Introductions

I see there are now over 200 people identified as being located in New Zealand on LibraryThing, and over 60 in this group - but it seems a bit quiet. How about we introduce ourselves? I'll start: I joined LibraryThing last Christmas (after all the presents had been opened!) and have been gradually adding my books since then - I've probably added about half my collection now. Most of the books I've catalogued, I own, but there's a few library books in there as well.

I read all sorts of books, but they tend to cluster in the areas of translated fiction (mainly Russian, with some Spanish-language); poetry, with lots of New Zealand poetry; and science fiction and fantasy, with the emphasis on SF.

I also write, and my LibraryThing author profile is at http://www.librarything.com/author/jonestim

I live in Wellington with my wife and son. I moved up in 1993 from Dunedin.

- Tim

Well, I'm not living in New Zealand at the moment, but that's about to change since we're packing up our lives in London and moving back to Wellington in August. Sad to leave London (and the bookshops), but it'll be nice to be back. Might see you around in Wellington Public Library, Tim! (Can't begin to tell you how many library fines I've paid there over the years...) Was surprised to see a Borders had opened up in Wellington on my last visit!

I've been a LibraryThinger for just over two years, and I love seeing what people are reading, getting a good recommendation, and the fact that you know you're not the only person out there with a whopping TBR pile who loves to catalogue your books!

My reading tends to be on the Fiction side of things, though I'm reading more non-fiction as I get older, I think. There's no method to the madness though, it's just whatever grabs my fancy. I'm working on the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list, but plenty of other reading material gets worked into the schedule. I've also got an interest in New Zealand poetry, which isn't represented in my catalogue at the moment since it's all back in New Zealand (thus uncatalogued - we've been away 4 years). In fact the catalogue is a bit skewed since the other half has his stuff in there as well!

Laurinda

I'll look for you in the library! The Borders has the best book-stock in Wellington, but I find it a bit overwhelming - I don't really know my way around there yet. I work closer to Unity, so that tends to be the bookshop I visit most. Arty Bees in Manners St is now importing new science fiction & fantasy as well as selling used books - I really should go there more often, except that then I'd spend money, which would be wrong.

- Tim

Hi,

I'm a librarian from Christchurch but I use my librarything account differently from a lot of people. I use it to keep track of books on my "to read" list. I guess that makes a lot of my 'data' useless to others. But I've found it so useful and I just love librarything!

Hi - nice idea for a thread!

I live in Wellington as well and found LibraryThing 18 months ago I think. I catalogued all my books in great excitement then, but have just now started posting (mainly in the What are you reading this week thread). I read a bit more non-fiction than fiction, and at the moment very slowly - our kids are 1 and nearly 4...

Laurinda, good luck with the move back here. Good for you working on the 1001 books list. I had a look last week and was horrified at how many I had left to go (in the 900s I think!!).

I am a shocker when let loose in a book shop, especially Parsons (near where I work) and Unity. I would be much worse in Borders if the cafe was something other than Gloria Jean's with not brilliant lattes for $4 a pop...

Cushla

Hi, there. May I be your lurker/mascot? I'm not a Kiwi but am thinking I may want to be. I live in the Gulf Cost U.S. now, am a credentialed librarian and also I am all but thesis toward my M.A. in English and American Literature. I am a recovering lawyer--easiest assignment ever, to leave it behind! I'm also in my 13th year of caring for elderly parents (in sequence), which is sometimes a difficult assignment, but I'm proud to be successful and gentle in the job.

I look forward to the NZ poetry titles. Sorry if I don't check this thread really often. Spring cleaning. Argh!

I live in Auckland and joined LibraryThing last year. I read mostly fantasy and some romance (suspense and historical). I've probably cataloged about 1/3 of my books so far - I've got a BA/BCOM and I majored in English, and it's mostly uni books still to go in, all those classics and non-fictions texts. I love books and I've worked as a librarian and as an editor, although I'm now not having nearly as much fun (being away from my beloved books) working as a business analyst.

