Book Review: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi Published: November, 2011 Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, YA By: Alexandrina Tahereh Mafi’s debut novel, Shatter Me, is a bold and imaginative work of young adult dystopian fiction that explores themes of isolation, identity, and the burden of power. The novel revolves around Juliette Ferrars, a teenage girl whose touch is fatal and whose life has been controlled by the authoritarian regime known as the … Continue reading Book Review: Shatter Me

Book Review: Attenborough’s Adventures of a Young Naturalist

Author: Sir David Attenborough Published: September 17th, 2017 Genres: Autobiography, Nature, Non-fiction, Science By: Isabella Star Rating: 5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆ David Attenborough’s Adventures of a Young Naturalist shows you a world waiting for you to explore, full of mysteries and magic, it is filled with thousands of fascinating stories and facts. If you have a fascination with our natural world this is the book for you!    At the start … Continue reading Book Review: Attenborough’s Adventures of a Young Naturalist

Book Review: The Illustrated Guide to Horse Tack

Author: Susan McBane Published: David & Charles, 1992 Genres: Horse guide, Non-fiction By: Isabella Star Rating: 4/5 ☆☆☆☆ With a growing interest in horses The Illustrated Guide to Horse Tack, was absolutely fascinating to me. Written by Susan McBane, who started riding at four years old (so young!) and developed a passion for the sport. During the course of child to teenage years riding many and varied horses, she became fascinated with the science behind horses, what motivated them what … Continue reading Book Review: The Illustrated Guide to Horse Tack

Māpuna Library’s: Summer Reading 2025!

To celebrate the end of the year and the arrival of summer, our Summer’s coming display! The student librarians chose some of their favourite reads to display as well as some recommended books that were wrapped up so you didn’t know what you were going to get! #SummerIsComing #MysteryReads #ReadOverTheHolidays Thanks to a group of our student librarians who worked together to collect books and … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s: Summer Reading 2025!

Book Review: Twelfth Night

Author: William Shakespeare Published: 1623 (First Folio) Genres: Classics, Fiction, Play By: Isabella Star Rating: 5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆ Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare is one of his, (in my opinion), most comedic pieces. It takes us though the lives of Viola and her twin brother Sebastian. On their search for a life without their twins, (each thinking the other drowned), along the way they both find love; and Viola ends up in the utmost interesting love triangle. Perchance you … Continue reading Book Review: Twelfth Night

Book Review: The Young Equestrian

Author: Caroline Davis Published: 2000 Genres: Equestrian, Guide, Non-Fiction By: Isabella Star Rating: 5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆ The book The Young Equestrian is described as a unique guide to learning how to ride, building confidence and settling fears. This is the perfect explanation. The Young Equestrian is perfect for starter riders, riders, and even non riders with a thirst to understand the sport. Caroline Davis writes beautiful explanations weaved with quick tips and long explanations to help you figure out the equestrian challenge.   With sections on, why should … Continue reading Book Review: The Young Equestrian

Book Review: The Anxious Generation

Author: Jonathan Haidt Published: 2024 Genres: Mental Health/Wellbeing, Non-Fiction, Parenting, Psychology By: Alexandrina Star Rating: 3/5 ☆☆☆ A must-read. The Anxious Generation is a book focused on an audience of parents. But, although that is true it was incredibly insightful as an adolescent which this is the main age group the book focuses on. The book has made me personally aware of certain habits that affect me, and … Continue reading Book Review: The Anxious Generation

Māpuna Library’s: Spotify Study Playlist 2025!

To encourage students to be creative in the library once study leave began in November, when our exams start, our librarians came up with the Spotify Study Playlist display! The idea was simple, what music do you listen to while you study? What playlists to you enjoy? We asked students to share their favourite songs, playlist, study habits on post-its. Can you only study with … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s: Spotify Study Playlist 2025!

Māpuna Library’s: Spooky Halloween Reads 2025!

To celebrate the end of October, our Spooky Reads Halloween display! There were an array of horror reads on display for the taking, or students could choose to take a mystery spooky read from the cauldron, books that were wrapped up so you didn’t know what you were going to get! #HappyHalloween #MysteryReads #TakeOneIfYouDare Thanks to a group of our student librarians who worked together … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s: Spooky Halloween Reads 2025!

Book Review: Johnny Cash – The Life

Author: Robert Hilburn Published: 29 October, 2013 Genres: Biography, Non-Fiction By: Lucinda Star Rating: 4/5 ☆☆☆☆ Johnny Cash: The Life by Robert Hilburn is an in-depth biography about the King of Country music, Johnny Cash. He strips down any barriers and strives to communicate the whole truth about who he really was and what his story is. He includes the highs and lows of Johnny Cash’s career and … Continue reading Book Review: Johnny Cash – The Life