Non-fiction - Books about books - Christchurch City Libraries | Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

by Shaw, Ruth, (Bookseller)

Book - 2022

Way down in Fiordland, in the remote village of Manapōuri, you probably wouldn’t expect to find two bookshops, and you certainly wouldn’t expect the owner...Show more Way down in Fiordland, in the remote village of Manapōuri, you probably wouldn’t expect to find two bookshops, and you certainly wouldn’t expect the owner to have her own stories to tell. Days after an interview with Kim Hill, Ruth Shaw had a publisher asking her to write this memoir detailing her experiences deserting from the Navy, being held up by pirates and working to help drug addicts and prostitutes. Although utterly heartbreaking and devastating at times, Shaw reflects on the role that books have played in her life and the peace she has found in writing her own. Show less

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The Bad-ass Librarians of Timbuktu

And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts

by Hammer, Joshua, 1957-

Book - 2016

'The Bad-ass Librarians of Timbuktu' is the story of Abdel Kader Haidara, an archivist determined to save precious Arab texts from deterioration in the ba...Show more 'The Bad-ass Librarians of Timbuktu' is the story of Abdel Kader Haidara, an archivist determined to save precious Arab texts from deterioration in the bags of local shepherds, and more imminently, from the destruction of Al Qaeda. A moving, enthralling, and inspiring tale of priceless books and the brave people who protected them. Show less

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The Diary of A Bookseller

by Bythell, Shaun

Book - 2017

Shaun Bythell's hilarious diary charts a year in the life of the largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland. It is one of the ultimate books about books, pa...Show more Shaun Bythell's hilarious diary charts a year in the life of the largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland. It is one of the ultimate books about books, packed with stories of eccentric book buyers, sound book recommendations, and accounts of stock purchase trips to auction houses and estates. With its wonderfully barbed and ever-entertaining style, this is a diary enthusiast's and book shop lover's dream. Show less

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Index, A History of the

A Bookish Adventure

by Duncan, Dennis

Book - 2021

In this perfectly titled book, Dennis Duncan shines a spotlight on the humble map that helps us navigate nonfiction books – the index. You would be forgiv...Show more In this perfectly titled book, Dennis Duncan shines a spotlight on the humble map that helps us navigate nonfiction books – the index. You would be forgiven for thinking that an academic history of the index would be a dull topic but this account is thoroughly engaging and full of wit. Starting out in Alexandria in the third century B.C. and taking us right up to the present day, Duncan takes us to plenty of unexpected places along the way. Show less

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The Bookseller's Tale

by Latham, Martin

Book - 2020

Martin Latham’s passion for books is palpable and it’s hard not to get swept up with his excitement as he shares anecdotes and attempts to understand our ...Show more Martin Latham’s passion for books is palpable and it’s hard not to get swept up with his excitement as he shares anecdotes and attempts to understand our obsession with books. Latham is also very interested in shining a light on the dubious character of Melvil Dewey – the creator of the Dewey decimal system. After thirty-five years as a bookseller he’s picked up plenty of tales worth telling and bibliophiles are sure to come away from this book wanting to pass on a few of these stories themselves. Show less

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84 Charing Cross Road

by Hanff, Helene, 1916-1997

Book - 2002

These enchanting letters between outgoing ‘poor writer’ Helen Hanff and reclusive antiquarian book-seller Frank Doyle chart the platonic love affair betwe...Show more These enchanting letters between outgoing ‘poor writer’ Helen Hanff and reclusive antiquarian book-seller Frank Doyle chart the platonic love affair between these two very different individuals and of course, their mutual love for books. From bemoaning the absence of the ‘wife-chasing poker scene’ in her edition of Samuel Pepys' diary, to her fascination on discovering John Donne's adventures in the tower following an ill-advised elopement, these letters are a sheer delight to read. Show less

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The Library Book

by Orlean, Susan, 1955-

Book - 2018

In 1986, a fire devastated the Los Angeles public library, destroying over 400,000 books. Susan Orlean’s explores the mystery as to whether the fire was a...Show more In 1986, a fire devastated the Los Angeles public library, destroying over 400,000 books. Susan Orlean’s explores the mystery as to whether the fire was accidental or purposely started. Along the way, she lovingly unpacks the fascinating history of libraries, explores the work that goes on behind the scenes, and makes a powerful argument for why libraries are more important than ever in this digital age. Show less

