Centenary of assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

In the weekend you might have watched the news that it has been 100 years since the assassination that triggered World War 1. A sobering comment by Sarajevan Davud Bajramovic, was written in the Wanganui Chronicle today that stated in order to hold a second of silence for every person killed just during WW1 in Europe, we would have to stand silently for two years. It provides another perspective on the terrible loss of life doesn't it?

 'The Response', World War I Memorial, Barras Bridge (detail)

Detail of Sir W Goscombe John's highly detailed bronze sculpture (1923) showing, in life-size figures, the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers marching down the Great North Road to the Central Station in 1915, with their families alongside NZ2464 : Newcastle Upon Tyne - War Memorial
Link

   © Copyright Andrew Curtis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Divergent aptitude test

Divergent, the book and movie, is popular at the moment. Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were one of the characters? The following link is an aptitude test and a thought-provoking examination of self.

Go to:

Divergent aptitude test

Why do birds stand on one leg?

Ever wondered about this, or how they avoid crashing into branches or leaves when they land in trees? 

                                                    Image: Dunnoc_D/Flickr

To find out the answers, come to the library and go to page 48 in the recent copy of the New Zealand Listener. 

This issue also has articles about European settlement in New Zealand 200 years ago and child poverty.

Cracked by Clare Strahan

Just added to our e-book collection.

                                                            (Image source: Wheelers)
Description:
At fifteen, Clover is finding the going tougher than she expected. Her life is close to being derailed on the rocky terrain of family, friendship, first love, acts of defiance and a planet on the brink of environmental disaster. When life feels like it's fracturing, how do you find a way to feel whole?


Hardship never goes away no matter how old we are. But this is a story for teenagers to relate to, and discover how Clover handles her trials.

Fictional Thoughts writes a favorable book review.

Bugs by Whiti Hereaka

                                                        Image: Random House Books New Zealand

Bugs is a finalist in the 2014 New Zealand Post Book Awards. It is a book well worth considering to read.

In his review at  BobsBookBlog, he describes the story as witty, hard hitting, passionate, funny and it is right on the nail.

They call me Bugs. As in Bunny. Yeah I know.' Meet Bugs: smart, sarcastic, sixteen and stuck in a small town without a driver’s license. Bugs has been best mates with Jez forever, they’ve always been Jez and Bugs, Bugs and Jez. That is until Stone Cold, the new girl, arrives in town. Year 12 was already going to be a challenge without adding spoilt, bitchy Stone Cold to the mix. Why would anyone want to be mates with her? But things are never as they seem on the surface – not the picture perfect postcard views of Taupo, not the drama queen antics of Stone Cold, not the quiet brooding of Jez. Not even Bugs. Now as the future closes in, each will struggle with expectation; either trying to live up to them, or trying to live them down. (Back cover)

To listen to a 5 minute  interview with the author go to Radio New Zealand