Author: Jocelyn Woodward-Candy

Lockdown Reads  – John Grisham – Camino Island

I wish I’d had a moment to race around the library, in those moments before lockdown, and scoop dozens of books from the shelves. I would have been like one of those people who win the supermarket or hardware store “Ten Minute Trolley Grab” or whatever they call those things. Manic and desperate.

Fortunately, I do have a “to-read” shelf of books here at home, so I have some reading material. There are too many books on that shelf.

As a side note, two or three years back, I made a conscious decision to read through those books. Years of having thirty or so books waiting to be read seems like something therapists might consider worthy of long conversations about my missing pieces.

Despite that intention (to read through them) the number of books on the shelf has not shrunk. As I’ve read the books and put them aside, new volumes have taken their place.

I suppose the therapist might call this “magpie behaviour”. I have a friend who lumps it in with the “Ooooh, shiny!” category (which I guess amount to the same thing).

I am told that is something many people share.

Lockdown, however, is keeping me from purchasing replacement shelf-filler, and having me read some of these books.

One that sat for a while was John Grisham’s Camino Island. This came out in 2017, though I’m pretty sure I only bought it last year. Maybe the year before.

Grisham is known for his legal thrillers. You know the kind of thing, a junior lawyer finds herself confronted by the borderline policies of the firm and takes on a case that challenges plenty of moral scruples and she ends up going in to bat for the underdog.

Camino Island is something different. It’s about rare books and theft and double-crossing and a fabulous island, with barely a lawyer, courtroom or judge in sight.

On the back it has the text; “Just when you think you know Grisham, he surprises you”. I guess that’s meant as a warning for those expecting a legal thriller.

The writing is pacey, the story engaging and the characters lively, complex and likeable. Likeable for the most part.

The City Library does have copies, in regular print, in large print and as an audiobook.

There’s a sequel too, Camino Winds, set in the same location, with some of the same characters. The library also has copies of that.

There are numerous other Grisham books which steer away from the legal thriller too, Skipping Christmas, Playing for Pizza, Bleachers, and available through the library (those last two as ebooks, so, assuming they’re not out on loan, they’re available during lockdown).

By Sean Monaghan

‘Scrublands’ by Chris Hammer is the book for the next Together We Read book club. This book will be added to Libby as an eBook and eAudiobook for you to borrow by the end of the day on August 31st. It will be available for all who want it so no need to place a hold on it. If you want to join in the discussion for this book check out AUNZ – OverDrive’s Together We Read. This will be available from September 1st-15th.

Like everyone else, I was not prepared with a mountain of library books for the latest lockdown. I have enjoyed the great selection of books on Libby and Borrow Box, but I have also dug into my own collection of books and read some old favourites.

‘The Bronze Horseman’ by Paullina Simons, is one of my all time favourite books. It starts in Leningrad on the day Russia enters World War 2. As it is based during the war, there is no surprise (and not a spoiler!) that I always end up reaching for the tissues each time I read it.

I like historical fiction books. I call them ‘Titanic books’ as they are books based on a real life situations but with fictional characters. I have learnt a lot about history this way – some facts have been very useful for quiz nights or random bits of trivia on road trips. 😊

‘The Bronze Horseman’ is available in our library, but if you can’t wait for us to open at Level 2 you can get a copy from Libby.

Libby is one of our apps to access eBooks, eAudiobooks and digital magazines for free using your library card. A great option to be able to borrow books from the comfort of your home.

I had to say a big THANKS to Libby the other night. I couldn’t sleep and I was able to access lots of books to read without having to turn on a light or disturb anyone in our house. It was awesome. So, thanks Libby! 😁

We have free Wi-Fi in our libraries! To get connected, first select the APNK Library network. The first time you connect you will need to enter the password, which is apnk2765. Once you accept the terms and conditions you can start browsing, download ebooks, message friends… enjoy! 😄

In Palmerston North we don’t have just 1 Library, we have 6!!  Along with our big Central Library we have 4 Community Libraries and 1 Mobile Library.  You will find the Community Libraries dotted around our city with the Awapuni Library in with the College Street shops, Te Patikitiki next to Monrad park, Roslyn Library with the Vogel Street shops, and the Ashhurst Library in an old 120 year old Post Office building on the main street in Ashhurst.  Each location is a mini Central library offering a collection of books for children, youth and adults.  They also run regular preschool childrens sessions, school holiday programmes, and lots of varied events for adults including morning teas and book launches.

The Mobile Library has 28 regular stops around the city and visits many of our local schools.  You can find the timetable on our website.

We heard the sad news of Lucinda Riley’s passing last week, a huge loss but she will be remembered fondly by her millions of fans especially after her success from the ‘Seven Sisters’ series. Her latest book ‘The Missing Sister’ has just been released and is on the No. 1 Bestseller list and is available in our library.

I just finished reading this book and couldn’t wait to post a recommendation.

The Things We Cannot Say by Australian author Kelly Rimmer is a story about Alice and her Grandmother in her 90s who suddenly has a stroke and can no longer speak but wants to find answers to her story, a story her family does not know. It is also about Alice’s family and her journey with her son who born with autism spectrum disorder.

This story highlights the importance of sharing your stories before it is too late. It is written in the first person and I know many don’t like that but it really is good and worth giving a go.