October 2013

■ REVIEW: Gangsta Granny
Fun tale of a geriatric delinquent

It’s refreshing to find a book aimed at younger readers that doesn’t focus on either girls and horses or teens and vampires. Little Britain star David Walliams has followed up on his earlier successful children’s books with this latest offering, Gangsta Granny. This hilarious story of old age features plenty of adventure and the lesson […]

■ REVIEW: Gangsta Granny
Fun tale of a geriatric delinquent Read Post »

■ REVIEW: 12th of Never
Not his best but still very readable

Mysteries & thrillers

This latest book in the “Women’s Murder Club” series is the usual fast-paced thriller you expect from James Patterson, a man who must surely be the most prolific writer on the market today. The story kicks off with an unexpected but very welcome arrival for Detective Lindsay Boxer before moving on to the reason we

■ REVIEW: 12th of Never
Not his best but still very readable Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Moon Over Martinborough
How an American city boy became a Kiwi farmer

General non-fiction, NZ books

We have all had our moments where we have thought “this could be the life”. You may have stood in a paddock or an orchard, the sun streaming down, looking at a view that people pay to see and thought, “yes, I could do this”. In reality, few take that idyllic lifestyle plunge . .

■ REVIEW: Moon Over Martinborough
How an American city boy became a Kiwi farmer Read Post »

■ REVIEW: A City Recovers
Christchurch returning to its vibrant best

NZ books, Places

More than two years after the devastating September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes that left Christchurch in ruins, this book takes a look at the recovery and reorganisation of our garden city. We all watched in shock after the quakes, particularly the deadly 2011 aftershock, as the city tried to pick up the pieces: we

■ REVIEW: A City Recovers
Christchurch returning to its vibrant best Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Our Queen
A busy year for QEII

People

2012 was a big year for the Queen. She celebrated her 86th birthday in April and at a time in her life when most of us would be looking forward to a cup of tea and a nice lie down, Queen Elizabeth is still busily attending public functions, giving speeches and generally being regal. Aside from

■ REVIEW: Our Queen
A busy year for QEII Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Gangsta GrannyFun tale of a geriatric delinquent

■ REVIEW: 12th of NeverNot his best but still very readable

■ REVIEW: Moon Over MartinboroughHow an American city boy became a Kiwi farmer

■ REVIEW: A City RecoversChristchurch returning to its vibrant best

■ REVIEW: Our QueenA busy year for QEII

■ REVIEW: Gangsta Granny
Fun tale of a geriatric delinquent

■ REVIEW: 12th of Never
Not his best but still very readable

■ REVIEW: Moon Over Martinborough
How an American city boy became a Kiwi farmer

■ REVIEW: A City Recovers
Christchurch returning to its vibrant best

■ REVIEW: Our Queen
A busy year for QEII