5 reasons to give eBooks/eAudiobooks a go

Not everyone's a fan of eBooks or eAudiobooks, and that's okay. I'm not here to tell you to give up the printed word altogether. (That'd make a great, big, fat liar out of me because I will forever have an emotional attachment to the printed word, and the comfort that a physical book gives me). When we expanded our eBook collection earlier this year (we now offer more than 43,000 titles across four different platforms for you to borrow), it wasn't about trying to replace the printed word. That's not - and never has been - our intent. What we hope to do - and I think we've done that quite well - is allow people to have more choice when it comes to reading however, whenever, and wherever they choose to. I've never been much of a one for living in denial, so I absolutely believe we can have our cake and eat it, too. After all, what else is the point of cake if not to be eaten? So if you're not yet convinced about eBooks or eAudiobooks, here are 5 very quick reasons to give them a try AS WELL AS physical books. (See? I'm not about to push you into something you're not ready for).

1. All eBooks and eAudiobooks are FREE to borrow
You simply need a library card to get started.

2. There are no late fees
Titles are automatically returned when they expire. Some of our platforms even let you return the item yourself before the due date.

3. You don't need to visit the library to borrow or return books
This means you have 24/7 access.

4. You can download eBooks and eAudiobooks from anywhere in the world
You simply need an internet connection. When I was on holiday in New Orleans last year for Mardi Gras, I found it a little hard to adjust to the change in time zones, and raided our eBook collection for something to keep me entertained until my bodyclock was in sync with Louisiana.

5. Text size, style, line spacing and page margins can be adjusted to suit your needs OR eAudiobook speeds can be adjusted to suit your needs

Time to say goodbye, and introduce the 12 posts of Christmas

It's that time of year when we come at you with our annual 12 posts of Christmas - all kinds of crazily useful and terribly useless THINGS I have come across in our collections, on the interwebs, or while out and about in 'the outerwebs'. It is, not coincidentally, also our last series of posts. Once the 12 posts of Christmas updates are done, we will close the Top 5 Goodies blog for good. You'll still be able to come back and read it, however we will no longer update this space from 2 January 2014 on, and neither will the posts be open to new comments. This is, you see, my last week with Auckland Libraries. As a result, this series of posts - our annual 12 posts of Christmas - will be our last posts forever.

Back in 2010, Danielle and I set up this space to provide an informal place (and voice) for staff and customers to:

1. read about our rich and diverse collections
2. celebrate the joy of reading, learning and discovery
3. comment about our posts in particular, or our services in general
4. suggest lists topics/ideas they'd like to see represented here
5. to have fun!

I like to think we achieved all 5 objectives. With that in mind, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you - family, friends, acquaintances, interwebs grazers - for your support and encouragement over the last three and a half years. It has been, will always and forever have been, a joy to have shared ALL OF THIS with you. Think about it - you let us babble on incoherently about fanfiction, romance novels, all things geeky, family related or work related, and have been the best audience anybody could ever want. We thought this was just going to be about library books, but it's also been an opportunity to share how much books influence a large part of who we are, and just how much they can change lives. And we are aware, everyday, of just how incredibly lucky we are that others have wanted to read about that, too

I have greatly enjoyed the fact that I got to jump on here and talk, randomly or purposefully, about our books, CDs and/or DVDs. Between editing some of our eNewsletters, posting to a couple of other blogs we have, and personal reading/listening/watching I was always up to my eyeballs in goodies and treasures. And so many of them generated the most hilarious lists. (In my head, anyway). It has been my *absolute pleasure* to have been able to run the Top 5 Goodies blog.

