All Reviews

15 November 2011

Chet and Bernie are the Little Detective Agency. Bernie handles the interviewing and the abstract thinking, Chet’s role is tracking and identifying. They are successful enough to raise envy from a competitor. Chet is the narrator of this tale of a missing boy and corrupt police. His delightful,... More..

15 November 2011

A host of current fantasy writers have collaborated in this collection. Bordertown, the collision between magic and science has reopened its doors to the world, having been inaccessible for 13 years, or 13 days for those living in Bordertown. Cao More..

21 October 2011

A little ‘To kill a Mockingbird’, a little ‘Arabian nights’. A progressive teacher comes to a small Georgia town. Her enthusiasm for all things Middle Eastern infects the children in her care. They devise a production of ‘Sinbad’ and the whole town becomes involved, but dark racism threatens to... More..

21 October 2011

Building a haystack is a skilled operation and the farming folk of Whataroa work to harvest the hay crop. The observant Maggie relates the doings of her home and neighbours during the Depression, telling us more about conditions than she realises. Cao More..

4 October 2011

John Holliday is in Dodge, exiled from his beloved family and Georgia as the humidity there aggravates his consumption. Mind you, dealing faro in smoky hotel rooms, sipping bourbon isn’t great for his health either. The infamous Doc Holliday and Earp brothers as they might really have been. Cao More..

31 August 2011

Set in Israel two thousand years ago, it is not difficult to work out who the characters are in this book, even though they have slightly different names from those we are familiar to us. As a girl growing up in a large family, Rachael saw her mother and big brother in a different light from that... More..

31 August 2011

This is the final volume in her saga of prehistoric humans. Ayla, Jondalar their daughter, horses and wolf have come to live with his people. Ayla is chosen to become a spiritual leader. In addition to the physical inventions they bring, Ayla introduces the concept of fatherhood and causes some... More..

31 August 2011

On a trip to interview a long-standing resident of a 1950s housing development, Rosie is somehow transported back in time to the 1950s when the new housing was both exciting and pleasant. She is welcomed as an American reporter, a role she accepts as it explains some of her befuddlement with... More..

31 August 2011

If you have ever wondered why so many countries piled into the First World War when a fellow gets assassinated in an obscure corner of Europe, the answers are here. Personal tales of several families of different nationalities are entertaining, but it is the historical manoeuverings that captivated... More..

31 August 2011

Gwen, companion already to two cats and without a house of her own takes on an eyeless kitten. Homer, despite never seeing or maybe because, has tremendous confidence and charm. He is a courageous explorer, adapting to new homes and people with aplomb, inspiring Gwen to also be brave. He catches... More..

31 August 2011

When is a yeti not a yeti? A tall fur-covered youth is found in Westland. He chooses to be mute, but when offered friendship, he relents and speaks. People are fearful of him, yet curious and Ba himself is ill-equipped to cope in modern New Zealand Cao More..

30 August 2011

Despite having a low magical ability, Jennifer has great organisational skills and so is an ideal person to be running a magical employment agency. Magic seems to be on the decline, the elderly and eccentric contractors for the agency able to do less and less. Then Jennifer is chosen to be a... More..

3 June 2011

The narrator is appalling; he is depraved and murderous. Yet in addition to those who want to kill him, there are people who want to preserve him because he is the last of his species, and their lives will have no meaning without werewolves. A story told by a predator who is also prey. cao More..

23 May 2011

Two stories in parallel, in one Kate is infatuated with Richard, an intense, sensual man, in the other she is hiding from him on the Isle of Wight. Can she trust her instincts when she meets people who appear to be decent and kind? cao More..

23 May 2011

Would you do what you can to save the life of a child or would you abide by the ethics of your profession? Henry is a medical specialist researching a congenital disease which causes premature aging. He discovers a ‘non-symptomatic positive’ who may hold the key to curing these children. Can Henry... More..

18 March 2011

One of her best books. Jacob has Asperger’s Syndrome. Emma is his remarkable mother, a full-time advocate for her 18-year-old. Theo is her somewhat neglected other son, who has started breaking into houses, envisioning himself living there, living a life quite different from his own. A powerful... More..

18 March 2011

Jack Reacher is travelling all over the USA with nothing more than the clothes on his back and the stuff in his pockets. He is arrested in a picture-perfect little town for a murder he hasn’t committed. Fortunately Jack is an ex-military policeman; he puts his skills to use to solve the murders and... More..

15 March 2011

In 1920s Britain the world is changing, even for 15-year-old girls. Peggy stumbles into telling a naïve friend the ‘facts of life’, thus shocking the friend and bringing a world of trouble down on herself. cao More..

15 March 2011

Tiffany Aching, the young witch of the chalk hills faces the ‘Cunning Man’. He is a personification of the fear of witches the runs through a society from time to time. Tiffany is more than a speaker of spells; she is the both local midwife and district nurse, and she has the doubtful assistance of... More..

15 March 2011

Children of human nobility and pegasi (yes, flying horses) nobility are required to form a partnership, a kind of arranged marriage without the sex. The two species have much goodwill between them but can not communicate easily. Horse mouths are not made for words, gestures made without the benefit... More..

11 March 2011

How could you miss a gorilla in the middle of a basketball game? Quite easily if you are focused on counting. We often believe we are more observant than we really are, that our memories are accurate and unchangeable, that because we can make everyday equipment work for us, we know how it works.... More..

11 March 2011

A family of bonobos live in a language laboratory with scientists who are studying them. They have been taught American Sign Language so can converse with their humans. One awful day the lab is attacked, the bonobos 'liberated', they are tranquillised and end up living in a sealed house where their... More..

11 March 2011

Some books are so good that you don't want to put them down, some are so good that you stop reading every so often so that you can think about what you have just read. This is one of the latter. At the funeral of an old friend, Alistair realises how empty his local church was. He and a few friends... More..

10 March 2011

When writer-photographer Shreve Stockton decided to return to her old love, New York City, after a spell in California, she took the long journey on her Vespa, and on the way unexpectedly fell in love with the open spaces and Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. Rather quickly she made the move from New... More..

8 March 2011

A four-year-old girl goes missing from a playground while she was with her nanny. The mother’s cousin, lawyer Trish Maguire, through her own investigations finally discovers what happened to the little girl. The strength of this story lies in the descriptions of its characters. The author... More..

1 March 2011

When a 14-year-old girl has to write an essay entitled ‘Who am I?’ it is the start of a mysterious journey for her. Lauren was adopted but her parents are unwilling to provide her with any information surrounding the adoption. When she discovers a website for missing children, she suspects that she... More..

28 January 2011

‘…In a distant time and far-off kingdom, life is hard…there’s little to offer hope, and many turn to the legends of Jackaroo…Hidden away…Gwyn discovers a package – a cloak, a mask, a sword…Jackaroo?’ If you like historical fantasy you will enjoy this as you read... More..

