My Family and Other Animals
Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals
Many of us will be religiously glued to the tv every Wednesday evening at 8.30pm watching the BBC series (remake) of Gerald Durrell's book My Family and Other Animals. If you missed the first episode on Wednesday, we strongy suggest you do a catch-up and then join the rest of us addicts. It is exactly the kind of programme that the BBC do so beautifully. It is superbly made with an excellent cast and is very entertaining. This is seriously good TV.
If I'm recommending the programme, imagine how wonderful the books must be (because they are always better than the film version). Literally millions of people have loved and laughed at the quirks and foibles of the Durrell family.
If you are not yet familiar with Gerald Durrell's books, you have a treat in store. My Family and Other Animals, Birds, Beasts & Relatives, and The Garden of the Gods tell the story of Durrell's childhood on the Greek island of Corfu. They are light, humorous and entertaining as you can sort of tell from his choice of titles. Come into the shop and buy yourself some books or if you can't come in, then just order a few on line.
Lee Child
However, many people don't realise that Lee Child is the pen name of Jim Grant, who is actually British rather than American, which makes his feat in writing so convincingly about an American ex-military policeman pretty impressive.
Child's books are full of suspense and excitement from start to finish and really hold your interest. As he is a really prolific writer, there are over 30 books to tempt you and keep you reading. He is a great storyteller and you will find that you don't want the books to end.
Films have been made of some of the books so if you've seen one of those (starring the rather short Tom Cruise as the massively tall Jack Reacher) but not read any of the books, then now is the time to get started reading the series in order. I remember an interview he gave on radio where he admitted he'd made a fortune from his books and would like to retire, but he felt he owed his loyal readers for his success, so would keep writing as long as there is a demand for his books.
We have a large selection of his books both in the shop and in our on-line catalogue so come on in and get some light reading for the weekend.
Hard to Find Bookshop plate
Many years ago, the owner of Hard to Find lived quite near a potters' studio in Westmere, Auckland. It was called Edge City.
They had a great range of weird and wonderful pottery and ceramics and one could not walk past without perusing the display. One day while browsing there, Warwick asked them if they would consider making something original for his shop and thus the plate was commissioned.
Once Edge City delivered the plate, it stood proudly on display in the shop and was cause for interest and comment among the customers. And then disaster struck quite shortly thereafter! An employee (who shall remain nameless) smashed the plate to smithereens.
Word of this calamitous event reached the ears of the potters at Edge City and they appeared at the shop and offered to repair the plate at no charge. They have done such a professional job that you won't be able to see it in the photos here.
Why not come into the shop and admire the plate and the meticulous repair job?
Neville Peat
Neville Peat was born in Dunedin and lives on the beautiful Otago Peninsula surrounded by the wildlife and scenery which he loves and which he is so famous for writing about.
He has written over 30 books whose titles encompass the genres of natural history, the environment, biography and geography. The focus is particularly on New Zealand and the Sub-Antarctic Islands.
Here is a little taster of some of the topics covered in his books: seabirds, Shackleton's Whisky, Queenstown, kiwis, Stewart Island, Sir Tim Wallis, the Catlins, Lance Richdale, and wild Dunedin to name but a few. You will emerge from every one of his books far better informed than you were before you started reading and you will undoubtedly be far more enthusiastic about the subject.
Neville Peat is appearing at the Dunedin Public Library this week as part of of the Centre for the Book Symposium. His lecture is on October 27th at 6pm. Go and listen to him if you can. You will find yourself inspired.
If you can't, then pop into our lovely bookshop instead and buy a few of his books as a consolation.
Long weekend reading
Today we are recommending the New Zealand author Noel Virtue. You could try Lady Jean and experience VIrtue's humour or read Losing Alice and get to grips with blackmail and vengeance. The Redemption of Elsdon Bird or Sandspit Crossing will tug at your heart strings and maybe move you to tears. He has published two autobiographical books Once a Brethren Boy and Among the Animals and they are both great reads too. The latter will appeal if you like animals as it deals with his fascinating time at London Zoo and Welsh Mountain Zoo as a keeper. We have most of his books in stock so pop into the shop and pick up a few to add the crowning touch to your holiday weekend.
We also have a huge range of other New Zealand literature so check out our online stock or come in and ask us..
Drawing
The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study
by Kimon Nicolaides
The book approaches the task of learning to draw with 64 exercises designed to be studied over the course of a year. Each section builds on skills developed in the earlier sections. It encourages you to look at people and things in a different way, one which will help you to draw.
Nikolaides said, "The impulse to draw is as natural as the impulse to talk." And if you think about it, we learn the latter by a process of trial, error and endless repetition. He thinks drawing is innately connected to the art of correct observation and this is what he takes you through in his book. He also says that the sooner you make your first 5000 mistakes, the sooner you will be able to correct them!
Nikolaides says that he treats the reader exactly as if you were his student embarking on a year of art school and if you follow his how-to method, you will learn to draw.
If this hasn't put you off, then pop into the shop and pick up a copy for only $15.00 and start on your art career now. Don't end up like me (can't make a cup look much like a cup).
Springtime - long weekend - free time
Plan your own off-road adventure
4WD South: Exploring Sth Canterbury, Otago, and Southland
by Mark Wilson
Spring is here and we have a long weekend coming up (followed by the Christmas break not long after) so now is the time our thoughts turn to holidays and outings. If you've got a 4WD vehicle, then you'll be thinking of mountain ranges, rivers, lakes and spectacular back country isolation.
This book is the essential guide for planning four-wheel drive adventures and expeditions. Whether you are a novice or an experienced off-roader, you will find journeys in this book to suit you. There are over 70 clear, accurate and easy-to-follow routes. It contains recommendations for base-camp towns and information on accommodation, food supplies, fuel availability, vehicle repairs (just in case you aren't planning to do your own) and advice on equipment, camping and cooking.
Get your hands on a copy of this book and get ready to enjoy the life of an intrepid explorer. Once started, you will find yourself with the 4WD bug and addicted.to the freedom and excitement that this sort of travel can bring. Pure magic.
Taiawhio: Conversations with Contemporary Maori Artists
Contemporary Maori Artists in conversation
This book divides neatly into chapters wherein a contemporary Maori artist is showcased in conversation with one of the five editors: Huhana Smith, Oriwa Solomon, Awhina Tamarapa, Megan Tamati Quennell or John Walsh.
The conversations focus on the artists' philosophy and inspiration and the illustrations in each chapter include some of the artist's work but also pictures of that artist's studio or working environment to give the reader a deeper understanding.
This is essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary Maori visual art, which in this volume ranges across weaving, carving, painting, and sculpture to video, film and photography.
Artists include Jolene Douglas, Star Gossage, FredGraham, Lyonel Grant, Dion Hitchens, Emily Karaka, Hei Macgregor, Nathan Pohio, Baye Riddell, Natalie Robertson, Anaru Rondon, Tracey Tawhiao, Saffron Te Ratana, Kura Te Waru Rewiri, and Arnold Wilson.
We also have a great range of other material on Maori and Polynesian art both on line and in the shop so come on in and browse.
