Category Archives: Authors

The Value of Cassandra Clare

Posted on February 7, 2012 by

In my circle of friends and colleagues saying someone is “sort of like Stephanie Meyer” is a dubious honour at best.   But when I say this about Cassandra Clare, I mean it in the best possible way.  I mean that … Continue reading →

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Julian Barnes Wins the Booker!

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

There’s a sense of redemption about this win for Julian Barnes – firstly it somewhat redeems the Man Booker judges (they’ve been taking a fair amount of flak for their shortlist choices, all populist and common and things of that … Continue reading →

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Alexa Johnston Author Talk

Posted on September 6, 2011 by

Alexa Johnston talking at the Dunedin Public Library about her new book, What’s for Pudding?

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A Writing Masterclass with John Marsden

Posted on August 9, 2011 by

John Marsden, the writer of the masterful Tomorrow When the War Began series, is holding a writing masterclass at the Wellington City Library this Saturday (the 13th) from 10am to 12pm. The Children’s Bookshop in Kilbirnie is the organising force … Continue reading →

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Ernest Hemingway – Idol & Action Figure

Posted on July 1, 2011 by

The 2nd of July marks fifty years since Ernest Heminway, on a quiet Sunday morning, killed himself. It was shocking punctuation to a life lived like a challenge – full of wars, hunting, contentious marriages, travel, love, bravery, deception and … Continue reading →

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Book Launch in Kelburn

Posted on February 10, 2011 by

Strange Meetings: The Poets of the Great War Please join Harry Ricketts, Lydia Wevers and vicbooks to celebrate the publication of “Strange Meetings: The Poets of the Great War” by Harry Ricketts, (Chatto & Windus). Wednesday 23rd March, 5.30pm – … Continue reading →

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The Joys of Re-reading

Posted on January 10, 2011 by

I have a self-imposed rule that my books can’t go on the shelf until they’ve been read, in case I forget I own them and either don’t end up reading them, or, more likely, buy them again. This usually means … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving

Posted on November 26, 2010 by

In the accent-less world of textual communication, where the addition of the occasional (possibly unnecessary) “u” to certain words acts as verbal camouflage, you might never know that I am American.  But, there it is.  As an American abroad I … Continue reading →

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Joy Cowley tells stories at Book Council event.

Posted on October 14, 2010 by

About thirty people gathered last night at Cafe L’affare to listen to Joy Cowley read from her new memoir “Navigation”, and talk with Lynn Freeman about her life and writing. “Children don’t dissemble”, she says, and because of this, they … Continue reading →

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Influences and Inspiration – De Goldi, Farrell and Perkins.

Posted on July 29, 2010 by

The NZ Book Council gathered together, under the watchful questions of Laura Kroetsch, three of NZ’s most accomplished and successful writers: Kate De Goldi, Fiona Farrell and Emily Perkins. The cold night didn’t seem to discourage attendees, braving the conditions … Continue reading →

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