Kiwi screenwriter and author Donna Malane has finally produced her second novel and it was worth the wait. Once again, the main character is missing persons expert Diane Rowe, the stroppy, strong and perfectly flawed heroine of Malane’s debut novel, Surrender. And once again, she finds herself up-close-and-personal with a killer. However, this time the […]
Long-awaited novel an absolute cracker Read Post »
Big Nate Flips Out is a great book. It is about a boy called Nate who has a falling out with his friend Francis. Francis never gets in detention. The lady who does it doesn’t even know his name! Nate is a messy person and when he can’t find a school camera he’s done for!
10 out of 10 for Nate Read Post »
It’s Russia, 1911, and young Jewish woman Inna Feldman has taken her destiny into her hands and travelled to St Petersburg. Her own family are long dead and the relatives she’d lived with are now emigrating so as to escape a threatened pogrom. Feeling slightly abandoned and in fear for her own safety, she is
Sweeping tale of love and loss Read Post »
I loved the Bridget that Helen Fielding created in her newspaper column in 1995 which was quickly novelised in 1996. And while I could’ve lived without reading the second book, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie adaption of the first novel. After getting over the casting of American actress Renee Zewelleger, I realised she epitomised Bridget,
Life has moved on, not Bridget Read Post »
While we cheer on those who do well in their chosen field, we also enjoy hearing of the failures of others. I suppose it’s human nature to take just a little pleasure in the knowledge that there are others out there who aren’t perfect. This little book celebrates those imperfections in all their glory, with
It takes genius to get it terribly wrong Read Post »
Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series has been hugely popular with his home-based Norwegian fans and those of us in the rest of the world, and now those of us living down under can finally get our hands on the very first book in the series. These action-packed crime dramas/mysteries all feature Detective Harry Hole and
Nesbo’s debut was worth the wait Read Post »
New Zealanders are rather fond of their huts and this books shows why. Our backcountry huts are so very much a part of the Kiwi outdoors life, with a diverse network of huts spread throughout the country offering varying levels of comfort in some incredibly spectacular settings. These humble structures may not feature the latest
After 14 years of Grand Designs on television, Kevin McCloud has pulled together some of his favourite homes from the TV show and packaged them in this hard cover collection that shows an amazing range of homes and personalities. If you’ve never seen the television Grand Designs television show hosted by the author, then you
McCloud picks favourites and explains why Read Post »
If you’re ever at a loose end when it comes to reading material, it’s a sure bet that James Patterson has something to keep you occupied. The world’s bestselling thriller writer ended 2012 as he started it: by publishing another book. This latest in the Alex Cross series (No 19) was one of 13 books
James Patterson: always something to add to your library Read Post »
Queenstown-based artist Ivan Clarke has produced something special in this hard-cover tribute to Lonely Dog, an orphan hound growing up in Alveridgea, a land where cats and dogs live together but apart. The title character was inspired by Clarke’s family pet, Arthur Snout the dachshund. Legend has it, Clarke did a painting several years ago
Dog’s quest to find his calling heartrending Read Post »