28 January 2011

The latest instalment of the happenings at 44 Scotland Street is as pithy as ever. McCall Smith has a dry sense of humour and captures the Edinburgh psyche perfectly. His characters, while somewhat larger than life are incredibly entertaining and insightful. He also brings the city to life for... More..

28 January 2011

Jasper is the scapegoat for all minor crimes committed in an Australian town. He finds the hanged body of his girlfriend but knows that his innocence of her murder will not be believed. He asks for Charlie’s help to discover the true murderer. Jasper falls into the trap of believing that a recluse... More..

7 December 2010

This is a sequel to The Diary of Pelly D, and is set in the new colonies 10 years after the gene wars of the City Five and the concealed atrocities of the first book. ‘Sisters always stick together’, and Kat and Tanka face many challenges to their sisterhood and safety as they move with their... More..

3 December 2010

Jeff's skills lie in editing and proof-reading and he is looking for adventure and to make the world a better place so he embarks on a round-U.S. mission to correct misspellings and bad punctuation on notices. The responses that he gets to his requests for permission to remove errors vary from the... More..

26 November 2010

Margaret had a constant belief, all her adult life that her son Henry will be king of England, and that God must agree with her. She is a very strong woman, surviving three husbands and maintaining her cause despite adversities that come her way. cao More..

25 November 2010

The USSR and later Russia had a policy of taking all premature or handicapped babies from their mothers and raising them in institutions until they are five years old. Staff care is minimal and indifferent. Despite the lack of stimulation he receives Vanya is an engaging child who charms the very... More..

23 November 2010

Jack calls on his training in the military police to uncover a complex blackmail plot. Covert ops by the US forces back when the Russians were invading Afghanistan have come to light and will destroy a career before it is underway. Bonus: I now know how to identify a suicide bomber. cao More..

11 October 2010

Following on from The Crossing, we read what the four escapees from Marawa Island have had to contend with to survive. They are forced to get along with each other, assisting and pooling their skills in an effort to survive the gruelling struggles ahead. Through these adventures we discover various... More..

29 September 2010

On the front cover it says, ‘…Flora’s having the time of someone else’s life…’ What would you do if you were cast into the past by a magic spell? Flora mysteriously swaps lives with a schoolgirl in 1935. And 1935 is like another world…no cellphones, ipods, or computers. Who is... More..

24 September 2010

The back of the book sums up this story this way, ‘When a Dream becomes a Living Nightmare’ and this is a thrilling drama about kidnapping and drugs, set in Columbia and the USA. What happens when the people you trust turn out to be bad people? This is what an ordinary young couple have to face... More..

24 September 2010

It’s nearly midnight on Greg Jones’ twelfth birthday and he’s cold, wet, hungry and in trouble. Worse, he is trouble. It seems everything that’s gone wrong and there’s plenty, is all his fault. His mum is in hospital because of him. His dad is off in his truck in the back of beyond, and probably... More..

19 August 2010

The Crossing, the first of the Blood of the Lamb trilogy, is set on a fictional Pacific island, Onewere, three generations after an apocalyptic event (a solar flare) in 2012 threw the world into complete chaos. At that time, a large cruise ship, Star of the Sea, had foundered near one of the... More..

16 August 2010

Everything banana! It is not too much to say that this fruit has changed human history profoundly. Prehistoric migrations can be traced by the similarity of words used for banana in vastly separate regions. It is, and has been, the staple food of East Africa, eaten at every meal; failure of the... More..

16 August 2010

How do you carry on living when fifty members of your family have been murdered in a modern day genocide? This is the experience of the author, Mary K Blewitt, a Rwandan who escaped the genocide of 1994 because she was living in the UK at the time. Rwanda was cut off from the rest of the world for... More..

16 August 2010

This non-fiction story is a very sad but fascinating account of a way of life that very few of us know anything about. It is set in the late 1970s and 1980s in England and describes the hardship of a boy who grows up in a Gypsy family. Gradually he comes to accept that he is different from other... More..

16 August 2010

If you have ever wondered how the kidnapping and disappearance of a baby affects a family, then I think you will enjoy listening to this story. The title of this book refers not only to the ‘missing’ child but also to the mother who disappears one morning after her husband drops her off at the... More..

16 August 2010

You could enjoy this book for the fabulous photographs alone. Beautiful full page portraits of mammals, birds, frogs... Each photograph accompanies a description of a recent finding in zoology, botany or ecology. Whole new species have been discovered, and behaviours that amazed or delighted me,... More..

16 August 2010

This is a 4-DVD set of the first series of the popular TV show Glee. It tells the story of a group of 'misfits' who are all individually talented but don't fully realise their potential until brought together by High School teacher, Will Schuester, who in turn is trying to re-live his own Glee... More..

16 August 2010

This 2010 Motion Picture now released on DVD is based on the book of the same name by Dennis Lehane and directed by Martin Scorsese. Set in 1954, two U. S. Marshals (played by Leonardo Dicaprio and Mark Ruffalo) come to Ashcliffe Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island to investigate... More..

16 August 2010

Henry has written a bestseller, but can't get anyone to publish his second project. One of his readers makes contact via letters and Henry, intrigued, goes to visit. He finds a taxidermist, talented at his craft but anti-social, who has written a play about Virgil, a howler monkey and Beatrice, a... More..

16 August 2010

This novel begins with the reintroduction of the Lampton family who featured in the 2009 collection of short stories Singularity. It is very satisfying to explore this family’s relationships in more depth. The uncomfortable but loving relationship between Simon Lampton and his adopted daughter Elke... More..

16 August 2010

Wesley the owl is a remarkable story of an owl and his saviour. Stacey adopts an owl chick with a damaged wing that means that he wouldn't thrive in the wild. She knows this is a long-term commitment as barn owls can live for 15 years or more. Wesley (as she names him) and Stacey become dependent... More..

16 August 2010

This is Sadie Jones’ second novel and focuses again on the fifties, but this time the story is set on the island of Cyprus during the Emergency, a time of unrest between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots who are both fighting against the Colonial forces of Britain. It is a story of idealism gradually... More..

16 August 2010

The story is set in the fifties in Britain and tells of the lives of the middle classes as they hang on to a way of life that they have known and which disappeared with the onset of the Second World War. The author recreates the repressive social mores and highlights the plight of those who rebel... More..

9 August 2010

The latest of the Roy Grace detective series set in Brighton, England. This held the number one position in the Sunday Times Book Review for several weeks. After a New Year’s Eve ball a woman is brutally raped in a top hotel on the way back to her room. A week later another woman is attacked in... More..

