New releases coming in December. FICTION The Complete Peanuts 1950–2000, by Charles M. Schulz and Jean Schulz: This bonus 26th volume of The Complete Peanuts collects all of Schulz’s non-strip related Peanuts art: storybooks, comic book stories, single-panel gags, advertising art, book illustrations, photographs and even a recipe (Canongate, RRP $33). The Fifth Avenue Artist’s Society, […]
On the bookshelves: December 2016 Read Post »
An essay competition for young writers is being held to mark the 70th birthday of New Zealand’s longest-running arts and literary journal. Landfall will celebrate 70 years this year and editor David Eggleton and Otago University Press have launched the Charles Brasch Young Writers’ Essay Competition, open to writers aged between 16 and 21. The competition
New competition for young writers Read Post »
Airini Beautrais has taken out the 2016 Landfall Essay Competition, ahead of 50 other entries. Competition judge David Eggleton says her essay, Umlaut , stands out being “written by someone unwilling to be boring, willing to take risks, and enough of a seasoned practitioner to carry it off with sustained verve”. Umlaut is a comical,
Unusual names prove a winner Read Post »
Write about what you know about is a long held maxim – and so Australian author Alex Miller has. As a younger man he spent time in the Queensland highlands working as a stockman. He conjures up a time and place and brings it to life: hard, hot and dry, low scrub and a story
■ REVIEW: Coal Creek
Idiosyncratic voice draws you in Read Post »
New releases coming in November. FICTION The name on the Door is not Mine, by C K Stead: A new collection of stories from the literary giant and master craftsman, C K Stead, gathered from throughout his career (Allen & Unwin, RRP $37). The Wrong Side of Goodbye, by Michael Connelly: Unstoppable detective Harry Bosch returns
On the bookshelves: November 2016 Read Post »
New releases coming in October. FICTION Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult: The most thought-provoking and controversial novel yet from the #1 New York Times bestselling author ((Allen & Unwin, RRP $37). The Tao Deception, by John M Green: A Tori Swyft Thriller described by the publisher as “The Da Vinci Code meets James Bond”—an
On the bookshelves: October 2016 Read Post »
New releases coming in September. FICTION The Safest Place in London, by Maggie Joel: Two frightened children, two very different mothers, and one night of terrifying Blitz bombing during World War Two. And when the bombs stop falling, which families’ lives will be changed forever? (Allen & Unwin, RRP $33). The Museum of Modern Love,
On the bookshelves: September 2016 Read Post »
New releases coming in August. FICTION The Fighting Season, by Bram Connolly: An explosive thriller from the heart of Afghanistan, by a former Special Forces Commando (Allen & Unwin, RRP $33). Wilde Lake, by Laura Lippman: The brilliant, moving and psychologically complex new standalone novel from the New York Times-bestselling author of After I’m Gone, And When
On the bookshelves: August 2016 Read Post »
My impression of Sir Laurence Olivier is a sort of vague one of him playing Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, or declaiming Shakespeare effortlessly. Either that or I associate him with Vivien Leigh, to whom he was married for several years. Beyond that, I have a vague notion of theatrical greatness and, of course, legendary film
■ REVIEW: Olivier
The good stuff on a great man Read Post »
This is a must-read parenting guide by Australian author, teacher and expert in restorative practice, Shelley Davidow. Her award-winning books deal with a wide range of social issues. This book explains the importance of minimising stress for our children and gives lots of hot tips on how to do so. Part one discusses stress, part two
■ REVIEW: Raising Stress-Proof Kids
Must-read parenting guide Read Post »
