Customer Recommended Reads
Check out what our library customers have read and
enjoyed. We will update this page with recommendations from
you the customer. If you have read a book recently that
you have enjoyed and you would like to tell other library
customers about it, then fill in a 'Customer Book
Recommendation' . You will find these at the front desk of
any of our libraries and a box to post it in. The book
doesn't necessarily have to be a new title just one that you
enjoyed reading. It can be from any of our collections ie
adults, teens or children's.
We would love to hear from you
Adult Recommended Reading
|
|
|
This book is a really intriguing story about a young girl who is meeting her mentally handicapped uncle for the first name. It tells the story of how people laughed at him because of this problem, but he is strong throughout. This is a very touching story which helps you to see the obstacles that disabled people face in their life and how much courage they have to get through it.
- Preethi.
|
|
|
|
A powerful and revealing look at life by a woman who cared. Disaster,
Tragedy, hardship and unsupported living. Hunger, torture, love, feelings, thoughts and betrayals. Apathy, hate and manipulations - not for hundreds or thousands of people but millions. This book will change how you feel and perceive this part of the world and how how caring human
beings can be made powerless - Ann.
|
|
|
|
All Stephanie Lauren's books are set against the backdrop of Regency England, giving insight into the people of those times. Very captivating. Subtle humour and intrigue makes reading a pleasure. It makes it more interesting having the characters relate to each other. Stephanie Lauren's books are a must to read as they have an essence of humour, romance. intrigue and one can escape from the dry world of routine and rush - Daisy.
|
|
|
|
Interesting read. Easily relates to the discriminations by christians to other religions plus gripping suspense and mystery - Josh
|
|
|
|
Had some great insight into why/how women of different age groups shop. It
meant a change in the way I market my business - Sarah.
|
|
|
|
It shows how a girl from a strict Indian upbringing converts to Christianity after marriage. This situation is similar to
Indian women in this era - an interesting autobiography - Nimeeta.
|
|
|
|
This novel explores the role of women in Muslim society. It is set in war-torn Afghanistan and follows the lives of Mariam and Laila. It is a gripping story that holds the reader's
attention throughout. It is written in a sensitive and colourful way. Although the reader is led through many emotions during the story the lasting one is of hope. This book is well worth reading and savouring.
|
|
|
|
I would thoroughly recommend this book not only to those who are learning bridge but also to bridge players at any level who wish to improve their play. It contains all the basic bridge knowledge necessary to become a reasonably good bridge player and is full of expert advice on a variety of winning bidding techniques. This book will also be very well received by bridge teachers as it is a first-rate reference guide as well as an excellent teaching tool. Learn to play the best card game in the world by reading this book which contains foolproof advice on how to be a competent bridge player - Arch.
|
|
|
|
Masterfully written, weaving intrigue, romance, excitement, danger, imagination with passionate characters that I find very enchanting. The blend of subtle humour and almost invincible characters make it incredibly hard to put down reading once begun - Daisy.
|
|
|
|
This book is ideal on many levels. For those looking for light reading and humour they can enjoy the wit which will lift them from the demands of life for a while. For those seeking to broaden their knowledge Bryson offers travel and historical information along with social commentary.
Given the Australians are close neighbours and European interaction with the Aboriginal people has some parallels with how Maori people were colonised, this book may prompt some readers into further exploration of New Zealand history - Andrea.
|
|
|
|
A good story regarding the professional teaching lives of two people and their personal lives in
English rich and poor classes - Jeanette.
|
|
|
|
Studying to be a counsellor I am interested in teen pregnancy. Most literature is in the context of girls getting or avoiding pregnancy. It was of extreme interest to find a book discussing the issue from the teenage father's perspective! - Clive.
|
|
|
|
Fascinating mix of memoire and novel set mainly in India. It shows the way of life of the rich and poor, in which the main character reclaims his soul. A compelling read - Chris.
|
|
|
|
Particularly interesting for those with Jewish ancestry, but also for anyone interested in culture and trauma. It was also humorous and sensitive - Estelle.
|
|
|
|
Beautifully written. Every word is a pleasure to read. A great story about relationships
- Bridie.
|
|
|
|
This book is an amazing collation of historical fact and keen observation of the natural world and human complexities - Adrienne.
|
|
|
|
An engrossing thriller using fact based details because the author is a medical doctor. Once I started to read I was compelled to finish ASAP - Glen.
|
Teen Recommended Reading
|
|
|
This is Book 1 of the Cronus Series. The Harpies were eating Charlotte's English teacher's liver in Hades! If that makes you want to read this book then you will find this an amazing book about a girl named Charlotte Mielswetzki and her
cousin Zee from England. Some crazy demi-god in Greek mythology that lives in the underworld has decided to steal everyone's shadow, but this 'mystery' disease seems to be following Zee and Charlotte! They have to band together to bring down this nutter and his unstoppable shadow army! Plus, just a side note, he made henchmen out of clay and they suck the shadow out of your body! - Logan.
|
|
|
|
While I was reading this book I felt the same way as Jessica where she was getting left by her friends. - Kimberly.
|
|
|
|
Their Dad is gone longer than expected, how will they survive… This is a thrilling all American classic tale about two boys who
have to survive a rough winter alone, find enough food to live, and generally make do with situation. They learn how to make snares for rabbits, traps for fish and fight wild animals.