29 July 2010

No one knows much about William Shakespeare apart from the fact he was a great playwright. Even his official portrait may be of another person! Not many records remain of Shakespeare and many are believed to have been lost in the Great Fire of London in 1666. His plays are so diverse – comedy,... More..

29 July 2010

The story skips back and forth between 700 to 2009 A.D. A secret library begun by monks in 777 continues throughout the centuries until the entries abruptly end in 1968. Certain world leaders are aware of the information contained in this underground library, and the information is passed on... More..

27 July 2010

Walking New Zealand is a glossy monthly magazine, packed with information on walking and walks, both national and international. The enthusiasm of a walker who has just finished a track or a walk is hard to resist and I find my list of "must do's" threatening to get out of hand. The magazine... More..

24 June 2010

Bad birdwatching is just noticing the birds around you without being too obsessive about it. It is British/American but the principles apply world-wide. I liked the self-depreciating humour, the 'shortcuts' one can take to identify birds, and concepts such as 'avian plankton'. CO More..

24 June 2010

Their marriage had always been more of a partnership than a romance but now David was becoming increasingly helpless and depressed from the effects of sheep dip poisoning. Fiona was glad that she ran a Bed and Breakfast in their Welsh farmhouse, both for the income and the company it provided. An... More..

17 June 2010

Swoon is right! This is a bit of magical romantic silliness and also the name of the town that the story is set in. Is the very attractive Sinclair (Sin to his admirers) a ghost, a golem or something even more sinister? His very presence seems to cause the otherwise well-behaved locals to give... More..

17 June 2010

To quote Philip Ardach, “Unsettling, thought-provoking, life affirming, triumphant and tragic, this is a novel of breathtaking scope.” It is a must read that will take you on a journey into the very heart of what it is to be human and beyond. It is an extraordinarily complex and many layered work... More..

4 May 2010

History graduates Mike, Eileen and Polly time-travel back to England in WWII to make first-hand observations of civilian behaviour. It is not as straightforward as they might hope and, after several weeks, they find that their 'drops' won’t open and they can not regain their own time. Blackout has... More..

4 May 2010

Two fairies, expelled from the Greenwood and bereft of their magic, learn to make do in the mundane world. They find compensations in the form of new foods and technology. They make unexpected allies and discover purpose. In their former lives they meddled with humans without consequence to... More..

26 March 2010

What would it be like if you could predict the date when someone will die? Would you tell them? Would you dare to like or even love someone who has only weeks to live? Jem is blessed/cursed with this knowledge and it has warped her whole life. Spider's number is about to come up, can Jem change... More..

24 March 2010

Not cobbled together in an afternoon, these treehouses. They are beautifully crafted and built with sensitivity to the trees that they inhabit. Sparse poetic words and glorious photographs and line drawings from various angles, seasons and times. cao More..

24 March 2010

The dog of the title is Jim, a whippet who accompanies Terry and Monica on their retirement adventure. They travel on the rivers and canals of England, across the Channel and on through France on their narrowboat. They are gregarious and observant; Terry has a nice turn of phrase. It is a joy to... More..

11 March 2010

Miles fails his physical entrance exam to the military academy, so goes on a jaunt to see his grandmother, then accidentally acquires a mercenary fleet. He is no Luke Skywalker, being crippled and frail but he has a mind that can turn on a dime and he has great insight into what will motivate... More..

10 March 2010

Eoin Colfer has written the 6th book of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. It is true to the spirit of the original, the improbable made fact. Vogons are still bent on destroying Earth in all dimensions, Ford Prefect is still annoyingly optimistic and lazy, Zaphod Beeblebrox has... More..

8 March 2010

With no mother, Moon, aged ten, is left to fend for himself. Living in the shelter home in the forest he is tested when his father dies, leaving him alone. Captured and sent to an institution for children, Moon learns about friendship, trust, and what the world is really all about. An excellent and... More..

8 March 2010

It's amazing what you can remember while being washed downstream, underwater, during a terrible storm. And what things remain in your mind for many years after. But Tim Thomas is determined to find the image that flashed by so long ago in Pounamu. Along with his friend, Mits, he faces the horrid... More..

8 March 2010

Carlo and his mother meet Mrs Christmas in a supermarket. She gives them a blue and gold starry bus ticket, valid for 100 rides. Its magical powers take them to the supermarket at the end of the world, where you can find everything that isn't, but should be…But beware of the Dowlers, horrid... More..

3 March 2010

This book is really two parallel stories intertwined together, and it is not until the very end that the connection between the two narratives is explained. The characters in the book are a mix of misfits, criminals, policemen and ordinary people whose lives merge together to make an enjoyable... More..

12 February 2010

A love story with feathers. Rory watches birds, first with the lovely JJ whom he seeks to impress with his knowledge of Latin names, and later with his wife, Tori. He draws our attention to the common yet remarkable British birds and describes them and their lifestyles with humour. CAO More..

4 February 2010

Here is a must-read novel by a local writer that warms the cockles of one’s heart. It is filled with characters, computers, guardian angels and incidents that have one laughing out loud while absorbing some of the world’s greatest philosophic truths about human fallibility and frailty. It is highly... More..

2 February 2010

An intelligent, humorous, and beautifully written book that I couldn't put down, with wonderfully eccentric characters whose lives you become entwined with, and a completely unexpected ending. The 'action' takes place in a small and elegant apartment building in Paris, where a handful of wealthy... More..

2 February 2010

This novel is as much about the human condition as it is an historical novel. Thomas Rooke, a somewhat naïve young lieutenant in the British Navy, arrives in New South Wales with the First Fleet. Gifted with an ear for languages and the ability for mathematics, he is tasked with setting up an... More..

29 January 2010

Jasira is thirteen. Her mother doesn’t want her, her strict Yemeni born father has met and disapproved of her boyfriend and the kids at school are calling her “towelhead”. Saddam Hussein has invaded Kuwait and America is on the brink of the first Gulf war. Looking for affection and experiencing the... More..

29 January 2010

I chose this thriller as I was challenged to read a novel from a genre I don’t usually read, and it was highly recommended. I started to read somewhat reluctantly, but very soon I was drawn in to the story and couldn’t put it down. David Hunter is a forensic anthropologist, called to the remote... More..

29 January 2010

“Pragmatism, humour, stubborn bloody-mindedness – what else does a woman need to carry her through the ups and downs of her life's work?" This book describes and analyses the lives of five significant New Zealand women, through in-depth interviews with historian and biographer Deborah Shepard.... More..

28 January 2010

We are once again invited into the adventurous life of academic Robert Langdon, a Harvard University professor who constantly finds himself in life-threatening situations while solving ancient mysteries. In this book, Langdon must unlock more ancient mysteries to save his friend Peter Solomon from... More..

