Unpolished Gem

by Alice Pung. Black Inc, 2006.
Cover photography Narelle Autio. Cover design Thomas Deverall.

Alice Pung is the daughter of Chinese refugees from Cambodia. She was born only months after they arrived in Melbourne from a refugee camp in Thailand.

She was called Alice after Alice in Wonderland because her parents thought Australia was ‘wonderland’. She calls them the ‘wahsers’ because they “Wah!” at so much that astonishes them from the vast array of things to buy, to the red and green lights that drivers and pedestrians actually obey -

“We wait for the Mao Ze Dong man to disappear before we move. He stops everything.”

Some of it is laugh-out-loud funny.

It is ironic that the pain sets in as the prosperity grows. When their frantic desire to succeed it is realized, then they have trouble stopping and enjoying their success. At 17 Alice has a mental breakdown, as if she is a mirror of all that afflicts her now successful community.Her story gives a vivid insight into the Chinese community of Footscray and through it, an understanding of what it is like to grow up part of an extended Chinese family in Australia.

- Ines.

Library Afloat sets sail!

This month sees the launch of an exciting new service, Manly Library Afloat, a mobile library positioned at Manly Wharf that will operate weekdays between 7.15am and 9am.

This service commences on Monday 26th of March and is aimed primarily at ferry and bus commuters so they can make the most of their precious time.

A golf cart style vehicle (see picture) funded with a grant from the State Library of New South Wales has been custom fitted to accommodate over 1,000 titles (books and audio books).

Our vision is to make Manly Library accessible to all members of the community and ‘Manly Library Afloat’ is part of achieving that goal.

The official launch of the service will be held on Tuesday the 27th of March in the Manly Wharf forecourt from 7:30am to 9am.

Commonwealth writer's prize 2007

New Zealand author Lloyd Jones has won the South-East Asia and South Pacific region of the Commonwealth writer's prize 2007 for his book Mr Pip. You can read a news article about the award here. The book was also discussed as part of ABC's the First Tuesday Bookclub in March and you can view streaming video of the discussion at the ABC site. Have you read the book? What did you think?

Also a winner in the First Book category was Australian author Andrew O'Connor for his first novel Tuvalu. I reviewed the book back in January. I have to say it is a book I've thought about for a long while after reading it, and I do recommend it. It's the second prize that this book has picked up as it also won the 2005 Australian/Vogel literary award.

- Anne.

Overbooked

Overbooked is a website for 'ravenous readers'. From the site:

"Overbooked specializes in providing timely information about literary & genre fiction as well as readable nonfiction. Overbooked originals include annotated lists of nonfiction, fiction and mystery books which received starred reviews, themed booklists, featured titles lists and hot lists of hard cover US fiction releases. "

It's a US site though and lists only new releases available there, but you might get some good ideas about what to read next.

Law Week talk for teens

As part of Law Week Manly Library will be hosting a talk on Youth Rights and Responsibilities for teens and their families. A panel of local lawyers, police and community workers will talk and answer questions. Topics will include:

spiked drinks
under 18's legal advice
youth rights in public spaces
student consumers
violence against women
safe parties
what to do if you crash a car
starting work

Manly Library Meeting Room
Wednesday
28 March
6.30—7.30pm
RSVP/Enquiries: Louise McMorland
Phone: 9976 1731
louise.mcmorland[at]manly.nsw.gov.au

March library events

Manly: Places in context, cultural and natural landscapes
1-18 March
An exhibition of aerial photographs to celebrate the National Trust Heritage Festival

Board Games for Primary School Students
Fridays 2, 16, 23 and 30th March
3.30 – 5.00pm
Enquiries call Louise on 9976 1731

Whatever Club for High School Students
Tues 6 March
3.30-5.30pm Library Meeting room
Make a poster using a digital camera and the library colour photocopier about you
Afternoon tea included
Enquries call Louise on 9976 1731

Bob Mitchell, the “Memory Man”
Wed 7 March
10.00am
Bob will talk about ‘Using the Five Senses to Trigger Memory’ and also his own publications.Morning tea will be provided and a selection of new books will be available to borrow. This is part of the Manly Council Seniors’ Week Program.
RSVP: 9976 1722

Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Wed 7 March
10.30am – 11am
Especially for the 3 -18 month age group. You and your baby will enjoy sharing songs, rhymes and stories. Parent participation essential.
Enquiries: 9976 1727

"My Time” Book Group
Wed 7 March
11am
For parents with young children, directly after ‘Baby Bounce & Rhyme’
Enquiries: 9976 1732

A Manly Album: Favourite photos from the Library Collection
Sat 10 March
4.30pm
Come and find out which photographs in Manly Library’s collection of over 5,000 images are the favourites of Local Studies Librarian John MacRitchie. More information here.
Cost: $12. Refreshments will be served.
RSVP: 99761722

11- 18 March
Seniors Week

Years Ahead’ presentation about driving and road safety for seniors
Wed 14 March
10am
Presented by NRMA speaker Carl Bliim to increase awareness of safe driving practices, encourage all drivers to monitor their ability to drive, encourage older drivers to seek advice from their doctors regarding their capacity and to drive provide information about alternative transport options. Refreshments will be served.
RSVP: 9976 1722

Book Discussion Group
Wed 14 March
6pm
Topic: Cornwell, Deaver & Reichs – current forensic fiction.
RSVP: 9976 1732

A Manly album

Favourite photos from our local studies collection.

On Saturday the 10th of March the library is holding a presentation and discussion of some of the library's local studies photographic collection.

Come and find out which of Manly Library's 5000 photographs are the favourites of Local Studies Librarian, John MacRitchie. John will present his selections from recent acquisitions and talk about the stories behind the images. More than any other format, photographs take us to that strange place, the past.

There will also be a chance to have a private viewing of the Library's Heritage Festival exhibition of aerial photographs of Manly through the years. Will your house be in one of them?

This is a Manly Library Trust event. Cost for the presentation is $12 and refreshments will be served. For bookings please call the library on 9976 1722. If reception is unattended please leave a message with your name, number attending and contact details.