New Non-fiction

Mad or bad - Jenny Coleman This is the first full-length biography of New Zealand’s most notorious female criminal and con artist  While Amy gained notoriety for her impersonation of a man and marriage with an unsuspecting woman, in Mad or Bad? the author shows how her whole life was not a straightforward case of fraud and misrepresentation.
Green architecture now - Philip Jodidio The ecological impact of new construction, once a secondary concern, has become a crucial issue. Badly designed buildings guzzle natural resources and pollute their surroundings; in an era of rocketing energy costs and environmental degradation, the need for a sustainable, energy-efficient architecture is paramount. This book features the architects, artists and firms pioneering a new green architecture, and examines the emergent esthetics.
Zumba - Beto Perez Beto Perez is a celebrity choreographer and a Pro dancer. He has done choreography for Shakira and many other celebs.If you wondered what the word Zumba means, it means to move fast and have a lot of fun. His aerobics dance workout incorporates many Latin moves and dance steps like... Salsa, merengue, Flamenco, and Samba. Recently hip hop and other exciting dances have been added to the dance mix.
This barren rock - Sylvie Haisman One woman, forty-seven men and a three-year-old boy, shipwrecked on a tiny sub-Antarctic island. For seven months they eat albatross and burn penguin skins for fuel, before a passing whaler picks them up. The Strathmore shipwreck was a sensation in Victorian times. Now this compelling story of courage, endurance and the determination to survive will move and inspire readers all over again.
Stella Miles Franklin - Jill Roe Stella Miles Franklin was born in the Australian bush and, at the age of twenty-one, became an international publishing sensation with My Brilliant Career. The book struck a chord with women and girls all over the country, and more than a century later is still regarded as an Australian classic.
Three dimensional embroidery - Janet Edmonds The world is three-dimensional—why not embroidery? Creating three-dimensional embroidery for use on clothing and as unique accessories, or simply as stunning artwork, has become one of the hottest trends in the textile arts. The complete design and construction process is detailed here—from the initial drawing board sketch to the finished bags, boxes, or other artwork—with all the various stitches and steps illustrated in 90 color photographs.
The face on your plate - J Moussaieff Masson Masson’s newest volume marshals the historic arguments against eating meat and adds to them contemporary concerns about the environment. He recounts the amount of energy that goes into the production of meat and poultry, and he finds even the consumption of milk objectionable on the basis of its nutritional shortcomings and its inefficient use of natural resources.
The art of Avatar - Lisa Fitzpatrick With over 100 exclusive full-color images including sketches, matte paintings, drawings, and film stills, The Art of Avatar reveals the process behind the creation of set designs for the imaginative vistas, unique landscapes, aerial battle scenes, bioluminescent nights, and fantastical creatures. Interviews with art directors, visual effects designers, animators, costume designers, and creature makers bring insight into this creative process. The Art of Avatar brings readers behind the scenes of this unprecedented moviegoing experience.
Alone together - Jeff Apter Based on interviews, critical analysis, extensive research and the author's 30-plus years of following the Finns, Together Alone is the first biography written about the Finn brothers. This is a story of breakthroughs, breakdowns, sibling rivalry and respect - and some of the best pop songs this side of Lennon and McCartney.
Loving all of it - Gordon McLauchlan  No zimmerframes and retirement homes for this lot. The contributors, who include Elizabeth McRae, Wilson Whineray, Ranginui Walker, Brian Edwards, Merimeri Penfold, Hamish Keith, Elizabeth Smither, Sir Paul Reeves, Barry Brickell, Vincent O'Sullivan and Michel Corballis, continue to make a vital contribution to our nation. Editor Gordon McLauchlan encouraged them to be frank and self revealing. Their essays read like letters for their eventual descendants: on how they saw the world and themselves when young, on the issues around growing old, on how they see the future, and on the wisdom they've picked up along the way. It's a compelling, essential collection.
The way I see it - Temple Grandin In this innovative book, Dr. Temple Grandin gets down to the REAL issues of autism, the ones parents, teachers, and individuals on the spectrum face every day. Temple offers helpful do's and don'ts, practical strategies, and try-it-now tips, all based on her "insider" perspective and a great deal of research.