28 January 2010

This is a wonderful introduction to the behind- the-scenes activities in a museum. This book has key terms clearly explained both in the text and in a glossary. Websites that are suitable for children are also included. NG More..

28 January 2010

Another excellent book from this Australian writer. It tells the stories of two women and their families, starting in England in 1968 with decisions made then and the subsequent consequences. The setting flips from England and Western Australia between the 1960s and 90s with all the current... More..

28 January 2010

A story set in Russia in 1933, under Stalin’s rule. Sophia and Anna become close friends in the Davinsky labour camp in Siberia, where they barely survive in conditions similar to the concentration camps of WWII. Anna is dangerously ill, so together they contrive Sophia’s perilous escape from the... More..

18 January 2010

This was a great read:- enthralling and captivating until the end. The story opens with the death of Cleopatra and is told by her daughter, Selene who had a twin brother, Alexander, and a younger brother, Ptolemy. Upon their mother’s death, Octavian sends all the children to Rome, where they are... More..

18 January 2010

The Other Hand’, or ‘Little Bee’ (USA title), is a very moving book focussed on how human beings of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds react to sudden and terrible adversity. Two years before the events of the novel, the two main characters meet on a beach in Nigeria where truly horrific... More..

24 December 2009

The study of insects was considered either lunacy or satanic rural Somerset in the late1600s, but in London, entomology was just emerging as a field of study. Eleanor Glanville has been entranced by butterflies since she was a child. She learns to catch, display and study them much to the disgust... More..

24 December 2009

A sequel to ‘The Russian Concubine’, this book follows the story of Lydia Ivanova, who is searching for her father being held in a Russian prison camp. The story moves between Russia and China, the homeland of Lydia’s lover, Chang An Lo. Lydia is a very strong and tough seventeen year-old who has... More..

23 December 2009

The autobiography of a father who lost his eldest daughter in the Elim School tragedy while on an outdoor pursuit adventure. This book depicts events Andy has faced during his life and how he dealt with them, finding treasures amidst the darkness. It shows what he has accomplished and given to... More..

23 December 2009

Based on the book by Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees ventures into the life of a young southern girl from South Carolina, Lily, (Dakota Fanning) who searches for reasons as to why her mother abandoned her as a child. The film takes place during the Black Civil Rights movement in America,... More..

23 December 2009

A different slant on the story of the Holocaust, seen through the eyes of nine year-old Bruno, whose father is the Commandant in charge of Auschwitz. Bruno is too young to understand what is happening around him, but the reader already knows the tragic events that unfold. An easy but... More..

23 December 2009

What is a minor immortal in Ancient Greek mythology doing in 21st Century America? Living in a trailer park and working a restaurant of course! ‘M’ senses a change coming in his life and as the accidents accumulate he is apprehensive. He is kind and cautious but a man with a metre-plus sweep of... More..

23 December 2009

Mary Anning came to life for me in this novel based on the real-life fossil-hunter. I found the female characters to be particularly well-drawn and memorable - Mary, her friend (initially mentor), Elizabeth, and Mary’s strong though uneducated mother, Molly. This is one of the real strengths in a... More..

23 December 2009

Mundane title, stellar story. The war is Vietnam and Lizzie is angry at her beloved Marine husband for choosing duty over family and putting himself in harms way. Interspersed with her domestic trials and victories are his descriptions and tender letters home. Her faith is severely tested when... More..

16 December 2009

Iain Sinclair's book is like an investigation. People are tracked down: Roland Camberton to Herne Hill, Jean-Luc Godard to St John's Wood. Things are connected: Lauriston Road and Julie Christie; the German Hospital and Joseph Conrad. Stories are recovered: the Labyrinth on Dalston Lane; Astrid... More..

16 December 2009

Imagine this. You are a country boy and just eighteen. The war has been raging for two years and because of your age, you have not been eligible for enlistment. Your mates, older by a few months are joining up and disappearing to the great adventure across the world in Europe...Will Davies travels... More..

14 December 2009

Angels and Demons does not disappoint in contrast to the way its sister film, The Da Vinci Code failed to impress. This version of Dan Brown’s work is much more impressive and creative. We are taken into some of Rome’s darkest corners, while the film explored a historical conspiracy of the... More..

9 December 2009

In this fast paced conspiracy thriller, Interpol agent Louis Salinger and his partner find themselves on a chase across the globe as they attempt to expose corruption in powerful international banks. This movie delivers fast paced action in architecturally famous buildings including a shootout at... More..

9 December 2009

The sixth Harry Potter instalment sees the villainous Voldermort becoming more and more powerful. Dumbledore begins to prepare Harry for the final battle. The adaptation of JK Rowling's book doesn't disappoint and is a must see for Harry Potter's fans. Although a bit lengthy, its spectacular... More..

9 December 2009

This is a story of thirteen women who live in Venture, California and collaboratively buy a diamond necklace. This not only brings a little magic into their own lives and others they come into contact with, but also has a major effect on the community. The necklace symbolises different things to... More..

4 December 2009

I have spent a lifetime reading widely in my search for what makes the world wag and why. Every now and again I come across a book that takes me to a whole new level. Jolt Challenge, I am delighted to say, is one of those. I am into my second reading of it and have registered to do the course... More..

4 December 2009

Alexis Soyer was a brilliant man – famous in his time as an inventor (of culinary aids and relish recipes) and as a philanthropist (he set up soup kitchens, innovations of the time in famine-struck Ireland and transformed British army catering during the Crimean war). At the same time, unlikely as... More..

4 December 2009

Having lived in the Middle East as a child, I have come to realize that culture is encapsulated in food. This book is a fantastic example of this, with famous recipes of Persian dishes from all over Iran. Also featured, is a list of Iranian festivities, and a well designed glossary which translates... More..

23 November 2009

Kate Winslet’s Oscar performance takes us into the private life of Hanna Schmitz, a stranger who has an affair with fifteen-year-old Michael Berg, nearly half her age, during World War II. Based on the book by Bernhard Schlink, the story is chronologically told from Michael’s perspective, as we... More..

23 November 2009

The setting is Spain but the palette will suit mediterranean scenes. He makes it look so easy!JM More..

23 November 2009

A wonderful delicious book with beautiful photographs to match. The recipes are easy to follow, authentic and great to eat.JM More..

20 November 2009

If you haven't tried an audio-book before….this is a great one to start with. The story itself along with the accents used throughout the story will have you totally engrossed! Four strangers, all of different nationalities, are brought together to a beautiful property called ‘Villa... More..

19 November 2009

Based on her own experience of grief, Mary Polce-Lynch shows us how to write a last communication such as a letter to a loved one - healing final words that give a sense of closure.JM More..

17 November 2009

Set in Australia in a small mining town, this is a story told through the eyes of a young girl using the first person. The reader glimpses family life falling apart because of the actions of her older sister, and the impact this has on three generations. In parts sad, in parts amusing, this is an... More..