From tomorrow on, we'll be posting about all kinds of strange and wonderful things up to (and including) 1 January 2014. So we'll see you back here for one last hurrah.
 - tosca

5 bookish bits of Etsy love

"Creativity is a drug I cannot live without."
- Cecil B. DeMille

Etsy. It keeps me sane when I need it most because oohh, lookit the pretty. In other words, it provides distraction by the plenty. And it drives me nuts when I don't need it most because it's a huge crushing reminder that I am not the least bit craftsy. Craftery? Crafty? BUT IT'S OKAY PEOPLE, because there is still huge enjoyment to be gotten out of others' endeavours. Truly. As this post shows you. Which is proof positive that I have naught else to do on a weekend but play in Etsy and OOH and AAHH over scrabble tile pendants and scarves. Don't hate the player. Hate the game. Here are 5 bookish bits of Etsy love. And love them I do.

5 unusual craft books

“Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.”
― Demetri Martin

My mum was awesomeness. She was an incredibly arty person (not so much these days because she's busier than she ever was with work). No matter where we lived or how old we were we always had craft supplies. My childhood memories are full of fantastical things made from rolls of butcher paper, crayons, felts, colouring pencils, glitter pens, sellotape, wool, PVA glue, dye, cotton wool, pipe cleaner, construction paper, buttons, googly eyes, paper plates, feathers, sequins, bits and pieces of materials (usually leftovers from things mum had sewn), toothpicks, popsicle sticks... We were encouraged to try everything and MAKE ALL OF THE THINGS. It was great fun, but I was realistic about it all because I suck badly at arts and crafts. Seriously, any kid who chops their fringe off in anger and believes that PVA glue will help them glue it back on is not playing with a complete Happy Meal. (What can I say? I was twelve, and I never claimed to be a genius). Maybe it's the thwarted artist in me who deliberately looks to recreate the childhood buzz of craftery (bad English is bad English) but I find myself fatally attracted to strange and unusual craft books. Like the ones listed below because why not, right? I mean, who could seriously walk past Star Trek and Star Wars crafts? Or marvel at the madness that is Regretsy? Or construct strangely interesting duct tape-y type things *shrugs* The weird is my kryptonite, and I revel in it all. And now you can, too...

5 crafty books to make you go "WTH? DO WANT!"

"I was once fired as opening act for Seals and Crofts because I got loaded and introduced them as Arts and Crafts."
- George Miller

I'm a thwarted crafts person. Seriously. I can't craft for peanuts. Everything ends disastrously. When trying knitting on for size I dropped stitches, made stitches up, broke wooden needles and ended up with an unfinished drunken looking scarf. (To this day it sits buried at the bottom of one of my many bags as a mark of crafts-shame). Crochet...ugh, let's not talk about that. Mosaics...yikes, who knew that was dangerous? Scrapbooking...oh, it was way too fiddly for me. The only crafty experimenty type thing I did reasonably well was decoupage. And only then because I used graphic novel images taken from old comic books. (I figure better to use images I actually identify with - what do you mean I'm not a Maori/female version of Wolverine? - than cutesy pretty things I feel nothing for). I mean, sure, my pants have Mod Podge stains that will never come out, and let's not talk about how I nearly sliced my finger off and, while we're at it, let's not even mention the body parts glue can stick to. The point is, I quite clearly suck at crafts. This doesn't stop me from enjoying craft books, though. I'm not sure how that works. And the more bizarre/strange/unusual/funny (haha and weird) the book THE BETTER. Am I, right? (The only proper answer here is "Yes, Tosca, you in your all knowing wisdom are RIGHT."). I've rounded up the following five books that have caught my eye and turned them into this post. Probably for my own entertainment more than yours. You don't know the LOLs I LOLd before requesting these. Now I have to find someone to make some for me because me and crafts? Life endangering. Request, and enjoy, people :)

Also worth a mention:
The bad book / Aranzi Aronzo
In the world of kawaii (Japanese cute), little kitties, pandas, bunnies and the like are standard fare, but who ever heard of The Bad Buy, The Liar, or The Thief? Aranzi Aranzo takes the notorious cuteness of Japanese crafts and takes them to the next level with The Bad Book, full of mischief and fun!

