Breaking Silence: the Kahui case - Ian Wishart

Yes, ok – we have that book. The one that resulted in a Facebook hate page and consumer threats to boycott any shops that sold it. People wanted this book banned. But let’s not forget that the Public Library also holds (amongst others) the David Bain, the Rex Haig, and the Scott Watson books. Let us also remember the role of non-fiction material, that is to inform, to educate, to enlighten, and to allow an author to voice an opinion based on evidential research. Non-fiction material is instrumental in clarifying issues, changing a reader’s opinions, and altering people’s preconceived notions.

In Breaking Silence, author Ian Wishart allows Macsyna King to tell her story in her own words. He then puts forward his views based on the evidence given in the trial of Chris Kahui, his own research into some of the issues that arose from that trial, and the transcripts from the recent inquest. Compelling reading – particularly the transcripts from the inquest. Read this book with an open mind, hear the other side of the story and draw your own conclusions.

Reviewed by Jill

New Non-Fiction

More New Releases

Sh*t my dad says

Justin Halpern

Okay, you’ve probably seen the Twitter page on which this book was based, or the TV programme (with William Shatner). But, much as I love the ‘Shat’, I have to say the book is better. Author, Justin Halpern moved back home with his 73 year old father after his girlfriend dumped him and that’s when he started his Twitter page …just all the random, outrageous, hilarious, snort-out-loud things that his Dad came out with. If you are like me, and loathe all things politically correct, then you will love this. Halpern’s dad comes across as an angry red-neck with a heart of gold – I mean despite the swearing, and the harsh, and at times totally inappropriate comments, he does obviously love his family and means well. Actually the final chapter spoke volumes to me.
P.S. This is not for the easily offended and if you don’t like swearing…don’t go there – it’ll make your hair curl.

(Reviewed by Jill)

New Non-Fiction

More New Releases

Mennonite in a little black dress

Rhoda Janzen

Author Rhoda Janzen left her Mennonite upbringing when she left graduate school and for many years lived the secular life. When her husband leaves her for Bob, whom he met on a gay website, and then shortly after she is involved in a car accident, she makes the decision to go back home to her family to give herself time to heal.
Back in the fold, Janzen describes for us what life is like living the Mennonite way and tells us what her childhood was like. She talks about shameful foods and wounding words, and she does it in such a delightful, philosophical, and conversational way. There are definitely some laugh-out-loud moments despite the issues with her former husband. At the end of the book, Janzen gives a quick “Mennonite for Dummies” type overview which is also hilarious.
I loved this book. Author Rhoda Janzen has such a deadpan, dry style of wit – and her use of language – just beautiful. You could say that “Mennonite” is like chick lit for the literary.

(Reviewed by Jill)

New Non-Fiction

More New Releases

The Happiest Refugee

When Anh was two years old, his parents made the decision to escape war-torn Vietnam and make a new life elsewhere. A crowded boat, attacked by pirates (twice), days and days at sea drifting without food or water, and eventual rescue by the Australian Coastguard – this was how Anh’s new life began.

Settling in to Australia, the Do’s felt nothing but gratitude for the wonderful country that welcomed them, gave them somewhere to live, and provided them with so many opportunities. Ahn’s parents worked long hours so that their children could go to the best schools and dress like other Australians. Inspired by his parents, (father Tam’s mantra being “there’s only two times – now or too late”) Ahn works hard at school and then University. Always at the back of his mind is that he wants to “give something back” to the country that adopted him and to his mother who sacrificed so much to give her children a better life.

The Happiest Refugee is an incredible, uplifting story filled with humour and heartache. Anh Do is a stand-up comedian who has featured regularly on Australian television on programmes such as Dancing With the Stars, Deal or No Deal, and Rove Live.

(Reviewed by Jill)

New Adults Non-fiction

More New Releases

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Laura Hillenbrand

“Unbroken” chronicles the amazing life of American, Louis Zamperini. An Olympic competitor in the 1936 Berlin Games, Louis starts training for the Tokyo Olympics in 1940. However, when World War II breaks out in Europe, the Tokyo Games are cancelled. Drafted into the Army Air Corps, Louis is posted to an island in the Pacific. One day, whilst out on a search and rescue mission, Louis’s bomber ditches into the ocean, leaving Louis and two other crewmen adrift on a tiny raft in shark infested waters. After many weeks floating along on the current, starving, thirsty and constantly harassed by sharks, the survivors wind up in Japanese territory. Louis’s journey has only just begun.

“Unbroken” is the extraordinary true story of a juvenile delinquent turned Olympic runner turned War hero. A riveting read, it will appeal to a wide readership.

(Reviewed by Jill)

Haunted heart: the life and times of Stephen King

Lisa Rogak

Ever wondered where Stephen King comes up with his scary story ideas? Well, this book goes some way to answering this question. It seems the books are often based on his own fears, and he feels writing about them helps keep them under control.

I found this unauthorised biography fascinating reading: from King’s dirt-poor childhood, to his college years, to the publication of his first book, to his battle with alcohol and drug addiction, to his huge success, and his battle back from the life-threatening injuries sustained when hit by a van while out walking. Fans of King will enjoy learning some of the background to his most famous works, plus find out what he really thought about the film version of The shining!