Tunnelling to freedom - John Fancy John Fancy, who died in September 2008, aged 95, was the most prolific escaper of the Second World War. Nicknamed the Mole' he dug eight tunnels at the various camps in which he was held, in East Prussia, Poland and Germany.  He escaped three times, only to be recaptured. His escape activities landed him in solitary confinement for a total of 34 weeks one eighth of his time in detention. Whilst imprisoned at Stalag Luft III in Poland, in 1942, he helped to plot the breakout of 76 men that later became known as the Great Escape, and the inspiration for the Hollywood film.
Did you really shoot the television? - Max Hastings Here, the author brings together this remarkable cast of forebears, 'a tribe of eccentrics', as he himself characterises them. By turns moving, dramatic and comic, the book portrays Max's own childhood fraught with rows and explosions, in which the sudden death of a television set was only one highlight. His story will make a lot of people laugh and perhaps a few cry. It helps to explain why Max Hastings, whose family has produced more than eighty books over three generations, felt bound to follow their path of high adventure and popular journalism.
Mr Asia: last man standing - James Shepherd It has been more than 30 years since the Mr Asia drug syndicate came apart, when the handless, toothless body of Martin Johnstone was found dumped in a quarry in England. The members of the syndicate were responsible for a string of dead bodies all over the world and the importation of hundreds of kilograms of heroin and marijuana into Australia, New Zealand and Britain. The only surviving member of the syndicate, James Shepherd, tells of Mr Asia's rise and fall in gritty, horrifying detail. Shepherd was named by the 1983 Stewart Royal Commission as second in charge of the drug syndicate, and was given a 25-year sentence. The long years spent in jail contemplating the murder and misery caused by the syndicate convinced him that the full story needed to be told - as a warning to others, if nothing else. The result is the real insider's account of the multi-million dollar, kill-or-be-killed world of our most notorious international drug syndicate.
The elephant, the tiger and the cellphone - Shashi Tharoor Many pieces are drawn from Tharoor's columns and feature quick, sketchy takes on Indian cultural touchstones, from political corruption to Bollywood to cricket; his themes tend to be repeated rather than developed. But Tharoor's ready wit-an Indian without a horoscope is like an American without a credit card-and sympathetic insight combine in a fascinating portrait of Indian society.
Who said that first - Max Cryer Believe it or not, this is probably the first book to attempt to identify the original sources of some of the English language's most common expressions. We might think we know who first said famous for fifteen minutes, annus horribilis, the cold war and let them eat cake. It's a no brainer, you might say, but Max Cryer has a surprise or two in store for you. I kid you not. In this very readable book, he explores the origins of hundreds of expressions we use and hear every day – and comes up with some surprising findings. Never economical with the truth, he might just have the last laugh.
Evidence of the afterlife - Jeffrey Long Evidence of the Afterlife shares the firsthand accounts of people who have died and lived to tell about it. Through their work at the Near Death Experience Research Foundation, radiation oncologist Jeffrey Long and his wife, Jody, have gathered thousands of accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) from all over the world. In addition to sharing the personal narrative of their experiences, visitors to the website are asked to fill out a one hundred–item questionnaire designed to isolate specific elements of the experience and to flag counterfeit accounts.
Fairy parties - Colleen Mullhaney Fairy Parties spills over with magical party themes, simple recipes, easy-to-follow craft projects, fun games, and imaginative costumes. These activities and treats will keep fairy partygoers entertained for hours as they pin roses on wings, dance around in sparkly slippers, or lick frosting off fairy-wing cupcakes. With gorgeous color photographs throughout and ideas for additional decorations and activities at the back, this fabulous book includes everything necessary to create a truly enchanting experience.
For the love of a son - Jean Sasson From the time she was a little girl, Maryam rebelled against the terrible second-class existence that was her destiny as an Afghan woman. She had witnessed the miserable fate of her grandmother and three aunts, and wished she had been born a boy. As a feisty teenager in Kabul, she was outraged when the Russians invaded her country. After she made a public show of defiance, she had to flee the country for her life. A new life of freedom seemed within her grasp, but her father arranged a traditional marriage to a fellow Afghan, who turned out to be a violent man. Beaten, raped and abused, Maryam found joy in the birth of a baby son. But then her brutal husband stole him away far beyond his mother's reach.  Jean Sasson, author of "Princess", chronicles the story of one resolute but tormented woman determined to achieve freedom and equality with men.
