L
1 November 2021
This is the second in a series of blog posts focussed on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
- Emma L
1 November 2021
One murder. Fifteen suspects. Can you uncover the truth? A clever debut that puts the reader into the minds of two...
29 October 2021
This is the first in a series of blog posts focussing on Advanced Pre-Teen Readers (APTRs)
- Emma L
28 October 2021
A book about "Pop songs", not the top ten on the hit parade, but the songs by Iggy Pop. 'Til Wrong Feels Right...
15 October 2021
Here's our review of a novel about a small community, the families that live there and what happens when different...
28 September 2021
A brilliant selection of new crime/mystery books (fiction and non fiction) made the Ngaio Marsh longlist thi...
22 September 2021
Here's a pacey read which teams a New York college girl with a small problem with a reclusive alcoholic former spy...
20 September 2021
It's been a few months since we had an update on the reading habits of our Wine Books and More attendees. Let'...
30 August 2021
Our reviewer happened upon this e-audiobook when browsing the library's e-collection and was pleasantly surprised...
27 August 2021
There's nothing like curling up with a book as winter sets in. Flaxmere Book Chat has been reading some terrific...
19 August 2021
Read our review of this authorised biography of The Who's John Entwistle by Paul Rees, music journalist. Entwistle...
15 August 2021
The longlist is out for the 2021 Man Booker Prize. Often considered the cream of the crop of the fiction award...
10 August 2021
If you're doing the Turn Up the Heat reading challenge this year, you may have come across the task: Millennial...
29 July 2021
Librarians and booksellers alike sometimes get challenging requests for a book, including the much quoted line: "I...
15 July 2021
Looking for some book ideas for the TUTH challenge: Millennial Problems? The Famoux by Kassandra Tate could fit...
11 July 2021
In an undisclosed small American town strange things are afoot. An unlikely trio try to get to the bottom of...
5 July 2021
Rāhoroi 29th Haratua Saturday 29th May, standing at the waharoa of Waipatu marae, the kaikaranga calls us on, we...
4 June 2021
“She just wanted – had always wanted – a good book to read.”
25 March 2021
I have always admired origami and have been slightly (read more than slightly) jealous of people who could...
24 March 2021
From picture books to young adult to adult fiction and some seriously thought-provoking non-fiction, Emma pick...
20 March 2021
I’ve been on a Stephen King binge this year – my ultimate goal is to read all of his works within in next couple...
18 March 2021
JAM reviews Isabel Allende's latest historical novel.
It's a moving love story set in difficult political...
17 March 2021
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