12 November 2009

Mike Parker is a map addict of the first order, from early days ensconsed in the back seat of his grandparents' car dictating directions, to more recent encounters with GPS. His enthusiasm for maps is infectious. You will never look at a map of Scotland showing the Mull of Kintrye with a straight... More..

4 November 2009

Set in Nantucket Island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, this book follows the fortunes and dramas of a Boston banking family who have been spending their summers in the huge house that has been in the family for generations. This summer they are all gathering for Nona's 90th birthday,... More..

4 November 2009

If you are of a sensitive nature, then I would advise you to not read this book, number three in the series. However, if you enjoy a little of the macabre and some black humour, then this is a chuckle out loud read. In attempting to find a serial murderer in his home town of Miami, Dexter allows... More..

4 November 2009

Discovered this very good film about a dysfunctional but loving family, starring Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Savages comprise of a brother, sister and their estranged father who they are forced to take care of when he develops dementia. They collect their father from the very... More..

16 October 2009

An amazing live performance at the O2 arena in London by the seemingly inexhaustible Leonard Cohen. At his most popular in the 1970s, he hasn’t lost the magic, blending old and new songs with a group of highly skilled musicians. The concert is almost three hours long, Cohen having the stamina of... More..

16 October 2009

The author moves from Washington to Kiribati for two years, imagining a tropical paradise. The reality is, however, somewhat different: no sewage disposal system, almost non-existent healthcare, and a diet of fish, relieved only by sporadic deliveries of out of date tinned corned beef. The island... More..

15 October 2009

A school teacher has an affair with a female student.. With such a theme you might expect the novel to be a bleak tract on a community unravelling or even shattering, with people, especially young people, especially girls, falling about ruined. Not so. Above all the novel is witty. Characters... More..

15 October 2009

Starting in 1939 and set in the small town of Augusta Falls, Georgia, twelve year old Joseph Vaughan, after hearing of the brutal murder of a young girl, sets up The Guardians with his friends to protect their neigbourhood. However, despite their efforts the murders continue for the next decade and... More..

15 October 2009

Among other things, the author is Professor for the theory and practice of medicine at Stanford University as well as an excellent writer. This story is about an unusual child, in an unusual setting who lives through unusual circumstances and one book I just couldn't put down. Set in Addis Ababa... More..

15 October 2009

This debut novel is a stunner. A beautifully crafted story that takes you into the life of a woman rancher in the American West during the early days of the twentieth century. Fighting the weather, the landscape and the deprivations of isolation in the Dakota Badlands, Rachel Dupree tells her... More..

14 October 2009

I found this book engrossing and moving. Set in the present in England, it tells of two interwoven relationships, which are intricately enmeshed in a way hard to imagine but easy to believe because the characters are so well delineated by the author. It is written with such authority that even... More..

14 October 2009

This novel is set in 1960 in a department store in Sydney named Goodes, which is a fictionalised version of the Elizabeth Street store David Jones. The story is very character focused and centres on four females who work in the ladies’ cocktail frocks section. Patty and Fay are ordinary young... More..

13 October 2009

This debut novel from Tiffany Baker is an absolute treasure to read. I quickly became engrossed in the story of Truly, born with a genetic condition that keeps her growing until she is larger than everyone around her. This is ultimately a love story set in small town America, about family dramas... More..

13 October 2009

John le Carre turns his storytelling talents to the ‘War on Terror.’ Set in Hamburg, the story tells of a half-starved young Russian man claiming to be a devout Muslim, an idealistic young German civil rights lawyer, and a sixty-year-old banker, who form an unlikely alliance to get the young... More..

13 October 2009

A woman travels from New Zealand to Ireland to attend a conference, but is actually on a quest to find her father who walked out on the family when she was a young child and was never seen again.Layers within the story uncover areas of relationships with family, lover and friends. Limestone is the... More..

13 October 2009

Claire is a teenage girl who, when there is an electrical storm, switches out of her body and into the body of another person. When a gorgeous new girl appears in town and Claire’s dream guy is attracted to her, Claire wishes she were more like her. Imagine what happens when during the next storm,... More..

13 October 2009

A gripping thriller/horror with gruesome moments and a shocking ending. This film is a must-watch for audiences of horror. The plot follows a disgraced policeman whose new job as the security guard for a burnt-out department store results in his heart-pounding confrontation with a terrifying evil... More..

13 October 2009

In a nutshell, this is a book about a woman’s journey to understand who she once was. Set on board a cruise liner, which in itself supplies an interesting background, the story involves a number of disparate characters who each help her towards the resolution she has so far been denied. There are... More..

13 October 2009

Using mainly British, French, and American sources, the author examines how the Orient (principally Egypt and Palestine) has been represented in the West since the end of the eighteenth century, and how that representation has been constructed. His method is especially interesting because he... More..

13 October 2009

At first it is fabulous to fly, to soar, to be free, but a loblolly boy is invisible to all but a few sensitive creatures, and this life is not without loneliness and danger. To regain humanity a loblolly boy has to exchange his life with someone willing to leave their own behind. Out of the... More..

13 October 2009

Each story is tantalising, ending with possibilities yet to come. Many seem to be from the view of someone who is somewhat divorced from the conventional world, maybe even mad. In "Eyes of the Soul" a window treatment firm provides a fantastic solution to a dismal view...or does it? CAO More..

12 October 2009

For someone who is dead, Grace is having a lively time of it. She was shot while buying cigarettes (smoking is bad for you) but doesn't realise at first. She lives in a limbo, an almost copy of her old neighbourhood but occasionally, very rarely, she can step back into our world. The first time... More..

12 October 2009

A busload of variable teens and a team of scientists who have managed to transport creatures who may or may not be demons to our world. You just know that these groups are going to collide, but the villains and heroes are unexpected. An exploration of the ethics of way-out-there science within a... More..

12 October 2009

There are shelves of memoirs about overcoming the death of a parent, childhood abuse, rape, drug addiction, miscarriage, alcoholism, hustling, gangbanging, near-death injuries, drug dealing, prostitution, or homelessness. Cupcake Brown survived all these things before she'd even turned twenty. And... More..

12 October 2009

An eighty year old woman on her way to have lunch with the Queen has a car accident. As she awaits rescue she remembers her life with grace and gratitude. Beautiful writing.EO More..

12 October 2009

In a follow-up to the novel Boy in the World, Jay continues his search for his father. We left him in Ethiopia under the caring wing of Sister Bridget. But he still feels the pull to find his missing father - the link between his past and his future, and the piece that will complete the jigsaw... More..

12 October 2009

If you enjoy reading a nature/memoir style of book and you have a love of birds, then this is the one for you. As is oftten the case, one stray bird led to many more, with all their strange habits, along with the many ways of trying to fit in with the rest of the family. This story is told with... More..

