Book Reviews April 2023

Curl up with a good book this autumn. This month’s collection includes some classic authors, as well as an honest memoir from a Kiwi favourite, and the cutest bee book you’ll ever read!

Hayley Holt has been gracing our TV screens for over 20 years. Her first book, a memoir, is a raw and honest story of alcoholism, recovery, and courage in the face of loss. Having been a public face for much of her life, Hayley’s highs and lows have been aired for everyone to see. In Second Chances, Hayley tells her side of the story. Almost brutally honest and raw, Hayley talks openly about the self-doubt that eventually drove her to self-destruction. As her high-profile media career grew, she spent nights drinking, partying and blacking out. She describes the scare that led her to Alcoholics Anonymous, her journey to sobriety, and a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis that helped to bring everything into focus. Hayley also gives details about the devastating miscarriage of her first baby, and the eventual joy of the birth of her son earlier this year. Heartbreaking and life-affirming, and filled with wit and charm, Second Chances is about finding the courage to confront your demons, and learning that even the deepest pain can be followed by the greatest joy.

Wilbur Smith, Tom Harper
Allen & Unwin
RRP $45.00

Some authors need little introduction. Multimillion copy bestselling author Wilbur Smith returns with a brand-new historical epic, in which three strands of the Courtney family converge in a bloodthirsty bid for revenge. It begins in Paris, in 1794. The Reign of Terror. Paul Courtney watches as the condemned are brought to the guillotine. Among them is Constance Courtney, Paul’s mother. He knows he must fulfil his promise to her – to survive no matter what. He joins Napoleon’s army and is taken to Egypt, but with traitors in every corner, just how far will Paul go to ensure his own survival? Then it’s Cape Town, and it’s 1806. Adam Courtney has spent his life in the Navy, under the shadow of his father, Admiral Robert Courtney. But when he returns home to find the Courtney family murdered, Adam must accept his destiny and seek vengeance. From Cape Town to Calcutta, on a quest for his family’s honour, Adam discovers that the enemy he seeks may be closer to him than he realises. Wilbur Smith published over 50 global bestsellers, including the Courtney Series, the Ballantyne Series and the Egyptian Series.

Robert Ludlum’s The Treadstone Rendition

Joshua Hood
Bloomsbury
RRP $36.99

The first novel in an explosive new series inspired by Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne universe, The Treadstone Resurrection introduces a new hero, Adam Hayes. Treadstone may have made Bourne an unstoppable force, but he’s not the only one… Operation Treadstone has almost ruined Adam Hayes, and he’s stepped away from the field for the last time. He’s promised his wife that he won’t put his life on the line anymore, and there’s nothing that will make him break a promise to his wife. Well…almost nothing. In the latest electrifying thriller from the realm of Robert Ludlum, the final days of the American presence in Afghanistan bring Adam a summons he can’t ignore. The Treadstone Rendition is the fourth book about Agent Hayes, and this one is another high-speed thrill with twists and turns you won’t expect. There is certainly no lack of action throughout the book, and if you’re after a fast-paced story, this wild ride from author Joshua Hood is one you won’t be able to put down. The Treadstone Rendition shows Hood is a true master of suspenseful, non-stop action.

What could be better than a book of happiness with gorgeous images of bees? Packed with quotes from poets to philosophers, from Bindi Irwin and Winnie the Pooh to Shakespeare, and accompanied by some fantastic images sure to make your spirits soar, Buzz celebrates the humble bee – fascinating, endearing, and essential to our future. From Egyptian hieroglyphic language, Hindu gods, Buddhists, the Quran and the Bible; the bee has been referenced across the world for centuries. Ancient civilizations admired the industry, organisation and hierarchical structure of bee life. Today, the bee is a style inspiration for fabrics, jewellery and even architecture. Throughout our history, most people have generally taken bees for granted. But now they are under pressure. Writers and conservationists have worked hard to raise our awareness of their plight, and today no respectable community is far from a few hives. This book is a celebration of the life and work of the bee. Buzz reminds us to respect and protect this extraordinary insect.

If you were dating money, what would it say about you? That’s the initial question in this ground-breaking book from New Zealand financial psychology expert Lynda Moore, which helps you develop your own relationship with money. Through Lynda’s highs and lows of her own love life, this helpful book takes you on a journey with a surprise ending. The book was created to help you develop your own money love story, remove financial blocks, and create more wealth in your life. According to Lynda, nurturing your financial wellness is just as important as looking after your physical wellness. Your mindset and emotional relationship with money influences every spending decision that you make. Conversations with Money: A Love Story provides guidance for informed self-reflection and understanding of your relationship with money. This book will challenge you to think and feel about your relationship with money, your relationship with your partner regarding talking about money, your money beliefs and whether these are holding you back or helping you move forward, and what financial fulfilment means and looks like for you.