Welcome, labyrinth (and everyone else who's posted!). I'm now about 3/5 through entering my library - working my way through the Russian novels - there's lots of science fiction, books about cricket, and some more poetry to go. cmt (#5), I don't even want to look at the "1001 books" list - that would be too depressing. My only numerical goal is to review one in ten of the books I catalogue.

I am another Wellingtonian, having lived in Perth, London, Christchurch and Auckland. I have lived in Wellington for 5 years now, working for a government department too close to Borders. Though I prefer Unity when I wander up that way.

I have known about Librarything for a while, but it wasn't until I got around to upgrading my internet and computer that I had a chance to actually get in and start cataloging. Having done a pretty random start I am going to start being more methodical - I am now half way through the Authors begining with A, and realising that I have a mixed bag. Fiction, fantasy, historical novels and a building hitorical reference section as I am studying for a BA in History extramurally through Massey.

Now I just need to remember to check this group.

I also started with a random selection, and now I'm going through my shelves, which are (roughly) ordered by topic and then alphabetically. A couple of times, I've tried to re-add books I'd already put in during the "random" phase - and wishing I'd been systematic to start with!

I am back now in the UK a week after my first visit back to NZ in 6 years.

Wellington has more book shops now, but the quirky ones are still my favourite.

I remember Quilters second hand book shop up Plimmers Steps in my student days.

I am a new member with only 4 books so far - but the alphabetical route sounds sensible to me.

My name is Gareth, I live in Christchurch and in many ways I'm an internet junkie. I probably spend at least 7 hours a day with my laptop, playing games, reading things here and at other forums and generally wasting time with the mass of information that is available but not really useful online.

It's been a little under a year since I initially signed up here and as I already had a database (or 3) of my books I just imported the ISBNs up to the 200 book limit. Three months later I'd got myself a prezzy card and got myself a lifetime account so I could add in the next 300 books.
I keep adding in more books as I buy them, largely thanks to going back to TradeMe at the end of January and not leaving again.
My library is largely science-fiction and fantasy, and a large portion of that is Star Trek (40% of total). There's also a few of the 'old classics', some Mills&Boon that I picked up from work out of curiosity (and to pass on to my mother or flatmate) and a slowly increasing number of children's books (which is a little odd when I'm almost completely certain I'll never be a father).

LibraryThing's something of a mixed blessing: I spent most of the first couple of days after series information was added to the common knowledge feature just sitting with my laptop adding that information to the books I had and then branching off into others I don't own.
That occupied a lot of time that I might have been bored but it gives me something to do other than the important things, like actually reading these books I own.

I ramble when given the chance... In person you're lucky to hear me say hello.

I live in a small town in the North Island. I've been a member here for two years but have not frequented the site recently, preferring, instead, Goodreads.com which does not have a limit on the number of books you can add. I use this site for books I own and Goodreads for books I've read. However I haven't added any books to this site for some time.

Good to hear from you, libra. I got sufficiently hooked on LibraryThing that I paid the lifetime membership - but then, I've never tried Goodreads, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

Libra - I'm not even going to look at that site! I'm addicted enough here without another one. senjmito, I paid the $25 too.

Avron, I have the same problem as you - too much time here and not enough reading. The What are you Reading Now group is really good for giving me long lists of books to read...

Hey everyone. ^^; I just realised that I haven't posted here yet, so I thought I would...
Well my name is Monica, I'm 15 years old and I live in the Bay of Plenty region (we have the best beaches ;D).
One thing I'd like to say is that, if you're not already a member on BookMooch (www.bookmooch.com), I suggest you check it out because there are so many books there that you can ask for, as well as giving away some of your own. Plus, it's international, so us Kiwis can use it, too (unlike PBS...).
So uhh, yeah - hey everyone! It's good to see a decent amount of NZers here!

I created this group and haven't posted either! Heh.