12 October 2009

If you are a fan of David Jason’s acting in the BBC series ‘Only Fools and Horses,’ ‘Open All Hours’ and ‘Darling Buds of May’ amongst others, you will enjoy reading this biography. Right from his early childhood this brilliant comedian made people laugh, his successful career culminating with his... More..

23 September 2009

Heritage week .. now there's an occasion we can all feel ambivalent about. Just to throw a historian in among the pigeons, try James Belich. He's a punchy fellow and it's well worth priming yourself for the book by listening to his interview with Kim Hill. He "fingers" the settlement boom as... More..

21 September 2009

With an introduction by Richard Ingrams (Private Eye) this is a collection of opinions, prejudices and rants about modern life and all its (in)conveniences, aimed at baby-boomers. No gadget is spared, no public service ignored, no lapse in manners forgiven. Individually, the pieces are amusing,... More..

21 September 2009

Robbie Coltrane, Scottish star of Harry Potter and Cracker, hires a classic Jaguar car and decides to travel from London to Glasgow avoiding all motorways and A-roads and traveling only on B-roads. His journey takes him through villages and towns that have retained their unique identity, where he... More..

21 September 2009

This is a British documentary which follows the Young at Heart Chorus as they prepare for a concert in their hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts. The age range of the singers is 73 – 94, but rather than tackle the old-time favourites, their director, Bob Cilman, trains them to sing punk, rock... More..

21 September 2009

Sullivan McLeod grew up in Margaret River, Western Australia, and has always surfed. Having completed the obligatory OE, he decides to enter the surfing World Championships, just to see if he could compete against some of his idols. He starts off with good intentions, but is frequently waylaid by... More..

21 September 2009

This first novel by poet Alison Wong is set in Wellington between 1905 and 1920. It is beautifully written, almost poetic but it deals with real life, real politics and tragic situations. There are descriptions of Chinatown, its inhabitants and activities, and the issues that it raises, racism and... More..

21 September 2009

This book’s sub-title, How William Lever cleaned up the world, provides only a hint of how one extraordinary man used his personal fortune to influence and change society by practical measures founded on far-sighted beliefs. William Lever set about providing men, women and children with fresh air,... More..

14 September 2009

Although starting and finishing in the present in a prison cell in Guantanamo Bay, at the core of this story is the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki in 1945. The lives of characters from three very different cultures are cleverly interwoven in a tale of love and loss. In this beautifully... More..

14 September 2009

Written in truly voluptuous language, this is a delightfully realistic view of life through the eyes of eight year old Nyree and her younger sister Cia. Living in Rhodesia during the days of the "Terrs" and the fall of the white government, their idyllic life is to be changed forever when a... More..

14 September 2009

This is an absorbing story about a Republican First Lady, Alice Blackwell. The similarities to Laura Bush are plain - both were school librarians, both involved in a car crash in which someone was killed, and both married into wealthy, privileged families. Alice is depicted compassionately - her... More..

14 September 2009

After being in self-imposed exile for three years, the Dixie Chicks make a comeback with their international hit album “Taking the Long Way”. In contrast to their past three albums which made them the best selling female group in America – where the girls mostly sang about break-ups and cowboys... More..

14 September 2009

This film follows the beginnings of the vigilante ‘Punisher’ in an action-packed display of awe-inspiring intelligence and artistic use of weaponry. The tension builds up gradually and leads to a thrilling finale which leaves the audience wanting more. Great acting by John Travolta and Tom Jane... More..

14 September 2009

The Grenadier Guards – scarlet tunics and bearskin helmets, Trooping the Colour, guarding the Queen and her royal palaces. My son came home from London with a Grenadier tunic, which sparked off our interest in finding out the history behind it. This DVD shows the huge amount of training and hard... More..

14 September 2009

Based on a true story which took place in 1928, Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich in one of the most heartrending films of the year. The film takes place in Los Angeles, where Christine Collins says goodbye to her son Walter before work, only to return home to find he has... More..

14 September 2009

Having grossed as the most successful Christmas movie at the box office, Marley and Me follows the journey of journalists John and Jen Grogan as they start their newly-wed life together in Florida. Afraid of becoming a father, John instead buys Jen a puppy in the initial months of their marriage.... More..

9 September 2009

Just when you thought life couldn't get any worse for poor Florence, it does, because in her family - and what an interesting bunch they are - things seem to happen in threes. She even gets a surprise when her one and only child arrives back into the country. Not that this is a depressing book by... More..

9 September 2009

If you enjoyed Lewycka’s A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian and Two Caravans you will love this read. It is a witty, fast-paced combination of eccentric characters who will have you laughing all the way.PT More..

9 September 2009

A slavery novel which follows the journey over six decades of an eleven year old African girl, from her capture right up until the time she stands before the British Parliament asking for the abolition of slavery. A wonderful, moving novel.EO More..

9 September 2009

A true and moving portrait of the love and courage of a family. A forty year old single mother is bringing up her one year old daughter and caring for her eighty year old father who has Alzheimer’s disease. As she watches in awe, her child’s memory grows and expands daily, but she also mourns her... More..

9 September 2009

Please note the sub-title: this is not a book about how to care for your lawn but about the social impact the lawnmower has had on people. It pokes gentle fun at the strange notion of trying to produce a uniform, monocultural landscape out of something as rampant as grass. The development of the... More..

7 September 2009

These anecdotes of growing up in the 1960s and 70s have a resonance even now. David Sedaris will make you laugh out loud with his offbeat family antics. The hilariously painful rites of passage that he describes will remind you how childhood and adolescence shapes all of us. MC More..

26 August 2009

This is a modern retelling of the Grimms’ fairytale "The twelve dancing princesses" where a young soldier, recently returned from war, rescues the princesses from an evil curse which compels them to dance each night until their slippers are worn through. Our hero Galen has a secret weapon not found... More..

26 August 2009

Having read and enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. The Host was written for an adult audience, and is about aliens invading Earth and taking over the bodies of human beings. The story follows one particular alien and her human "host", and as... More..

21 August 2009

Written as a catalogue for the exhibition held at Gus Fisher Gallery in Auckland, and the National Portrait Gallery in Wellington in 2008/2009, this book observes a wide scope of leadership within New Zealand, from Queen Victoria to Sir Edmund Hillary. This beautifully illustrated catalogue... More..

20 August 2009

So many of us have experienced a turning point in our lives, be it a tragedy or a delight. But how many of us have done something with that turning point to change the lives of others? Ben Thomas is an exceptionally mysterious man with a dark past, whose intention is solely to change the lives of... More..

