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Adults New Books

This page contains a selection of books for adults, which have recently been added to our collections. 
Updated: 17/01/2013 4:30 p.m.

The list of new books is arranged by category, fiction and non fiction. Links in the Resources column on the right of this page will take you to the beginning of each category. 

 

Fiction

Picture of To Love and To Cherish book cover.

To Love and to Cherish

by Kelly Irvin

Christian

It's been four years since Carl left the safety of the small Amish community for the Englisch world. And in four years, Emma's heart has only begun to heal. Now, with the unexpected death of her parents, Emma is plunged back into a world of despair and confusion. It's a confusion only compounded by Carl's return. She's supposed to be in love with him, so why can't she keep her mind off Thomas, the strong, quiet widower who always seems to be underfoot? Could the man she only knew as a friend be the one to help her to heal? In a world that seems to be changing no matter how tightly she clings to the past, this one woman must see beyond her pain and open her heart to trust once again.

Picture of Evelina book cover.

Evelina

by Fanny Burney

Classic

First published in 1778, this comic and sharply incisive satire of excess and affectations introduces beautiful young Evelina, who falls victim to the rakish advances of Sir Clement Willoughby on her entrance to the world of fashionable London. Colliding with the manners and customs of a society she doesn't understand, she finds herself without hope that she should ever deserve the attention of the man she loves. Fanny Burney's first novel brilliantly sends up eighteenth-century society and its opinions of women, while enticingly depicting its delights.

Picture of The Legion of Shadow book cover.

The Legion of Shadow

by Michael J Ward

Fantasy

You have no memory of your past. With only a sword and a backpack to your name, you must discover your destiny in an unfamiliar world full of monsters and magic. As you guide your hero through this epic adventure, you will be choosing the danger that they face, the monsters that they fight and the treasures that they find. Every decision that you make will have an impact on the story and, ultimately, the fate of your hero. With hundreds of special items to discover in each book, you can completely customise your hero. You can choose their weapons, their armour, their special abilities - even the boots on their feet and the cloak on their back! No two heroes will ever be alike, which means your hero will always be unique. Welcome to a new world. Welcome to Valeron. Welcome to DestinyQuest.

Picture of Beautiful Lies book cover.

Beautiful Lies

by Clare Clark

General

For Maribel Campbell Lowe, the beautiful bohemian wife of a maverick politician, 1887 is the year to make something of herself. A self-proclaimed Chilean heiress educated in Paris, she is torn between poetry and the new art of photography. But it is soon plain that Maribel's choices are not so simple. As her husband's career hangs by a thread, her real past, and the family she abandoned, come back to haunt them both. When the notorious newspaper editor Alfred Webster begins to take an uncommon interest in Maribel, she fears he will not only destroy Edward's career but both of their reputations. Inspired by the true story of a politician's wife who lived a double life for decades, "Beautiful Lies" is set in a time that, fraught with economic uncertainty and tabloid scandal-mongering, uncannily presages our own.

Picture of Across a Bridge of Dreams book cover.

Across a Bridge of Dreams

by Lesley Downer

General

Based on the true story of the last samurai, “Across a Bridge of Dreams” is an epic tale of love and war, of a nation divided and a love that can never be. In the brave new Japan of the 1870s, Taka and Nobu meet as children and fall in love; but their relationship will test the limits of society. Taka is from the powerful southern Satsuma clan which now dominates the country, and her father, General Kitaoka, is a leader of the new government. Nobu, however, is from the northern Aizu clan, massacred by the Satsuma in the civil war. Defeated and reduced to poverty, his family has sworn revenge on the Satsuma. Taka and Nobu's love is unacceptable to both their families and must be kept secret. When the trouble comes, Nobu will have to fight and maybe kill Taka's father and brother, while Taka now has to make a terrible choice - between her family and the man she loves.

Picture of Gold book cover.

