Red Joan, by Jennie Rooney (Random House, RRP $27): An old-age pensioner living the quiet life in a London suburb, Joan’s world is rocked when her name is linked to a spy scandal dating back to the 1940s. Gradually, as…
Month: April 2015
Tracing NZ’s tartan history
Unpacking the Kists: The Scots in New Zealand, by Brad Patterson, Tom Brooking and Jim McAloon (Otago University Press, RRP $70): This is an informative study of the nature and effect of Scottish migration to New Zealand. It covers myriad…
On the bookshelves: May-June 2015
New releases coming in May and June. FICTION At the Water’s Edge, by Sara Gruen: Out in May and published by Allen & Unwin (RRP $40), this is a tale of privilege, loss, and love from the author of Water for…
Good pace in author’s first novel
A Necklace of Souls, by R L Stedman (HarperCollins, RRP $25): Dana is a princess in the hidden Kingdom of the Rose, a sheltered, magical land that allows no war or disease to penetrate its borders. Protected by the Guardian…
Celebrating the wonder of ‘show day’
One Hundred Summers, by John Cutt (Winton A & P Association, RRP $45): In what is a deceptively compact little book, former Southland Times farming reporter John Cutt packed in a wealth of history and information that covers 100 years…
French idioms … and bidets
The Eat Horses Don’t They? The Truth About the French by Piu Marie Eatwell (HarperCollins, RRP $37): Have you ever wondered what life in France is really like? Is it all garlic and fabulousness? Berets and croissants? What do they do with bidets? Do they really eat horses? In this quirky little book, Piu…
Great piece of local history
Swaggers, Tinkers, Hawkers: Deep South Tales, by Jeannie Barnes (Sycamore Print, RRP $18.99): The launch of Jeannie Barnes’ long-awaited book on the swagmen of the south brought together a host of Southlanders – from those who contributed stories to the book…
True midwife drama drawn from history
My Notorious Life by Madame X, by Kate Manning (Bloomsbury, RRP $35): My Notorious Life was inspired by the true story of 19th century New York midwife and abortionist Ann Trow Lohman, better known as Madame Restell; a woman once…
Stein’s life story worth a read
Under a Mackerel Sky, by Rick Stein (Random House, RRP$40): He is revered around the world for his love of food and those who produce it, for his passion for seafood and, of course, his late dog Chalkie. But Rick…