My name is Andrew, I live in Taranaki (a.k.a. the bit that sticks out on the side) and work in local government IT. I'm slowly expanding my small library and mainly hang about on LT for the community and spirited discussions, it's an incredible place.

Bring on DVDthing! :p

I'm an American who's moving to NZ (Bay of Islands) in July '08 with my kiwi gf who's been living in London. I partially joined LT to see what books I have to help me decide which ones to take and which ones to leave behind.

Re #18: I see you have over 800 books loaded in your library - how many of those do you think you'll be able to bring with you?

Not alot. (Shipping isn't cheap) I'll probably sell most of them or give them to my brother. Then fill up another house in NZ with books. heh

Do you want some advice on which books are and aren't readily available here? (Although you can probably get that from browsing Trade Me).

Buying isn't that cheap either, sincemost books got here by shipping.

It depends if you'd want to replace your books new, or secondhand. And where you're going to live - there are some great ways of finding preloved books around here...

Well, I'm Kamla - or K as I prefer - and I'd have been here long ago if I'd bothered to check the group list more closely. ;p

I live in Auckland, and am a mad reader, and a recovering writer...getting my pen-legs back as it were, after a long bout of non-writing.

I adore LT. I am a pedant and the energy I spent into cataloging my books was extreme. Flurries of lists, old cobwebs dusted away, and me trying to read my own writing while I painstakingly recorded each and every ISBN. Hell, sometimes I think I buy more books just so I can record them! ~rolls eyes at self~

Anyway, everyone, glad to have found the group at long last.

Hi all,
Lyz here, here also being in Hamilton.
I'm totally buzzed by the resources and cool stuff you can use online (librarything being just one). I'm at the stage of knowing a bit of what's out there & what it can do, but not quite up to day-to-day use. Currently stuck on 'tags'. I'm trying to get out of the 'lurking' habit, and am on Livejournal and Facebook, and have just discovered Flock.

I've been to NZ a couple of times before(tho still haven't made it to South Island yet) and been over to Oz as well and I noticed the price for new books is rather steep, least compared to the US. What I ship will probably depend alot on what I plan to re-read, alot of the books I have I've had since I was a kid (I'm 32 now) and probably wouldn't re-read.

Hey, senjmito, congratulations on getting longlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Prize! It's great to see 4 New Zealanders on the list.

Here's a link to the story in the Dominion Post.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4524630a4501.html
(um, yeah, I know I'm a month late but I just read about it in the Prizes group).

Has anyone read any of the other authors?

Thanks, cmt!

I haven't read any of the other longlisted NZ collections yet, but:

* Three of us (excluding Elizabeth Smither) have stories in Best New Zealand Fiction 4.

* Sue Orr and I have stories in the Book Council online promotion, Read at Work. (There's a few bugs in mine, though!)

* Eric Forbes, a Malaysian editor and blogger, is running interviews with all the longlisted authors on his blog,

http://goodbooksguide.blogspot.com

There are interviews with myself and Elizabeth Smither on there, as well as lots of other authors around the world - about half the "longlistees" in total. I've discovered some books that sound really good, including one by Rob Shearman, another LT author (from the UK).

Hi - I joined LT a month or two back - so far I've mainly just used the Universal Import to pull in info for those of my books that had ISBNs (about 80% of them), which I did as part of packing up to move house. Only a few grievous errors (don't know if they're because of a wrong ISBN on the book, or at the source library). At some point I'll manually enter the non-ISBN books, and manually re-enter the rest (tagging as I go) - after I've finished settling in to the new place.
I live in Paraparaumu and work in Wellington, and don't often see much of either place beyond the railway stations. Previously lived in Wellington 83-88, and Hamilton 89-03.
Must get more books...
Steven.

#28: Hi, northislander! I have occasionally 'been' you when the caching problem has been playing havoc with profiles - although that hasn't happened recently. There's one good thing about the Paraparaumu-Wellington trip: as long as you can get a seat, it must be a good opportunity to get some reading done.

