2012 is the National Year of Reading, a special year dedicated to YOU, the reader. In celebration the Library has created this blog to keep you up to date with all things reading related. The Library will be holding a series of special events to celebrate the year and you can keep up to date here.
Posted on December 20, 2012 by canterburycitylibrary
Reviewed by Kay Cortessis
Another great Australian novel I read this year was Gillian Mears’ Foal’s Bread. This is an uncompromising look at the lives of rural Australians mostly in northern NSW some years ago, focusing on the now lost world of rural showjumping championships. Gillian’s writing is very detailed especially in description of the landscape and the showjumping world. You feel very strong empathy, and sometimes sympathy for her characters in their relentless struggle for a better life, against overwhelming odds and tricks of nature. A moving testimony to a lost world.
Posted on December 20, 2012 by canterburycitylibrary
Reviewed by Kay Cortessis
This was another very good read, set in Victoria’s Gold Rush era, and telling a multicultural love story of a Chinese shpkeeper and an English-background young woman. Based very loosely on the inspiring life of Sydney’s famed merchant Quong Tart, it is well-written and easy to read. It presents a very positive picture of Australia’s varied cultures and of our golden days. Enjoyed it as a light read.
Posted on December 20, 2012 by canterburycitylibrary
Reviewed by Kay Cortessis
This is an outstanding first novel by a gifted Victorain female writer.
The book presents a harrowing yet realistic account of 3 brothers and their brutish father, living in a coastal fishing village of Tasmania. The efforts of the middle brother to protect his youngest one are inspiring and speak opf the very best of human nature. This is the first book I have cried whilst reading, in many a year. The writing is so evocative and sparse, just as the tale the writer has to tell. Absolutely loved it—a refreshing story with young males as focus.
Posted on November 14, 2012 by canterburycitylibrary
The long awaited follow up film from the director of Book Week 2010 and Mr Chicken Goes to Paris, comes this years most anticipated film. Filmed on location in Campsie Library to celebrate the National Year of Reading and starring award winning library staff. Death in the Library will keep you guessing until the very last scene.
Posted on November 12, 2012 by canterburycitylibrary
Join Debra Adelaide and Anita Heiss for this special National Year of Reading event where we will spend the evening talking about reading and writing. Debra Adelaide is the author of The Household Guide to Dying and teachers creative writing at UTS. Anita Heiss is the author of non-fiction, historical fiction, commerical women’s fiction, poetry, social commentary and travel articles. Anita’s latest book Am I Black Enough for You? won the 2012 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Indigenous Writing. For more information or to make a booking please call 9789 9423. Book online here.
Posted on November 6, 2012 by canterburycitylibrary
City of Canterbury Library Service is proud to launch Canterbury Commons, an online encyclopaedia providing detailed articles on the history of the Canterbury area. http://www.canterburycommons.net
On Monday 12th November 2012 from 6pm, Campsie Library will host a launch event open to the public featuring Mayor Brian Robson, State Library of NSW Senior Curator Paul Brunton and Community History Librarian Rebecca Dale.
Like a ‘wikipedia for Canterbury’, members of the community can easily access the history of Canterbury suburbs, the Cooks River, Parks and Reserves and more. Community Members can easily add their own memories and information through Canterbury Commons’ easy to use interface, allowing the encyclopaedia to develop into a rich, comprehensive resource describing the intriguing heritage and development of the City of Canterbury.
Throughout 2013, new articles will be added covering historical figures such as the Reverend Richard Johnson and heritage listed sites such as ‘The Towers’ in Belmore. For more information or assistance with the Canterbury Commons wiki please contact Community History Librarian Rebecca Dale on 9789 9380. Book online for the event at http://canterburycommons.eventbrite.com/
Posted on October 16, 2012 by canterburycitylibrary
Robin de Crespigny, award winning author of The People Smuggler will be appearing at:
Campsie Library on Thursday October 25 @ 6pm.
Robin is a writer, filmmaker and lecturer and spent three years researching the amazing story of Ali Al Jenabi, the ”Oskar Schindler of Asia”. Ali Al Jenabi was imprisoned and tortured by Saddam’s regime. When he was able to escape he had no choice but to help others do the same and in the process became a people smuggler. This book shows the other side of today’s news stories.
Winner2012 Queensland Literary Award for Non Fiction.
