Bad Pharma, by Ben Goldacre (Fourth Estate, RRP $35): This latest book by British doctor and science writer Ben Goldacre takes an often uncomfortably close look at what is happening in the global pharmaceutical industry. I’m not anti-medication by any…
Month: March 2014
Popular hero is perfectly flawed
Cockroaches and Police, both by Jo Nesbo (Harvill Secker, RRP $37 each): This recent release to the New Zealand market from Norwegian musician, economist and author Jo Nesbo is actually one of the earlier Harry Hole novels that has finally…
Understanding postnatal depression
Mothers Cry Too Dr Sara Weeks (Penguin, RRP $35) Subtitled “recognising and coping with postnatal depression”, this is a handy guide for all new mothers and their families. It discusses the whole range of conditions from the fairly innocuous three…
Cracking read with plenty of surprises
One Step Too Far, by Tina Seskis (Michael Joseph, RRP $37): Emily Coleman wakes up one day and simply disappears: she walks away from an apparently happy family with her husband and son, her lovely home and lovely life. But that…
Through the eyes of torment
Trafficked, by Sophie Hayes (Harper, RRP $25): British girl Sophie Hayes didn’t have a great relationship with her father, or with men in general, mistrusting most of them on sight. However, at the age of 18 she met Kas, just…
Trio of quick Kiwi reference books
Wild Flowers of New Zealand, photography by Rob Suisted (New Holland Publishers, RRP $20): Wellington-based photographer and conservationist Rob Suisted has produced a book packed with shining and colourful examples of the wildflowers of New Zealand. Early botanists were amazed…
Formulaic? Yes … but still entertaining
Private No 1 Suspect, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Century, RRP $38): Another easy-to-read collaboration from the king of quick reads: James Patterson. Former United States Marine Jack Morgan owns Private, what has become the world’s foremost investigation firm.…
Gently flowing mystery
The Golden Egg, by Donna Leon (William Heinemann, RRP $35): Author Donna Leon continues her Commissario Brunetti series, with this 22nd book to feature the Venice-based detective moving along at the same satisfying pace of its predecessor, Beastly Things. In…
■ REVIEW
Civilisation: Twenty Places on the Edge of the World
Humorous book on names has a Kiwi twist
Hey You: A Kiwi Compendium of Baby Names, by Rosemary Hepozden (Renaissance Publishing, RRP $25): I’m sure we’ve all, at some point, looked up the meaning of our own name in one of those dinky little books that list all…