I am really inspired by this tale because this is taken from a true story! If I'm ever in a situation like that I'll think of this book and try to remember all the techniques
they used to survive. I recommend this book to adventurous boys from the ages from about eight to fourteen and I think they'll love it! - Logan.
|
|
|
|
This is a story about growing up and it makes you think about your
life and your friends, especially if you are heading into your teen
years. - Favor.
|
|
|
|
I thoroughly enjoyed this verse novel by Australia's most popular poet for young people. I am New Zealand born by an Australian mother with a knack for unknowingly picking up literature by her countrymen that turns out to be high calibre work as was the case here with my first taste of Steven Herrick's writing. He manages to capture everyday life with an
appreciative dose of humour.
I sincerely recommend exposure for all ages particularly young people who mau not choose this path themselves due to it being 'poetry'. - Fiona.
|
|
|
|
This book must be read, despite my misgivings and the fact I desperately wanted Professor Snape to be good, even though he killed Dumbledore in Book Six. It's maturely written, dark, flashing with brilliant battle scenes and full of sorrow and sacrifice, hope, friendship and love, dreams past fuelling the present to shape the future. "Who dies" is the question on everyone's lips - more characters than you may have expected and some that you didn't want to die. It was
this sense of reality that gripped me most : life is not fair, we lose the people we love too soon. Rowling touches those elements that make us human. Adults who've suffered loss, pain and broken hearts will perhaps understand the book's real power than children would. It's the best book I've read in months. As for Snape? Find out for your self. - Denise.
|
|
|
|
Good narrative with an interesting climax and good morals. - Mandy.
|
|
|
|
I thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling action packed novel. The author describes the characters quite realistically with their response to the invasion of their country.
Although this is a serious story, the author still managed to throw in some humour. - Theresa.
|
|
|
|
Amazing fantasy novel. It draws the reader into a whole new world. - Fletcher.
|
Childrens Recommended Reading
|
|
|
Emmaline the inventor was brought up in India and loved to invent things. Flying things was her present inventing passion. She had built a fantastic (hopefully) flying machine and now she had a perfect pilot, Rubberbones (or Robert Burns). He was virtually indestructible, and could fall from great heights, dust himself off, and then ask to try again! She built the machine, had the pilot, she tested it and it worked well! But just when she was about to try a new design and build another one, her Mum wrote a letter to her from India saying that she was to go to St. Grimelda's School for Young Ladies. She did this because she wanted her daughter to become a well defined, proper English lady. The book is the story of how she tries to escape, and how she helps others in the long run by not escaping, or did she... - Logan.
|
|
|
|
This children's/teens novel "The New Policeman" is a combination of traditional Irish beliefs, parallel universes, and a kid just trying to make it through the day. It gives an interesting insight into Irish culture and folklore.
There is a lot of detail in the storyline, but not so much that you get swept away. It moves a little slowly in the first half, but that is because Kate Thompson feeds you bits of the story that piece together, like a puzzle, as the book gets going. The parts that could be whimsical fantasy were written in such a way that makes it very believable (abridged) . - Bianca.
|
|
|
|
Simple and readable - it is very suitable for 1,2,3 or 4 year olds, even 5 year olds who are starting to read. My daughter loves it and me too! Very colourful and detailed. - Eva.
|
|
|
|
I found this book in the library to get facts on smoking for a speech at school. What I found was really funny- it had cool illustrations and at the same time I
learnt lots of new things.
I am an 11 year old girl and I think this book would be good for 11 year olds and up to teens. Lots of teens have written in and have said what they think of smoking, why they smoke and how they quit smoking in the book. If teenagers read this book it might help them to quit smoking or maybe make them not even start in the first place.
A great book choice for kids and teens doing projects. - Sheri.
|
|
|
|
The reason I chose this book is because I love cats and the cover illustration caught my eye.
The book is about a girl Samantha who goes from the city to Vancouver Island to stay with her uncle Lon, Auntie Jean and twin cousins Alex and Robyn. They live next to a wilderness park and a beach cove.
I think other people should read this book because there are so many different journeys that Samantha goes on, and if you just close your eyes at different times while reading this book you can imagine going through it as if you were her.
Here is a line out of the book to give you an idea of her journeys -- "I heard a cry of a cougar once and I won't forget it. Only once. Only for a moment. There are other sounds that summer, but that's the sound I remember...". - Sheri.
|
|
|
|
My 3 year old grandson loves hearing the stories of Hairy Maclary again and again and has learned heaps of new (large) words. - Evelyn.
|
|
|
|
I liked this book because it is fiction, funny and Hansel and Diesel learn a lesson! - Joshua.
|
|
|
|
Stormbreaker is fantastic! It is full of surprises and you end up getting hooked into the rest of this well-written series. A must-have for wannabe spies. - Rupert.
|
 |
 |
|
