A couple of interesting non-fiction titles. One written by a woman who was only diagnosed with Autism as an adult. This is the book she wished she could have read as a girl. Yes, Autism manifests differently for girls and is harder to notice the indicators. Australian swimming sister sensations have a super book here, which I think any Nayland competing swimmer should read. So much good information – did you know chlorine in the pool destroys your eyebrows?! The next book is one loosely based on both a Korean myth and the Japanese Spirited Away story – many will have seen that film/anime/manga. It has excellent reviews and promises to sweep the reader away. And lastly if you have read the Graphic Novel, Sheets, then here is the sequel, Delicates. The themes are of fitting in, being seen, what it feels like to be an outsider and asking for help. Wrapped up in a story about a family of ghosts that live in a Laundromat. Clever.

A different sort of normal / Abigail Balfe

A real-life story about growing up feeling different. “During my quest to discover my own truth, I realized that many, many people were in a similar position to me – searching for answers years down the line, having believed until then that there was something seriously wrong with them. Only as adults are they now discovering that perhaps their brains just work a bit differently from the brains of the people around them.” Best things about being autistic for her? Ability to think outside the box; excellent ear for music; art skills; childlike innocence; unique sense of humour; hyper-focus on work and creative projects; creative mind and a very cool and unique dress sense.

In order to receive an autism diagnosis, a person has to demonstrate having lifelong difficulties with social communication, social interactions, and social imagination. Perhaps this book may help someone dig a little deeper and provide some guidance, information, and knowledge of self.

Sister Secrets: life lessons from the pool to the podium / Cate & Bronte Campbell

“The lane is your own private arena. Like a pane of aqua glass spread before you. One big breath in. “Take your marks.” My front leg is shaking. And then it begins. Nothing left to do but fight”

Cate and Bronte Campbell are sisters and they both swim for Australia. Competing together and against each other at the Tokyo Olympics. This is such an accessible book. Lots of beautiful colour photos, colourful text. Divided into chapters where they write about their dreams, the belief, the Olympics, winning and losing, mind and body and 10 things they don’t tell you including explaining why your friends will never understand why you can’t just miss one training session.

Those eight lanes of sleek blue water, shimmering and silent, are the battleground where your dreams will be won or lost. And not just your dreams – everyone’s dreams. The water looks hungry – passage from the book

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIauD2ykC8Y watch a short tv interview (5 mins) with the sisters on Australian TV show 'The Project.'

The girl who fell beneath the sea / Axie Oh

For generations, deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland. Her people believe the Sea God,, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. To appease him, each year a maiden is thrown into the sea, in the hopes that one day the true bride will be chosen and the suffering end. Many believe Shim Cheong – Mina’s brother’s beloved – to be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Mina’s brother follows her, knowing that to interfere is a death sentence. To save her brother, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead. – back cover

And the story begins…could Mina turn out to be the hero??

If you want some escapism into a world that offers action, adventure, mystery, mythology, and a little bit of love then read this book. Perfect for a rainy day or in our case days.

Delicates / Brenna Thummler

Delicates is the sequel to Sheets. Two wonderful and sophisticated graphic novels written and illustrated by Brenna Thummler. I love these comments from the back cover.

“ Thummler captures the depths of teenage messiness and vulnerability through her rich settings and expressive faces, inviting the reader to join the characters as they navigate popularity, grief, and what it means to be a friend.” And “… explores our natural need for understanding, the sadness that can come in its absence, and the beauty of finally making a connection”

These books will appeal to readers of The Sad Ghost Club books. Funny that both authors have chosen ghosts as their central characters – to echo the invisibility that can be felt, the feeling of being on the outside or being Other. These books will help to reassure and make sense of feelings of being different and unseen. And knowing truly, that we are each beautiful and special.

Research Website to check out: https://anyquestions.govt.nz/many-answers

Here you can search for answers to popular questions asked on AnyQuestions. Many Answers entries are not intended to give you the answer but rather guide you to websites and other resources that will help you find the information for yourself. And those e hoa, are skills that you need to know. Ka pai!

And you can access the library website here at any time to see what else is new, search for items, reading lists and links to Research and Academic databases.