Crime Fiction Fans
Attention Lovers of Crime Fiction
It's surprising how many avid readers of murder mysteries don't read our own New Zealand authors. We have a huge number of superb crime writers. If you haven't ventured into this area before, you've got something to look forward to.
Our own Ben Sanders is extremely popular and well known in the USA, far more so than here in his own country. Give him a go. Paul Cleave is a Christchurch writer and his recent "Trust No-one" is a great thriller and something a bit different from the norm. Paul Thomas wrote "The Ihaka Trilogy" which combines a bit of humour with the murders.
Couldn't possibly mention even a quarter of what's out there but here are a few more names to get you started: the obvious doyenne of crime Ngaio Marsh, Vanda Symon, Edmund Bohan, Barbara Else, Ian Clarke, Chad Taylor and Alix Bosco (aka Greg McGee).
Mini-Penguins for Kids
Here's an idea while you're here: buy another collection of Penguin 60s for your children in the school holidays. They'll love them. And you'll love them too if it means driving from A to B in comfortable silence as they read in the back of the car; sipping a cocktail on your flight as they read in the seat beside you; a peaceful train journey as you look at the scenery and they read their mini-Penguins; or a camping trip with happy rainy days as you all lounge around reading.
Come on in and get your selection now.
Well known authors - unknown books
When I say John Bunyan, Louisa M Alcott, Daniel Defoe or LP Hartley to you, you can say Pilgrim's Progress, Little Women, Robinson Crusoe and The Go-Between without having to think much about it.
Now try this test: here's the book title, you guess the famous author (answers at the end)
1 Simonetta Perkins
2 Behind a Mask
3 The King of Pirates
4 The Life and Death of Mr Badman
5 The Touchstone
6 Tom Sawyer, Detective
Perhaps you've never heard of any of the above books but would like to give them a go. We have a selection of little known novels by very well known writers so come in and have a look.
(Answers: 1 LP Hartley; 2 Louisa M Alcott; 3 Daniel Defoe; 4 John Bunyan; 5 Edith Wharton; 6 Mark Twain)
Not your average recipe book
The Japanese art of kyaraben, short for character bento, turns meals into a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. If you sigh with disappointment every time you open your lunch, have trouble convincing your kids to eat healthy food, or just love anime this may be the book you’ve been looking for.
Featuring characters from Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Ponyo, Spiderman and more this gorgeous little book shows you how to craft simple ingredients into works of art. It includes beautiful photographs of the completed bento, sketches illustrating how to assemble them, and a glossary of ingredients and cooking hints.
We can't guarantee your attempts will come out as perfect as the pictures... but you'll have fun trying!
A really good book
The God Boy by Ian Cross
This is a seriously good book. It's a real classic of New Zealand literature. Published in 1958, it is just as relevant today as when it was written.
If you are old (like me) and you've already read it, then read it again and remind yourself of what a superb piece of writing this is.
If you are young and you've never read it, you have a real treat in store. It comes highly recommended.
Once you've read it, check out our huge collection of New Zealand literature on our website.
Advanced Philosophy
Some years ago, the owner of Hard to Find purchased a large book collection, wherein languished some RG Collingwood philosophy volumes which had been given a rather unusual treatment. You can get an idea from the accompanying photos.
Having perused all 11 volumes, Warwick realised they couldn't be sold in that state but, put on display, might serve as a warning that reading too much Collingwood might drive one to distraction.
If this hasn't put you off philosophy, then have a look at our huge collection of philosophy books on line or come in and browse in the shops.
Philosophy 101
Roger-Pol Droit: 101 Experiments in the Philosophy of Everyday Life
This fascinating little book invites you to reinterpret ordinary everyday events: things like tying your shoelaces, smiling at a stranger, walking in the dark, browsing in a bookshop (yay!!!) and 97 more.
The book is divided into 'chapters' or 'exercises' which have a specific time limit assigned to them (eg 5-10 mins for showering with your eyes closed). The Experiments encourage us to reassess the commonplace or habitual and turn it into metaphysical philosophical thought.
Change your life - make the familiar startling - read this book now. Even if you've never had an interest in philosophy before, this may be the time and place to start.
Shaggy Dog Stories
told by John Waller, illustrated by Frank Wilson
This is a very silly book indeed: a great selection of really absurd tales; some preposterous animal yarns; plenty of ridiculous stories about nothing much; and frivolous anecdotes galore. Here's a taster:
Cocktail hour at the officers' mess.
"Colonel, sorry to hear you've buried your wife."
"Had to, old boy. Dead, you know."
My personal favourite is probably The Three Tortoises. Something about it just appeals to me.
The illustrations are lovely, well worth a look.
