Collections at Your Library!
Welcome to the first edition of Coffs Harbour Libraries’ Library Collection News.
With so many exciting programs, events, and collection updates happening each month, we’ve decided to split our monthly e-newsletter into two parts. One will highlight upcoming programs and events, while the other—this one—will shine a spotlight on our collections. Each month, Library Collection News will bring you fresh titles, collection updates, community reviews, featured eResources, and more. In this edition, we’re thrilled to introduce our new Baby Book Bundles, celebrate the winners of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, and explore the latest Rapid Read titles.
So, get comfy in your favourite reading spot—there’s something for everyone this month!
eResource of the Month
uLibrary
eBooks and eAudiobooks that are ALWAYS available
uLibrary has been designed and created by Ulverscroft Ltd., a specialist publishing company with over fifty years’ worth of experience of distributing the best stories to libraries around the world. uLibrary’s collection is always available – no holds or waiting. With over 1000 eBooks and 1000 eAudiobooks, and featuring authors such as Annie Seaton, Michael Robotham and Robert Galbraith, there is something for everyone.
New Collection
Baby Book Bundles
Introducing our new Baby Book Bundles – a new collection to support our popular Baby Rhyme Time Sessions Each bundle includes three delightful board books, two egg shakers, a scarf, and a wrist ribbon - everything parents need to keep the rhyme time fun going at home!
New Rapid Reads
Keep an eye out for the new titles hitting our Rapid Read shelves
Gravity let me go by Trent Dalton
Mischance Creek by Garry Disher
Legacy by Chris Hammer
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
The impossible fortune by Richard Osman
The Rapid Reads collection is available at all library branches. You can borrow two items at a time for a loan period of two weeks.
Trending New Titles
Stillwater by Tanya Scott
The most explosive Australian debut of 2025. A gritty Melbourne crime thriller where old secrets collide with deadly new threats. For fans of Jane Harper and Lee Child.
Love overdue by Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus
Steamy, funny and uplifting, Love Overdue is a bookish rom-com about first loves, second chances, and discovering how sometimes the best plot twists come along after you think the story's over.
Five found dead by Sulari Gentill
Sulari Gentill brings readers on a heart-pounding ride filled with intrigue, suspense, and literary charm in Five Found Dead, perfect for fans of twisty mysteries and books about books
Recipes to remember by
Jock Zonfrillo ; foreword by Jamie Oliver
Recipes to Remember is a cookbook completed by Jock Zonfrillo's family and friends after his passing, featuring his personal recipes alongside dishes from fellow chefs like Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson, celebrating his passion for food and memory.
Is it my ADHD? : navigating life as a neurodivergent adult by Grace Timothy
Darkly funny, relatable and unflinchingly honest, Is it My ADHD? gives irreverent and intersectional insight into what life is like for women living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
King of the desert : one man's world-record motorcycle crossing of Australia's ten deadly deserts by Nick Arley
This is the raw, vivid and gripping story of Nick Arley, a 55-year-old public servant from Canberra, as he sets out on a motorcycling odyssey to break a Guinness World Record crossing all ten of Australia's deserts.
Prime Minister's Literary Award Winners
The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards is the richest literary prize in the nation. The winners were announced on Monday 29 September, at a ceremony at the National Library of Australia.
Fiction: Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser
Non-Fiction: Mean Streak by Rick Morton
Australian History: Critical Care: Nurses on the frontline of Australia's AIDS crisis by Geraldine Fela
Poetry: The Other Side of Daylight: New and Selected Poems by David Brooks
Children’s Literature: Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas
Young Adult: The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
Booker Prize 2025 Shortlist
The shortlist for the Booker Prize 2025 has been announced, featuring a previous winner and three authors shortlisted for the first time. Selected by a panel, from 153 submissions the shortlisted titles are: Flashlight by Susan Choi; The loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai; Audition by Katie Kitamura; The rest of our lives by Ben Markovitz; The land in winter by Andrew Miller; and Flesh by David Szalay.
Reading Radar
What our community are reading...
The healing hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama
This novel is different to anything I have previously read. It was a most enjoyable experience, showcasing Japanese culture, caring and always being respectful of others. The hippo was a mainstay of the community just by being 'present'. Kabahiko the hippo reminded the lead characters that arrogance & pride are not desirable life qualities; the importance of acceptance of differences and community; and that success is not always achieved as we think it should be.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First name second name by Steve MinOn
Weaves together two narratives; one is a fairly conventional account of a Chinese-Australian family from the 1800's goldfields to the present day, inspired by the author's own family history. The other follows an astonishing journey of a mysteriously animated corpse compelled to return to his birthplace in North Queensland by forces beyond his control. The corpse, while living, was a fourth-generation member of this family. The book tackles many big issues such as racism, identity, trauma, marginalisation and self-acceptance. Highly recommended!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unveiled by Vincent Fantauzzo
A really good read! And a fantastic way to understand the anger & dislocation of young men with learning issues & poverty & abuse.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Judi Morison - Author Talk
Saturday 1 November
10:30am - 12pm
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
We're thrilled to celebrate one of the Library’s cherished writing members on the publication of her debut novel Secrets with Simon & Schuster!
Judi Morison, a proud Gamilaroi and Celtic woman, will be joined in conversation with Cat Davey from the Library’s Saturday Fiction Writing Group, where they'll delve into the inspiration, process, and stories behind the pages.
Bryan Brown - Author Talk
Tuesday 18 November
6pm - 7:30pm
River Oak Room, Level 3, Yarrila Place
Join us for a captivating night with international actor, and now author, Bryan Brown as he unpacks his latest novel, The Hidden, at Yarrila Place. Explore the fascinating story behind the book and have your copy signed by the author himself.
Cost: $15 (Includes light refreshment)
Acknowledgement of Country
Coffs Harbour Libraries is on the land of the Gumbaynggirr people, who we recognise as the traditional custodians of the land and who have cared for the land since time before immemorial. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and commit ourselves to a future with reconciliation and renewal at its heart.
Harry Bailey
Memorial Library
Yarrila Place
27 Gordon Street
Coffs Harbour
NSW 2452
Tel: (02) 6648 4900
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday & Sunday
10am to 2pm
Toormina Library
Minorie Drive
Toormina NSW 2452
Tel: (02) 6648 4925
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10am to 12noon
Woolgoolga Library
Ganderton Street
Woolgoolga NSW 2456
Tel: (02) 6648 4902
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10am to 12noon
