Auckland Science Fiction Book Club: Neuromancer by William Gibson – Auckland – 9 April 2019

What

Winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick Awards, Neuromancer is a science fiction masterpiece—a classic that ranks as one of the twentieth century’s most potent visions of the future.

Case was the sharpest data-thief in the matrix—until he crossed the wrong people and they crippled his nervous system, banishing him from cyberspace. Now a mysterious new employer has recruited him for a last-chance run at an unthinkably powerful artificial intelligence. With a dead man riding shotgun and Molly, a mirror-eyed street-samurai, to watch his back, Case is ready for the adventure that upped the ante on an entire genre of fiction.

Neuromancer was the first fully-realized glimpse of humankind’s digital future—a shocking vision that has challenged our assumptions about technology and ourselves, reinvented the way we speak and think, and forever altered the landscape of our imaginations.

Hotwired to the leading edges of art and technology, Neuromancer ranks with 1984 and Brave New World as one of the century’s most potent visions of the future.

About the Book Club

This is for all lovers of books – in particular science fiction and fantasy. We’ll meet once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month at a pub so you can have a drink and food if you want to.
We’ll read a variety of books by both male and female authors and try to vary them across different sub-genres eg Dystopian Fiction, Feminist SF, Literary SF, Post-Apocalyptic SF, Short Story Collections, Space Opera, etc.

When and Where

The Culpeper
143-147 Princess Wharf
Auckland CBD

6:30pm – 9pm
Tuesday, 9 April 2019

How Much

Free

More

Neuromancer by William Gibson meetup night
Auckland Science Fiction Book Club

GeyserCon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention – Rotorua – 31 May – 3 June 2019

What

GeyserCon 2019 is New Zealand’s 40th National Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention! We hope you’ll join us in Rotorua on Queen’s Birthday weekend (May 31st to June 3rd 2019) for awesome fandom discussions, panels and presentations, a huge bookstore open every day including Monday, a raffle with amazing prizes, the Young Writers’ Workshop, the Costume Masquerade competition, the prestigious Sir Julius Vogel Awards, and so much more!

Young Writers’ Day out – Friday

The Young NZ Writers’ Day Out (on Friday 31st May 2019) will have a full day of writing workshops aimed at intermediate and secondary school students. To warm up to the day we invite young NZ writers to enter into our 2019 annual writing competitions for intermediate and secondary students (opens 1st of February and closes midnight on 15th March – check our website out for more details). Finalists will be awarded prizes at the book launch at the end of the day.
For the first time there will even be a special writing event for our youngest writers in years 5 and 6 (only open to local Rotorua Primary schools) and PD opportunities for teachers who attend.

Main Program

3-5 Streams From Friday evening to Monday Morning.

Sample Events:

  • Radio-play STAR WRECK
  • International Guests: Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Alan Baxter, & Kaaron Warren
  • Sir Julius Vogel Award Presentations
  • Talks: History of SFF in NZ
  • Panel: High Fantasy Futures
  • GeyserCon Book Expo

When and Where

Holiday Inn
10 Tryon St
Whakarewarewa
Rotorua

Main Event
4pm Friday 31 May 2019
Noon Monday 3 June 2019

Young Writers’ Day Out
All Day Friday 31 May 2019

How Much

EarlyBird 3 until 28 February $60
Standard (Friday evening till Monday) $65
Friday Youth Workshop (under 18s) $20

Various other tickets options available.

More

Geysercon Website with Full programme and Registration
Young NZ Writers Website

Browse the basement – Auckland – 13 January – 10 March 2019

What

Here is a rare opportunity to explore the enormous stack collection, located in our vast, multi-level basement facility at Central City Library.

Discover strange curiosities, browse for your favourite authors or simply marvel at the wealth of material acquired over more than a century of collecting. This is a chance to see and borrow some of the incredible books that aren’t on display on our public floors, and to experience the mysterious and magical qualities of the Central City Library basement.

There are limited spaces available for each session and RSP is essential. Don’t miss out!

