Christie Heart - Singing her way to Success

Christie with her novel
Leave the Wake Behind

Congratulations to local author and songwriter Christie Heart for the release of her debut novel Leave the Wake Behind. Complete with an accompanying CD, the book was 7 years in the making - an effort well worth the wait. In support of self-published local authors, Christie was invited as a special guest for the Ferntree Gully Library Bookchat on the 18th October to share her work.

Talking about her experiences as a self-published author, the challenges she faced and the fulfillment in writing her novel, many visitors to Ferntree Gully couldn't help but pause and listen to Christie's talk throughout the afternoon.

Christie was an absolute delight and an amazing performer. Beautifully read extracts from her book as well as playing songs from her CD, it is no wonder patrons were stopped in their tracks. In an effort to bring her passion for writing and music together, Christie has created a storyline inspired and formed from a selection of her own original songs.

Whilst Christie's book, Leave the Wake Behind, is written as a stand alone novel and great read in its own right - there was a teaser that Christie is working on a sequel...

Congratulations to Christie on the success of her debut novel - it was a pleasure to have you visit at Ferntree Gully Libray!

Copies of Leave the Wake Behind

Copies of her book are also available on the ERL Catalogue - so have your card in hand and order a copy today (especially if there is a sequel coming!).

If you would like to know more about Christie Heart and the inspirations behind her work, please visit Christie at her website.

The Eastern Regional Library Show 8th June 2011

Library staff members Lesley Conway and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next week for a great show.

On Wednesday's show 
 
What was it like to be and agricultural labourer in and English village in the 1880's? Or a teenage girl at boarding school in 1880's Melbourne?
The first is described in Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson, and the second in The getting of wisdom by Henry Handel Richardson. Next Wednesday, the 15th of June the Lilydale Book Chat group is looking at novels and biographies which might give some insight into the lives of our ancestors, an interest which is often stimulated when we begin looking into our family history. Most of our branches host Book Chats, and these are a chance to broaden your reading, and enjoy some lively discussion.

Music today was from Ella Fitzgerald, and there are many great CD's of her music in the collection, of which the A tisket, a tasket 3 CD set is the most comprehensive.

-- Lesley

The Eastern Regional Library Radio Show 27th April 2011

Library staff members Lesley Conway and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next week for a great show.

On Wednesday's show

Finding inspiration for new reading can be difficult at times. You prowl the shelves and nothing jumps out at you, your friend's recommendation of a new thriller doesn't appeal. What are the options? One is to drop into one of the many Book Chat sessions that run in most of our branches on a monthly basis. Not only will you be encouraged to try some new authors, but your thoughts and suggestions are welcome too. Last week, journalist and interviewer Ann Creber visited Lilydale Library Book Chat group to inspire us with some wonderful Australian writing. Under the influence is an accomplished first novel by Jackie Lunn which deals with a schoolgirl secret which brings two successful and happy women together at the death of an old friend. Another thriller Ann recommends is Beyond fear by Jaye Ford. Four friends go away for a weekend together, only to be thrown into a terrifying situation challenges them all, and for one woman, takes her back to a traumatic past.

For something a little more laid back, Ann recommends Lyn Bryski, who has set out specifically to supplant the stereotypical young beautiful heroine and replace her with real women in middle age. Her book Gang of four has many fans, and her latest is Last chance cafe. Another writer to challenge the stereotypes is June Loves, in The Shelly Beach Writers' Group. The story of a woman who's marriage has ended, is dissatisfied with her working life. She retreats to a small seaside community to regroup and finds a new life in being involved in the community.

For myself, I keep an eye open for book reviews in likely and unlikely places. Most magazines run book review columns, and can point you in new and interesting directions. I enjoy the reviewers in Country Life and Australia Coast to Coast Country Style magazines. The latest title from one of these which attracted my intention was a new biography of Roald Dahl, entitled Storyteller : the life of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock. It sounds to be full of thoughtful insight on a remarkable man.

---- Lesley

What's on tomorrow at ERL?

It's a busy day tomorrow with several great activities.

First up it's the Belgrave Genie Exchange. Come along and meet fellow genealogists in your local area. Swap research stories, help others and in turn be helped with your own research.