Sleepwalking in Antarctica - Owen Marshall Behind us all, falls a landscape of experience, softened by nostalgia . . .' This fine new collection of poetry, Owen Marshall's second, is rich in the themes and preoccupations that have made his short stories and novels so admired. Here are wise, elegiac poems on love and loss, longing and regret, and ageing; beautifully observed, affectionate poems about the New Zealand countryside, where 'clear cold barking comes from miles away'; sly and sharply witty poems about human frailty.
How to quit without feeling s**t - Patrick Holford The fast, highly effective way to end addiction to caffeine, sugar, cigarettes, alcohol, illicit or prescription drug.
Paul and me - A E Hotchner In Paul and Me, Hotchner presents a complicated, unpredictable and talented man and leads the reader through their shared adventures. The pair travelled extensively around the globe, and owned fishing boats that involved them in embarrassing incidents. They successfully defended themselves before a jury in a ludicrous two-year trial, and triumphed in a beery tennis match against Robert Redford and Jack Valenti. Most notably, they started a food company, Newman's Own, as a prank and watched it soar into a major enterprise that has given all its 200 million dollars of profits to charities.
Betrayal - Andrew Kirtzman This is the story of the greatest con in financial history-it has commanded the attention of the entire world from the day the news broke on December 11, 2008, and continues to do so! Virtually every day there is another story about Madoff, his victims, his enablers, the world-wide financial institutions that have been crippled by his ponzi scheme. People who should have known better, didn′t-because of greed and complacency.
Oprah - Kitty Kelley For the past twenty-five years, no one has been better at revealing secrets than Oprah Winfrey. On what is arguably the most influential show in television history, she has gotten her guests—often the biggest celebrities in the world—to bare their love lives, explore their painful pasts, admit their transgressions, reveal their pleasures, and explore their demons. In turn, Oprah has repeatedly allowed her audience to share in her own life story, opening up about the sexual abuse in her past and discussing her romantic relationships, her weight problems, her spiritual beliefs, her charitable donations, and her strongly held views on the state of the world. After a quarter of a century of the Oprah-ization of America, can there be any more secrets left to reveal? Yes. Because Oprah has met her match.
Mad dogs and Englishmen - Ranulph Fiennes Discover Sir Ranulph Twistelton-Wykham-Fiennes's personal expedition to trace his extraordinary family through the twists and turns of history. From Charlemagne -- himself a direct ancestor of the author -- to the count who very nearly persuaded William the Conqueror to retreat at Hastings, many members of this unique clan have lived close to the nerve centre of the ruler of their day. They number in their ranks a murderer, a wife poisoner, a poacher, England's greatest female traveller of the 17th century, and an extortionist Lord High Treasurer, teen cousins who eloped, a noble lord hanged for manslaughter, another hanged for adultery with the King's wife, and many who, as admirals or major-generals, won famous battles.
Younger next year for women - Chris Crowley Former attorney Crowley's chatty voice alternates with internist-gerontologist Lodge's straightforward medical perspective. The authors promise that major lifestyle changes, including a six-days-a-week exercise regime, and a positive view of aging will make the "next third" of life—the stage after menopause—the most fulfilling. Because women live longer, are highly motivated for change and fear aging less than men do, the authors contend, they will reap great benefits from the program.
Nobody heard me cry - John Devane John was only a baby when his father died. His mother struggled desperately to bring up five kids alone but her own despair led her to alcoholism and blind rages. John's childhood was a nightmare of neglect and beatings, but when he was nine, things became infinitely worse. Preyed on by his mother's lodgers, John was sold into prostitution on the streets around the docks in his home town of Limerick.
13 things that don't make sense - Michael Brooks Spanning disciplines from biology to cosmology, chemistry to psychology to physics, Michael Brooks thrillingly captures the excitement of scientific discovery. Science’s best-kept secret is this: even today, thereare experimental results that the most brilliant scientists cannot explain.
Empire of the seas - Brian Lavery This new book, a tie-in to a major BBC TV series presented by Dan Snow, is written by one of the nation's foremost naval historians, and tells the story of how the Royal Navy shaped the politics, culture and economy of Britain, leaving its imprint on everything from our landscape, to our democracy and even our very identity. At its peak, it became the driving force behind the spread of a system of values which would change the world forever. And then it lost it all.
Ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes - Martha Long Born a bastard to a teenage mother in the slums of 1950s Dublin, Martha has to be a fighter from the very start. As her mother moves from man to man, and more children follow, they live hand-to-mouth in squalid, freezing tenements, clothed in rags and forced to beg for food. But just when it seems things can't get any worse, her mother meets Jackser.  Martha never stops believing she is worth more than the hand she has been dealt, and her remarkable voice will remain with you long after you've finished the last line.
