Home > Popular Topics > Popular Topics : Seniors

Information for Seniors

New Books at the Library

book jacket The accidental billionaires: the founding of Facebook, a tale of sex, money, genius and betrayal
By Ben Mezrich. (2009)
" Ban Mezrich has written an enjoyable and easy to read account of how Facebook was started by an IT geek Mark Zuckerburg who was a student at Harvard. It chronicles the early growth and how the web site grows from being just for Harvard students through its expansion to having several million users. Most of the book concentrates on the battles that Mark has with one of his co founders Eduardo Saverin, and a pair of other students who asked Mark to work on their web site who end up as Olympic rowers. The main problem with the book is that Mark Zuckerburg declined to speak to the author about the book. Therefore most of the material is from the people who are suing or who have sued Mark for what happened after the web site become ultra successful. The book ignores most of the reasons why Facebook became so successful and all of its recent history. The author has admitted in the introduction that he has adapted some of the situations to make them more readable. This is not a serious financial history of Facebook, it is a less serious, more exciting, easy to read." (from Amazon.co.uk reviewer)
book jacketCeltic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon embroidery
By Jan Messent. (2010)
"This book combines everything held dear to the author's heart in a single volume - embroidery, writing, artwork, history and books. Her beautifully executed creations combine myriad materials, including hand-stitched threads, glued papers, fabrics, fibres, paints and beads, and are presented here as a series of 'altered books', each representing a chapter that follows on from the last, and each exploring one of the major themes of the book, including textiles, stitches, clothing and accessories. Historical facts are ingeniously interwoven with contemporary renditions of ancient artworks, bringing to life the ancient skills of Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon women, and celebrating the centuries-old tradition of embroidery in England that has served as a foundation for present-day excellence." (Amazon.co.uk)
book jacket The honey gatherers: travels with the Bauls: the wandering minstrels or rural India
By Mimlu Sen. (2009)
"Mimlu Sen is living a bohemian life in Paris when she witnesses an electrifying performance by three wandering minstrels from rural India. They wear flowing, multicoloured robes and play frenetic rhythms on strange instruments made of wood and clay, capturing the many moods of nature and passion. After her turbulent past, including a year in a Calcutta jail, Mimlu instantly knows it is time to set off on the journey of her life. One of the minstrels, Paban Das Baul, is a gifted young musician with a growing international reputation. Mimlu defies prejudice to travel with him deep into the heart of Bengal, the hinterland behind Calcutta. In this fascinating and unusual book, she describes how they make their way across country, from shanty town to village, from monastery to festival, perched on the roofs of buses and squeezed inside trains, encountering tantrics and sages, exorcisms and witch sightings, catfish that climb trees and esoteric secrets - and fall in love. With Paban's encouragement, Mimlu too performs for alms - 'gathering honey' in the traditional Baul way - and is initiated into a hidden world of song, sensuality and adventure as wild and unpredictable as the landscape itself." (Amazon.co.uk)
book jacket A kingdom strange: the brief and tragic history of the lost colony of Roanoke
By James Horn. (2010)
"In 1587, John White left England with 118 men, women and children intending to establish the first English colony in America. They sailed for Chesapeake Bay, but after a difficult crossing landed on Roanoke Island of the coast of North Carolina. From the start, the colonists faced hostile Indians and as their supplies dwindled, White left his family and friends to return to London to get help. With the Spanish Armada looming his ships couldn't leave port, and three years later in 1590, he found the settlement had disappeared and never saw family or friends again. After much research this book puts forward a convincing new theory about why the colonists went to America, what happened to them and where they went after Roanoke Island. A dramatic story of what happened to the lost colonists of Roanoke." (Cover)
book jacket Loving all of it: eminent New Zealanders write about growing old
Edited by Gordon McLauchlan. (2010)
"The late baby boomers are starting to reflect on ways to grow old well, and on this subject 32 essays by prominent New Zealanders over the age of 65 serve as extremely strong pieces of autobiography, as inspiration and as meditation. No zimmer frames and retirement homes for this lot. The contributors, including Elizabeth McRae, Wilson Whineray, Ranginui Walker, Brian Edwards, Bob Harvey, Hamish Keith, Elizabeth Smither, Kate Harcourt, Barry Brickell, Marcia Russell and Michael Corballis, continue to make a vital contribution to our nation. Encouraged to be frank and self-revealing, these essays read like letters for their descendants: on how they saw the world and themselves when young, on the issues around growing old, on how they see the future, and on wisdom they've picked up along the way. A compelling essential collection." (Cover)
book jacket In the fullness of time: 32 women on life after 50
Edited by Emily W. Upham and Linda Gravenson. (2010)
"In the Fullness of Time is a collection of essays, poems, interviews and photographs that speak to the experience of aging - the joys, the rewards, and the losses." (Cover)

Large Print Collection

These books have print that is larger than usual. The collection is available at Central and all branches. You can find the recent additions to our Large Print collection, or all the Large Print items in our catalogue. All Large Print titles are available to borrow or reserve. If you need to any of our staff can show you how to make your own reserves from our public access catalogues or from your home computer.