When and Where

Central City Library
44-46 Lorne Street
CBD
Auckland

4pm – 5pm
Every Sunday from 13 January to 10 March 2019

How Much

Free

More

Eventbrite page to register

 

Wellington City Library December Book Sale and Times Newspaper Sale – Wellington – 5-16 December 2018

What

Grab your holiday reading in the December Book Sale!

Every year thousands of avid readers and movie & music lovers gather at Central Library for the book sales. Judging by its past popularity, this sale should be no different. Past buyers have used the sale to find the best book deals, to complete their personal collections or just to rummage and find a gem. And the sale helps our libraries by making room for an ever increasing collection.

Highlights of this sale: plenty of children’s picture books, young adult reads along with a wide variety of adult fiction, DVDs, CDs and magazines on every topic imaginable. As at each previous sale, stock is replenished at regular intervals ensuring there are always fresh bargains to be found. With prices starting at 50c for childrens and young adult books, you really don’t want to miss out!

Get The London Times that was printed on your birthday! (or your Mums!)

The Central Library is offering to library members its hard-copy vintage collection of The Times, dating from 1946 through to the start of 1976.  Each issue is for sale at $5 per copy but there is only one copy of each date. Please note that this collection excludes the Sunday Times which was, and remains, a separate newspaper editorially.

This is an ideal quirky gift for anyone born between 1946 and 1976; please pre-order your copy by visiting or phoning the 2nd floor reference desk at the Central Library on 04 801 4114.

You can still access and read this entire date-range of The Times for free via the Times Digital Archive on My Gateway.

Just in time for Christmas, come in, grab a copy and delve into the past.

When and Where

December Book Sale
Wednesday 5th December — Sunday 16th December 2018

Central Library

The Times newspaper sale
Please pre-order your copy by visiting or phoning the 2nd floor reference desk at the Central Library on 04 801 4114.

How Much

Depends on how much you buy. Bring a bag with you to carry your books home.

More

December Book Sale and The Times Sale.
Wellington City Library.

WORD Christchurch – Writers & Readers festival – 29 August-2 September 2018

What

ADVENTUROUS

Whether you’re into extreme sports or more of an armchair traveller, invite a bit of adventure into your lives by checking out our adventurous-themed events, with whale lover Philip Hoare, intrepid traveller Robyn Davidson, extreme sportsters Nathan Fa’avae and John Hellemans, adventurous woman Hollie Woodhouse and Laurence Fearnley on mountain writing. Kids can even get adventurous with science, with Nanogirl herself, Michelle Dickinson.

SCOTLAND

This year, we celebrate all thing Scottish, with six writers from that bonnie land: poets Hollie McNish, Robin Robertson and Michael Pedersen; Shaun Bythell, author of Diary of a Bookseller; crime writer Denise Mina, and megastar novelist Irvine Welsh, who will revisit the Trainspotting crew. If you love a dram, don’t miss our tasting event, Whisky Galore!

Supported by the British Council and Creative Scotland.

SUFFRAGE 125

This September we commemorate and celebrate 125 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. Events include a look at how far we’ve really come (125 Years: Are We There Yet?, chaired by Kim Hill), readings and discussions on women’s bodies (The Body Issue, Sonya Renee Taylor: The Body is Not an Apology), an Adventurous Women event, and the Margaret Mahy Memorial Lecture from Barbara Else, author of Go Girl.

When and Where

Various venues in and around Christchurch

29 August – 2 September 2018

How Much

Tickets to most events $20 ( or $19 concession)

Some events more.

Dash Ticket for most events
Ticketek for Irvine Walsh and Starry, Starry Night.

More

Festival Website

Auckland Science Fiction Book Club: Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar – Auckland – 10 July 2018

What

What we’re about

This is for all lovers of books – in particular science fiction and fantasy. We’ll meet once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month at a pub so you can have a drink and food if you want to.

We’ll read a variety of books by both male and female authors and try to vary them across different sub-genres eg Dystopian Fiction, Feminist SF, Literary SF, Post-Apocalyptic SF, Short Story Collections, Space Opera, etc.

Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar

Shortlisted for the Arthur C Clark award 2018

An intergalactic odyssey of love, ambition, and self-discovery

Orphaned as a boy, raised in the Czech countryside by his doting grandparents, Jakub Procházka has risen from small-time scientist to become the country’s first astronaut. When a dangerous solo mission to Venus offers him both the chance at heroism he’s dreamt of, and a way to atone for his father’s sins as a Communist informer, he ventures boldly into the vast unknown. But in so doing, he leaves behind his devoted wife, Lenka, whose love, he realizes too late, he has sacrificed on the altar of his ambitions.

Alone in Deep Space, Jakub discovers a possibly imaginary giant alien spider, who becomes his unlikely companion. Over philosophical conversations about the nature of love, life and death, and the deliciousness of bacon, the pair form an intense and emotional bond. Will it be enough to see Jakub through a clash with secret Russian rivals and return him safely to Earth for a second chance with Lenka?

Rich with warmth and suspense and surprise, Spaceman of Bohemia is an exuberant delight from start to finish. Very seldom has a novel this profound taken readers on a journey of such boundless entertainment and sheer fun.

When and Where

The Brew on Quay
Corner of Quay Street and Britomart Place
CBD, Auckland

6:30pm to 9pm
Tuesday, July 10 2018

How Much

Free

More

Event page on meetup.com
Auckland Science Fiction Book Club

The Star Regent 24 Hour Book Sale – Dunedin – 8-9 June 2018

What

From midday on Friday 8th June until midday Saturday 9th June, tens of thousands of books – over half of them just $1 – will be on sale for book lovers and bargain hunters everywhere.

We are proud to play host to this much anticipated iconic event; reputedly the largest book sale in the Southern Hemisphere!

You are invited to come along – more than once even – as books in your favourite categories are replenished regularly throughout the sale by our ever energetic volunteers, and live music will be featured throughout to provide additional enjoyment.

You will find books for all tastes: from thrillers to humour to child-rearing. If there’s a topic, we will have a book on it.

When and Where

Start: Noon Friday 8th June
Finish: Noon Saturday 9th June 2018

Regent Theatre,
17 The Octagon,
Dunedin, Otago

How Much

Free Entry

More

Website

 

Rotary Book Sale 2018 – Invercargill – 25 to 28 May 2018

What

The Rotary Club of Invercargill annual book sale raises funds that are distributed to selected charitable organisations throughout Southland

With over 30,000 books to choose from – this is a great opportunity to purchase good quality pre-owned books at affordable prices.

There is a vast range of subjects from fiction to technical and sciences, arts and crafts, travel and children and teens books and much more.

There are also DVDs, games, CDs and jigsaws.

When and Where

Civic Theatre – Invercargill,
88 Tay Street, Invercargill,
New Zealand 9810

Dates and hours
8am to 6pm on Friday, 25 May 2018.
9am to 5pm on Saturday, 26 May.
9am to 2pm on Sunday, 27 May.

How Much

Free. Pay for the books you wish to buy.

More

Facebook event or Invercargill City Council
Plenty to choose from at rotary club’s annual book sale. The Southland Times on May 21 2018.

Auckland Writers Festival – Auckland 15-20 May 2018

What

Every year we stage over 200 public events, gathering together 230 of the world’s best writers and thinkers with over 73,000 festival goers, to celebrate the world of books and ideas.

For the past 18 years the Festival has enriched the culture of our city and established itself as a major Australasian festival, characterised not only by the calibre of our guest authors but also by the enthusiasm and engagement of our audience and the warmth and welcome provided by Auckland as our setting.

The Festival brings the very best local and international writers of contemporary fiction and non-fiction, scientists, economists, poets, journalists and public intellectuals together with audiences to explore ideas, share stories and experience brilliant conversations. We celebrate curiosity and a sense of intellectual adventure and our programme is driven by the desire to spark ideas, to get us talking and to give us a time and place to engage with the world.

When and Where

Mainly at the Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD

but some events elsewhere

At all times of the day and evening

Schools Programme 15-17 May during the day

How Much

Prices vary

We offer over 30% of our programme to the public as free, un-ticketed events. Admission to Free Events is on a first come, first served basis. Bookings are not taken for these events.

More

Website
Main Programme Schedule
Schools Programme Schedule