Gold

by Chris Cleave

General

What would you sacrifice for the people you love? Kate and Zoe met at nineteen when they both made the cut for the national training program in track cycling - a sport that demands intense focus, blinding exertion, and unwavering commitment. They are built to exploit the barest physical and psychological edge over equally skilled rivals, all of whom are fighting for the last one tenth of a second that separates triumph from despair. Now at thirty-two, the women are facing their last and biggest race: the 2012 Olympics. Each wants desperately to win gold, and each has more than a medal to lose. "Gold "is a triumph of superbly paced, heart-in-throat storytelling. With great humanity and glorious prose, Chris Cleave examines the values that lie at the heart of our most intimate relationships, and the choices we make when lives are at stake and everything is on the line.

Picture of The Watch book cover.

The Watch

by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya

General

Following a desperate night-long battle, a group of beleaguered soldiers in an isolated base in Kandahar is faced with a lone woman demanding the return of her brother's body. Is she a spy, a lunatic or what she claims to be: a grieving sister intent on burying her brother according to local rites? As she persists, single-minded in her mission, the camp's tense, claustrophobic atmosphere comes to the boil as the men argue about what to do next. Taking the timeless tragedy of the Antigone myth and hurling it into present-day Afghanistan, the author gives us a gripping tour through the reality of this contemporary conflict and a powerful exploration of the nature and futility of war.

Picture of The Cornish House book cover.

The Cornish House

by Liz Fenwick

General

When artist Maddie inherits a house in Cornwall shortly after the death of her husband, she hopes it will be the fresh start she and her step-daughter Hannah desperately need. Trevenen is beautiful but neglected, a rambling house steeped in history. As she discovers the stories of generations of women who've lived there before, Maddie begins to feel her life is somehow intertwined within its walls. But Maddie's dream of a calm life in the countryside is far from the reality she faces. Still struggling with her grief and battling with Hannah, Maddie is unable to find inspiration for her painting and realises she may face the prospect of having to sell Trevenen, just as she is coming to love it. And as Maddie and Hannah pull at the seams of Trevenen's past, the house reveals secrets that have lain hidden for generations. This gorgeously sweeping debut from Liz Fenwick, reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher, is touched with romance and mystery, a perfect summer read.

Picture of Never Tell book cover.

Never Tell

by Alafair Burke

Mystery

Sixteen-year-old Julia Whitmire appeared to have everything: a famous father, a luxurious Manhattan town house, a coveted spot at an elite school. When she is found dead in her bathtub, a handwritten suicide note left on her bed, her parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life. A search of Julia's computer reveals that in the days leading up to her death she was engaged in a dangerous game of cyberbullying against an unlikely victim. NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced the case is a suicide, so when the Whitmires use their power to force a criminal investigation, Ellie's resistance causes trouble for her both at work and in her personal life. But when the target of Julia's harassment continues to receive death threats, Ellie is forced to acknowledge that Julia may have learned the hard way that some secrets should never be told.

Picture of Sugar Rush book cover.

Sugar Rush

by Donna Kauffman

Romance

When baker extraordinaire Leilani Trusdale leaves New York City for Georgia's sleepy Sugarberry Island, her past follows in the form of her former boss, Baxter Dunne. Baxter, otherwise known as Chef Hot Cakes, wants to film his hit cooking show in her tiny cupcakery. Last time they worked together, Baxter's molten chocolate brown eyes and sexy British accent made Lani's mouth water and her cheeks blush the colour of raspberry filling. Lani's friends are convinced that this time around, Baxter is the missing ingredient in her recipe for happiness. But convincing Lani will be a job for Baxter himself. And he'll need more than black velvet frosting to sweeten the deal. A Cupcake Club romance, smart, sexy and sizzling...with recipes!

Picture of Caliban's War book cover.

