Monday, August 15, 2016

#geekread - Biography

With August being the time for #geekread, we think it is only fitting to begin with three real life tales of fellow geeks to get you really inspired. 

3. Remembering Richie: Richie Benaud & friends (foreword by Michael Parkinson)


At number three we have an unliky candidate, Remembering Richie: Richie Benaud & friends. Now most of us don't think about sportsman when we think geeks, or vice versa. If anything, they are antigeeks, those whose prowess is physical, action based, and who know how to play it cool. But Richie Benaud was a man who was both a geek and a sportsman. The latter is easy to understand; he was one of the greatest cricket all rounders of his generation. But the geek part, that might surprise you. After all, what is being a geek if not being completely and totally passionate about something? And that, through the writings collected here, is the reason Richie Benaud is as much as geek as a sportsman. 

2. Amazing Fantastic Incredible: A Marvelous Memoir by Stan Lee and Peter David and Colleen Doran


A more expected recommendation. Stan Lee is perhaps the most famous comic book nerd in the world, who just so happens to run one of the largest comic publishers and created many of the best know characters. In this volume Lee shares his iconic legacy and the story of how modern comics came to be. In Amazing Fantastic Incredible he shares how he began life impoverished in Manhattan, through to his early days writing comics to his taking the helm of Marvel in the 1960s.

1. Brian Cox: The Unauthorised Biography of the Man who Brought Science to the Nation by Ben Falk


Okay, so this is a safe choice. But what can we say, we are suckers for real life rock star geeks. Amoung the best know physicists in the world, Professor Brian Cox wasn't always the brain box icon he is now. He was a capable student but did not excel at school, but got a new lease when at Manchester University, gaining a first-class honours degree and then gaining his PhD in particle physics. All the while, he played keyboards in the band D:Ream (and you thought us calling him a 'rock star' geek was an exercise in hyperbole). He may not be everyone's image of a nerd (he's just too damn handsome!), but his charm, wit and infectious enthusiasm make him the Über geek of the decade.

Not the type of geek to get you excited? Check out the rest of our biographies about all manner of people cool and geeky to find a life story that will inspire you.

Disagree with our list? What #geekread biographies have given you the courage to embrace geek life? Let us know in the comments below.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Read Watch Play #geekread

In August the theme for Read Watch Play is #geekread. Given that the new Rockdale Library is operating for the first full month in August, we felt it was more than appropriate that we get as involved as we can in this campaign. That's right, libraries are hubs of geekdom (mind blown!).

So to help release your inner geek, for the rest of August we will be giving you recommendations on this blog. We will be featuring biographies, fantasy, sci-fi, adult lit, magazines, and films that will get you reaching for your black rimmed glasses and pocket protectors.


But what exactly does it mean to be a geek, a nerd?  Zachery Levi put it nicely: 
Nerd. One whose unbridled passion for something defines who they are as a person, without fear of other people’s judgement.
To put it simply it means to fall childlike for something, to let your passions run no matter how absurd you may look. Its about being a lover. A lover of games, books, films, whatever it is doesn't matter. What matters is having no fear when going on your flights of fantastical fancy. Be inspired by the words of Mandy Hale:
So you’re a little weird? Work it! Different? Own it! Better to be a nerd than one of the herd!.
We begin our embrace of our weirdness on Monday with our first category: biography. Got a hankering to read about some famous fellow geeks? Tune in Monday to get some recommendations.

Got any geek favourites you like to nominate? Just leave us a comment down below. 

Thursday, August 11, 2016

The Reading Hour with Jeff Apter

Rockdale City Library presents

The Reading Hour with

Jeff Apter introducing

Playing To Win: The definitive biography of John Farnham

In an exclusive pre-release event Jeff Apter, author and music industry insider, talks about Playing To Win: The Definitive Biography of John Farnham, his deeply personal and insightful biography of John Farnham. He provides a rare glimpse inside Farnsie’s world, looking at how John Farnham went from being an apprentice to music legend and the struggles that he overcame.

16 August 2016

6pm – 7pm

Rockdale City Library
444 -446 Princes Highway
Rockdale

The Constant Reader will provide advance copies of the book for sale and signing.


Friday, August 5, 2016

Rockdale Readers Book Group - 19 August 2016

Join us for the August meeting of the Rockdale Readers Book Group on 
19 August 2016 at 5.30 pm 

Council Chamber
1st Floor
Rockdale Town Hall
448 Princes Highway 

The group will be discussing Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
If you have read this book please come along and join in the discussion

The book for September is Little Big Lies by Liane Moriarty
For more information or to join the group in 2016 please call Natalie on 9562 1824 

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Sans Souci Book Club - 11 August 2016

Come to the next meeting of the Sans Souci Book Club


Please bring the current book you are reading.

Date: 11 August 2016
Time: 10.30am
Venue/ address: Sans Souci Library, 104 Russell Ave, Sans Souci

If you have any queries please contact Fiona or Sue on 9562 1817