Forget the socks and chocs; this Father’s Day, give Dad (or the father figure in your life) the gift of a great read. From wild adventures and Kiwi yarns to fascinating stories, food, history and nostalgia, our selection of new releases has plenty to treat every kind of book lover.
Bateman Books, $39.99
Mountain Warrior is a compelling account of Shane Cameron’s extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of New Zealand’s most formidable heavyweight boxers. Steve Kilgallon takes readers beyond the punches and titles, revealing the setbacks, determination and personal battles that shaped the man behind the gloves. With first-hand insight into Cameron’s career, including the unforgettable David Tua fight, it’s an honest and often surprising story of resilience, redemption and refusing to stay down. A gripping read for boxing fans and anyone who appreciates a good comeback story.
Bateman Books, $39.99
Hunting Distant Places is a lively celebration of the places, people and adventures that keep Daryl “Crimpy” Crimp chasing the next horizon. From remote New Zealand mountains to hunting grounds across Australia, Europe, Africa and beyond, his stories are packed with humour, suspense, close calls and the occasional hard-earned lesson. More than a collection of hunting tales, it captures that irresistible itch to see what lies beyond the next ridge – and the wild places that keep calling you back. A great armchair adventure for anyone with an appreciation for the outdoors and a good Kiwi yarn.
Allen & Unwin, $45
Sam The Bushman is a ripper of a read, packed with colourful characters, wild encounters and the kind of bush yarns that are best shared around a campfire. Sam Gibson’s lifelong love of the ngahere shines through, from chasing game and fishing to foraging for native plants and exploring some of New Zealand’s wildest corners. There’s plenty of humour and adventure along the way, but also a genuine respect for the land and the creatures that call it home. It’s a book that might have you laughing at one story and eyeing the bush with fresh curiosity on the next.
Bateman, $59.99
For the Dad who loves good meat and even better cooking, Marrow: Whole Animal Eating is a gift with plenty to get stuck into. Nick Thomson takes a modern, practical approach to nose-to-tail cooking, sharing recipes and techniques for making the most of every cut, from the familiar to the often-overlooked. His philosophy goes beyond simply reducing waste – he sees food as medicine and whole-animal eating as a more sustainable, nourishing way to approach meat. Drawing on his experience as a butcher and his international culinary influences, Nick makes traditional techniques feel achievable and inspiring for the home cook. A great choice for anyone who enjoys knowing where their food comes from, cooking from scratch and getting maximum flavour from every part of the animal.
Bateman, $39.99
Roadscapes is a nostalgic love letter to New Zealand on four wheels, capturing the cars, people and landscapes that make up our everyday journeys. Drawing on more than 45 years behind the camera, Derek Smith finds beauty and character in everything from humble workhorses to memorable classics, placing them within the landscapes and communities they belong to. There’s something wonderfully familiar about these photographs – they evoke the cars we grew up with, the roads we’ve travelled and the stories attached to them. A great gift for anyone who loves cars, photography or simply a good dose of Kiwi nostalgia.
Slash by Gavin Strawhan
Allen & Unwin, $37.99
Slash is a gritty, fast-moving crime thriller that plunges readers into the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle and the darker corners of Tairāwhiti and Fiji. Gavin Strawhan’s troubled protagonist Honey Chalmers is impossible to ignore as she battles her own demons while digging into a disappearance that leads her towards some seriously dangerous people. Atmospheric, emotionally raw and distinctly Kiwi in its setting, this is a gripping read that keeps tightening the screws right through to its explosive finale.
Harbour Lights, $35
Available from amazon.com.au
Set against the stormy beauty of the Coromandel, Flood Zone delivers a crime thriller with plenty of twists and a distinctly topical edge. When a councillor dies during a violent storm, former detective Sam Cole isn’t convinced it was an accident, leading him into a murky world of property deals, political influence and dangerous secrets. Brett Austin cleverly weaves climate change and the consequences of building on flood-prone land into the story without losing sight of the suspense. Dark, atmospheric and unsettlingly plausible, it’s a compelling read for fans of crime with something more to say.
The Wonder of Whales: Discover the Lives of Earth’s Most Majestic Giants by Melissa Hobson
Allen & Unwin, $32.99
The Wonder of Whales is the kind of book that makes you appreciate just how extraordinary these ocean giants really are. Melissa Hobson combines fascinating facts with beautiful illustrations, revealing the secrets behind whale behaviour, epic migrations and their surprisingly complex communication. It’s informative without ever feeling dry, and there are plenty of fascinating discoveries to keep you turning the pages. A beautiful choice for ocean lovers, wildlife enthusiasts or anyone who has ever been lucky enough to see a whale in the wild.
John Beaufoy Publishing, $29.99
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Insects of Aotearoa New Zealand is a wonderful invitation to take a closer look at the tiny creatures sharing our gardens, forests and backyards. Samuel Purdie combines stunning photography with clear, accessible information, covering everything from familiar favourites to rare and threatened species. Compact enough to take exploring, it’s packed with fascinating details about identification, habitats, behaviour and conservation. A great companion for curious nature lovers – and perhaps the perfect way to discover that those “creepy crawlies” are far more interesting than they first appear.
