Fifty Shades of Grey is about innocent Anastasia Steele, a clumsy virginal recent college graduate being seduced by the worldly and handsome Christian Grey. Ana is shy, clumsy and unsure of herself around men and can’t figure out what it is about herself that attracts Christian. She soon finds out and the answer blows her innocent mind. Read the full review »
This book is one of a series by the author about Forensic Psychiatrist Jo Beckett. The story involves Autumn Reiniger’s reality birthday party in which a “crime situation” is supposed to be enacted by her and her mates. But things go horribly wrong. Jo and her boyfriend accidentally stumble across something that looks suspicious and are drawn into a dangerous game that’s all too real.
Official Kiwi Families Review by Dan Simperingham
The set-up:
The book revolves around a plot within a plot. Autumn, the daughter of a wealthy fund manager gets the ultimate birthday treat of a weekend adventure. The Adventure has a twist, it is a ‘crime scene scenario where Autumn and her friends all play different roles, to use old school yard terminology; ‘goodies and badies’.
But what was to be fun and games turns deadly serious when the some real ‘badies’ turn up and turn the hijack game in the woods into a reality…
Official Kiwi Families review by Emma Bassett
The setup:
Post 9/11, the city gathers to commemorate the space with a memorial. In a carefully choreographed (and blind) process the committed panel realise they have chosen a design submitted by a Muslim. The grief, and confusion, and vulnerabilities of a recovering city are concentrated in this group already coming to terms with the implications of this changed place.
Official Kiwi Families review by Emma Bassett
The set up:
Janet Luke champions having your own urban Eden, stacked full of novel ideas to get you into your garden. It’s kept accessible and littered with honest and helpful tips throughout. There are simple steps for everyone whether you’re in an inner city apartment with a miniscule balcony or have acres to explore.
Official Kiwi Families Review by Rochelle Gribble
The set-up:
I’ve never met Wendyl Nissen but for the last week or so, since reading her new book, I’ve felt like she has followed me around. Every time I pick up a cleaning product, I feel a little twinge of guilt: “Wendyl wouldn’t like this”, I think to myself. Nissen’s latest book- Mother’s Little Helper- An old-fashioned guide to raising your baby chemical free is a practical guide to eliminating toxic chemicals from your life and your baby’s. Nissen begins with the premise that there are too many toxins in our products and enthusiastically encourages readers to live like our Nanas- with fewer chemicals in our lives.
Official Kiwi Families review by Emma Bassett
The set-up:
The idea of a nationwide walkway has a long history. Teams of inspired and dedicated people have brought this to life. The author was one of the original creators in 1994, establishing the Te Araroa trust. The trail has become a collection of carefully finished sections, and can now be walked from one end of the country to the other. This is a big, beautiful, glossy book of maps, tales and tips to give you the lay of the land.
