Welcome to Rona Gallery, 

Not only are our books competitively priced, but we're a real destination. If you can't come on out and see us, take a virtual tour. And visit our website at http://www.ronagallery.co.nz

 

Artist Spotlight: Gino Acevedo

Gino Acevedo's work is darker and more dynamic than the work of some of the other artists regularly featured at Rona Gallery. His work is very finely detailed. and has a strong use of negative and positive space, which gives the work movement. Gino's work is also different because he prefers to use a computer to help create his artwork than more traditional tools and mediums. His subject matter is usually that of monstrous looking creatures, like zombies and ethereal looking reapers.

We are very lucky to have some of his work on display at Rona Gallery.

His print "The Vampire" is for sale here on Rona Gallery's New Website 
www.ronagallery.co.nz
http://www.ronagallery.co.nz/modules/SP_Webshop/shop.php?product_details&product=97

$10 Picture Books

$10 Picture Books 

Stock up for Christmas with these adorable picture books! 

These books make great gifts for young children, and include many old favourites as well as new titles. Including the Winnie the Witch series, the Lighthouse Keeper series. Maisy, Meg and Mog, Elmer the Elephant, Ten play Hide and Seek, and Duck on a Bike.

It's good to be back and gearing up for Christmas! We look forward to seeing you all soon, if it's picking out Birthday or Christmas gifts, or just your next Summer holiday read, Rona Gallery has an excellent selection of books for adults as well as kids!

ReOpening Soon! Watch out for Mrs Mo's Monster and Paul Beavis.

There's so much happening - and we will update very soon with all the events, but in the meantime, mark Sunday 19th of October into your little monster's calendar! A great book event for young and old to enjoy together.
 
Our website is in the process of being changed, and might be a bit tricky to find for a while, so here's a link, so you can easily keep up to date with all the news.
http://www.richardponder.com/

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White - Happy Birthday 40 years strong

You might wonder why I'm reviewing a book that's forty years old.  Mostly it's because, (for some reason probably the rather ho hum cover,) the Trumpet of the Swan has never received the recognition it deserved.

Sam Beaver discovers a swan's nest and has the opportunity to protect it from predators.  The swans trust him, and he gets to see the eggs hatching.  The last cygnet, Louie is born without a voice. This lack is sorely felt by his parents, but he goes to school with Sam to learn how to read and write.  This seems to work very well until Louie realizes it hasn't worked at all because unfortunately all the other swans don't know how to read and write...

The swamplands are well gorgeous, the school scenes are just delightful and so are the characters.  The book, with its sense of wilderness and wonder is a must for any child who loves nature, or any child you want to cultivate a love of nature in.  And as with, "Charlotte's Web"  and "Stewart Little,"  E.B. White's almost laconic style is a pleasure to read aloud.

I would mention some of the delightful touches of humour, but I wouldn't do them justice.  It's just brilliant.  My children and I believe this to be his best children's book, saving his best for last.  So all you E.B. White fans out there, now that you know this book exists it's time to make your collection complete.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Darke Academy - Secret Lives by Gabriella Poole

What can I say? Darke Academy is a bit of a cross between Harry Potter and Twilight. If you liked those, you'll almost certainly love this - it was fun, and I've not met anybody yet who didn't love it.  Even those completely jaded after Twilight.

Ordinary girl from a tough background wins a scholarship to a school so magnificent she can hardly believe it. All the guys are handsome, all the girls are beautiful and very rich, but the Darke academy has a dark secret, (of course it does,) it's a haven for the chosen "Few" who seem to be able to do whatever they like.

But who are these "Few?" and what will it take to join them? Well, of course you know they're vampires, but Cassie doesn't... and she's the one in danger.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Buy Books to get Free Coffee - for a limited time only

The list of books nominated so far....

We're still making our final decisions, and wondering if we've forgotten something -- so feel free to e-mail us if you feel we've forgotten about your favourite book!

NOMINATIONS SO FAR

Best Produced book :

CK Stead Collected Poems -- Auckland University Press (2008)

Best Book Non fiction - Encyclopaedia of Bob Dylan (2006 - not eligible) Continuum

Outliers: the story of success by Malcom Gladwell. Penguin.

A Writer's Tale - Dr Who (2008) BBC books

Children's

The Roar , Emma Clayton (2008) The Chicken House

Verdigris Deep pub - Macmillan Children's Books (May 4, 2007)

Juno of Taris - Fleur Beale 1/7/08 Random House

The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman - Sept 30 2008 Harpercollins

Best Adults Book Disguised as a Book for Children

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World - E L. Koningsburg - Ginee Seo Books (September 25, 2007)

The 10 Pm Question by Kate De Goldi , Longacre Press 09/08

Then - Gleisman

A small free kiss in the dark - Glenda Millard

Best Adult Teen Crossover

The Nostradamus Prophecy by Theresa Breslin -- Doubleday (1 May 2008)

Best Adult -- The Other Hand by Chris Cleave - Sceptre (7 Aug 2008)
The Guernsey Potato pie society - The Dial Press (July 29, 2008)

Rona Gallery Book Awards Coming Soon

Any day now

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Review by Joanna Ponder

The book rep told us, 'you've got to read this, we're really excited about it and it's your cup of tea!'

Cup of tea? Breakfast, lunch and dinner more like. I loved it, I didn't want to finish it. I'm still think about the wonderful mix of history and humanity, and all delivered through exquisite letters that work to form a whole story you can't forget.

Set in Guernsey just after the second world war, the book deals with the German occupation of the Channel Island. Juliet Ashton wjho lives in Chelsea is a writer of witty columns and has just had a book published and is about to set forth on a promotional tour. She starts receiving letters from members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society who admire her work. They come to reveal the personal stories of a range of fascinating characters who belong to the society. And her own story becomes part of their story.

It is a heart-warming and moving tale. Sweet and funny. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like it. Perfect for gifts for mothers and mothers-in-law! I think I'll make a cup of tea and read it again.

RECYCLE @ RONA

Congratulations to Matt Harrison, Winner of a $20 voucher for
this month’s plastic bag
recycling draw.

Stephanie Meyer, Author of the immensely popular "twilight series" has an inimitable style that draws you into the story.

In, "The Host" society has been over-run by aliens who take over human bodies, but Melanie is a fighter, she refuses to just fade away. Her love beomes a central holding point of the story, and the only way she has of keeping her indentity until she finds that she is not the only one trying to fight back.

A highly enjoyable read, and although I did not enjoy this as much as the twilight series, it's still a must read for any Stephanie Meyer Fan.

$32 only, Mon 19- Mon 26 May

book of the week

Of course we're all very excited about Fiona Kidman's coming over on Thursday morning, but I thought it was about time we did something different with this blog, and started instituting a book of the week. And I did wonder about the book I'm currently reading, "An arsonists guide to writer's homes in new england" but decided that was probably in poor taste - however fun and interesting the book has turned out to be, besides I'm at home and I'm not sure how many copies we have left.

So Darwin Road it is,

RRP $34.99 but Just $30 for the day of thurs 8th May-and possibly only if you ask for Alicia. I'm not sure if we're giving that to everybody yet and although this isn't technically a week - the next one will be.

Have fun, people, and if you're reading this before sun 11 May - don't forget that's mother's day, and I know I'm going to be expecting my breakfast in bed. Also I'd appreciate it if anybody out there has an idea for a great book of the week you can leave me a note or just tell me, and I'll try and make sure you get a good price for a whole week.

Cheers,

Alicia Ponder of Rona Gallery