Regards
Tim

Hi all, I'm Fiona, living on the North Shore, working for National Library, and raising a reader. I think I've officially become a LT addict as I've got this account, as well as one supporting a presentation I'm doing at the LIANZA conference in November on 'Fabulous fiction for terrific teens', and I'm going to create a third account for our children's and teen literature book group too!
Apart from that, I'm a seriously addicted book lover who's taking great delight in encouraging my two year old to love books just as much as I do. He now says "I just read this book first Mama", when we ask him to do something! Glad to know he's got his priorities right....

Hi All, living in CHCH for last 8 or so years (originally from Dunedin)

Big SF and Fantasy Fan, and I hope to be organised enuf one day to get ALL my books onto LT.

I also use it as a record for new books to put on to my TBR list, and I read a lot from my local library, so include lots of those books in my LT list. Just to confuse you all LOL

Is there ever going to be a LT meetup? That could e fun?

An LT meetup? I've been wondering about that. Especially now that I'm actually back in NZ!

Welcome home, Killeymoon! In "The Green Dragon", plans were made for meetups around the world, but the NZ version never got off the ground. Maybe this can be revived through NZ Thingamabrarians?

Next questions: where, when, and organised by whom?

I know that most members are not in the South Island, and I suspect that most are neither BookCrossers nor Live Journalers but the World BookCrossing Convention is in Christchurch April 17 - 19 2009. It should be possible to organise a meetup either pre, during or post, if sufficient interest were shown.

I will post the link for the Convention and for BookCrossing for anyone interested and, of course, you can contact me

Otakuu

Convention: http://www.pchelpchristchurch.co.nz/bookcrossing/chch2009.htm

BookCrossing: www.bookcrossing. com

I'd be in favour of a Wellington meeting... What's our geographic spread?

And I'm going to request an Auckland based meet-up too!

Wellington for me - but I'm forgetting myself, as I haven't been introduced yet. I'm Grant, although sometimes recently LT told me that I was Tim (and before that I've temporarily been other people from time to time). But I'm a bookish sort of person and don't get out much so it doesn't really matter where the meeting is....

I live in Wellington, but my Dad lives in Christchurch, I lived in Dunedin for 17 years and have lots of friends there, and I spent five years in Invercargill and Otatara (for otakuu's benefit, I went to Surrey Park School, Otatara School and then one year at Lithgow Intermediate, before my family moved to Mataura). So I'm always keen on points south - but then again, Auckland is full of bookshops I should be signing books in - so that option also has its attractions!

Maybe a series of regional meetups first, then the big event? Or is that my latent bureaucratic streak coming out?

On behalf of the NZ Thingamabrarians (overseas branch) I will have to put in apologies for non attendance...

Of those schools, only Otatara survived the heavy hand of the Ministry of Education's rationalisation programme but I know all the areas well.

Glad to hear that people are speaking of meeting up although my meeting could be held in a phonebox! Of course, people intending to visit Invercargill should contact me and I will find a larger location with little effort

If we do have a meet up in Auckland, I vote for Devonport so we can scope out the excellent second hand bookshops there! Good cafes too and a nice ferry ride for people who aren't on the Shore. And no, I don't live in Devonport, although I wish I did...

I'll put a fourth hand up for Wellington (though I just work there - live up the coast).

5 hands up for a Wellington meet up. I live in Northland so anywhere in town would work well for me. Next month is better for me... once the uni year is over. but it'll probably take us that long anyway!

How about a pub somewhere? Anyone else down near the railway station?

Re Wellington meetup - I live in Mt Vic and work in the Courtenay Place area, so anywhere downtown is fine for me - or further afield at the weekend, family commitments permitting.

I dno't know if I qualify to join this group although I would really like to belong.

