PANZ News: Outstanding shortlist announced for PANZ... 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...
Ask BookieMonster a question 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...
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...
What's BookieMonster Reading? The Scandal of the Season... 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...
BookieMonster’s Father’s Day Gift Generator! Father's Day is almost here! And aren't Dads just great to shop for? They're always so easy, right, you know exactly what to get them, there's always something they need...
Ahem. Sorry, I was lost in...
This giveaway ends Monday 12 July at 5.30pm and I’ll announce the randomly drawn winner at 8pm.
Usual blurb: As usual, judges decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into, yada yada yada. Oh, and sorry overseas readers, but I can only post to New Zealand addresses, so New Zealand address holders only, please. And, uh, I reserve the right to change these rules because there may have been something I’ve forgotten.
As usual, judges decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into, yada yada yada. Oh, and sorry overseas readers, but I can only post to New Zealand addresses, so New Zealand address holders only, please. And, uh, I reserve the right to change these rules because there may have been something I’ve forgotten. One winner will be drawn at random for each giveaway.
So comment away free book lovers! And don’t say I never do anything for you!
For lovers and defenders of book culture of all ages – arm yourselves with this book and unite!
A new technological breakthrough! It doesn’t involve tangled cords, won’t require the upload of apps and never needs charging.
Who can deny the simple appeal of a good book?
Playful and lighthearted with a subversive twist that is signature Lane Smith, IT’S A BOOK is a delightful manifesto on behalf of print in the digital age. This satisfying, perfectly executed picture book has something to say to all readers of all ages.
Monkey is reading a book, but his friend wants to know what the book can do. Does it have a mouse like his computer? Can you make the characters fight? And does it make loud noises? No, it’s a book. Monkey’s friend has a delightful epiphany when he discovers that a good book doesn’t need fancy electronic accessories.
From New York Times bestselling author Lane Smith.
‘A must read for every publisher concerned about the impact of electronic publishing issues and every child who wants to enjoy more of their childhood and Lane Smith’s arch style. A devilish ending may scare a few . . . if it’s you? Lighten up.’
Publisher’s Weekly Staff Picks 2010
There was a bidding war over this book when it was presented at Bologna earlier this year and Walker scooped the ANZ rights! So far, It’s a Bookis going to be published in Australia, New Zealand, England, Netherlands, France, Italy, Japan, Korea and Sweden!
Text Publishing, RRP $39, ISBN 9781921656309, Available now.
SO GOOD. Two words that sum up my entire reaction to this fabulous book. Yes, this is another crime/thriller but I have nothing bad to say about this one – what amazing writing! What fantastic characterisation! What a stunning hold on pacing and tension Hyland has!
Gunshot Road is Hyland’s follow up to Diamond Dove and, like that title, follows Emily Tempest – the new Aboriginal Community Police Officer for the outback town of Bluebush. We get straight into the problems involved for Emily in dealing with her white bosses and her Aboriginal friends and townmates, problems which only get compounded with the death of an old friend in a seemingly open and shut murder.
Emily, though, suspects that there is nothing open and shut about the case and embarks on an investigation of her own, one that puts her in physical danger. The story progresses at a great pace – not necessarily fast chronologically but perfectly timed to keep the reader hooked and involved. The tension is perfectly balanced with some beautiful domestic scenes and witty one-liners. The whole story really put me in mind (oddly enough) of the old TV mini-series Edge of Darkness (god, no, not the movie) – it had the same feeling of a local story that becomes something much larger and with genuinely thrilling moments interspersed with haunting personal introspection.
At the same time Hyland has an amazing ear for voices and Emily’s in particular is charming, rough and humourous – which describes the whole book, really. The location is outback Australia and there are no pulled-punches here – Hyland shows both the whites and Aborigines viscerally responding to and interacting with the land around them, and his portrayal of the social problems in the Bluebush community is both casual and heartbreaking. Over all of this looms the land itself – large, open, wide, hot, dusty. Empty. Watching.
It’s all brilliant stuff and I honestly can’t recommend it highly enough. Buy it! Don’t question me! Just do it!
Same drill! Leave a comment and win Gunshot Road by Adrian Hyland – it’s a good ‘un too!