Comment: I don't know what any of this means. I just know I *have* to request it to find out.

Dog hair : the best doggy hair-dos for fashion-consious hounds!
Dogs can be fashion victims just like the rest of us. Take yourself on a journey through the highs and lows of doggy hairdos, including mullets, perms, sleek bouncy locs and mohicans. Dog Hair has 75 of the most cutting edge styles - feel inspired and pamper your pooch. Whether you have a spaniel, a poodle or a mongrel, your furry friend will love their makeover.

Comment: Technically, not a crafts book BUT I COULDN'T RESIST. I mean, really.

5 books to get your craft on (it's a working title - what can I say?)

"I like to do designs on the side of my face, or cut out foil stickers from the crafts store and put them on my forehead."
- Khloe Kardashian

I need a hobby. Seriously.You've all heard me moan - either in real life or online - about how non-crafty I am. And yet I still keep trying to find a crafts-type hobby I can enjoy/do well. (Sometimes, I'm not so sure the two necessarily go hand in hand). The most fun activity I tried was Mod Podge-ing graphic novel images to everything. EVERYTHING. Shoes, bracelets, parasols, earrings, necklaces, brooches, 3D letters, toothbrush holder, a cup. Yes, a cup. It was at that point that I kind of thought "Maybe...this is enough?" How many more things can you Mod Podge X-Men to? (As I write this I'm looking around my desk thinking "My cubicle wall?" That might be a step too far. Possibly. So! Here I am on the hunt for a hobby again. Come June or July, if I end up being as bad at all of these below as I suspect I might be (remember the knitting incident of May 2012 that we agreed never to talk about? Yeah, that!), I think I'll be opting for music lessons at OMAC. By the way, I think I win at life for finding a Kardashian quote to go with this post. I don't do designs on the side of my face - most mornings I'm lucky if I can put eyeliner on without scribbling on the rest of my face by accident. Although I freely admit that I like the idea of cutting out foil stickers to put them on my forehead. Do with that what you will. Happy Tuesday, everyone!

5 crafts you can make with old graphic novels

Graphic novels. Comic books. Call them what you want, it doesn't matter to me. I'll read them whatever name they go by. Often, at Armageddon each year, I'll buy up a crapload of cheap ones and then not know what to do with them after. It's not like I buy expensive or rare ones that break my bank. When I visit any of our branches I always check out the withdrawn sale books especially for graphic novels, and buy them LIKE A FIEND. Once I've read them, well, I'm stuck with falling-to-bits books. What's a girl to do? TURN THEM INTO CRAFTS and wear the most badass gear you can! This? This fills my geek girl heart with ohsomuch joy and feels. I don't see it as cutting up comics. I see it more as extending the enjoyment I get out of them. Judge me. Judge me not. It don't bother me none :) Here are 5 crafts you can make with old graphic novels. All of which I intend to try out over the next few weeks. In fact, #1 I can already cross off the list. (Mr9's effort is the image for today's post. He swears by it. Minus, you know, the actual swear words). If there's one teeny, tiny comment I have, it's that all of these are kinda girly. That's not a bad thing. I'd just like some stuff for guys. My nephews love the idea of these, they just don't want to wear charm bracelets or kickass heels :) Maybe that's a future post - comic book crafts for guys/guy gifts.

5 new books to help you make/craft/grow/cook in the holidays

List by Danielle

'Having a two-year-old is like having a blender that you don't have the top for.'

~ Jerry Seinfeld

School holidays are coming up fast, guys, and the weather's finally starting to show the odd dry patch. Here is a taster of the latest books for kid-friendly activities from the New Titles list, but there are plenty more where these come from (jump on the catalogue and browse through books on cooking, games, gardening and crafting with kids). Get a shot of fresh inspiration these holidays, from simple and delicious recipes and ideas for stuff to make and do and grow and go outside and muck around with, to books that will make you laugh and say yes, SO TRUE, how awesome that it's not just my family that does that (recent fave: Katie Workman's Mom 100 Cookbook, just hilarious and very recognisable).