Staff Picks:

book jacket Goats from a small island: grabbing Mallorcan life by the horns
By Anna Nicholas. (2010)
"Anna Nicholas,, PR consultant in London tries to start a new, more relaxed life in rural Mallorca with her family. Hoping to open a cattery, she is thrown off course by the abduction of her pet toad, a scorpion infestation, and a growing fascination with ancient goats. This is descriptive, entertaining and amusing writing." (Cover)
book jacket Married to a Bedouin
By Marguerite van Geldermalsen.(2009)
"In 1978, Marguerite and a friend were travelling through the Middle East when she met the charismatic Mohammad and decided this was the man for her..."Where are you staying?" the Bedouin asked. "Why you not stay with me tonight - in my cave." He seemed enthusiastic and we were looking for adventure. Thus begins the story of how a New Zealand born nurse became the wife of Mohammad Abdallah Othmannand and lived with him, and their children in the ancient caves of Petra in Jordan." (Cover)
book jacket Mr. Monk is miserable
By Lee Goldberg. (2009)
"Adrian Monk and his assistant Natalie are in Paris, touring the shadowy catacombs that wind beneath the city streets, lined with millions of centuries-old human bones. Of course, Monk notices one particular skull, declaring that the person was killed recently. With the delights of Paris overshadowed by murder, Monk will have to think fast, and see in the dark if he's going to catch a cunning killer." (Amazon.co.uk)
book jacket A dog in a million
By Hazel Carter. (2009)
"When Hazel Carter found her life nearly destroyed with crippling arthritis of her spine, she was unable to move for months on end. Able only to lie on her back she was a victim of her paralysis. Never one to despair Hazel used her skills as an animal behaviourist gained during a lifetime of training dogs to teach her two-year-old Newfoundland Connie to be her companion and help. Over many months she trained Connie to look after her. It became a game for her and a purpose in life for me to train her to be my friend and companion. This is the story of a remarkable dog and a remarkable relationship with a remarkable woman. Funny and poignant, full of great wisdom and common sense, and containing many stories about our love affair with man's best friend." (Cover)

Sound and Vision

Did you know there are discounts with your Leisure Card on reserves, DVDs, CDs, videos and cassettes? See our Borrowing page for more details.

Staff Picks:

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
Produced by Sportfive. 2010. "Exclusive the Offical 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. This two hour documentary features a preview of each of the eight groups of four teams who will contest the first FIFA World Cup to be staged in Africa. The action includes critical goals from all of the global qualification tournaments including Australia and New Zealand, plus the tension packed global play-offs, as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup played in South Africa in 2009 when six of the FIFA World Cup finalists were competing." (from the container)
dvd coverBright star
Written and directed by Jane Campion. Originally released as a motion picture in 2009.
"Bright Star tells of the unlikely love story of John Keats and his neighbour Fanny Brawn. Inspired by the actual love letters of the couple, and Keats great romantic poetry, the romance only ended with Keats' tragic death at 25." (realgroovy.co.nz)

Featured Magazine

Sport
Before 2008 this magazine was published more than once a year, but the latest edition Sport 38 is a joy of New Zealand New Writing. Poetry and short stories give inspiration and enjoyment to the reader. A great read, and one to dip into from time to time for another read of pure pleasure.

Found in the Literature magazines, on the first floor of the Central Library's Art, Music and Literature magazine collection (South End).

Useful websites

  • The Seniornet site contains comprehensive and up to date or their activities. Great for help on anything you may be trying to do on the net.
  • The British Library has an online gallery called Sacred which 'discovers' what we share. With videos, podcasts and interactive features to complement the sacred texts you can discover how Judaism, Christianity and Islam have so much in common.
  • Sermons by Bible: these are available on an American website. These are from the Old and New Testaments. You can also search for sermons by topic, speaker, staff pics and top sermons.
  • WCL's guide for mature employment seekers or jobseekers over 45
  • University of the Third Age (U3A)
    Generally known as U3A, the University of the Third Age is a fast growing, informal learning environment for older adults. Each U3A group offers a range of small classes, discussion groups and larger meetings with visiting speakers. Classes are often held in private homes and are held in the daytime to suit retired people. Costs are kept to a minimum. This is a university in the original sense of the word, open to all with no admission requirements, no examinations and no awards. To locate a New Zealand branch, try U3A Online
    and for Wellington click on the link above.
  • Grownups (www.grownups.co.nz)
    This site caters for the 50+ community. Includes everything you could possibly want/need.
  • NZedge (www.nzedge.com)
    Home to a global community of New Zealanders, a new way of thinking about our identity, people, stories, achievements and role in the world. Travellers may enjoy NZedge with its great links for other NZ sites, and for connecting NZ expatriots to each other.
  • Age Concern (www.ageconcern.org.nz)
    Age Concern is a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation working to promote the rights and well being of older people, koroua and kuia. Positive ageing is not about how to live longer nor how to avoid growing old. Its about celebrating older age. It provides information and services including accredited visiting, elder abuse and neglect prevention, and health promotion. There is much information on resources available for older people and ageing issues. It has links to other national and international websites.
  • Eldernet (www.eldernet.co.nz)
    This site provides relevant and comprehensive information about services available for older people. It includes a database of resthomes, residential care and retiremment villages, home help, community groups and public hospitals.
  • Funding Information Service (www.wcl.govt.nz/mygateway/commfund.html)
    If your community group is looking for funding use this free database to find which is the best source for your needs.
  • The Retirement Commission of New Zealand is largely devoted to financial issues, there is much food for thought.
  • Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center
    Contains thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, definitions, directories, and information on: Fitness, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Prescription Drugs, Herbal remedies, and alternative or complementary treatments, and more.
  • SeniorNet
    Gives people over the age of 55 an opportunity to learn more about the new communication and information technology. With learning centres throughout the country, there's sure to be one located conveniently for you.
  • Raising Grandchildren
    A New Zealand site that aims to provide support to grandparents who are primary caregivers to grandchildren in difficult circumstances and to ensure fair treatment from the legal and child protection services in New Zealand, in order to stabilise and normalise the lives of the children involved.
 

Design: Luka Cvrk - Solucija | Last updated, Friday 10 July.

Popular Home