Top Staff Picks - October 2022
This month one of our librarians is sharing her reading from across our adult fiction and non-fiction collection in the hope of helping you discover a new genre or author.
Adult Fiction
The Eighth Life (for Brilka) by Nino Haratischvili
This epic saga (900+ pages) centers around the lives of six generations of family based in Soviet Georgia, detailing the litany of tragic events spanning Georgia’s history the last 100 years or so. Woven through is the story of an ominous hot chocolate recipe handed down through generations. Unputdownable.
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
The story of Jesus told from his girlfriend Ana’s perspective. An ultimately tragic story (we all know how it ends) offering a beautiful alternative narrative. Fiction grounded in intricately researched historical events.
A Bookshop in Algiers by Kaouther Adimi
Beautifully told and based on the true story of Edmond Charlot who’s bookshop in Algiers “Les Vraies Richesses’ opened in 1936 and was once the heart of Algerian cultural life. Giving background and understand to the turbulent - French/Algerian colonial history. Switching between historical events and the fictional present day narrative. Quick yet captivating.
The Lives She Left Behind by James Long
Historical fantasy romance fiction, is there such a genre? A time-slip novel combining intricate historical detail with a contemporary love story.
A Dream of Italy by Nicky Pellegrino
Another of Nicky Pellegrino’s Italian escapism novels, allowing us to imagine setting up life in small town Italy, this one based on Italy’s ‘1 euro house’ market, set up in an attempt to invigorate the old and dying villages. Easy and uplifting, daydreaming material at it’s best.
Adult Non-Fiction
The 52 week project by Lauren Keenan
New Zealand author Lauren Keenan documented her attempts to change her life through attempting 52 new things over 52 weeks. A year of making the most of her life - Personal, poignant and funny.
This one wild and precious life: a hopeful path forward in a fractured world by Sarah Wilson
Drawing on science, philosophy and the author’s personal narrative she tells of the urgent need for us all to reconnect with our natural selves through time spent in nature. Ultimately inspiring and uplifting.
My twenty-five years in Provence – Reflections on then and now by Peter Mayle
A collection of essays detailing and celebrating the author’s twenty-five years of living the beautiful life in Provence, France.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
At its heart inspiration to write/ make art / fulfill any and all of your wildest creative dreams, permission to follow your curiosity and live a life creatively fulfilled. Allowing an insight into some of the magic that surrounds creative inspiration.
Let my people go surfing by Yvon Chouinard
The back story of Yvon Chouinard the legendary founder of outdoor clothing and equipment company Patagonia. Originally intended as an employee guide to outline the company’s guiding philosophy and values of people before profit. Inspirational.