5 books all about the awesomeness of steampunk accessories and art

"Steampunk is what happens when Goths discover brown."
― Jess Nevins

I was playing in the catalogue (I call it play, others would call it work, but if I think of it like 'play' it seems a little less like 'work' and, truly, how can it be work when I find such great stuff?) and looking for titles to add to the Romance eNewsletter (yes, that IS a shameless plug for you to read or subscribe) when I came across THIS BOOK: Steampunk softies : scientifically minded dolls from a past that never was. I'm not sure what that means, but I know I LIKE IT. I can't make them, because hello, I'm not in the least bit crafty, but I like them all the same. A number of people I follow on Twitter who are incredibly crafty (I've seen their Doctor Who amigarumi characters and WOW) would love this book. And so what, you say? So THIS, I say! They are adorable. And I don't just say that because it's steampunk. Ok, yes, I DO just say that because they're steampunk and I heart steampunk-related things times three. Seriously, I browse things like this all the time. It got me thinking, though, what steampunk crafts books do we have? And who can I con into making me some of these things? I can answer the first - you'll find them below. The second mmm not so much. I'm still working on it :) I give you: 5 books all about the awesomeness of steampunk accessories and art.

Top 5 picture books about knitting

"Knitting is a boon for those of us who are easily bored. I take my knitting everywhere to take the edge off of moments that would otherwise drive me stark raving mad."
- Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much

If I could spend my days knitting and sleeping (with TV on in the background – and the occasional book to read), I would be very happy...

I <3 knitting. The meditative state it puts me in. The maths and problem solving. The physical nature of it. The pleasure in completing something. The joy in seeing that something being used and enjoyed.

One of my sisters made a rude comment once about handknitted socks – why did I bother making them when they’re so cheap to buy. So, being vengeful… I didn’t give her a pair for her birthday. And then, she had to listen to five other family members rave about their handknitted socks. So, I relented. And she said 'it's like putting your feet into heaven...' and that’s why I knit.

Because I really do knit love into each stitch (yeah, maybe a few swear words, or exasperated sighs along the way, but I try to keep them down)...

These picture books celebrate and acknowledge the love and caring – and addiction – that goes into knitting.

Nearly-made-the-list:
* Knitty Kitty / David Elliott ; illustrated by Christopher Denise
Knitty Kitty is knitting a scarf, a hat, and some mittens for her kittens, but when night falls and the snow comes down, the kittens request a blanket to keep them warm but Knitty Kitty has a better idea.

Annie’s comments: I appreciate the love that Knitty Kitty expresses through her knitting. But, the illustrations are a bit confusing for younger readers. Knitty Kitty is anthropomorphised – knitting, in a chair, dressed in human clothes… but her kittens are kittens. You know, cat-like... and she’s human-like. Mixed messages at best.

* Noodle's knitting / Sheryl Webster ; [illustrated by] Caroline Pedler
A mouse named Noodle finds a ball of wool and decides to knit a scarf, which grows so big that she is trapped inside her house.

Annie’s comments: Noodle shows the dangers of knitting – sometimes knitters become obsessed… and sometimes beginner knitters need to be reigned in – and taught how to cast off – before their knitting project takes over the world. Cute.

Annie Hoot and the knitting extravaganza / Holly Clifton-Brown
http://www.elgar.govt.nz:80/record=b2492044~S1 "Annie Hoot, an owl, loves to knit, but the other owls in the woods will not wear the clothes she makes for them so she goes off in search of other animals that will appreciate her knitwear."--Publisher's description. Annie’s comments: yeah, ummm… this one cuts a little too close to the bone :D. My name, the owl – and the frenetic, knitting-fixes-all attitude… and the lack of appreciation those closest to you can sometimes show towards your lovingly meant gifts. No, it’s not my picture book autobiography – but it feels like it could be.