(Reviewed by Angela.)

Through thick and thin : my autobiography

Gok Wan

Gok Wan, presenter of the How to Look Good Naked television series, tells us his story of how he came to be where he is today. He describes his early years growing up in a housing estate in Leicester, practically living in his parent’s Chinese restaurant. As a teenager, being Asian, gay and, at one stage weighing 21 stone, Gok was an easy target for bullying.

Gok’s story of his battle with anorexia and how he reinvented himself is both humorous and touching. Truly inspirational and highly readable, Through Thick and Thin reads exactly the way Gok sounds when he is talking – so, thoroughly entertaining, but beware of the occasional F-bomb!

(Reviewed by Jill)

Unbearable Lightness: a story of loss and gain

Portia De Rossi

You know your internal monologue - that little voice inside your head that helps you to mull things over, weigh up pros and cons and remind you of things that you’d thought you’d forgotten about? Mostly that little voice is a good thing, but sometimes it can be a little incessant. It can nag away at you, keep you awake at night and generally drag you down. And in the case of Portia De Rossi, that little voice (more incessant than most) just about cost her everything.

Unbearable Lightness allows us to ‘hear’ Portia’s internal monologue and we can see how that little voice drags her into a downward spiral, allowing her eating disorder to escalate out of control. A real eye-opener, Unbearable Lightness describes the mindset of someone who first suffers from Bulimia, then Anorexia, and finally, her journey towards self- acceptance. An awe-inspiring read, which, whilst sad, is also at times unintentionally funny, as the author tries to justify to herself her own behaviour and mindset. Un-put-downable.

(Reviewed by Jill)

The life and times of a brown paper bag

Kevin Milne

Kevin Milne’s memoir is not just about his life, but also a potted history of his 4 decades working in the broadcasting industry. Milne is probably one of the more well-known television presenters in New Zealand having spent 27 years with that good old consumer affairs programme, “Fair Go”. Battling on behalf of the little guy, taking on scammers, con artists, dodgy dealers and big business bullies, Kevin Milne has ended up in 2010, being voted the most trusted face on television.
The life and times of a brown paper bag gives us an insight into the cases (some of them hilarious) investigated by the Fair Go team and is a reminder of just how compelling, good investigative journalism can be.
Milne also opens up about his family and home life and his colleagues at TVNZ. A really good read – lots of laughs.

(Reviewed by Jill)

When Hungry Eat

Joanne Fedler

When the “Food Fascist” calls her ‘obese’, author Joanne Fedler knows she has to do something about her weight. A fear of being “fat and forty” gives Fedler the determination to develop a new attitude towards food and eating. Fedler examines her past to discover what has caused her to gain weight and in the process goes on a journey to self-acceptance. ‘When hungry, eat’ is a wonderful mix of philosophy and spiritualism which also provides an insight into the Fedler family’s experience of leaving their home, their friends and their family in South Africa, to forge a new life in the relative safety of Australia. A really good read.

(Reviewd by Jill)

Even silence has an end: my six years of captivity in the Colombian Jungle

Ingrid Betancourt

Betancourt was campaigning for the Presidency in Colombia in 2002, when she was abducted by the FARC, a Colombian guerrilla organisation. For the next six and a half years, she and the other hostages were held captive in the depths of the Colombian jungle. Each time the authorities came close to finding the guerrilla strongholds, the camps were packed up and the hostages were forced to march at gun point (and often chained to each other), through miles of dense rainforest to a new location.
Even Silence … is a gripping account of Betancourt’s captivity, her numerous escape attempts and her relationships with both the other hostages and her captors. Being held in such close confinement it was only natural that petty squabbles and personality conflicts would arise and it is these tensions that contribute to the pace, the realism and the truth of this memoir. An awesome read.

Reviewed by Jill

Look back in hunger: the autobiography

Jo Brand

British stand-up comedian, Jo Brand looks back over her life and the influences that made her who she is today. From a nice, well brought up little girl, she morphed into a teenage nightmare, skipping school, staying out all night and socialising (underage) in pubs. She talks with great humour about her early family life, providing many hilarious anecdotes about her childhood escapades with her two brothers. Brand studied towards becoming a psychiatric nurse, (even though she always aspired to do stand-up comedy) and she describes some of the places she worked and the people that she encountered – no doubt providing good material for her comedy routines in later life. She also recounts the horror of her first gig which marked the beginning of her career.

A really good read, lots of laughs.

(Reviewed by Jill)

Rebel with a cause

Ray Avery (Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2010)

I’d never heard of Ray Avery until I’d seen his book reviewed in the Listener. Avery is a successful scientist and businessman who invented low-cost lenses for cataract sufferers, incubators for babies, as well as other scientific solutions for factories in Third World countries. He spent some time helping to set up the infrastructure to manufacture interocular lenses in North Africa for the Fred Hollows Foundation

Rebel with a Cause describes Avery’s childhood growing up in England, neglected, abused, fostered out to strangers and even living under a bridge. His story is truly inspiring – to overcome such an appalling childhood and then turn out to be so successful as a businessman. An absorbing read, Rebel with a Cause is deeply moving and at times, very funny.

(Reviewed by Jill)