The lost child - Julie Myerson A serious, writerly, self-critical account of what it means to feel that, despite love and hope and good intentions, you have failed as a parent, and that the child you bore is lost to you. (Daily Telegraph)
Castles in the sand - Raewyn Peart Castles in the Sand tells the story of the New Zealand coast--what it means to New Zealanders and what we need to do to care for it for future generations. It describes the natural processes that have sculpted the coast, the flora and fauna that inhabit it, and the ways it was utilised by early Maori and European settlers. It documents an extraordinary era, shortly after World War II, when thousands of New Zealand families spent their weekends and holidays constructing simple shacks by the sea--a do-it-yourself bach-building phenomenon that was unparalleled elsewhere in the world.
Toward a promised land - Gordon H Brown Towards a Promised Land presents fresh insights into the use of  symbols and the underlying complexities of Colin McCahon’s paintings. Tracing McCahon’s life and work, from his student days at King Edward Technical College in Dunedin, through his mentorship under Toss Woollaston and on to his years at the Auckland City Art Gallery and Elam School of Fine Arts, Brown analyses key aspects of the artist’s work: the role of the Bible; his artistic associations and autobiographical reflections; the idea of the promised land; the use of words and numbers; and the significance of the New Zealand landscape in the shaping of a national identity.
How to live well without owning a car - Chris Balish Between rising gas prices, endless car payments, and countless hours spent in gridlocked traffic, do you ever get the feeling that you don’t own your car, but rather your car owns you? Car-free convert Chris Balish shows why kicking car dependency could be the soundest and sanest lifestyle change you can make, and provides realistic strategies for making the leap. From saving money to building a better world, even diehard autoholics will find hundreds of reasons to set out on the (car-free) road less travelled.
Slow - Alyson Gofton Celebrity cook Allyson Gofton gives us her own special take on slow-cooked food, sharing over 180 of her favourite recipes for the slow cooker or crockpot.
How your mind can heal your body - David R Hamilton In this compelling and groundbreaking new book Dr David Hamilton shows how the mind can have the power to heal the body. Here he describes the power of positive thinking and how thoughts and emotions mould the structure of the brain and change our body at a cellular level. The book also includes true-life stories from people who have successfully visualized themselves well and contains a powerful list of specific visualizations that you can use to heal yourself from illness.
In my father's shadow - Chris Welles Feder Of all the myriad stars and celebrities Hollywood has produced, only a handful have achieved the fame - and, some would say, infamy - of Orson Welles, the creator and star of what is arguably the greatest film ever, "Citizen Kane". "In My Father's Shadow" is a classic story of a life lived in the public eye, told with affection and the wide-eyed wonder of a daughter who never stopped believing that some day she would truly know and understand her elusive and larger-than-life father. The result is a moving and insightful look at life in the shadow of a legendary figure and an immensely entertaining story of growing up in the unreal reality of Hollywood.
Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad - Bee Rowlett Would you brave gun-toting militias for a cut and blow dry? May’s a tough-talking, hard-smoking, lecturer in English. She’s also an Iraqi from a Sunni-Shi’ite background living in Baghdad, dodging bullets before breakfast, bargaining for high heels in bombed-out bazaars and battling through blockades to reach her class of Jane Austen-studying girls. Bee, on the other hand, is a London mum of three, busy fighting off PTA meetings and chicken pox, dealing with dead cats and generally juggling work and family while squabbling with her globe-trotting husband over the socks he leaves lying around the house. They should have nothing in common. But when a simple email brings them together, they discover a friendship that overcomes all their differences of culture, religion and age.
Along lost lines - Paul Atterbury Rich in romance and nostalgia, this fascinating book takes the reader on an odyssey around Britain in pursuit of the lost railways.This title focuses on the 10,000 miles of lines closed in Britain since the 1950s, bringing to life the glorious story of train travel as it used to be. Images of the railways' active past and pieces of ephemera capture British rural lines.
Changing faces of Te Horo Over a dozen oral history interviews with Te Horo’s older residents were recorded. These oral history interviews include accounts of hardship during the Depression, the challenges of the wartime years, and the more recent subdivision of Te Horo’s old farms. Here, then, is an illustrated record of Te Horo’s past, founded on the memories of local people.
