August Reading Wrap-up

Posted on 25 August 2021 by Jody

Welcome to our monthly reading wrap-up fellow readers!

Books, books & more books.

Finding ourselves still in lockdown here in Sydney being able to enjoy the odd book or two is one thing we look forward to in our downtime. Enjoying every opportunity to share what we are reading our City of Parramatta reading community is one of our highlights.

With our reading theme for August being, ‘Big, Bang Books’, I decided to re-read ‘And the mountains echoed’ by Khaled Hosseini. While ‘And the mountains echoed’ isn’t my favourite Khaled Hosseini book, it was still a beautiful, emotional read that stayed with me for days after I finished the book. The next time I’m looking to have my heart squeezed, I think I might re-read, ‘The kite runner’ & ‘A thousand splendid suns’.

‘Banned Books’ is our reading theme for September and one that offers up a great chance to pick up one of those classics you have been considering for years. We have highlighted some titles you might like to explore for your reading or listening pleasure.

For those of you who are more interested in exploring what we have been reading, you will find a list below.

Whatever book you choose to read over the next month or so, we hope you enjoy it.

Happy reading,

Jody

Some of the fabulous books we’ve been reading

The distant hours by Kate Morton – eBook, eAudiobook

The Henna artist by Alka Joshi – eBook, eAudiobook

Still life by Sarah Winman – eBook

The truth about her by Jacqueline Maley – eBook, eAudiobook

Leave me alone: A memoir of me, myself and Trish by Christian Hall – eBook

The truth & Addy Loest by Kim Kelly – eAudiobook

Olive, again by Elizabeth Strout – eBook, eAudiobook

One hundred days by Alice Pung – eBook

Your second life begins when you realize you only have one by Raphaelle Giordano

The electric hotel by Dominic Smith – eBook, eAudiobook

So much life left over by Louis de Berniere – eAudiobook

The bluffs by Kyle Perry – eBook, eAudiobook

Thorn by Intisar Khanani – eBook, eAudiobook

And the mountains echoed by Khaled Hosseini – eBook, eAudiobook

Hamilton and Peggy! A revolutionary friendship by L.M. Elliott – eAudiobook A doctor in Africa by Dr Andew Browning – eBook, eAudiobook

Banned books

All the titles listed were at some point banned in Countries around the world or people were asking for them to be banned. How many have your read?

Continue reading →

Celebrating Science 2021

Posted on 19 August 2021 by admin

Link to Science related ebooks to borrow

Did you know that this is National Science Week (14-22 August)? There are many events across Australia to help celebrate the wonder of Science and the accomplishments of scientists. Why not become a citizen scientist and help advance the understanding of our world and help our scientists? Visit National Science Week for more information.

If you want to know what is going on more locally then visit Discover Parramatta for Parramatta centric events. Although the libraries are closed that doesn’t stop you from reading one of the many science related eBooks we have available for both kids and adults from science facts to science fiction. For an easy to browse selection of titles simply click on the picture above to start borrowing one now.

Happy National Science Week!

August Author Talks

Posted on 2 August 2021 by admin

City of Parramatta Libraries have once again teamed up with Public Libraries NSW to offer our communities the chance to attend FREE online author talks over the coming months. Each ‘in conversation’ style talk will be with a range of best-selling authors and a librarian from the hosting library.
There are two author talks for the month of August that you can attend from the comfort of home – Kyle Perry and Larissa Behrendt.

Kyle Perry Presents The Deep
Thursday 5 August 6.30pm

Kyle Perry will be in conversation with Catherine du Peloux Menage from Bad Sydney Crime Writers’ Festival speaking about his new book, The Deep.
From the bestselling breakout author of The Bluffs comes a heart-stopping new thriller set on the rugged coast of Tasmania about modern-day pirates, family bonds and betrayals, and the hidden dangers that lurk in the deep…
To register book online – parra.city/perry21

Larissa Behrendt Presents After Story
Thursday 19 August 6.30pm

Larissa Behrendt will be in conversation with Kiesha Mealey-Haroa from City of Parramatta Libraries, discussing her moving new novel, After Story.
When Indigenous lawyer Jasmine decides to take her mother Della on a tour of England’s most revered literary sites, Jasmine hopes it will bring them closer together and help them reconcile the past. Ambitious and engrossing, After Story celebrates the extraordinary power of words and the quiet spaces between.
To register book online – parra.city/behrendt21

All About Books Winter 2021

Posted on 31 July 2021 by admin

Welcome to the Winter 2021 edition of All About Books. Once again there is a wonderful range of fiction and non fiction books being published for adults and teens from best selling and debut authors. The always popular Staff Picks make an appearance and news of our upcoming author talks are on page 43. Many of the titles are available as ebooks while those that aren’t can be added to your to be borrowed pile when we re-open. Happy Reading!

Ned Kelly Awards 2021 Shortlist

Posted on 30 July 2021 by admin

The Ned Kelly Awards are Australia’s oldest and most prestigious recognition honouring published crime fiction and true crime writing. The categories are Best Crime Fiction, Best Debut Crime Fiction, Best True Crime and Best International Crime Fiction. The shortlist titles have now been announced with the winners for each category announced in October. Why not see if one of your favourites have been selected or read one now.