Caliban's War

by James S A Corey

Science Fiction

For someone who didn't intend to wreck the solar system's fragile balance of power, Jim Holden did a pretty good job of it. While Earth and Mars have stopped shooting each other, the core alliance is shattered. The outer planets and the Belt are uncertain in their new autonomy. Then, on one of Jupiter's moons, a single super-soldier attacks, slaughtering soldiers of Earth and Mars indiscriminately and reigniting the war. The race is on to discover whether this is the vanguard of an alien army, or if the danger lies closer to home. Number 2 in the Expanse series.

Picture of A Dark and Broken Heart book cover.

A Dark and Broken Heart

by R J Ellory

Thrillers

It should have all been so easy for Vincent Madigan. Take four hundred grand from the thieves who stole it in the first place and who could they turn to for help? Madigan is charming, resourceful, and knows how to look after himself. The only problem is that he's up to his neck in debt to Sandia, the drug king of East Harlem. This one heist will free Madigan from Sandia's control and get his life back on track. But things go wrong when Madigan is forced to kill his co-conspirators and a child is shot in the crossfire. Now both Sandia and the NYPD are hunting him down, and the one cop assigned to lead the case is the very last person he could have expected. Employing every deception and ruse he can think of, Madigan must stay one step ahead in a battle of wits that will test him to his limits. Can he evade justice for his crimes, or will his own conscience be his final undoing?

 

Non-Fiction

Picture of Down That Aisle in Style book cover.

Down That Aisle in Style!

A wedding guide for full-figured women

by Chamein Canton

Call No: 395.22 CAN

Fashion
 
The world is full of beautiful, full-figured women. Find the latest fashions and fashion advice from bridal consultants, makeup artists, and health care professionals. Being full-figured women themselves, they understand your needs. With their help, you can fulfill your heart's desire to be a beautiful bride - the fabulous center of attention on your wedding day.

Picture of The Willpower Instinct book cover.

The Willpower Instinct

How self-control works, why it matters and what you can do to get more of it

by Kelly McGonigal

Call No: 153.8 MCG

Personal Growth
 
Refreshingly easy to read and peppered with stories of people who have successfully used its methods, The Willpower Instinct is a new kind of self-help book. Using science to help explain the “why” and strategies for the “how,” McGonigal has created a book that will appeal to those who want to lose a few pounds as well as those who are eager to understand why they just cannot seem to get through their to-do list.
 

Picture of How We Love Now book cover.

How We Love Now

Sex and the new intimacy in second adulthood

by Suzanne Levine

Call No: 306.70846 LEV

Relationships
 
'How We Love Now' is the groundbreaking, funny, poignant, and sometimes shocking 'next chapter' in Levine's ongoing conversation with women in Second Adulthood, the stage of life she defined and celebrated in in popular books such as 'Inventing the Rest of Our Lives'. As she explores the changes and opportunities for women in midlife, Levine's personal voice, experience, and research infuse each chapter with fresh revelations and reassurance.
 

Picture of The Great Builders book cover.

The Great Builders

by Ken Powell

Call No: 720.922 GRE

Architecture
 
'The Great Builders' surveys the careers of forty great architects whose engineering skills were crucial to their success. Sixteen nationalities and seven centuries of architectural innovation make for a survey of spectacular scope and depth. From churches and fortresses to bridges and high-tech skyscrapers, it includes masterpieces from all over the world and covers 700 years of architectural history. Illustrated with over 200 photos, plans and drawings.

Picture of Teachers Matter book cover.

Teachers Matter

Rethinking how public schools identify, reward and retain great educators

by Marcus A. Winters

Call No: 371.1 WIN

Education
 
In Teachers Matter, education researcher Marcus A. Winters, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, argues that our failure to identify and reward high-quality teachers has been devastating for public school students. The question is how do we sort out the good teachers from the bad?  An American take on a current New Zealand issue.

Picture of The Artist's Guide to Drawing the Clothed Figure book cover.

