Outstanding shortlist announced for PANZ Book Design Awards AUCKLAND, 3 May 2010. New Zealand’s exceptional book design talent is showcased in the shortlist announced today for the 2010 Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) Book Design Awards. Designers “shape the way readers experience a book,” says Peter Gilderdale, one of the judges. “Authors provide the content, but the designer can either enhance or inhibit the way the book functions.” The depth of talent made it difficult for Gilderdale, along with the other judges, Graham Beattie and Sharon Grace, to select 2010’s contenders Gilderdale adds, “The standard was very high and even — a wonderful mix of the vibrant and restrained, clever and crafted, quirky and traditional — this is great for book buyers but tough on judges!” A new award for young designers introduced last year has proved spot on, with this year’s main category shortlist featuring all three 2009 [...read more...]
I thought I’d give you a chance to ask me a question – about pretty much anything I write about! Want to know why I hate Ian McEwan? Want to know something about Trade Me? Want to know why I started blogging? Want to know what kinds of books I absolutely refuse to read? Have a burning publishing/book selling question you’ve been dying to ask? Just want to know why I like cats so much? Anyone? Let’s chat.
Winter, begone! Hello sunshine…
I really need to work on my headline writing. Aaaaaanyway, spring will be here tomorrow! Officially, though looking outside at grey skies I am not entirely sure spring knows that it is expected. Traditionally this is the time we start thinking about gardening and tidying up around the house and looking ahead to summer reading… this winter’s been tough. I’m looking forward to some warmth. Here’s some BookieMonster suggestions for appropriate spring books: Home & Garden Ultimate Backyard : Inspired Ideas For Outdoor Living Better Homes & Gardens : New Complete Guide to Landscaping Good Green Kitchens : The Ultimate Resource for Creating a Beautiful, Healthy, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Health & Fitness The Complete Guide to Walking for Health & Fitness Alternative Cures : the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems Fiction Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen The Lake House by James Patterson One Good Turn by Kate [...read more...]
The random chooser has spoken and here are the winners of the giveaway of What the Dog Saw, Cannibal Jack and Family Album. What the Dog Saw – A Bateman Cannibal Jack – Jen Longshaw Family Album – Bren George Congratulations! I’ll be emailing you all shortly for your postal addresses. As usual thanks to everyone who entered! And if you didn’t win I would highly recommend buying any (or all) of these titles – they are well worth the admission price…
Oh, but reading has been a hard road recently. Why? I don’t really know but I was in one of those “good book” slumps. As in, I couldn’t find one to just latch on to and absorb without having to think too hard about it. Because my brain has been sort of mush. And I have been busy. But never fear, Bookies, I have plans afoot to provide you with more fantastic writing about books… all to be revealed, soonly. (See, I used “soonly”. This is not a word. But I am a flippertigibbert and I do not have time to come up with real words for you.) However, The Scandal of the Season – just what I needed, it turns out. This is light without being pointless fluffy drivel. In fact, it’s not really that light but it is good reading. It is page-turning reading for people who have [...read more...]
Heartfelt congratulations to Dame Judith Binney
What can we say, except a HUGE congratulations to the wonderful Dame Judith Binney on her 2010 NZ Post Book of the Year win. I keep writing sentences and deleting them as seeming unfitting – all I can think of is “bloody good choice”.
Extra BookieMonster Blathery Goodness!