The fluoride deception - Christopher Bryson Investigative reporter Bryson revisits the decades-long controversy, drawing on mountains of scientific studies, some unearthed from secret archives of government and corporate laboratories, to question the effects of fluoride and the motives of its leading advocates. The efficacy of fluoridated drinking water in preventing tooth decay, he contends, is dubious. Fluoride in its many forms may be one of the most toxic of industrial pollutants, and Bryson cites scientific analyses linking fluoridated drinking water to bone deformities, hyperactivity and a host of other complaints.
Art of nature - Judith Magee Continent by continent Judith Magee draws on the unrivalled collections of the Library of the Natural History Museum in London to illustrate the development of natural history art through the centuries and its crucial role in furthering people’s appreciation of nature all around the world.
Wellington's best bike rides - Kennett Brothers Wellington’s Best Bike Rides guides you to over 60 local mountain bike tracks and 10 popular road rides – all within 100 kilometres of the capital. It includes full ride descriptions, maps and elevation charts plus a directory of local bike shops. The Kennett brothers  have designed and helped build over 20 tracks in the region, and written 14 cycling books, including seven editions of Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides.
Bad science - Ben Goldacre '[A] hugely entertaining book!This isn't just an essential primer for anyone who has ever felt uneasy about news coverish of faddish scientific "breakthroughs", health scares and "studies have shown" stories -- it should be on the National Curriculum.' (from Time Out )
Norman Rockwell: behind the camera - Ron Shick Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera is the first book to explore the meticulously composed and richly detailed photographs that Norman Rockwell used to create his famous artworks. Working alongside skilled photographers, Rockwell acted as director, carefully orchestrating models, selecting props, and choosing locations for the photographs--works of art in their own right--that served as the basis of his iconic images. Readers will be surprised to find that many of his most memorable characters-the girl at the mirror, the young couple on prom night, the family on vacation-were friends and neighbors who served as his amateur models.
Great bastards of history - Jure Fiorillo True and riveting accounts of the most famous illegitimate children who went on to achieve greatness. Jure Fiorillo’s Great Bastards of History is about the most famous illegitimate children who went on to achieve greatness.  Fiorillo primarily covers famous illegitimate children from England, France, and the United States, with a few from other countries. These figures are discussed in chronological order, beginning with William the Conqueror and ending with Fidel Castro with many interesting persons in between.
Why is my cat doing that? - Sarah Heath Is there a feisty feline in your life? Does Kitty like to sharpen her claws on the sofa, the curtains, and even your legs? This friendly, practical guide is designed to help cat owners identify and correct troublesome behaviors, including climbing, scratching, and excessive "talking," as well as discussing litter box training and diet tips. Everything you need to understand and deal with your cat’s behavior can be found in this new book from respected vet and cat expert, Sarah Heath.
Swift to the sky - Errol Martyn Told through the collections of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, this book is highly illustrated with ephemera, personal accounts, aircraft and previously unpublished photographs, together with a text following the development of our air forces, from its birth over the muddy trenches of WW1, to today's mobile defence force support backbone. This is the ultimate New Zealand Airforce book.
Work your wardrobe - Gok Wan Style supremo and every woman's best friend, Gok Wan knows how important it is for a woman to look and feel her best. In his fantastic new style bible Gok breathes new life into your existing wardrobe, showing you how to transform the basics we all have into a fabulous new look. You will love your look without breaking the bank balance.
Tea for the tui - Rosemary Tully Birds add an immeasurable element of life, movement and colour to your garden, and this delightful book of more than 35 recipes provides the ideal way of not only tempting them to pay a visit but also ensuring that they stay healthy all year round, particularly during winter.
Letter to my daughter - Maya Angelou Written in Angelou’s beautiful, poetic style, the essays feel like warm advice from a beloved aunt or grandmother, whose wisdom you know was earned.”—(Fredericksburg Free Lance—Star)
Ring around the city: Wellington's new suburbs 1900- 1930 - Adrian Humphris Ring Around the City looks at Wellington's suburban growth from 1900 to 1930 taking Kilbirnie and Kelburn as case studies and contrasting the city council's tramway system and the privately run Kelburn cable car. It contains many rarely seen photos (both b/w and colour) and maps.