I am an addicted LTer who lives in Vancouver, Canada, but I was bought up in Tauranga (moved from the UK at about 11 yoa). Trained in Dunedin and ChCh before meeting a Canadian. I would be most interested in reading more NZ lit - and of course have great plans to escape the cold wet climate and return someday to sunnier climes.

My family still lives in Wellington and Waikanae and Tauranga (hope that is enough)......

You qualify. By sunnier climes you don't mean Wellington, though, surely? (it's pouring down at the moment)

#45 - you certainly qualify as far as I'm concerned!

I have just returned from a New Zealand Poetry Society monthly reading session, which was very enjoyable but less well attended than it often is, because (quite apart from the weather) the launch of a book about New Zealand science, and also a reading by poet Jenny Bornholdt, were on at the same time.

Literature, like punk, ain't dead yet!

What was the science book? Sounds like a good birthday present for my husband... and I have 3 days left!

The Awa Book of New Zealand Science: http://www.awapress.com/products/published/books/sciencenature/awabookofnewzeala...

Unity probably have it already.

Good luck!

Thanks! yay, an excuse to pack the kids in the car and go to Unity... our little one yells when we walk in the door.

Oops - sorry for threadjacking, everyone.

I set up a separate "Wellington Meetup" thread to organise such an event - in case you haven't checked that thread out, here are the details:

Borders - Wellington: Wellington LibraryThing Meetup (Friday October 24 at 6:30pm)
Join other Wellington (and visiting!) members of LibraryThing in Gloria Jean's Cafe on the first floor of Borders to meet, chat, and - who knows? - even talk about books

Hi everyone - I'm from Auckland and have been a LT member for about a year or so. I just signed up for the lifetime membership recently so I can add all the books I own (that will take a while). I'm a book addict with a keen interest in children's and YA lit & have acquired a large number books. I use a book application on facebook to track my current reading. I buy a lot of out of print books on trademe and love going to bookfairs, secondhand bookshops, and I love my weekly Borders vouchers.

Good to hear from you, avatiakh. How big do you think your library will be by the time you've added all the books you own?

Gosh, I just read my post and it sounds like all I do is acquire books! I probably have 2-3,000 I suppose, maybe more. I'm one of those people who reads a library book and loves it so much has to own a copy. I also like to collect authors and themes that I'm interested in.

Well, I am a BookCrosser as well and I buy extra copies of favourites to release as I cannot bear my bookshelves to be without my 'old friends'.

I look forward to seeing your shelf blossom and grow over time

Another wellingtonian here! Im 20 and only just started my collection. My books are mostly non-fiction and I get most of my books from sales and fairs. I like books but I dont like spending a lot of money on them lol.

History is my favorite subject, I dont really collect fiction because I never read them more than once and ill never need to refer to them but if I think its a great book ill keep a copy.

My most recent bargain is 'The embarrassment of riches' by Simon Schama which I got from Borders 50% off (usually about $90). I trust I wasnt the only one to use that voucher lol.

I am a book addict in Auckland (presently), I move around a lot and have had to relocate much of my collection and what remains is in storage :'-(

I love NF, particularly history but will read almost anything.

Most of my books are acquired via Amazon, Borders or Hard To Find. You weren't the only one, pompeynz. I even got my husband to sign up so I could use his coupons (sad but true).

Yah i found a new zealand group hi im kylee from oamaru area. great to see a new zealand group on here.

Hi, kylee!

hi there

Hi all
Davybhoy here.....
I live in Melbourne now but Papakura is still home to me!

Only joined up a week ago but having fun looking around...... its great to see a group of Kiwis on here! Currently waiting for my copy of One Shot For Glory to be sent over. What a great year 2010 was!

One of my big problems in life is finding more shelf space.....it always a challenge - especially at Christmas when i get so many books!!!

Hi
Tony here

Hi, Tony! Are you *the* Waimate librarian?