20 August 2009

The author walks around London following the path of the M25. You get to see what's at the edges of the city - Waltham Abbey, Government research institutions, disused asylums, exclusive housing, Martian death rays, industrial estates, Carfax, shopping malls. A series of local histories connected... More..

19 August 2009

A novel about a 16 year old boy, Greg, with academically successful siblings who learns to stand up for himself. He realises that he will never win his parents’ approval by trying to be the person they want him to be and fulfill their dreams, and has the courage to go against their wishes and be... More..

19 August 2009

The story begins with the murder of an illegal African street vendor in a busy Venetian campo while he was attempting to sell his fake designer handbags to a group of American tourists.This book deals with issues surrounding immigrants, race and immigrant labour. The detective Guido Brunetti must... More..

19 August 2009

Award-winning journalist Sally Sara takes us on a journey of discovery through Africa, interviewing twelve very different African women. The women speak very openly and honestly about their lives and the horrors they have endured through times of war and famine. A thoroughly engaging and... More..

19 August 2009

This is an entertaining, unauthorized, account of the history of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In his introduction, Michael Gross describes the Metropolitan as a, 'huge alchemical experiment, turning the worst of man's attributes - extravagance, lust, gluttony, acquisitiveness, envy, avarice,... More..

19 August 2009

Sunny Cooper is still recovering from her unusual upbringing on a commune, dealing with her relationship with her mother and haunted by her younger sister's death, when she suffers another personal tragedy and decides to start life afresh. She moves to the small town of Harmony on San Miguel... More..

19 August 2009

This is one of the feel-good books of the year. Set in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, canny, big hearted businesswoman Grace Tungaraza is a professional with a successful cake baking business. You are drawn into her life and learn about the strength of women who have endured the horror of genocide... More..

17 August 2009

When Bunty discovers her husband is having an affair, she is more concerned about how she will maintain the lifestyle she has become accustomed to than sorry that her marriage is about to end. With no money of her own and few work skills, having spent her time as a ‘stay at home’ mum watching... More..

17 August 2009

What a wonderful, sensitive and kind hearted boy Frankie Parsons is. His anxieties and worries were very real, and it was a great reminder to me of my teenage years and the power that my problems had over me. Frankie was lucky in that he had such a wonderful support network of family and... More..

17 August 2009

I just finished reading the fourth books in the Twilight saga by Stephanie Meyer. Talk about blown away! I was very sceptical about whether I would enjoy books about vampire romance, but Bella, Edward and Jacob were so full of passion and intensity that it was impossible to not get drawn into their... More..

17 August 2009

This title is similar to the others in the Alex Rider series and other action adventure novels for teens. They're plot driven, pacy reads, with an emphasis on action, rather than relationships between characters. Reading them is a lot like watching an action thriller. The detail is in the stunts... More..

17 August 2009

It normally takes me a couple of weeks to knock off a book but if it's funny and the characters are great, I'll manage it in a couple of hours. Stop in the name of pants! is the latest in the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series by Louise Rennison, and once again I fell in love with Georgia's... More..

17 August 2009

15 years of research went into this book which is written as if it was Henry himself who penned it as a journal covering his thoughts, emotions, decisions and events throughout his life. Through Margaret George’s writing I felt some sympathy for this king, caught between the powerful grip of the... More..

17 August 2009

Laz is well-liked, loved and admired by his family and friends but he does have the habit of checking out of his life occasionally. At first, his wife Grace was alarmed by his disappearances, but he always returned with never a whiff of infidelity. But now he has been gone for several weeks. Grace... More..

6 August 2009

David Case is 14 and worries about everything bad that may happen. If fate exists then how can he control anything? Can he escape? A thought-provoking book, you’ll instantly like David and his vulnerabilities even though he doesn’t seem to like himself very much! Winner of the 2006 Carnegie... More..

6 August 2009

Pink does it again. The theme is her marriage hiccup – she is letting her emotions out! This girl has a set of lungs showcasing a good mix of rock songs and beautifully sung ballads. You will find yourself hitting the repeat button and turning up the volume. Very enjoyable.RB More..

3 August 2009

Another DVD to view on these cold winter evenings is 'Strumpet City'. Taken from a television series, this drama is set in Dublin and based around the real-life character Jim Larkin who worked tirelessly for workers’ rights. Some excellent acting helps portray everyday life for the folk who... More..

3 August 2009

A delightful film about Jessica (played by a bright and lovely Cecile de France), who leaves her home in the countryside to live in vibrant Paris. Her grandmother had told her that, as she could not afford to live in luxury, she had worked in it, so Jessica intends to do the same, and uses her... More..

3 August 2009

A great French comedy starring Daniel Auteuil, Valerie Lemecier and Thierry Lhermitte. Gerard, a clingfilm expert, has been unemployed for a very long time. Finally, he is offered a new job, in Indonesia, but first the manager wants to check out his home life, especially his wife's cooking... More..

3 August 2009

Does the world need yet another book on Shakespeare? Yes, if it is by Bill Bryson. This is a compendium of all the facts known about Shakespeare (not actually a great many), and various conjectures that scholars and nut-cases have come up with over the years. Obsessive research, and some... More..

3 August 2009

I loved this book and the array of tempting recipes. It is presented in a totally different format to the usual Australian Woman’s Weekly recipe books and I found the photographs stunning. There is temptation on every page and having one recipe per page with the photograph on the adjacent page is a... More..

3 August 2009

This book contains anecdotes and curious information on a range of forty well-known songs and their composers, from ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ to ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Yesterday’. Their origins make an interesting read although some histories are over... More..

3 August 2009

Charlotte Wood dedicated this novel to her parents whose love story inspired her to write it. The book is divided into four parts. The first part is set in 1963 in Australia and involves the meeting of Martin and Jocelyn who form a deep and loving relationship. Family problems come between them and... More..

3 August 2009

I read this series many, many years ago and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read about vampires or the supernatural. I enjoyed these 3 books because I became engrossed with the characters and needed to find out what happened next. It was also a teenage love story, not like the... More..

3 August 2009

The first memoir from a woman born and raised in South Darfur is a powerful account of the horrors of the genocide in Sudan. A compelling account of Halima’s determination to survive and her passion to defend her people.P.O. More..

3 August 2009

Dawn French invites us into her most personal relationships in the format of letters written to, among others, her mum and dad, her husband, her daughter and her friend Jennifer Saunders, the ‘Dear Fatty’ of the title. A warm and funny book which reveals the surprising life behind the smile.P.O. More..

3 August 2009

The latest in the series about Marcus Didius Falco, a private investigator in Ancient Rome. Falco looks into the sudden demise of Theon, the Chief Librarian at the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt. A great read – amusing and fascinating.P.O. More..

3 August 2009

This is the most delightful story of two men and their tussle to ask a lady to a ball – which becomes a “bird – hunt”. Read on to see what unfolds.D.J. More..

