Books - New Releases
For more titles browse through the book genres listed to the left.
Old Bucky & Me: Dispatches from the Christchurch Earthquakeby Jane Bowron
On February 22, 2011, journalist and television reviewer Jane Bowron was living in her hometown of Christchurch when the city was struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. As the historic city lay in ruins Bowron managed to find a phone, call her newspaper, and deliver a moving human account of the scene around her.
A portion of money from each book sold is donated to the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal for those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
So Brilliantly Cleverby Peter Graham
On June 22, 1954, in the depth of a southern winter, teenage friends Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker went for a walk in a park with Pauline's mother. Half an hour later the girls returned alone. Honorah Parker lay in a sea of blood on a lonely track. She had been savagely murdered.
In this mesmerising book, lawyer and true crime writer Peter Graham tells the whole story for the first time, giving a brilliant account of the crime and ensuing trial, dramatic revelations about the fate of Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker after their release from prison and their strange lives today, and a penetrating insight into the crime using modern psychology.
How to Play a Video Gameby Pippin Barr
Every day around the world millions of people enter virtual worlds through video games. These games are now the fastest-growing form of entertainment and are being played by people of all ages. International communities are coming together to play, have fun and share ideas - without ever meeting. How To Play A Video Game unlocks this amazing world, giving an insight into what makes video games so fascinating and entertaining to the people who play them.
Smoking in Antarctica by Steve Braunias
Steve Braunias shines in this superb selection of new writing. Threaded throughout - and reported with disarming honesty - is Braunias's own journey as a journalist and would-be novelist. Above all, he writes about his young daughter in moving columns that have won him many new readers and admirers.
The Torchlight List by Jim Flynn
A professor for over 40 years, Jim Flynn found fewer and fewer of his students were in love with reading. However, they were willing to try if he would give them lists. This book is the definitive list: 200 works so wonderful to read and so revealing about times and places, they make learning enjoyable and effortless.
An Afternoon in Summer by Kathy Giuffre
Kathy Giuffre wants to escape from her stressful life working full-time and raising two young children on her own. When a new boyfriend agrees to join her for a year in Rarotonga with her young sons, she takes a sabbatical from work, books their flights and packs their bags. Then at the last minute her boyfriend announces he isn't coming. In captivating style Giuffre tells what happens when she finds herself alone with her boys on Rarotonga, a tiny speck in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, 11, 000 kilometres from home.
One Magic Square by Lolo Houbein
This inspiring book has caused a big buzz overseas. Its secret of success: anyone can start growing their own food in a matter of minutes. There are no fancy photos, no complicated instructions ... just down-to-earth, easy-to-follow ideas for square-metre plots.
North Pole, South Pole by Gillian Turner
This engrossing book tells, for the first time, the complete story of the quest to understand Earth's magnetism from the fascination of ancient Greeks with magnetised rocks to the astonishing modern discoveries that finally revealed the truth. North Pole, South Pole gives us an extraordinary window into science, passion and the brilliance of the human mind.
Check out Awa's own interview with Gillian here.
The Awa Book of New Zealand Sports Writingby Harry Ricketts
New Zealand is a nation of sports-lovers and this is reflected in this collection of 80 superb pieces of sports writing by many of our most acclaimed journalists, novelists, biographers, essayists and poets. From surfing to cycling, angling to archery, running to rugby ... from the joy of the victors to the tears of the vanquished ... the roar of the crowd to the solitary moment ... this is a book of endless pleasure.
Check out Awa's own interview with Harry here.
100 Essential New Zealand Albums by Nick Bollinger
The much talked about and excitedly awaited third installment in the 100 Essential New Zealand series by famed music writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger. The ultimate book on New Zealand music for any reader or music lover.
100 Essential New Zealand Filmsby Hamish McDouall
This indispensable guide to New Zealand films and film-makers features the '100 best', from the acclaimed shorts of Taika Waititi to the modern classics of Jane Campion, the blockbusters of Peter Jackson, the tantalising stories of Niki Caro and Gaylene Preston, and the extraordinary works of Roger Donaldson. All New Zealand's big names are here, and many more besides.
Antarctica Cruising Guide - 2nd Edition
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By Peter Carey and Craig Franklin The first and only definitive Antarctica cruising guide. Essential purchase for people thinking of travelling to Antarctica - New Zealanders and tourists. |
100 Essential New Zealand Golf Holes
| By Tom Hyde
New Zealand is a golf-lover's paradise and this is the definitive guide to the country's most interesting, beautiful, challenging and exhilarating golf holes - the ones that will linger in your memory long after the games are over and the scores forgotten.