Extra yarn / by Mac Barnett ; illustrated by Jon Klassen. http://www.elgar.govt.nz:80/record=b2649749~S1 With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.

Annie’s comments: I want Annabelle’s knitting box. Seriously! Do you have any idea how big my yarn stash is? I think I’ve reached the level of SABLE (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy... ie more knitting yarn than I will ever deal with in my lifetime). Not so sure I’d knit a sweater for a ute, tho!

With love from Grandma / by Harriet Ziefert ; pictures by Deborah Kogan Ray
Sarah’s grandmother loves to knit, and from her needles emerge hats and gloves, mittens and socks, sweaters and scarves, all to keep her children and grandchildren warm. Now it’s Sarah’s turn to get something extra-special: a big, beautiful afghan, made from wool Sarah has chosen herself. Something that large takes time, however. Summer turns to fall, school begins, Halloween comes, then Thanksgiving. Finally, Grandma announces she’s coming to visit—with the afghan. Sarah’s wait is almost over. But there’s still one thing left to do...

Annie’s comments: This is a heart-warming story of family love and traditions, and the joy to be found in precious handcrafted heirlooms.

Mr Nick's knitting / Margaret Wild & Dee Huxley
Mr Nick and Mrs Jolley met every morning on the train, where they both sat knitting until they got off. One morning Mrs Jolley wasn't there; she was in hospital. Mr Nick knitted her a present that would make her happy and help her get well.

Annie’s comments: knitters really do understand each other – and friendship can be formed, based on the fact you both knit. This book celebrates the knitting community and support that comes from within it. When a friend of mine lost their apartment in Christchurch, due the February earthquake, I cried. And I wondered what I could do – in Auckland. I knew she knitted. So I sent her down a copy of my favourite sock pattern (I’d sent her one earlier), a ball of my favourite sock wool, a set of needles, a sewing-up needle, and a card. And it made her cry, but in a happy way.

The story blanket / Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz ; illustrated by Elena Odriozola
Babba Zarrah has a beautiful woollen sitting blanket, which the children sit on to listen to her stories. Babba Zarrah always says that 'every question has an answer', and when she realises the villagers need new clothes, Babba Zarrah begins to unravel her blanket in secret to make them. She makes so many surprises that soon there is no more blanket to sit on. But when the villagers discover Babba Zarrah's secret, they decide to give Babba Zarrah a surprise in return...

Annie’s comments: I love Babba Zarrah. What’s not to love? She gathers the children together on her blanket and tells them stories. She loves her neighbours so much, she sacrifices her blanket to keep them warm (even the tailor’s cat). And her neighbours respond in kind. Warmth and love leap out of this book.

List by Annie

5 books that prove why repurposing your old clothing is a shiny, happy, wonderful thing to do

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."
- Coco Chanel

Rough definition of 'repurposed clothing': taking what you already have and turning it into something else. Like taking your boyfriend's favourite tie and turning it into a car. Ok, so maybe not quite like that, but you get the idea :) I was feeling sort of nostalgic today and remembering a time when mum used to be an exceptionally crafty mum. (Crafty as in arts and crafts/homemaker crafty, not crafty as in sly/crafty) and we often wore a combination of store bought, handmade, and secondhand clothes. I'm talking knitted jerseys and slippers, dresses and sweatshirts whipped up on the sewing machine, secondhand duffel coats, brand new Charlie Brown's (my fav shoes when I was 4). You know the kind of thing. Mum is a dab hand with, well, pretty much everything except, maybe, a spinning wheel. (And even then I'm not totally sure about that), so when I came across a couple of titles about turning sweaters into a handbag it kinda put me in mind of mum, childhood, happy memories that made me feel fuzzy and sentimental *sigh* It'll probably wear off soon, so while the feeling is there I'm going to use it to highlight 5 books that prove why repurposing your old clothing is a shiny, happy, wonderful thing to do. Or something. Who wouldn't want to turn a t-shirt into a skirt? Or a sundress out of a pillowcase? Or alter a t-shirt beyond all imagining? If you're after more suggestions, try the subject term: Clothing and dress -- Remaking.