3 August 2009

The story shares the joys and humour of everyday life during the mid-life years woman face. A light easy read guaranteed to lift your spirits.Polly More..

3 August 2009

A heart warming story of Ben Mee and his family buying a zoo that has been closed down. None of them have any expertise in running a zoo, so they learn and lived to tell a story full of interesting animal facts, having to deal with bureaucracy, and heart aching human drama. H.B. More..

3 August 2009

Deborah O’Roake a young DA is investigating a gang violence case and exposes fraud and drug trafficking. Early on she meets Cage Guthrie and of course, they fall in love and work together on this case. An enjoyable, relaxing read – a romantic suspense novel with a fantasy twist.H.B. More..

30 July 2009

Maggie McElroy, food writer, goes on a “working” trip to China to write about a young up and coming chef, Sam Ling, while also investigating a paternity suit against her late husband’s estate. This is an entertaining story with fascinating information on the food culture of China. Lots of strands... More..

30 July 2009

A page turner from start to finish. A psychological thriller, the title tells it all. Set in Minnesota a crime that was not solved, until now. Who really did kill Laura Star. you will find more of his titles at hereGarfield. More..

23 July 2009

This is an alternative history set in London in 2008, but resembles a bygone era. Jessica Allendon is catapulted into this alternate world as she unintentionally finds herself swapping places with a parallel universe Jessica. This is a world in which women are subservient to men. The attitudes are... More..

20 July 2009

Death by water is a tale of a woman detective, solving mysteries and uncovering secrets. The story begins on a cruise liner where a series of jewellery thefts from first class passengers have taken place. Phryne Fisher has being hired to solve the mystery of stolen jewellery Kerry Greenwood has... More..

20 July 2009

Written and set in the 1950s by Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road (2008) is a love story unlike no other. The raw emotions intertwined with the exquisite acting from Academy Award winner and nominated actors Kate Winslet and Leonardo di Caprio makes this film one of the best adapted screenplays of... More..

20 July 2009

Based on a true story, this is a stunning book about an unusual subject and a different view of the American settlement of the west. Vivid and believable characters, outstanding bravery, brutal realities and the clash of cultures make this an unforgettable read. AH More..

20 July 2009

Set during the time of Edward IV, this book takes you into the world of the silk merchants and women's lives of the time. This well researched book brings to life the social and political scenes of this era and breathes life into real players at the court of the king. The story moves along at a... More..

17 July 2009

Mark is an only child being bought up single handedly by his mother. He needs to fundraise - I loved his problem solving skills - all in all a very enterprising young man. This book is a very enjoyable read with all the elements of sabotage/ enterprise/ problem solving/ success and intrigue. Comes... More..

17 July 2009

Intense and moving, this story of love, discovery, and the transformational power of music is set in the extraordinary situation of a hostage takeover.Strong friendships and bonds forged among the most unlikely people attest to humanity’s needs and desires being mutual and universal. Our continual... More..

17 July 2009

Coping with a terminally ill friend may not be everyone’s idea for the theme of a book, but this is written with humour and honesty, and is anything but gloomy. The reader finds that there is great empathy with the friend, who has been coerced into looking after her ill, but at times infuriating... More..

17 July 2009

This is a non-fiction book about the ongoing conflict in Palestine. Apart from being easy to read, it manages to put both points of view in a clear and fair way so that all through the book the reader is able to compare the impact of what’s happening as experienced by both the Palestinians and the... More..

17 July 2009

Adam Dalgliesh and his team are called to a private clinic to investigate the death of an investigative journalist. A good read again from one of my favourite authors, though I did find this one slightly more predictable than any of her earlier books. Still worth taking home though. SJC More..

17 July 2009

Another great read from Kate Atkinson in the Jackson Brodie series. Crime, humour and good characters in the story of the consequences of a crime committed 30 years ago. Read “Case Histories and “ One Good Turn” to get to know Jackson Brodie. In each book he is just one of a good cast of... More..

17 July 2009

A beautifully told story of the tragic consequences of the wars in Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion. A Russian woman, an American ex-spy, a Special Forces soldier and a soldier of the Taliban are together in the home of an English doctor whose wife and daughter have been murdered by the... More..

14 July 2009

If you like RnB, with a little bit of rap this album is for you. Usher is not only an amazing dancer but also has an amazing voice. This album has a wide range of RnB songs from love songs such as “simple things” to rap songs such as “Yeah”. This album has some great hits and I recommend it for... More..

14 July 2009

With the king of pop now dead, everyone is listening to his music. This album includes many of his huge hits from his very early childhood days with the Jackson 5 such as “ABC”, “Rockin' robin” and “Ben” to his more memorable hits such as “Thriller”, “Billie Jean” and many... More..

14 July 2009

With new hair cuts and with more understandable lyrics this has been reviewed as their best album.Their latest album – with four or five songs high up in the charts such as: Sex on fire, Use somebody, Revelry and Notion. This is definitely one for the CD collection. B More..

7 July 2009

Gregory has been 'ordered' to bring his beloved dalmation JP to the south of France so that JP can father a new litter of puppies. He complies, travelling light with JP tucked in front of him on a motor scooter! A light, fun read for lovers of dogs and France.cao More..

7 July 2009

This North Shore resident is a psychotherapist with many years experience working with dreams and their interpretation. She has been both teacher and practitioner and run dream workshops in New Zealand for many years. In this work she outlines the nature and range of dreams and their role in... More..

7 July 2009

Anyone who loves home cooking will love this collection of New Zealand baking favourites. Illustrated with original recipes and accompanied with commentaries on the history of the different recipes. Hard to resist Montana Book Award finalist. The author was a curator at the Auckland Art Gallery... More..

7 July 2009

A book about Chinese Taoist meditation. Translated by Wilhelm Reich, famous also for his translation of the Chinese classic: I ChingOf particular interest is the commentary by Carl Jung. The book deals with meditation techniques and the secret is about the powers of growth and development... More..

7 July 2009

Book 10, in the No1. Ladies Detective Agency series, doesn’t fail to please if you need a dose of Botswana and its characters. Mme Ramotswe holds on to those who are dear to her, including her overworked and overloaded tiny white van. These stories are always a cure for downheartedness and Mme... More..

3 July 2009

If you’re in the mood for a truly delightful read then The Earth Hums in B Flat, the debut novel by Mari Strachan is the book for you. Set in a small Welsh town in the 1950s the story centres around the inquisitive and slightly ‘odd’ 12 year old Gwenni Morgan and her quest to solve the mystery of... More..

3 July 2009

At first one is tempted to think that Passage is an over-long book. But it builds and builds to the very end, and all the strands come together in one long rope that holds more questions than answers. Connie Willis writes about uncomplicated time travel coupled with wonderfully atmospheric... More..