Archive for July, 2014

Patterson: prolific and entertaining

July 29, 2014
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Patterson: prolific and entertaining

The prolific James Patterson never seems to run out of ideas for novel. Sure, most of them involved murder, but it’s nice to see he can produce a bit of romantic fluff, too. Sure, he has his critics — mainly having a crack at the sheer volume of his published efforts — but it’s...

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Author brews up a good read

July 20, 2014
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Author brews up a good read

The Tea Chest, by Josephine Moon (Allen & Unwin, RRP $37) Kate Fullerton is the co-owner of The Tea Chest in Brisbane – a boutique tea store that focuses on creating perfect blends. When an opportunity comes up for Kate to open in London, she wavers before taking it on. She’s leaving behind her husband...

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Rich vein of humour uncovered

July 18, 2014
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Rich vein of humour uncovered

Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan (Allen & Unwin, RRP $37): We all enjoy a sneaky peek into the lives of the fabulously rich and, over the years, those financially blessed citizens have copped more than their fair share of sniggers at the hands of some very clever writers. From Evelyn Waugh to Henry James,...

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Book promises to put end to itch

July 9, 2014
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Book promises to put end to itch

The Eczema Diet, by Karen Fischer (Exisle Publishing, RRP $35): Aussie nutritionist and award-winning author Karen Fischer has drawn on her experience of being the mum of a child with eczema to produce a book that promises to change the life of anyone who suffers from eczema. Between 10 and 25 per cent of...

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Common sense money advice to baby boomers

July 6, 2014
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Common sense money advice to baby boomers

Twenty Good Summers, by Martin Hawes (Allen & Unwin, RRP $35): Martin Hawes is a man with a track record of writing sensible books on what to do with your money and with the current state of the economy, that is something most of us could benefit from. This is an updated and revised...

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NZ crime novel an edge-of-seat thriller

July 3, 2014
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NZ crime novel an edge-of-seat thriller

The Laughterhouse, by Paul Cleave (Penguin, RRP $38): Christchurch-born author Paul Cleave has turned out another cracking read in the latest book in the private investigator Theodore Tate series. Tate is an ex-cop now working as a private investigator who is still haunted by his very first crime scene: a 10-year-old girl found raped...

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No second-guessing in book of firsts

July 1, 2014
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No second-guessing in book of firsts

Great Kiwi Firsts, by Astral Sligo (Allen & Unwin, RRP $25): Us Kiwis like being claiming firsts, and let’s be honest, there are plenty we can claim: first to scale Mt Everest, first to have to good sense to give women the vote, even first country to take home the Rugby Word Cup. Then...

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