Query: Do you repurpose your old clothing?

5 things I did not know you could make out of books

List by Tosca

"It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet."
- Kojiro Tomita

Art is a tryst. One that seems to have taken place over and over again without me, I fear. I'm not particularly good at crafts. In fact, I'm terrible at it. I'm one of those kinds of people who has more enthusiasm than skill. Like...way more. That doesn't stop me from trying, though. I just figure that after a lifetime of glitter in uncomfortable places, hair glued together by accident (more than once), fingers jabbed by needles, a scarf with both dropped stitches and made up stitches, misshapen pickle people (don't ask!), accidentally swallowed beads and a whole host of other craft mishaps...I figure it's time to take it as a sign, and leave it to those who can do it, and do it exceptionally well. Case in point, The repurposed library: 33 craft projects that give old books new life by Lisa Occhipanti. If any book had the power to make me wish most devoutly that I was some weird kind of mashup of Martha Stewart and, darn it, someone else really famous whose name makes you go OOOHHH! that I can't think of because, hey, so *not* a crafter, it'd be this one. Occhipanti collects outdated books from library book sales and flea markets and gives them a new purpose. Some oh-so-very surprising and quite delightful. For this post I got to do little more than flip pages, admire the pretty and wishwishwish I could operate a band saw. Or a bottle of glue. Or even a ruler. Or, you know, a pencil. So, here are 5 things I did not know you could make out of books :)

5 arts and crafts eBooks you may not know we have

List by Tosca

"It seems to me that anyone whose library consists of a Kindle lying on a table is some sort of bloodless nerd."
― Penelope Lively

If you've not yet explored our downloadable eBooks and have been considering it, then how well-timed is this post? It's a relatively simple 4 step check out process that we can talk you through if you get a little bit stuck. You can send me an email if you need help and we'll get it sorted.

I realised this morning that I've never really had an eBook top 5 list here which surprised me because I read ebooks. Lots of ebooks. I buy them from online sites such as Books on Board and Mobipocket. I also use our library's free downloadable media service, too. I've been on a bit of a crafts reading kick because I have such fun reading the titles. I like to imagine that I can make things, too, when really I'm quite hopeless. (I have a rich inner life, i.e. I live inside my head a little too much). As I was looking for a post quote I came across the one above by Penelope Lively (you can find the article here) that startled me a little. (You'll note, though, that I still used it). I don't own a Kindle. I do own ebooks. I also own physical books. I suspect that may not stop me from being one of the 'bloodless nerds.' And, truly, that's okay by me because I look at it like this: I live to read. So much so that you can, and will, pretty much find me reading anything (graphic novels, nonfiction, fiction, kids, teens, physical books, ebooks), anywhere (in queue, on buses, trains and planes, at weddings and in doctor's waiting rooms, etc.), at any time. How I'm reading isn't an issue for me. The fact that I'm reading at all - the fact that anyone is reading at all - is always cause for celebration in my book. I'm not at all precious about how people come to a love of books - be they in e-format or physical - so long as they do. I don't believe that ebooks are the death of the physical book. I never have done. I don't think it's meant to be a case of 'either/or.' I think it's about having more choices. If you're an ebook newbie I'm not going to push you into it and be all, 'OOH! OOH! OOH! You should *so* do it! You *should*!' I expect you'll do it when/if you're ready. And if this tempts you to do so, well, I'm not going to complain.

