Understanding our national game: There was a popular ad campaign a year or three back that proudly proclaimed you’d never be a Kiwi until you loved a particular brand of sauce, but I reckon a love of rugby is probably…
Tag: Random House
■ REVIEW
Recipes to set the tastebuds tingling
A Bit of What You Fancy, by Jo Seagar (Random House, RRP $55): Jo Seagar has done a good job of finding 130 recipes that help inspire tasty dishes. You do not have to flick far to find recipes –…
Stein’s life story worth a read
Under a Mackerel Sky, by Rick Stein (Random House, RRP$40): He is revered around the world for his love of food and those who produce it, for his passion for seafood and, of course, his late dog Chalkie. But Rick…
Columnist’s early life a fun read
The Chronicles of Narmo, by Caitlin Moran (Random House, RRP $20): First published by Corgi in 1992 and republished in January 2014, this delightful home-school romp was written by 16-year-old Caitlin Moran who is now an award-winning The Times critic,…
Must-do list a surefire holiday boredom-buster
Explore New Zealand: 101 Must-Do’s for Kiwis, compiled by AA (Random House NZ, RRP $45): The school holidays are now all but over, with the young ‘uns heading back to class on Monday, so maybe it’s time to start some…
Secrets and judgements at weekend wedding
Someone Else’s Wedding, by Tamar Cohen (Random House, RRP $38): Fran is in her mid-forties and having a weekend away with her husband and two adult daughters at the wedding of a family friend. She is the first person narrator and,…
A bit like Eat, Pray, Love … but better
Heavenly Hirani’s School of Laughing Yoga, by Sarah-Kate Lynch (Random House, RRP $38): As a disclaimer, let me just say that I’m probably not the target audience for New Zealand novelist and magazine columnist Sarah-Kate Lynch’s books, and the one…
‘Bluebells’ takes the cake
Bluebells Cakery, by Karla Goodwin (Random House, RRP $50): You have probably looked at the covers of dozens of cookbooks and thought “I could never make that”. Looking at the cover of Bluebells Cakery, at a six-tier pastel-coloured cake, decorated…
■ REVIEW
Landscape Paintings of New Zealand
Seven years after first being published, this expanded and revised edition was back in the bookstores just in time for an appearance under last year’s Christmas tree, and this year it’s still a fine option for anyone on your pressie…
Sweet story of a boy and his bear
Teddy One-Eye: The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear, by Gavin Bishop (Random House NZ Children’s, RRP $35): Award-winning writer and illustrator Gavin Bishop has produced what is likely to become a well-loved classic in the adorable Teddy One-Eye, The Autobiography of…