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Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Guide
| By Amy Taylor
A bike ride that began with 26 friends in 1977 is today New Zealand's premier cycling event. Covering a scenic course on 160 kilometres of sealed road around beautiful Lake Taupo, it caters for riders of all abilities, and attracts around 12,000 entrants, with numbers increasing every year. In 2007 it was named one of the best rides in the world by the International Cycling Union.
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The Amazing World of James Hector
| By Simon Nathan and Mary Varnham (eds.)
At the age of 23, Edinburgh-born James Hector struck out for the wilds of southwest Canada on the daring Palliser expedition, was nearly buried alive at Kicking Horse Pass, and returned to Britain a hero. In 1862, at the age of 28, he sailed to New Zealand to take up a job as Otago provincial geologist. In less than eight years he founded all New Zealand's major scientific institutions, which survive to this day - the Colonial Museum (now Te Papa), the NZ Institute (now the Royal Society) and the NZ Geological Survey (now GNS Science).
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How To Look at a Painting: Hardback Edition
| By Justin Paton
WINNER, MONTANA NEW ZEALAND BOOK
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Fish of the Week: Selected Columns
| By Steve Braunias For a decade Steve Braunias's articles and columns have captivated, amused and enraged readers of first the Listener and then The Sunday Star-Times. His blend of opinion, wit and personal revelation has made him one of New Zealand's most talked-about writers, and he has won more awards than almost any other journalist. This book is his personal selection of columns from the past two years. |
The Awa Book of New Zealand Science
| Edited by Rebecca Priestley
This landmark book will excite readers of all ages about the extraordinary scientific breakthroughs made by New Zealand scientists. The stories, mainly by the scientists themselves, range from early naturalists' observations of birds and insects to physicists' discoveries about atoms and DNA, and the 21st-century unveiling of extra-solar planets.
'I could not put down this wonderful collection of writings
by remarkable people, many heroes and several geniuses' |
Roosters I Have Known
| By Steve Braunias In 2007, journalist Steve Braunias embarked on a series of 27 interviews, one a week, profiling New Zealanders famous and infamous, both publicity-seekers and those rather keener to hide from the spotlight. The startling survey of the national psyche stirred controversy, hilarity, and even animosity.
'Braunias proves that he is our best newspaper feature writer'
'A funny, touching and smart little package, well worth the asking price. Recommended'
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Your Money Personality
| By Liz Koh This brilliant personal finance guide will change forever the way you think about money. Financial planner Liz Koh reveals that each of us has hidden attitudes that strongly influence our ability to create wealth. Uncover your true money per-
'Over my business lifetime I've read hundreds of books on motivation, business procedure, financial success etc. I wish I'd had access to your book first. It would have saved me a decade of searching.' A personal endorsement from Alastair, who attended one of Liz Koh's recent money seminars. 'An insightful read that will help you become smarter with money and invest better'
Click here to watch Paul Henry interview Liz Koh on TV1's Breakfast Show
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Under the Osakan Sun
| By Hamish Beaton A young man arrives to teach English in Japan under the JET programme, but what has he got himself into? We absolutely guarantee you will love this warm, funny, wonderful story of adventure, education, home appliances and how not to choose a girlfriend.
'Hamish Beaton's spirited sense of humour, self-deprecating eye and easy writing style make this book a terrific read'
'Highly entertaining and often hilarious - this is travel writing at its best' |
The Transit of Venus: How a Rare Astronomical Alignment Changed the World
 | By Hamish Campbell, Richard Hall, Peter Adds, Duncan Steel, Anne Salmond, Paul Callaghan, and Marilyn Head (Introduction) SHORTLISTED FOR MONTANA BOOK AWARD 2008
On 8 June 2004, the planet Venus moved across the face of the sun. This historic event - visible from most parts of the world - was rare: the last transit of Venus had happened 121 years before.
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By Steve Braunias As prize-winning journalist Steve Braunias stands on an apartment balcony on a sultry summer evening, a black-backed gull flies so close he is instantaneously bowled over with happiness. 'I thought: Birds, everywhere. I wanted to know more about them.' 'A great book, original and captivating - compelling to the end' LLOYD JONES |