THE GROOVE BOOK REPORT

In this informative pocket guide, writer John Walsh teams up with photographer Patrick Reynolds to offer a tour of a century and a half of Wellington’s architecture. It tells the stories of more than 120 significant central-city buildings, and also of the architects who designed them. The buildings are grouped into five self-guided walking routes, each with a map; together these itineraries create a character portrait of New Zealand’s most urbane city. It’s the perfect guide for visitors to Wellington and also for locals who want to know more about their city. Our walking guides to Christchurch and Auckland are also available. Like all guides, this is a small selection of the buildings you will encounter on the way.  I loved the history and the purity of the information, devoid of the history or notoriety (in the case of buildings like Franconia - 136 The Tce, once re-named Invincible Building, and site of the Thomas Murders).  John Walsh is the author of several major books...

In this, her third collection of thinkings , beloved Kiwi writer Fiona Kidman chooses not to grow old disgracefully (or gracefully, for that matter).  For, her it's more like riding the waves, standing strong on the breaks, and swimming to the surface when the inevitable tumbles come.   “Every life is extraordinary if you allow it to be. I am grateful for mine.” She writes about being a grandmother, a widow, the suitcase-existence of the perennial book festival guest writer, researching aviator Jean Batten and Albert Black.  There are travels to far off places like Paris, Banff, Belfast and Bangkok.  And she returns to the past, searching for houses in Hanoi and  Hāwera, along with revisits to her ancestry in Waipu and a fresh perspective on Otago and Pike River.   Then there are the fresher memories of life in her own home overlooking Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour). All these locations and experiences have shaped Fiona's writing a...

'Kōwhai first appeared from the golden glow of a beautiful flower.  She had long limbs and was quick.'  The facing illustration that matches this opening prose is a mix of leaves and a sprite falling in slow animation.  It sets the pace and scene of this remarkable book, and is a hint to why it was a finalist in this year's New Zealand Book Awards .  Sean Tan calls it 'a beautifully cast tale of hope and resillience."  That it truly is.    "...and her voice was the rain and the sea and the cry of a bird, "  begins the story of Kōwhai.  We embark on a journey of hope as a tiny seed grows from nothing to build a great forest.    Kate Parker is of Ngati Maniapoto,English and Greek descent.  She is an author, a visual artist and theatre artist.  She's trained in Melbourne and worked in theatre both in Austtralia and here in Aotearoa.  As a lover of nature, she was inspired by her natural surroundings to support ecolo...

Tahi the tuatara is down in the dumps.  Roger the Ruru tries to cheer him up, but nothing seems to work.  Then the two friends hear a cry for help.  Someone's in trouble!   What are Tahi and Roger going to do?  Ka Pai Malcom Clarke and Flox for creating this amazing follow up to your popular debut 'Tu Meke Tui!'  That book, illustrated by the wonderful street artist, Flox (aka Hayley King) is a winner with both tamariki and adults alike. Just ask any librarian - it's always in the issue pile!  Flox applies her stencil style aerosol style, with vibrant colours and an attention to detail that is simply supurb and makes the book a truly special artifact.  No doubt many kids have tried to trace her images or copy her syle.  I've been a fan ever since she worked with Fly My Pretties and there are several of her pieces on our walls, as well. Clarke's clever colloquial language is delightful and has a real Kiwi feel about it.  Even better,...

The CoffeeBar Kid talks to first time author, Patricia Bell about her highly original novel, a genre-bending read that's so beautifully written and accomplished. The story follows Maurice, a librarian living in a small town, a safe, constrained life.  Suddenly he's killed, out of the blue, one Monday morning in a fiery car crash. He finds himself in a very unusual and unexpected afterlife – a place populated with many Biblical characters, a drunken barmaid, a karaoke machine, naked people and angels that are alarming in more ways than one.  Meanwhile, in the real-life Maurice’s snooty teenage daughter Andy is tasked with writing the eulogy for her father – something she struggles with as much his death.  She begins writing letters to him in order to make sense of the event and get her own feelings into check.  She's always viewed as weak and ineffectual.  How will she reconcile that?  In the afterlife, Maurice makes friends with Kit - an expert on the ...