The Artist's Guide to Drawing the Clothed Figure

A complete resource on rendering clothing and drapery

by Michael Massen

Call No: 743.4 MAS

Arts and Crafts

Author Michael Massen presents his thorough and novel approach to drapery by first describing clothing and drapery as basic shapes and then illustrating how the mechanics of physics cause these shapes to bend, fold, or wrinkle in predictable ways. Expanding upon these principles, the book details how to use these concepts to render all types of clothing in any medium. Fully illustrated techniques and examples from old world and contemporary masters, from Raphael to Walt Disney, make this book the definitive text on the subject of rendered clothing and drapery and a comprehensive resource.

Picture of Raw+Materials=Art book cover.

Raw + Materials = Art

Found, scavenged and upcycled

by Tristan Manco

Call No: 709.22 MAN

Arts and Crafts

Tristan Manco reveals how artists of all kinds are bringing creativity to basic, often unglamorous materials from broken bottles, old flip-flops, and skateboards to sustainable resources such as wood, straw, and paper. Through hundreds of illustrations, in-depth artist profiles, and detailed discussions of various materials, he showcases the work of more than thirty innovative and inspiring artists from around the world, from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile to the UK, Spain, France, and Italy.

 

Picture of Cindy Sherman book cover.

Cindy Sherman

by Eva Respini

Call No: 779.092 SHE RES

Arts and Crafts

Published to accompany the first major survey of Cindy Sherman's work in the United States in nearly 15 years, this publication presents a stunning range of work from the groundbreaking artist's 35-year career. "She comes across here as an increasingly vehement avenging angel waging a kind of war with the camera, using it to expose what might be called both the tyranny and the inner lives of images, especially the images of women that bombard and shape all of us at every turn." (Roberta Smith in the New York Times)

Picture of Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? book cover.

Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?

Trick Questions, Zen-Like Riddles, Insanely Difficult Puzzles, and Other Devious Interviewing Techniques You Need to Know to Get a Job Anywhere in the New Economy

by William Poundstone

Call No: 650.144 POU

Business

"For those in the job market, Poundstone provides a handy survey of killer questions and how to answer them. For others, he offers the challenge of matching wits with people at America's most innovative companies. As for employers, he presents a timely warning about creative thinking and why job interviews don't work...The format affords Poundstone room to display his scientific knowledge, mathematical fluency and knack for explaining the arcane in playfully precise sentences." -- Bloomberg Businessweek
 

Picture of The End of Leadership book cover.

The End of Leadership

by Barbara Kellerman

Call No: 658.4092 KEL

Business

Breaking with common wisdom, Barbara Kellerman argues that while leaders always were and still are the focus of our collective attention, they have never been as central to success as we think. Even in times past, when leaders had far more power, authority, and influence, they were vulnerable to forces beyond their control, forces that limited their options and constrained their behaviors. In the twenty-first century, she argues, these forces are stronger, more variegated, and more numerous than they ever were before, relegating current notions of leadership to the dustbin of history. Instead, she offers an alternative model that better reflects - and addresses - contemporary political and organizational realities.
 

Picture of The Sorcerers and Their Apprentices book cover.

The Sorcerers and Their Apprentices

How the digital magicians of the MIT media lab are creating the innovative new technologies that will transform our lives

by Frank Moss

Call No: 607.27444 MOS

Engineering

Through inspiring stories of people who are using Media Lab innovations to confront personal challenges Moss shows us how the Media Lab is empowering us all with the tools to take control of our health, wealth, and happiness. The Sorcerers and Their Apprentices can serve as a blueprint for how to fix our broken innovation ecosystem and bring about the kind of radical change required to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It is a must-read for anyone striving to be more innovative as an individual, as a businessperson, or as a member of society.

Picture of The Albatross and the Fish book cover.

The Albatross and the Fish

Linked lives in the open sea

by Robin W. Doughty

Call No: 333.94582 DOU

Environment

In this extensively researched, highly readable book Doughty and co-author Carmichael authoritatively establish that the albatross's fate is linked to the fate of two of the highest-value table fish, Bluefin Tuna and Patagonian Toothfish, which are threatened by unregulated commercial harvesting

Picture of Exploring Natural China book cover.

