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Two author talks and a dementia friendly day are being held in Warkworth as part of Auckland Council Libraries’ second annual We Read Auckland programme that celebrates reading, writing and storytelling.
Up first is Snells Beach author Bryan Jackson, whose talk Auckland’s Colourful Past Revealed will focus on the research for and writing of his latest book, Auckland: Incidents, Accidents & Tragedies.
The book, which is Jackson’s eighth publication, covers a diverse range of events, such as what happened in Auckland when a Russian invasion was reported in 1873, or when two German battlecruisers were found patrolling off the coast during World War I. He also looks at marine accidents, including the sinking of the S.S. Kapanui near Devonport Wharf in 1905 and the Birkenhead Ferry disaster of 1955, and murders, such as the Basset Road machine gun murders, the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and the killing of Peter Plumley-Walker.
The talk takes place at 10.30am on Tuesday, August 16 at Warkworth Masonic Hall.
Award-winning novelist Eileen Merriman will be at the same venue the following week, with a one-hour talk and Q&A session at 6.30pm on Tuesday, August 23.
Merrimen, who lives on the North Shore and is a consultant haematologist, has written successful novels for teens and adults. Her three young adult novels – Pieces of You, Catch Me When You Fall and Invisibly Breathing – were finalists in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, while her first adult novel, Moonlight Sonata, was long-listed for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction.
The talk will be followed by a book signing and refreshments.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, August 21, Warkworth Library will host its first Dementia Friendly Sunday session for people living with dementia and their carers.
This informal one-hour session will feature storybooks and specially made memory bags containing items that have been chosen to encourage conversation and stimulate memories.
The library team are hoping that the sessions will become a regular support source for carers and a place where those who have dementia can feel safe, understood and know they are among friends.
The session will run from 11am and refreshments will be included.
We Read Auckland runs from August 15 to 28 throughout Auckland with a range of free live and online events, including storytelling, author talks, panel discussions, workshops and webinars, whānau fun and exhibitions.
The programme is designed to promote reading, especially for pleasure, wellbeing and connection.
There is a focus on reading material with a connection to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Info: www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/we-read-auckland.aspx
