Beautiful Ugly
By Alice Feeney
MacMillan, $37.99
If you’re a first-time reader of Alice Feeney, be prepared to enjoy the unexpected twists of this psychological thriller. When author Grady Green’s wife disappears while he is talking to her on the phone, he is overcome with grief and unanswered questions. A year later after travelling to a tiny Scottish Island, he sees the impossible: a woman who looks exactly like his wife. Steeped in the unexpected, you’ll be totally immersed from the first pages to the end.
Beating Burnout
By Mike McKinney
Exisle Publishing, $26.99
It’s not just crazy life schedules or the demands of a workplace that place people at risk of burnout. In this book, clinical psychologist Mike McKinney takes a look at the all-or-nothing personality, offering practical tools for helping manage and prevent burnout, and work towards creating a more balanced future. Presented in manageable bite-sized information segments, it’s also thoroughly useful to dip into on days you may struggle.
By Marnie Anstis
BootsBooks, $45
Sharing her early diary entries, memories and stories from a farming life in the Pakihi Valley (near Ōpōtiki) in the 1970s, Marnie Anstis has created a legacy for her family with this book, as well as an endearing read which superbly captures the isolation and wild environment many Kiwi farmers face (even today). Peppered with nostalgic photos which beautifully capture the era, it’s an interesting read intertwined with key moments of self-discovery and learning.
By Simon Burt
Ugly Hill Press, $39.99
When Simon Burt bought his first caravan after years of drooling over the pages of RV magazines, it ignited into a love for the freedom that a caravan offered and allowed. Prompted by curiosity, he set off (with Meg the foxie) to find what makes Route 52, the back road between Masterton and Waipukurau tick. The result is a ‘Kiwi as’ read, which perfectly captures the personality of this unique landscape and the people who live there. It’s also an ideal accompaniment for anyone planning to travel that road.
Three Boys Gone
By Mark Smith
MacMillan, $37.99
A gripping and thought-provoking read from beginning to end, this psychological thriller presents the reader with the ultimate moral dilemma. Grace Disher faces every teacher’s worst nightmare when three boys are caught in ocean surf on a camping trip. Having to make a split-second decision as to whether to attempt to save them, knowing it would mean she dies, her decision comes under increasing scrutiny and plays out with taut portrayals of grief and guilt.
By Lucie Morris-Marr
Allen & Unwin, $37.99
When journalist Lucie Morris-Marr was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer, her thirst for knowledge saw her embark on a deep dive into processed meats. If you enjoy pepperoni pizzas and salami cheese boards, you may rethink these choices – forever – after reading some of the research on fast food, controversial preservatives and what’s involved in the process of some of the foods we unthinkingly consume, as well as how they are marketed. A solid, thought-provoking and potentially life-changing read.
BatKiwi and the Big Wet
By Melinda Szymanik and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Scholastic NZ Ltd, $21.99
The best children’s books are the ones that are just as joyous for adults to enjoy (even on repeat). With stunning illustrations and wonderfully clever text to read aloud, BatKiwi and the Big Wet makes for a collectable third in the popular BatKiwi series. Showcasing a variety of New Zealand creatures, Kiwi and Bat once again come to the rescue, helping their friends escape floodwaters.
Eye of the Dragon
By Susan Brocker
Scholastic NZ, $20.99
Inspired by the song Puff the Magic Dragon (about a boy who invents a magical dragon that slips away as he grows older), this tale focuses on 13-year-old Thomas who uses Puff to help stand up to a group of bullies. Touches on themes of self-confidence and self-belief with a charming story that will appeal to many ages.
Elastic Adventures Fiji: Plantation Island Resort
By Karen McMillan
Duckling Publishing, $21.99
The wonderful Elastic Adventures collection continues with the newest adventures of Kiri, Jed and twins Emma and Ethan, who travel with Blong the Cat and Heathcliff the Dog to beautiful Fiji. When they arrive at Plantation Island Resort, they are surprised to discover Lepani, a small hermit crab who has run away from home, hiding in their room. Terrified of plastic, the accident-prone mollusc doesn’t want to be a crab anymore and the children set about helping him. This new adventure has themes on conservation and is aimed at children 8-12 years.
E Oma, Rāpeti /Run, Rabbit
Te Kura Huna o te Aranga/Easter Surprise
By Norah Wilson, Kimberly Andrews, Pānia Papa
Scholastic NZ, $19.99
Perfectly timed for Easter, this bilingual book follows the charming adventures of a cute, playful and determined young rabbit, busy preparing for Easter. Offering an accessible introduction to basic reo Māori vocabulary for young readers and their whānau, this seventh book in the series introduces ordinal numbers, but in a wonderfully natural way and supported by delightful soft watercolour illustrations.
Badjelly
By Ryan Cooper
Duckling Publishing in association with MukPuddy, $22
Although it’s more than 50 years ago (yes really!) since Spike Milligan wrote and illustrated Badjelly the Witch as a story he could tell his children, the new Badjelly delivers a fresh new take for today’s kids on the classic story, while preserving the crazy humour, bizarre situations and quirky characters from Milligan’s original tale that has entertained kids for generations.
