NZ books - Books By George

■ REVIEW: Quotable New Zealand Quotes
Not-so-reticent Kiwis’ pithy utterings collected

Us Kiwis always have something to say and there’s no denying that some of us manage to say things that are worth repeating. Not all of us, mind you. Some of us stagger through the day barely managing to string two words together. However, there are plenty of New Zealanders who have uttered word worth […]

■ REVIEW: Quotable New Zealand Quotes
Not-so-reticent Kiwis’ pithy utterings collected Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Anthology of New Zealand Literature
Take a trip through some of NZ’s literary history

General non-fiction, NZ books

This massive tome will likely be the biggest book you’ll buy this year and if you are going to spend $75 on a book, what could be better than an anthology of all that New Zealand literature has to offer? And at first glance, this nearly 1200 page monster looks to be good value, with

■ REVIEW: Anthology of New Zealand Literature
Take a trip through some of NZ’s literary history Read Post »

■ REVIEW: An Awfully Big Adventure
Humour, heartbreak of war

General non-fiction, NZ books

Journalist Jane Tolerton helped set up the World War I Oral History Archive back in 1987, and using those interviews, she has compiled a fantastic book. It’s hard to imagine just what it was like to be a New Zealand soldier during World War I, but these stories, told in the soldiers’ own words, offer

■ REVIEW: An Awfully Big Adventure
Humour, heartbreak of war Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Quake Dogs
Four-legged survival stories celebrated

NZ books

This sweetly addictive book features the heart-warming stories of Christchurch dogs. After the devastating Canterbury quakes, we heard the many stories of survival and loss that came out of the city. But beyond those tales of human suffering and/or joy, there were also stories of the city’s dogs. For they suffered alongside their human counterparts,

■ REVIEW: Quake Dogs
Four-legged survival stories celebrated Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Ghosts of Parihaka
David Hair keeps myth, legend ticking

NZ books

Ghosts of Parihaka is the fifth book in the six-book Aotearoa series and keeps the story of myth and legend ticking along at a great pace. Matiu Douglas is able to slip between modern New Zealand and the parallel ghost world of Aotearoa. One of his friends is now a ghost, his enemies have stolen

■ REVIEW: Ghosts of Parihaka
David Hair keeps myth, legend ticking Read Post »

■ REVIEW: An Indescribable Beauty
European take on young NZ

General non-fiction, NZ books

A century and a half ago, a young German man set sail on a four-month journey on the Swedish ship the Equator to begin a new life in New Zealand. Friedrich Krull arrived in New Zealand as the country was heading for the New Zealand wars. Krull was keen to experience the traditional Maori way

■ REVIEW: An Indescribable Beauty
European take on young NZ Read Post »

■ REVIEW: 50 Shades of Key
50 shades of political humour

Humour, NZ books, People

Whatever your politics, you’ll find it hard not to have a giggle at a few of the offerings in this little book. Columnist-author-publisher Paul Little has added captions to a selection of photographs of Prime Minister John Key as he goes about his daily duties as leader of our patch of paradise. Some of them

■ REVIEW: 50 Shades of Key
50 shades of political humour Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Crisis
Bollard gives fascinating insight to financial crisis

Business & money, NZ books

There’s no denying the global economy is in pretty bad shape and the forecasts for where it’s heading go from one extreme to the other. However, there are few people as well qualified to comment on the New Zealand economy as Dr Alan Bollard, governor of the Reserve Bank on New Zealand for a decade

■ REVIEW: Crisis
Bollard gives fascinating insight to financial crisis Read Post »

■ REVIEWS: Wild Flowers of NZ | Landmarks of NZ | A Photographic Guide to the Fossils of NZ
Trio of quick Kiwi reference books

NZ 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 by the plants they found in New Zealand, many of which are unique to our

■ REVIEWS: Wild Flowers of NZ | Landmarks of NZ | A Photographic Guide to the Fossils of NZ
Trio of quick Kiwi reference books Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Civilisation
Steve Braunias explores heartland and margins

NZ books, Places

Steve Braunias is a master of biting satire, so if you are looking for a friendly little travelogue highlighting the awesomeness of various locale, you might you might want to look elsewhere. However, if you want a read that is equal parts challenging, funny and provocative about the quirks and foibles of various towns and

■ REVIEW: Civilisation
Steve Braunias explores heartland and margins Read Post »