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The Library

A Catalogue of Wonders

by Kells, Stuart

Book - 2017

In this exquisite and highly entertaining ode to libraries, Stuart Kells celebrates renowned collections from the Alexandria library to the invented libra...Show more In this exquisite and highly entertaining ode to libraries, Stuart Kells celebrates renowned collections from the Alexandria library to the invented library of Middle Earth. There are the personal libraries of icons such as Alexander Pushkin (whose last words are rumoured to have been addressed to his books) and Samuel Johnson (whose arrangement was so precise, footmen could find required tomes blind-folded), and of course such bookish issues as Bibliophile insults and mean spirited collectors are addressed. Show less

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Bookshops

by Carrión, Jorge, 1976-

Book - 2016

Travel the world through its bookshops - from Strand Book Store in New York to Shakespeare & co in Paris. Jorge Carrion unfolds an exquisite narrative...Show more Travel the world through its bookshops - from Strand Book Store in New York to Shakespeare & co in Paris. Jorge Carrion unfolds an exquisite narrative of literary anecdotes, and book shop history, while exploring the power of book stores to inspire and change lives. Show less

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Shakespeare Saved My Life

Ten Years in Solitary With the Bard

by Bates, Laura

Book - 2013

The true story of how Larry Newton - convicted murderer with a record for multiple attempts at escape - and Laura Bates - prison volunteer offering a pro...Show more The true story of how Larry Newton - convicted murderer with a record for multiple attempts at escape - and Laura Bates - prison volunteer offering a programme to teach Shakespeare - had their lives transformed by the Bard. This powerful memoir explores how literature can inspire friendship and redemption even in the most adverse circumstances. Show less

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When Books Went to War

The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II

by Manning, Molly Guptill, 1980-

Book - 2014

The Nazi regime burned over 100 million books during World War II, and American publishers, librarians and the War Department responded by forming the Cou...Show more The Nazi regime burned over 100 million books during World War II, and American publishers, librarians and the War Department responded by forming the Council on Books in Wartime. Molly Guptill Manning’s account tells the story of the small and lightweight books that were created to be carried by Allied troops. Author’s careers were made, and most famously, The Great Gatsby was pulled from obscurity and raised to its current status as one of the Great American Novels. Show less

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Dark Archives

A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin

by Rosenbloom, Megan, 1981-

Book - 2020

For the morbid and macabre bibliophiles out there, Dark Archives is an inquiry into anthropomorphic bibliopegy – books bound in human skin. Megan Rosenblo...Show more For the morbid and macabre bibliophiles out there, Dark Archives is an inquiry into anthropomorphic bibliopegy – books bound in human skin. Megan Rosenbloom is an active figure in the death-positivity movement, along with being a librarian and a member of the Anthropodermic Book Project who conduct tests to identify these artifacts. Here she explores the history and science of the practice, while clarifying myths and addressing the ethics around custodianship of these books. Show less

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The Toni Morrison Book Club

by Bennett, Juda, 1955-

Book - 2020

In this deeply moving and personal memoir, four professors from different walks of life come together to read the works of Toni Morrison. Along the way th...Show more In this deeply moving and personal memoir, four professors from different walks of life come together to read the works of Toni Morrison. Along the way their own unique stories of coming out, tackling everyday racism, and more are mirrored in Morrison’s powerful stories. Show less

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The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books

Young Columbus and the Quest for A Universal Library

by Wilson-Lee, Edward

Book - 2018

Wilson-Lee unpacks the tale of Hernando, son of Christopher Columbus, who sought to surpass his father’s achievements by creating a universal library of o...Show more Wilson-Lee unpacks the tale of Hernando, son of Christopher Columbus, who sought to surpass his father’s achievements by creating a universal library of over 15,000 titles. From voyages with his father as a 13-year-old boy, to his almost maniacal obsession with collecting and cataloguing material from all cultures and languages (even if he could not speak them himself), this book brings to life Hernando’s fascinating story, and an era of new discoveries and new challenges around how information should be conserved. Show less

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