So here's a post from one bloodless nerd to another: 5 arts and crafts eBooks you may not know we have :)

Top 5 random display books from Manukau Library

List by Tosca

"What is more important in a library than anything else - than everything else - is the fact that it exists."
- Archibald MacLeish, "The Premise of Meaning," American Scholar, 5 June 1972

What is more important in a library is that I am able to get my hands on anything and everything that catches my interest for whatever awful reason - sense of humour, nostalgia, knowledge. I am forever raiding the downstairs library. No matter how many books I have on the go at any time (as of Friday I had something like 4 requests available for pickup, 21 on the way, 28 issued to my card) - I still think there's room for more. Or at least, that's what I tell myself just before I pop downstairs to steal books off their shelves. Today's list is a quick roundup of my latest batch of Oh-look!-Books!-I-gotta-have-them!-Need-them!-Want-them-now! that I borrowed from Manukau Library. And yes, that is how I talk out loud and in my head.

Things you might want to know: You can turn on your reading history in My Info! It's a nifty little thing if you're the sort of reader who likes to keep track of everything they read. As a rule, I'm not, but occasionally I like to do a bit of a check and see how much I'm reading and how much of it is trashy/quality and whether or not I need to even it out a bit. To switch on your reading history:

1. Log in to My Info with your barcode and PIN

2. Under My Preferences click My Reading History

3. Click the Opt In button

My Info will now start keeping track of all physical items issued to your card from this point on. Give it a go :-)

And now - the books!

Top 5 books for the Vampire completist

List by Danielle

Around humans? Use the Blood Bottle Cozies to disguise your beverage.
~ from 'Vampire knits' by Genevieve Miller

Maybe they're on the way out, I don't know, there seems to be a growing swell of enthusiasm for zombie this'n'that, but there is still a lot of love out there for the not-so-humble vamp. And our collection reflects this, with a dazzling array of vampire novels, anthologies, film tie-ins, soundtracks... and knitwear. YES. Knitwear.

Also, because Tosca mentions it, I can only add that I, too, haz germs, but that instead of going on and on about it, I merely pull my 'Descent into Darkness wrap' a little closer around me and reach for a pair of patented 'Paw Warmers'. True story.

Without further ado, I present some truly fantastic knitting projects (a jersey with bloody fangs! for your pre-schooler!), and three very unlikely vampire slayers.

Top 5 books I nabbed from Auckland Central Library's nonfiction display shelves for quirky titles and/or covers

List by Tosca

I adore libraries. I live to raid their shelves for items I have never seen before because, in a nutshell, I love books. Big books, little books, old books, new books, heavy books, light books, tatty books, pristine books - if it's got pages I'll read it. And smell it. And stroke it. And, if it moves me in some way, I'll probably dog ear its pages, too. Some people tell me that my love of books is incredibly naive and sweet and those people I happily ignore. Yesterday, between meetings, I had 15 mins to nip down to the second level of Auckland Central Library and look for ideas for a top 5 post. I'm fatally attracted to display shelves - my goldfish attention span is never more happy than when presented with row upon row of display books. The 'Supernatural' fanfic-reading girlish part of me SQUEEs with delight. The grown-up half of me wants to assure you that I walked around calmly while carefully choosing books. We all know that wasn't the case. A few students darted away from me whenever I lunged madly for books and I know I startled a couple of staff members when my sense of humour got the best of me and I snorted/laughed at a few titles and covers. I won't apologise for my enthusiasm. Books are serious business :) Here's a list of what I ended up with, in the order I think they deserve to be in, and I most certainly look forward to my next visit there! (Run, hide...)

