KEY POINTS:
What Aucklanders read in 2007: More than one-third of the books borrowed from Auckland City libraries last year were novels of "mystery, suspense or crime", a top 100 list shows. This was compiled from all genres including children's and other languages, based on all print books borrowed from
the 17 Auckland City libraries during the year. Heading the list was Jeffrey Archer's False Impression, then Lee Child's The Hard Way (featuring man-hunter Jack Reacher). Third most popular is The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult, then Anybody out There? by Marian Keyes. Fifth is Joanna Trollope's Second Honeymoon. Two children's books are in the top 10; Agent Arthur's Jungle Journey by Martin Oliver and Tim & Charlotte by Edward Ardizzone. Noteworthy also - the high ranking of children's books generally, including those by NZ authors Margaret Mahy and Lynley Dodd; the large number of books by James Patterson, The Grapes of Wrath making it to number 32 (for study or a trend towards revisiting the classics?), and Chinese language books making it to the top 100 for the first time. For the full list of 100 most-borrowed books got to: www.aucklandcitylibraries.com/aboutus/news/ top100.htm
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Last night while in front of the TV enjoying a cuppa, Matt Evans saw the new heart foundation ad: It has a guy dressed as a heart who reels off a few words all ending in "ing". He then announces something along the lines of "words ending in 'ing' are good for you, like kissing". Now I don't know about you but I can think of a few words ending in 'ing' which are certainly not good for you such as: choking, bleeding, smoking and last but not least ... dying.
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Justine Lee writes: "On Wednesday, January 2, my family and I attended the Mangawhai Summer Carnival in Northland. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of removing four of my rings (including engagement and wedding rings) to apply sunscreen to my children while sitting on a hay bale waiting for helicopter rides. With all the excitement and distraction I ended up walking away without my rings. Despite help from family and event organisers to search, they have not turned up, and as much as they are insured, it is the sentimental value that makes me hope someone hasn't put them in their pocket. If there is an honest person out there who may have these rings, I would be happy to offer a reward." Ph: Justine Lee 021- 548-375 or (09) 585-2588.