Gods and little fishes: a boy and a beach - Bruce Ansley New Brighton’s youth grew up in happy anarchy beside its great, glorious beach. In Gods and Little Fishes, Bruce Ansley gives us immediate entry into one such rich, well-lived boyhood and family life. He both captures the freedoms of a childhood many would envy now, and offers a perceptive adult sensibility charged with a partisan view.
A life like other peoples - Alan Bennett `A beautiful little book, full of love regret and the dignity of unremarkable lives.' --Daily Mail `This poignant memoir is Bennett at his superlative best.' --Val Hennessy `It's the small details at which Bennett excels, lending poignancy to otherwise unremarkable moments.' --Aberdeen Press & Journal
Must you go: my life with Harold Pinter - Antonia Fraser The result is a marvellously insightful testimony to modern literature's most celebrated marriage, between the greatest playwright of the age and a beautiful and famous prize-winning biographer. Must You Go? is based partly on Antonia Fraser's own diaries, which she has kept since October 1968. Harold Pinter and Antonia Fraser lived together from August 1975 until his death thirty-three years later on Christmas Eve 2008. 'O! call back yesterday, bid time return,' cries one of his courtiers to Richard II. This is Antonia Fraser's uniquely compelling way of doings.
It must be my hormones - Marion Gluck Dr Marion Gluck and nutritionist Vicki Edgson offer hope for women battling hormone imbalance who want to know all the options. For 15 years Marion has treated patients successfully using hormones identical to those found in our bodies (unlike many conventional HRT drugs) to complement exactly an individual's hormone profile. Marion explains the roles various hormones play and what can be done when the balance is lost, offering inspiring case studies of patients whose lives have been turned around. Vicki provides practical advice for using diet to support hormone recovery.
River Cottage everyday - Hugh Fearnley- Wittingstall Putting food on the table for the family quickly and economically doesn't mean you have to compromise on quality. This book shows how Hugh's approach to food can be adapted to suit any growing, working family, or busy young singles and couples for that matter. Breakfast, baking, lunchboxes, quick suppers, healthy snacks, eating on the move and weekend cooking for the week ahead - all these, and more, will be covered in River Cottage Every Day.
Making the rounds with Oscar - David Dosa Oscar is one of several cats who live at Steere House nursing home. All of these cats provide companionship and love for the residents, but only Oscar has the special talent of being able to sense when people are nearing the end of their lives. The nurses were the first ones to figure it out as they noticed how frequently he showed up just at the right time. No one dies alone on Oscar's watch.
Last chance to see - Mark Carwardine, Stephen Fry Join zoologist Mark Carwardine and Britain's best-loved wit and raconteur, Stephen Fry, as they follow in Douglas Adams' footsteps, in search of some of the rarest and most threatened animals on Earth. Twenty years ago, zoologist Mark Carwardine teamed up with the late Douglas Adams and together they embarked on a groundbreaking expedition, travelling the globe in search of some of the world's most endangered animals. Now Mark has teamed up with one of Douglas's closest friends -- comic genius Stephen Fry -- to see how all those animals have been faring in the years since.
Botany for the artist -  Sarah Simblet Drawing on the rich history of botanic art and combined with Sarah's practical drawing classes, over 350 beautiful illustrations and vivid photographs, provide an in-depth look at roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits and explain how to create life-like drawings.
Grayson Perry - Jacky Klein Grayson Perry, famous for his ceramic vases decorated with shocking and unconventional imagery, is one of a generation of contemporary British artists to have emerged on the international stage in the last two decades. He shot to fame in 2003 when he won the prestigious Turner Prize, collecting the award wearing a lilac babydoll dress and red pumps.
Promised New Zealand: fleeing Nazi persecution - Freya Klier For 24 European Jews, New Zealand is the country furtherest from Germany that will be their refuge. From doctors, entrepreneurs to children and world-famous minds, their stories could scarcely be more varied and yet they have one common link - the desire to maintain as much distance from Germany as possible through out their lives.
Bon Jovi: when we were beautiful - Jon Bon Jovi Timed to coincide with the band's twenty-fifth anniversary, an inside portrait of Bon Jovi follows them on their 2008 Lost Highway tour, explores the history of the band, and discusses the band members' lives both at home and on the road.