Hi i'm Paula living North-East of Whangarei.

i'm a Community Support Worker at the mo' but i've previously worked as a library assistant in lotsa libraries in Auckland and Sydney. Community Support and Lending Services work is quite related, I find.
Studied English at Auck U. back in the day, which is ironicals since I can't punctuate or spellz to save myself. So not a grammar queen, then. :-)

I'm on the book-culler as opposed to the book-hoarder end of the bookie spectrum. I love libraries but i'm not into having lots of books-or indeed other objects- at home.

currently into books by and about James K. Baxter, bio's of Suzanne Aubert and Sam Hunt. Fave cook book is Natalie Oldfield's 'Gran's Kitchen', eagerly awaiting 'Gran's Table'.

nice to meet yous.

Hey welcome aboard, I see you have How To Be Idle in your collection, its been on my wishlist for a little while now ....

A novelist friend suggested LT a few years ago, and I finally gave it a look and joined. Glad to find a NZ group.

I've been back and forth between NZ and the US, and am presently in SE Wyoming in the Medicine Bow Range. I lived in Grafton, Auckland, above the hospital and the Domain and later on Lyttelton Harbour, on Governors' Bay Road opposite Quail Island in the shadow of the Port Hills.

Since moving to the US I've been back to NZ three times, but what with a working partner, dogs & cats, garden & greenhouse, scientific fieldwork (rivers), and a consulting company, I've well and truly tied myself down, alas.

I've published two books of poetry and three non-fiction. For several years, I've worked on a historical novel (c. 1890-1940) with a Kai Tahu woman as main character. I was talking to Hazard Press and then they folded, bugger alas! When I get back to the ms., I need to cut out much of the lovely historical detail I had such a grand time accumulating.

That's more than enough. Glad to be here.

Glad to see you on here, Chip. I know other authors who were badly affected when Hazard Press folded! But, despite Hazard and various other NZ publishers falling by the wayside, others do keep springing up ... so you might not necessarily need to cut out all that historical detail.

Hi all, good to see a NZ thread that is reasonably current. Most of them aren't that active.

I'm Fiona, originally from the Hutt Valley (and an avid fan of Wellington), and have been living in Hawke's Bay for 15 years.

I generally work in injury prevention (kids car seats) for Plunket, Roadsafe HB and my own small business. One child left at home, and 3 grandchildren keep me busy when I'm not at work, I'm also caregiver for my husband who is battling cancer.

Reading is my sanctuary, and I am loving LT.
Good to meet you all :o)

Welcome FionaWh!

Hi, All,

It's been a bit since someone itro'd here. I have been in NZ for 20 years and have just joined LT. I have a fairly eclectic range of interests, but do not read a lot of NZ works, to be honest. I love NZ and the wild places that are here. Anyway, just thought I would let you know a new member has joined!

Bear

Wow, a Time Warp!
I just learned about Library Things a while ago, and decided to join for two reasons. Firstly to join the Early Reviewer programme as I already review for distributors Booksellers NZ, and promoters Flaxflowers. Second reason for joining is to I hope be able to discuss old and new books. I've always been an avid reader, of eclectic tastes, in phases. Currently crime, thriller and mystery are my preferences (for reading and tv).
Not a fan of "literary fiction", but have found a few NZ authors I've enjoyed. I'll start adding them to my catalogue throughout 2016.
Hope to see some action in the group soon!

It's astounding.
Well i confess i joined librarything so i could add xray entries to my books (parts of Changels Genesis ) and it sure seems real quiet around here.

My other crime includes running a radio show (Writers Island) on radio access FM106.1 for writers.

When I'm not writing for me, I write for AA Directions, where I also do member research. I live in Lower Hutt with my darling wife Jenny, two sons and two cats (who all want attention).

I thought I would post an intro - seems like awhile since the last one. I read mostly fantasy, sci-fi, horror and Lovecraftian cosmic horror. I also read a bit of theology and Christian faith stuff. I am starting to write horror shorts. Starting small in that department. Good to see some Kiwis here!