Books By George - Page 20 of 60 -

■ REVIEWS: NZ's Lost Heritage | Modern NZ Homes | R A Lawson Victorian Architect of Dunedin
Trio of books look at NZ’s architectural heritage

The preservation of our historic buildings is often a topic of debate in this country, with passionate arguments for (it’s our history) and against (usually the cost). We haven’t always had a great record when it comes to keeping our bricks and mortar – or indeed weatherboard – history in tact, and in this book […]

■ REVIEWS: NZ's Lost Heritage | Modern NZ Homes | R A Lawson Victorian Architect of Dunedin
Trio of books look at NZ’s architectural heritage Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Changing Times
Ordinary Kiwis tell our country’s story

History, NZ books

Much has been written about New Zealand’s attempts to find its place in the world as a fledgling nation and the role of rugby and war in creating a sense of nationalism in and around World War I. But a more important portion of our nation’s history has occurred post-World War II, and it’s this

■ REVIEW: Changing Times
Ordinary Kiwis tell our country’s story Read Post »

■ REVIEW: The Silver Gaucho
Confusing but interesting tale

General fiction

This is an almost local novel with part of the story set in Dunedin and Central Otago. It follows the adventures of Lockie Steele as she travels to Argentina in search of material for a new book. It is here that she comes in contact with the Mabon family. Seriously wealthy and connected, they persuade

■ REVIEW: The Silver Gaucho
Confusing but interesting tale Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Assassin
Heroine out for revenge in edge-of-seat series finale

Mysteries & thrillers

In the final thriller in the Mak Vanderwall series by former model Tara Moss, the focus is on revenge and survival. When ex-model turned private investigator and forensic psychologist Mak Vanderwall goes missing in Paris she is presumed dead. A hit man had been hired to do her in, after all, so there’s little reason

■ REVIEW: Assassin
Heroine out for revenge in edge-of-seat series finale Read Post »

■ REVIEW: An Event in Autumn
Short preview to a character’s farewell

Mysteries & thrillers

Here’s a treat for fans: new novella featuring the now world-famous (but, sadly, now retired literary character) of Scandinavian detective Kurt Wallander. After three decades of solving crime, Wallander is ready for a change, and an old farmhouse in the Swedish countryside looks like the perfect place to make that change. Wallander’s life hasn’t exactly

■ REVIEW: An Event in Autumn
Short preview to a character’s farewell Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Reach
Another memorable effort from Kiwi author

General fiction, NZ books

Successful artist Quinn lives with Marcus, who left his wife for her and subsequently lost contact with his young daughter as a result of that breakup. Quinn is busily preparing for an upcoming exhibition, but as the deadline for her exhibition approaches, Callum, a deep-sea diver with a love of the ocean, enters their lives. As

■ REVIEW: Reach
Another memorable effort from Kiwi author Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Coast
It’s our place … and it’s beautiful

General non-fiction, Places

Kiwi writer Bruce Ansley has followed up his tribute to the legendary Mesopotamia high country station with another collaborative celebration of New Zealand’s beauty. This time Ansley has teamed up with photographer Jane Ussher to the the story of our coastline. The photographs are – of course – beautiful: how could they not be when

■ REVIEW: Coast
It’s our place … and it’s beautiful Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Little Truff and the Siamese Cat
Sweet story with life lessons to boot

NZ books

The second of a planned trio of books featuring the cute Little Truff, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. My parents had a Cav: he was decidedly dizzy and even in old age displayed the silliness of a young pup. In later life he lost an eye and their cat was delighted to discover the dog’s

■ REVIEW: Little Truff and the Siamese Cat
Sweet story with life lessons to boot Read Post »

■ REVIEW: The Eye of Minds
A clunky disappointment

Younger readers

James Dashner may be better known for his bestselling dystopic Maze Runner series. He returns with The Eye of Minds, the first in his new series, The Mortality Doctrine. Set in the not-so-distant future, The Eye of Minds follows Michael and his friends into the VirtNet, a virtual reality gaming series where anything can happen.

■ REVIEW: The Eye of Minds
A clunky disappointment Read Post »

■ REVIEW: War Clouds Gather
Period drama with ‘Wilbur Smith’ feel

General fiction

War Clouds Gather is the latest instalment in Peter Watt’s broad-reaching family saga that spans the world but has its heart firmly placed in Australia. The story takes up in the late 1930s. The Depression years are drawing to an end, fascism and communism are in a struggle for the hearts and minds of Europe and

■ REVIEW: War Clouds Gather
Period drama with ‘Wilbur Smith’ feel Read Post »