Stones into schools - Greg Mortenson In this dramatic first-person narrative, Greg Mortenson picks up where "Three Cups of Tea" left off in 2003, recounting his relentless, ongoing efforts to establish schools for girls in Afghanistan; his extensive work in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan after a massive earthquake hit the region in 2005; and the unique ways he has built relationships with Islamic clerics, militia commanders, and tribal leaders even as he was dodging shootouts with feuding Afghan warlords and surviving an eight-day armed abduction by the Taliban.
Halfway to Hollywood - Michael Palin Michael Palin is a writer, performer, producer, family man, and much more besides. His Halfway to Hollywood diaries reveal a tantalising insight into his life during the 1980's where he was writing screenplays (Time Bandits, The Missionary, The Meaning of Life, etc.), performing (Time Bandits, The Missionary, Brazil, A Private Function, The Dress, etc.), and producing (The Missionary).
Slow death by rubber duck - Rick Smith Alarming, engrossing, and just plain loony at times, their experiments drive home just how mundanely day-to-day our mass chemical poisoning has become. (Adria Vasil, author of Ecoholic)
The ultimate mixed martial arts training guide - Danny Plyler Regardless of your skill or fitness level, The Ultimate Mixed Marital Arts Training Guide—with more than 300 step-by-step photographs, detailed callouts, and comprehensive instruction—is the personal trainer you need to accomplish your workout goals and sharpen your techniques.
Time to eat the dog -  Robert Vale The world and its resources are finite, yet we are seemingly locked into a system based on growth: growth of population, growth of income and growth of consumption. From this irrefutable starting point, Time to Eat the Dog? attempts to uncover what sustainability really means. Brenda and Robert Vale explore the environmental impact of the decisions we make, from what we eat and what we wear to how we travel and enjoy ourselves. Their book will make you see your life and your place in the world in a completely new light. Challenging the orthodoxies that underpin our entire economic system, this is one subversive read.
Open - Andre Agassi Agassi brings a near-photographic memory to every pivotal match and every relationship. Never before has the inner game of tennis and the outer game of fame been so precisely limned. Alongside vivid portraits of rivals from several generations—Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer—Agassi gives unstinting accounts of his brief time with Barbra Streisand and his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields.
Slow journeys: the pleasure of travelling by foot - Gillian Souter Thinking about tramping the Milford Track or taking an indulgent stroll through the French countryside? Let an experienced long distance traveller share the pleasures of exploring the world at a walking pace without having to give up a good night's sleep or a glass of wine at the end of the day.
Art that moves:  the work of Len Lye - Roger Horrocks Accompanied by: DVD containing four of Lye's best films and some footage directed by Shirley Horrocks. It also contains a short documentary of Lye's life in his early years.
Eco house book - Terence Conran 'Eco House Book' is the complete guide to home improvement the environmentally friendly way: whether you want to redecorate or redesign your home, Terence Conran explains just how you can reduce your home's carbon footprint.
The blaze of obscurity - Clive James For many people, Clive James will always be a TV presenter first and foremost, and a writer second -- this despite the fact that his adventures with the written word took place before, during and after his time on the small screen. Nevertheless, for those who remember clips of Japanese endurance gameshows and Egyptian soap operas, Clive reinventing the news or interviewing Hefner and Hepburn, Polanski and Pavarotti, Clive's 'Postcards' from Kenya, Shanghai and Dallas, or Clive James Racing Driver, Clive's rightful place does seem to be right there -- on the box, in our homes, and almost one of the family.
Tips from your nana: waste not want not - Robyn Paterson Tips from your Nana is designed to empower you, with a minimum of effort on your part. It will help you save the environment, it will help you save society and better yet — let’s face it, we’re children of our time — it will help you save money. Hidden in pockets of our world are people who still know how to do stuff. Some of them remember the Great Depression, or a few of the not-so-great depressions since. Some of them were original greenies back in the day. Some of them are bright, young Gen-Y types who realised self-sufficiency was cool again before the rest of us did; others grew up in countries where ‘supermarkets’ and ‘supplies’ were foreign concepts.
Why dogs are better than cats - Bradley Trevor Greive Some pairings are just meant to be: peanut butter and chocolate, yin and yang, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. So it was only a matter of time before the stars in the universe lined up and suggested the collaboration between New York Times best selling author Bradley Trevor Greive and award-winning photographer Rachael Hale. Teaming up on their first collaborative effort, Greive and Hale explain once and for all Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats. Now, before all you cat lovers find your fur standing on end, Greive is quick to stress that he is simply "prodog, not anticat. The purpose of this book is not to criticize cats or their owners, but to champion the many exceptional virtues unique to dogs."