Honourable mention:

Science without the boring bits : cranks, curiosities, crazy experiments and wild speculation by Ian Crofton

Top 5 books I would have appreciated as a young girl had my mum let me go crazy and redecorate my shared bedroom

List by Tosca

"I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."
- Anna Quindlen

At ten, though, I didn't want more bookshelves. Now I do but then? Then I wanted to be able to chuck paint on my walls a-la Jackson Pollock's 'Summertime' and call it art. I wanted to be able to make tacky doorway beads and snow globes and put splotches on my bedroom furniture. In short, I wanted to be able to put some part of my still-forming personality on the room and know that I belonged there. This quick and simple post is for the ten year old girl in all of us who wishes she had been able to redecorate her room more often. Can you tell that I feel my personal development as a child was thwarted by parental common sense? Oh, those crazy, crazy parents, making decisions for us! With hindsight (because we're all wise after the event) it was probably a good call. It's never easy sharing a bedroom with a sibling - most days we drew battle lines down the middle of the room avowing death to whomsoever put a toe across the line first - so I do wonder if mum said no to redecorating because one or the other of us would've tried to obliterate any trace of the other's individuality. Maybe she did know what she was doing, after all. Had we been allowed to do so, though, I would have loved having these books available to me in all their kitschy pva sticky glue glory! Although there's nothing says I can't employ a few of these tricks even now, at 35... This list of books also makes for great school holiday craft ideas for young girls wanting to brighten up their living spaces.

5 books with Easter craft ideas

List by Tosca

"Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless."
- Charles M. Crowe

Every year my siblings and I put together a day of Easter activities that involves a storytime, a couple of craft projects, a cooking session and then ends with our annual Easter egg hunt using multiple houses, clue cards, incentives, a quiz and a puzzle map. Our Easter day of celebration and remembrance came about accidentally when, a few years back, my nephews asked if they could have an Easter egg hunt. I remembered that mum used to set up egg hunts and craft activities for us as children and I wanted the boys to have that, too. I just wasn't sure if I could pull it off successfully. More importantly, my siblings decided that if we were going to do this we were going to do it well and use it as a chance to teach the boys about the actual meaning of Easter - that it wasn't all about chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. I'm not particularly religious (in spite of dad's family being Mormon and mum's being Anglican) but it didn't seem right to let them celebrate without understanding how it came about. We requested anything and everything containing information about Easter - no matter how small the info - that would, hopefully, give us ideas for how to plan out the day. Somehow or other (and I'm not sure I was there for the vote, in fact, I don't even know if there *was* a vote) it was decided that I would deliver the programme. Each year I review our library resources and try out new crafts, new story versions etc. which is why you have the (somewhat dubious) pleasure of reading this post! (This is the part where you look amazed at my skill and cunning...). This year, thinking things were going ahead as normal, I requested a variety of titles (my apologies to Manukau Library whose request shelves are overflowing with my holds - I'd look shamefaced but we all know I have no shame when it comes to books and this blog) only to learn that we won't be doing anything. Mr 7 and his mother (one of my many siblings) are moving to Wellington indefinitely (I'm desolate - who will I watch Doctor Who re-runs with?) and Mr 12 and Mr 13 have announced that they are too old for Easter, thank you very much. So, there you go. I've been stood up ahead of time. Their loss is (hopefully) your gain! I make no definitive claim that these books are the best of the best - they are, simply, 5 books with Easter craft ideas.

Top 5 books I spotted on Manukau Library's display shelf that staff hollered at me to put back

List by Tosca

"Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own."
- William Hazlitt

We've recently re-located and are now settling in to the new building on Osterley Way and it's pretty but oh! I miss the cataloguing team :( And if I'm honest I'll admit that I miss the new books trolley just as much. For the last two and a half years it had been my pleasure (and probably their burden) to sit over the wall from cataloguing staff where, I assure you, every day there was like my own personal Christmas. I miss them. And I feel slightly guilty that I so easily look to Manukau Library (on the floor below me) to take their place...

Top 5 craft books

List by Annie

"Other kids did drugs; I did crafts. I never knew where I fit in."
- Kathie Lee Gifford

Y’know, craft is getting bigger out there. More and more people are making their own presents and things. You might wonder why there’s no sewing books in here – that’s ‘cos I completely suck at sewing. But I’m great at knitting!