February 2014 - Books By George

■ REVIEW: Longbourn
Upstairs and downstairs for the Bennetts

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 author Jo Baker introduces us to the staff of […]

■ REVIEW: Longbourn
Upstairs and downstairs for the Bennetts Read Post »

■ REVIEW: You Know You're From Chch When ... 2
Quake-city humour to tickle your funny bone

Humour, NZ books

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 the aftershocks diminish, things are still pretty rough for many living in those areas. Life goes

■ REVIEW: You Know You're From Chch When ... 2
Quake-city humour to tickle your funny bone Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Curious English Words and Phrases
Cryer unearths the real McCoy

Advice, guides & self-help

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 collection that offers explanations for the expressions we use. To be honest, I’d

■ REVIEW: Curious English Words and Phrases
Cryer unearths the real McCoy Read Post »

Run-down truck inspired success story

Literary news

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 Zealand

Run-down truck inspired success story Read Post »

■ REVIEW: What Your Mother Should've Told You
Advice in times of need

Advice, guides & self-help

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 in a tricky situation: you will learn how to navigate the minefield of 21st-century

■ REVIEW: What Your Mother Should've Told You
Advice in times of need Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Birthright
Missing the period minutiae

General fiction

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 course, is in for stormy weather. An illness is

■ REVIEW: Birthright
Missing the period minutiae Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Phantom of Terawhiti
Solid read for young Kiwis

NZ books, Younger readers

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 down for various reasons. Zac is living with his father

■ REVIEW: Phantom of Terawhiti
Solid read for young Kiwis Read Post »

■ REVIEW: I Take You
Unhappy wife meets gardener

General fiction

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 latest book, I Take You, I didn’t realise it was

■ REVIEW: I Take You
Unhappy wife meets gardener Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Night Film
Great storytelling here

Mysteries & thrillers

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 soon as I laid my hands on Marisha Pessl’s

■ REVIEW: Night Film
Great storytelling here Read Post »

■ REVIEW: My Brother's Keeper
Long-awaited novel an absolute cracker

Mysteries & thrillers, NZ books

Kiwi screenwriter and author Donna Malane has finally produced her second novel and it was worth the wait. Once again, the main character is missing persons expert Diane Rowe, the stroppy, strong and perfectly flawed heroine of Malane’s debut novel, Surrender. And once again, she finds herself up-close-and-personal with a killer. However, this time the

■ REVIEW: My Brother's Keeper
Long-awaited novel an absolute cracker Read Post »