Exploring Natural China

by Heather Angel

Call No: 508.51 ANG

Environment

Each chapter focuses on a particular locality and its 'keynote' species and includes details of the efforts being made to bring certain endangered species 'back from the brink'. Angel has visited and photographed all these locations, particularly their indigenous plants and animals, from China's 'national treasure' the giant panda to the whooper swans that spend the winters on the vast salt-water lake of Qinghai, from the endangered Amur tiger to the endearing pink dolphins of Hong Kong, and including lotus lilies, orchid trees and bamboo forests along the way. This is an engaging guide to a country that is just opening up to ecotourism.

Picture of Waltzes with Giants book cover.

Waltzes with Giants

The twilight journey of the North Atlantic right whale

by Peter C. Stone

Call No: 599.5273 STO

Environment

This is a moving portrait of one of the earth's largest endangered mammals. Mystical and provocative, the book is inspired by a real North Atlantic right whale and her threatened migrations from Atlantic Canada to her calving grounds off the coasts of Georgia and Florida. Told in the spirit of Rachel Carson's sea trilogy, the story is accompanied by beautiful paintings.

Picture of Diet Rehab book cover.

Diet Rehab

28 days to finally stop craving the foods that make you fat

by Mike Dow

Call No: 613.25 DOW

Health

Dr. Dow, a psychologist who specializes in addictive behavior and eating disorders, introduces a four-week program for breaking the hold that food has over the body, mind, and spirit by gradually decreasing the amount of "bad" foods while increasing activities and foods that boost serotonin and dopamine levels. Sensible and uniquely effective, "Diet Rehab" eliminates the withdrawal pains of most diet plans, and provides the structure for a sustainable, healthy, and happy lifestyle.
 
 

Picture of Men's Health Diet book cover.

Men's Health Diet

27 days to sculpted abs, maximum muscle and superhuman sex

by Stephen Perrine

Call No: 613.25 PER

Health

"The Men's Health Diet" is a proven program backed by cutting-edge research that works with a reader's body to build muscle and shed pounds - in just 27 days! This unique program is built around 7 super simple Rules of the Ripped - scientifically proven, breakthrough strategies that often run counter to standard "diet" advice.  Packed with easy-to-prepare recipes, hundreds of helpful tips, and weekly workout plans, this is the ultimate secret weapon for a stronger, leaner, more muscular body.
 

Picture of Green Urban Living book cover.

Green Urban Living

Simple steps to growing food, keeping chickens, worm farming, beekeeping and much more in New Zealand

by Janet Luke

Call No: 635 LUK

Home and Garden

As life gets busier and backyards get smaller, it is a challenge to grow food and live more sustainably. Janet Luke shows that it can be done. She calls it Gurbing or Green Urban Living - a way of working with nature to create a productive urban garden. There are no hard and fast rules, and it might just be a worm-farm on an apartment balcony or some herbs in pots but the basic principles are the same.
This book evokes some of the methods used in traditional Kiwi backyards, with modern concepts like recycling, organics and using water sustainably to grow food and keep chickens and bees in an urban environment

Picture of The Essential Urban Farmer book cover.

The Essential Urban Farmer

by Novella Carpenter

Call No: 630.91732 CAR

Home and Garden

Experts in urban gardening provide advice for city dwellers looking to plant herbs, tomatoes and more on windowsills, fire escapes and other urban places and to incorporate the principles of ethical food.

Picture of Disco book cover.

Disco

The music, the times, the era

by Johnny Morgan

Call No: 781.64 MOR

Music and Performing Arts

From its beginnings in Paris, disco quickly spread around the world, taking hold of a small club on L.A.'s Sunset Strip and ultimately becoming a lifestyle that influenced everything from music and dancing to movies to fashion. 'Disco' captures this incredible phenomenon with great storytelling and lavish photos and memorabilia from the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

 

Picture of iron Maiden book cover.

