Over nearly four decades, the late Joanna Paul accumulated a body of work brimming with graphic invention and poetic observation. An artist, film-maker, poet and writer, she died in 2003 in tragic circumstances that most will remember from the news. During a visit to Rotorua she collapsed while bathing in a thermal pool and died […]
■ REVIEW: Joanna Margaret Paul Drawing
A treat for fans Read Post »
When thinking about gothic, most people imagine intense black-clad teenagers, pale and interesting with smudged mascara and a never-ending supply of depressing music. However, there’s more to gothic that that. New Zealand’s culture is swimming in gothic-ness. Co-author Jennifer Lawn suggests that gothic is a “shifting warp of the familiar”. It shows up in many
■ REVIEW: Gothic NZ: The Darker Side of Kiwi Culture
A taste of gothic NZ Read Post »
Aussie author Barbara Biggs continues to recount the story of her life in this latest book. While she had a truly awful start to life, being sold to a paedophile at the age of 14 and being admitted to a psychiatric hospital two years later, Biggs overcame her early challenges to become a happy, successful
■ REVIEW: The Accidental Renovator
Unexpectedly fun read Read Post »
If you’re planning on making your fortune as a landlord, chances are you’ll have maintenance and repair issues cropping up from time to time. Your bottom-line profit can take something of a beating if you have to pay cold hard cash for minor repairs. This is where this useful little book comes in. Author Roger
■ REVIEW: Mr Landlord, Mr Fix-It
Useful advice for landlords Read Post »
This is the story of the last bastion of aviation exploration — the Antarctic. The United States Naval aviators, who in the early years of Operation Deep Freeze flew their twin-engine DC-3s over the frozen Antarctic waters from New Zealand to McMurdo Sound, were going where no one had gone before and in the process
Here’s a nice juicy read for all the conspiracy theorists out there. Journalist Alex Games has co-authored this little gem with Thom Burnett, which is apparently a pseudonym for ” one of Britain’s leading experts on security and military matters”. This book looks at conspiracies in every day life, both the hidden and the not
■ REVIEW: Who Really Runs the World?
Take me to your leader Read Post »
Following on from the award-winning Juggling With Mandarins, Christchurch author V M Jones’ latest novel picks up the story of 14-year-old Pip McLeod. The teen faced up to some tough challenges in the first book and now it seems his life is finally his own. However, beneath the tranquil surface things are bubbling away. A
■ REVIEW: Shooting the Moon
Latest book lives up to expectations Read Post »
Continuing on her successful move from singer to writer, Louise Wener has come up with another delightful novel. The Half Life of Stars is the story of loss and impact. Claire’s older brother Daniel disappears one day — he leaves work one afternoon and vanishes into thin air. Married, rich and successful, his disappearance proves
■ REVIEW: The Half Life of Stars
Gently entertaining Read Post »
While there is growing interest in New Zealand’s history there are few genuine debates about the topic. This book brings together leading historians seeking to disrupt conventional reading of our history in order to open up exploration and debate. About now, you might be thinking that this sounds like it might just be a bunch
■ REVIEW: Disputed Histories
History lessons Read Post »
The Steven Spielberg-directed movie Munich, released last year, has raised fresh and younger interest in the bloody events that took place during the 1972 Olympic Games. Striking Back is the story of the Munich massacre and Israel’s deadly response.It is the first full account based on access to key players who have never before spoken.
■ REVIEW: Striking Back
History is the best story-teller Read Post »