When: Thursday 12th November 10am
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event
No need to book, just come along

Also at 10am we have Bookchat at Mooroolbark Library. Have you read anything interesting lately? Come along and share it with others.

When: Thursday 12th November 10am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: Free event
No need to book, just come along

At Croydon Library at 12:30pm, Book Bites welcomes author Lisa Lang. Lisa Lang has been garnering prizes for several years, starting with storywriting competitions including our own ERL competition. She was awarded the a place in the Australian Society of Authors Mentorship Program in 2007, and this year she was named as the joint winner of the prestigious Vogel Award. Her manuscript Utopian Man a fiction work based on the life of E W Cole will be published by Allen and Unwin in mid 2010.

In the meantime Lisa has also written the excellent small biography based on her researches into Cole of the Book Arcade Chasing the Rainbow (2007).

When: Thursday 12th November 12:30pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Sq, Croydon
Cost: $10 (includes lunch)
Bookings essential phone 92945640

Cheers, Maryanne

Chataboutabook club

Travel the world through books with Lilydale Library's new club Chataboutabook. Chat about the latest books you've read and browse the latest books at Lilydale. Tea & coffee will be provided.

A special guest in October to launch the group is Ann Creber. Ann is not only a food writer, journalist, stylist and editor, she hosts the Good Life on 3MDR on Mondays 3-5pm. Ann spent many years as a regular on ABC programs and has a slot on Radio National. Publishers seek Ann out to interview their authors, and she is invited to numerous literary events.

Join us for this great new group and share your favourite books.

When: beginning Wednesday 21st October 2pm-3pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120

Cheers, Maryanne

Magical moments - a very special bookchat

The last week in August is Children's Book Week and to celebrate we are asking you to join us for a trip down memory lane. Did you have a special book you loved as a child that you would like to share with us? Mine was Brer Rabbit. Bring it along and join us for this very special celebration.

Afternoon tea to follow.

When: Thursday 27th August 2pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
No need to book, just come along.

Cheers, Maryanne

Meet Stephen Powell

Meet Australian wildlife artist Stephen Powell and find out about his time in Africa, as well as tips on capturing wildlife on canvas.

Note new date, time & branch

When: Wednesday 18th February 7pm (plus more dates coming up in March at Ferntree Gully and Rowville)
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free

Bookings essential, phone any of our branches.

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show - Jan 2 2008

Library staff members Lesley Conway and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next Wednesday for a great show.

On today's show with Lesley

It's hot, hot, hot! And if you can't mow the lawn or wash the car, you might as well read a book, watch a great dvd, or just kick back and listen to some music with your eyes closed and a cold drink to hand. If you feel you have nothing inspiring at home, several of our branches are having Book Chat and New Books sessions over the next couple of weeks. Rowville is running a New Book Morning on Friday the 11th of January at 10am and a Book Chat on Monday 7th of January at 2pm. Mooroolbark is having a Book Chat on Thursday the 10th at 10am, and Knox is holding a New Books Morning on Wednesday the 9th at 10am. In addition, Knox will host a Book Sale on Wednesday the 16th from 10am with lots of bargains and temptations.

I am looking forward to talking with Lyn Baines next week about the books she has been reading during her holiday. She promises to keep her head buried, and have lots to recommend to us. In the meantime I pulled two new biographies off the shelf which are both fascinating. A.A.Milne : his life by Ann Thwaite is very readable, and awash with quotes and references to many other notable English writers such as Robert Graves and P.G.Wodehouse. I discovered that along with being the creator of the beloved Winne-the-Pooh, Milne was also an accomplished mystery writer.

Hillary Clinton : Her Way : the biography is a very different, very contemporary look at a politician with a better than average chance of becoming the first female American President. Written by two very experienced journalists from the New York Times, this is an engrossing read.

Music played today on the show was from Carly Simon's album Into white

---- Lesley

Croydon Bookchat

Join us around the Big Table on the first Wednesday of the month at 2pm for a chat about your latest favourite book. Hear what others have enjoyed reading.

When: Wednesday 1st August 2pm-3pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Ph: 9294 5640

Cheers, Maryanne