The truth about psychics - Sylvia Browne In this fascinating look into the history of spiritualism, celebrity psychic Sylvia Browne tells all: what's real, what's not, and how to tell the difference! Starting with her own personal odyssey, Sylvia covers the history of psychics dating from biblical times and reveals the truth about everything from witches and talking boards to angels and astral projection.
Wars without end : the land wars in nineteenth-century New Zealand   Danny Keenan   This is the first book to approach this subject from a Māori point of view, focusing on the Māori resolve to maintain possession of customary lands. Written by a senior Māori historian, Wars Without End describes the Māori reasons for fighting the 'Land Wars', placing these conflicts in the context of the Māori struggle to retain their sovereign estates.
Follow me back in time - Joan Ellis Local author Joan Ellis follows on from her popular book A string of pearls with another collection of stories from US Marines and New Zealanders from WWII in New Zealand 1942-1943.
Dave Dobbyn: the song book - Dave Dobbyn A collection of the most enduring songs by New Zealand musician Dave Dobbyn. In the first part of the book are the words of the songs, plus the stories behind them as told by the composer - in the second part are the musical arrangements for both piano and guitar.
Small cattle for small farms - Margo Hayes This book is for the growing number of people seeking to make a Tree Change to fulfill a life-long dream of owning a small parcel of land on which to run some livestock. The book assumes no prior experience with cattle and covers everything from stocking rates, types of cattle available and fencing needs, to vaccination requirements. The smaller, quieter breeds of lowline cattle have particular appeal as they are more manageable and cheaper to control and maintain.
I'll tell me Ma - Brian Keenan Local rather than international, the dramas and privations described in this memoir are not the stuff of headlines. This is the story of an ordinary boy growing up in Belfast after the war; an ordinary boy who would go on to become world-famous as a hostage in Beirut and author of the extraordinary testimony of imprisonment and survival that was An Evil Cradling.
1001 children's books you must read before you grow up - Julia Eccleshare Another in this popular series which guides you to old favourites plus new treasures to discover.
Cook - Allyson Gofton In cook, Allyson Gofton has brought together delicious and easy recipes to be enjoyed with family and friends. We all love having people round to share a meal, but sometimes the pressure to feed and entertain can make the experience a bit daunting. Following Allyson's philosophy of accessible and tasty recipes, you can prepare sumptuous feasts for loved ones without spending hours at the stove and ruining the budget.
The hippo with toothache - Lucy H Spelman Heart-warming stories of zoo and wild animals and the vets who care for them.
Queen Elizabeth: the Queen Mother  - William Shawcross Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes Lyon, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, was born on 4 August 1900. It might reasonably have been expected that she would lead a life of ease and privilege but few could have imagined the profound effect she would have on Britain and its people.
Billy T - Matt Elliott The life and times of Billy T James. Billy T James was a larger-than-life comedian who gave us some of our best belly laughs. Author Matt Elliott tells the story of the man behind the cheeky grin and the infectious laugh.
Spoken from the front - Andy McNab Spoken from the Front" will tell the stories of what Andy McNab describes as 'modern-day heroes fighting modern-day wars'. It will recount the courage and hardship of British servicemen and support staff as they have faced the unique difficulties posed by the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Andy will introduce and edit the book, but the interwoven stories will be told by those serving on the front line, in their own words. Their action-packed, dramatic, moving and often humorous testimonies will be told through interviews and diaries, and letters and emails written to family, friends and loved ones. "Spoken from the Front" will be styled loosely on the Imperial War Museum's highly-successful "Forgotten Voices" series, but will focus on a smaller number of central characters who turn up repeatedly throughout the narrative.
Get her off the pitch: how sport took over my life - Lynne Truss Lynne Truss, author of Eats shoots and leaves describes her four years as sports writer for The Times.
Grow your own drugs - James Wong Whether you're struggling with insomnia, the kids have eczema, or your partner is feeling under the weather, this book could have the answer. With easy recipes ethnobotanist James Wong shows how to make simple creams, salves, teas and much, much more from the stuff growing in your window box, the local garden centre or in the hedgerows. Using the flowers, fruit, roots, trees, vegetables and herbs that are all around us James provides preparations to help relieve a whole range of common conditions, including acne, anxiety, cold sores and general aches and pains - plus great ideas for beauty treats such as bath bombs and shampoos.

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