Teddy One-Eye: The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear, by Gavin Bishop (Random House NZ Children’s, RRP $35): Award-winning writer and illustrator Gavin Bishop has produced what is likely to become a well-loved classic in the adorable Teddy One-Eye, The Autobiography of…
Month: November 2014
Gruesome but worth the effort
Alex, by Pierre Lamaitre (MacLehose, RRP $38): If you are in any way squeamish, you might just struggle to get past the first few pages of this gruesome but compelling thriller by French author Pierre Lamaitre. However, it’s worth the…
How to go Boating and Where
Useful guide for wannabe boaties: This chunky little hardback represents real value for money and is perfect for everyone who wants to begin their own boating career or who wants to add to their knowledge. Written in the same style…
Kiwi angle helps lift tone of novel
Unearthed, by Steve Hodgkinson (Orb Publishing, RRP $33): This is a New Zealand environmental thriller with a message or two. Set in the Waikato, Sam Miro is a young, highly regarded researcher working on environment monitoring. When some of his study farms…
Aussie journalist gives Gallipoli insight
Gallipoli, by Peter FitzSimons (Random House, RRP $57) Sydney Morning Herald journalist Peter FitzSimons takes readers into the heart of the chaotic and devastating Gallipoli campaign in this insightful and comprehensive book. On 25 April 1915, Allied forces landed on…
■ REVIEW
Our New Zealand
Taste of what makes New Zealand great: It’s getting to that time of the year when you are perhaps thinking about Christmas gifts for family and friends overseas, and you’d be hard pressed to find something that represents better value…
Soldiers’ snaps bring war home
Anyone attending Anzac Day services will be left in no doubt that there is growing interest among younger Kiwis in our military history. Each year, it seems there are more and more families at these services and there is a…
Fascinating trip down memory lane of advertising
Sell, by Hazel Phillips (Penguin, RRP $45): Advertising plays a big role in our memories of growing up and this book looks at how New Zealand’s advertising industry has grown up with us. Subtitled “tall tales from the legends of…
■ REVIEW
A Short History of New Zealand
Short, but perfectly formed: Being a relatively young nation, our history is naturally a tad shorter that that of some of the other countries on this planet but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a story worth telling. In this new…