RANGIORA LIBRARY

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 6, Issue 66, 9 April 1937, Page 3

RANGIORA LIBRARY

Comment on New Books Reviews of New Books; Readers should understand that this critic cannot personally read all the hooks added to the Library shelves. Some of the reviews have had to be taken from the publishers’ catalog ie3 and from current periodicals. Readers who find aew books that suit their taste can help the Library Committee by passing any comments on to the Librarian. In this manner the reading tastes of everyone can be ascertained.

The new spring bo jus are just now sorting to come to hand, and this month we ha.’e very few cutstanding novels. Next month shout:! see a great difference. Books from Carnegie Grants* The first batch of books, numbering over 100, will be on the shelves in the next few days by arrangement with Mr G. Alley, who has charge of the Association for Country Education’s travelling library. A fair number of new books is included in the parcel, and all the books are better class novels and non-fiction books of travel, biography, etc. NEW BOOKS ADDED Practically all these are light novels. Love Stories “Bread Unto Roses,” by Kathleen Norris. —Susannah Farjeon was 27 when her fiancee jilted her on board the boat that was taking them from China. She sought consolation elsewhere, but this led her into a new world where she discovered that life did not stand still. She passed through many tribulations until the unforeseen happened, and the final choice was made for her. “Honeyball Farm,” by Ethel M. Dell This is her twenty-fifth book. Evil deeds which take place within Honeyball Farm beside the sea are those which might happen in any habitation where love is not at home, but a happier era is in sight, and Honeyball Farm is rediscovered as a paradise on earth. For those readers who like Ethel M. Dell, this can be recommended. - “Leave It To Love,” by Pamela Wynne.—When Gay Hamilton’s mother, widow of an army officer, marries again, trouble arrives for Gay. She could not get on with her stepfather, so she takes a position as lady’s companion. Romantic love story. “New Moon Through a Window,” by Maisie Greig.—Another love story by a very popular writer. Leila and Jerry saw the new moon through a window as they started off on their honeymoon. Afterwards as she lay crippled as the result of a car crash, she wondered if the moon were responsible. No money and no job for so long that starvation perched like a spectre beside Leila’s bed. Then Susan came into Jerry’s life. She wanted Jerry but did not know that he was married. The two women met and struck a fantastic bargain. There are no villains, no heroes in this long novel. “Prince Charming,” by Oliver Sandys.—This is a romance, and Oliver Sandys has seldom written a better one. She is a writer with a large following, and “Prince Charming” is one of her best light novels. Adventure Stories “A Soldier of the Legion,” by Ottwell Binns. —English soldier in the French Foreign Legion inherits a baronetcy and returns to England to have his revenge on those who caused him to flee. A very exciting story. “Choose Your Weapon,” by Vernon Loder.—This is a Crime Club novel of a girl who thought it was good fun to dress up as a fortune teller at a local bazaar. A murder story that will keep readers guessing. “The Tonto Kid,” by H. A. Knibbs. —A roaring tale of a young desperado who was quick on the draw. A reward of £SOO for “Young Pete,” alias “the Tonto Kid,” is the result. Thrills and dry humour make it a good Western. “Fellside Folk,” by Harold Bindloss.—Mr Bindloss has more novels in the Rangiora Library than any other author except Kathleen Norris, and his latest story is a most dramatic tale of Cumberland farmers, and South America.

“Turquoise Canyon,” by J. Allen Dunn.— Another Western story by this expert writer. “It Howls at Night,” by Norman Berrow.—Four Englishmen from Gibraltar on a motor trip through Spain become involved in a mystery where several murders are committed. This is a real thriller, and is the Daily Mail” thriller for March.

“Like a Man,” by Jeremy Lane.— Another Western story which moves at

lightning speed from the moment when a quick-witted card dealer gets shot up in a gambling joint in the Texas oil country. A real thriller of the oil fields. Good of its kind. “The Man They Feared,” by L. A. Plummer.—When the Black Jester barged into a certain strata of society, there was heart fluttering among the ladies, and uneasiness among the men. Scotland Yard story—grim, sensational, but romantic. Better Class Detective Novels “Trent’s Last Case,” by C. E. Bentley. PWe have been trying to secure this novel for a long time, and this reprint will allow readers of detective stories to settle to their own satisfaction “Punch’s” declaration that it is the best detective novel ever written. I thought it good, but not as good as “The Moonstone,” by Wilkie Collins. It is a peculiar book, and has several stopping places where a new suspect comes into the picture. The final solving of this mystery is a surprise. Excellent detective story that can be recommended although it was written 20 years ago.” “Unnatural Death,” by Dorothy L. Sayers.—This detective writer has only one book in the Library, called “Gaudy Night.” This story, although not as good as “Gaudy Night,” is a rattling good detective story of Lord Peter Whimsey. “Whose Body?” by Dorothy L. Sayers.—Another Peter Whimsey story, and one of her best. It is very well put together, and should please readers of detective stories. Non-Fiction The only non-fiction book added this week is a second copy of Frank Clune’s “Try Anything Once.” One of the best and most readable books in the library, this is a story of an Australian who had some very funny ancf queer adventures. The first copy has had such a run that it is becoming dilapidated and this second copy has been added. It can be highly recommended to all men readers. “Inside Europe.”—A second copy of this book will be available in a few days.