Archive for March, 2016

Post tale a stylish debut

March 31, 2016
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Post tale a stylish debut

Wake By Anna Hope (Random House, RRP $37): This incredible debut novel from author Anna Hope weaves together the tales of three extraordinary women, Hettie, Evelyn and Ada. Hettie spends her nights at Hammersmith Palais, dancing for a nickel with gentlemen, Evelyn works at the pensions office, helping soldiers who are struggling since the...

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True story is gripping reading

March 30, 2016
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True story is gripping reading

Hanns and Rudolf, by Thomas Harding (Random House, RRP $38): Subtitled “the extraordinary true story of the Jewish investigator who pursued and captured one of Nazi Germany’s most notorious war criminals”, Hanns and Rudolf shows that a true story can be every bit as exciting as any work of fiction a Hollywood scriptwriter could...

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Sit up and pay attention

March 27, 2016
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Sit up and pay attention

Mindful Learning, by Dr Chris Hassed and Dr Richard Chambers (Exisle Publishing, RRP $35): In these busy times we have a tendency to do things with a lot of thought, often resulting in a lack of connection and a lack of interest. Clinical psychologist Dr Richard Chambers and Dr Craig Hassed understand that “mindfulness”...

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Beckett thriller hits the ground running

March 25, 2016
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Beckett thriller hits the ground running

Stone Bruises, by Simon Beckett (Bantam Press, RRP $38): With the mystery and intrigue kicking off from the very first page, we meet the book’s main character Sean as he is on the run, but with no indication of why or from whom. He is driving in something of a panic, a bit battered...

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No surprises policy not so good in book

March 24, 2016
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No surprises policy not so good in book

Before We Met, by Lucie Whitehouse (Bloomsbury, RRP $35): With the short but not-so- sweet blurb on the back of this book telling us that Hannah Reilly had a perfectly happy life until the day her husband failed to come home, it comes as absolutely no surprise that her husband fails to come home...

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Dawkins opens up on fascinating life

March 22, 2016
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Dawkins opens up on fascinating life

An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist, by Richard Dawkins (Bantam Press, RRP $40): I’m no science geek, in fact I happily admit to still being quite impressed by the magical ability of my fridge to spit out ice at the touch of a button, so you know a science dude is...

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What do rats dream about?

March 19, 2016
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What do rats dream about?

The Wandering Mind: What the Brain Does When You’re Not Looking, by Michael C Corballis (Auckland University Press, RRP $35): As often as I stop to think, then forget to start again, I am also plagued by bouts of my mind wandering off unattended and delivering all sorts of random thoughts that I then...

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Harrowing and heartbreaking

March 17, 2016
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Harrowing and heartbreaking

The Road Between Us, by Nigel Farndale (Random House, RRP $38): In 1939, two young men in a Picadilly Circus hotel are unaware that their lives are about to change in drastic and unforseen ways. Charles and Anselm are arrested for homosexuality. Charles is discharged from the RAF, and Anselm is sent to a...

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On the bookshelves: April 2016

March 16, 2016
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On the bookshelves: April 2016

New releases coming in April. FICTION This Change in the Light: a collection of poems, by Fiona Kidman: A superb collection of poetry from one of New Zealand’s top writers (Godwit, RRP $37). An Isolated Incident, by Emily Maguire: When Bella Michaels is brutally murdered in a small New South Wales town, the community is stunned and...

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April highlights from New Holland

March 16, 2016
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Coming up over the next month from New Holland publishers: FOR THE FOODIES Superfoods for Kids by “superfood expert” Rena Patten, who reckons she has found a way not only to get kids to eat superfoods (think quinoa and kale). The book includes recipes for breakfasts, school lunches, dinners, special treats and even baby...

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Currently reading

Strange Beautiful Excitement