Longbourn, by Jo Baker (Random House, RRP $38): Undoubtedly, one of the most beloved literary pieces is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Everyone knows the story of the Bennett family; their lives, their loves and their dramas. However, the story of those working for the Bennett family remained a mystery – until now. British...
You Know You’re From Chch When … 2, compiled by Bruce Raines (HarperCollins, RRP $17): It’s hard to believe it has been three since the deadly aftershock that hit Canterbury, following the September 2010 quake. Cantabrians have had an awful time since the quakes happened and even now, as the frequency and strength of...
Curious English Words and Phrases, by Max Cryer (Exisle Publishing, RRP $30): We have some odd little sayings in our Kiwi language but the origins of those phrases are often more odd than the saying themselves. Max Cryer – language expert, Kiwi broadcasting stalwart, author and all- round clever bloke – has compiled a...
An old truck on their family farm inspired sisters Margery Fern and Jennifer Somervell to produce a book that has received rave reviews from clients of Invercargill’s Wee Nippers Early Childhood Centre and a mention in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. Margery is deputy principal at Waitetuna Primary School, while Jennifer writes for New...
What Your Mother Should’ve Told You, by Natalie Reilly (Fairfax Books, RRP $23): Knowing what to do, and when, is not always something that comes easily to everyone and, let us be honest, common sense is not quite as common as it once was. This little book is the go-to guide for anyone stuck...
Dolphins Down Under: Understanding the New Zealand Dolphin By Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson (Otago University Press, RRP $30) Found only in New Zealand’s waters, Hector’s dolphins are both cute and fascinating. They are also – as the publisher points out – as ‘‘kiwi as the kiwi but their numbers are under threat’’. Suitable for...
Birthright, by T K Roxborogh (Penguin, RRP $35): Birthright is the third book in the Banquo’s Son trilogy. Fleance, the son in question, is now king of Scotland. He is married and his wife, Rachael, is pregnant with an heir. All should be well, with his claim to rule seemingly secure. Alas, he of...
Phantom of Terawhiti By Des Hunt (HarperCollins, RRP $20) I was excited to read the latest Des Hunt offering and was not disappointed. Set on the southwest coast near Wellington, it’s an adventure to do with a shipwreck, the strange animal that survives to come to shore, and those who wish to hunt it...
I Take You by Nikki Gemmell (HarperCollins, RRP $33) Australian author Nikki Gemmell has a great handle on delivering well-written erotica. A co-worker introduced her work to me last year, lending me With My Body and then, shortly after, The Bride Stripped Bare. Each story had me completely captivated. When I picked up Gemmell’s...
Night Film, by Marisha Pessl (Hutchinson, RRP $38): Night Film is one of those books that the internet book world has been discussing for some time, particularly the many book podcasts I listen to. All conversations and teasers surrounding the book had me hooked and I couldn’t wait to get a copy. So, as...
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