Iron Maiden

In the studio : The stories behind every album

by Jake Brown

Call No: 782.42166 IRO BRO

Music and Performing Arts

Iron maiden were a key part of heavy metal's acceptance as a credible genre. With an impressive catalogue of 15 studio albums spread over 20 years including The Number of the Beast (1982), Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988) and The Final Frontier (2010), their influence speaks for itself.
For the first time ever, the writing and recording of such iconic hits as 'The Number of the Beast', 'Fight of Icarus', 'Two Minutes to Midnight', are explored in-depth. This book takes you into the studio with a band who show no sign of slowing down and whose influence can still be heard in a thousand metal bands today.

Picture of the The Autism Revolution book cover.

The Autism Revolution

Whole body strategies for making life all it can be

by Martha R. Herbert

Call No: 616.85882 HER

Parenting

Health
 
Drawing from the newest research, technologies, and insights, as well as inspiring case studies of both children and adults, Dr. Herbert guides you toward restoring health and resiliency in your loved one with autism. Her specific recommendations aim to provide optimal nutrition, reduce toxic exposures, shore up the immune system, reduce stress, and open the door to learning and creativity - all by understanding and truly meeting your child's needs

Picture of Finding Your Moral Compass book cover.

Finding Your Moral Compass

Transformative principles to guide you in recovery and life

by Craig Nnakken

Call No: 170.874 NAK

Philosophy and Religion

Social Issues
When Nakken, a former addict, became clean and sober, he faced the evil inside of himself. It was then that he found his moral compass and decided to take responsibility for his actions using the Twelve Steps as his guide. He has taught hundreds in recovery to live by the principles of good, one day at a time.

Picture of The Other Side of Normal book cover.

The Other Side of Normal

How biology is providing the clues to unlock the secret of normal and abnormal behavior

by Jordan W. Smoller

Call No: 591.5 SMO

Science and Nature

Harvard psychiatrist Jordan Smoller shows us that understanding what the mind was designed to do in the first place demystifies mental illness and builds a new foundation for defining psychiatric disorders - from autism to depression. Smoller argues there are no bright lines between normal and abnormal. Psychiatric disorders are variations of the same brain systems that evolved to help us solve the challenges of everyday life.

Picture of The L-Life book cover.

The L Life

Extraordinary lesbians making a difference

by Erin McHugh

Call No: 306.766309 MCH

Social Sciences

With casually candid interviews by author Erin McHugh and stunning new portraits by photographer Jennifer May, this coffee table book for lesbians celebrates newsmakers and ordinary inspirations like Dykes to Watch Out For's Alison Bechdel, comedian Kate Clinton, breast cancer researcher Dr. Susan Love, activist Phyllis Lyon, producer Christine Vachon, and Glee's Jane Lynch.

Picture of Shaq Uncut book cover.

Shaq Uncut

My story

by Shaquille O'Neal

Call No: 796.323092 ONE

Sports and Games

The four-time NBA champion describes his life and colorful career, from his sports victories to acting and rapping and offers his thoughts on fellow luminaries including Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson.

Picture of Wayne Rooney book cover.

Wayne Rooney

My decade in the Premier League

by Wayne Rooney

Call No: 796.334092 ROO

Sports and Games

This is Wayne Rooney's story told in his own words. From gracing the ground at Goodison as an excitable 16 year old to lifting the Champions League trophy with Manchester United, from the emotional high of scoring the winner against Manchester City with that overhead bicycle kick to the crushing low of the thrashing City handed out at Old Trafford in the 2011-12 season,  'My Decade in the Premier League' gives a real insight in to what goes in to being part of the biggest club in the world.

Picture of World Climbing book cover.

World Climbing

Rock odyssey

by Simon Carter

Call No: 796.5223

Travel

 'Rock Odyssey' is a photographic essay which follows modern day rock climbers to far flung reaches of the world where they attempt the routes of their dreams. A visual feast for its passengers, this book takes us on a breathtaking voyage stopping at sixteen exceptional rock climbing destinations, from Madagascar to Vietnam, to the Dolomites.

Resources

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