New Non Fiction
City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong. Antony Dapiran
A Hong Kong based writer and lawyer gives the reader a first-hand account of the dissent and revolution in Hong Kong. Throughout 2019 the city burned and protesters clashed with police. This timely book is raw and vivid and captures the spirit of the protests, as well as giving historic context.
Humankind: A Hopeful History. Rutger Bredman
This well-written, lively and thoroughly researched book debunks a lot of the well-known research frauds that have moved into accepted human psychology. Bredman concludes that cooperation is better than force, and violence is much less appealing to ordinary people - a welcome breath of fresh air.
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. Austin Channing Brown
This very personal and well-written memoir of life as a black Christian woman growing up in America is powerful and honest.
The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are. Libby Copeland
There is a lot of fascinating information about the current DNA testing industry woven in with intriguing people stories. Bioethics is a huge area, and the author illuminates many of the problems.
Nadia's Comfort Kitchen. Nadia Lim
This cookbook contains all the recipes from the TV series which played during lockdown, featuring Nadia Lim's family and filmed in her home. The premise was making use of the ingredients you have already in your kitchen, so the recipes are simple and flexible. All profits from book sales went to Women's Refuge and Youthline.
A Natural Year: Living Simply through the Seasons. Wendyl Nissen
This lovely, open and honest book is packed full of recipes, anecdotes and photographs of Northland. One year in the author's life is really brought to life in this way.
Our Game: New Zealand Rugby at 150. Ron Palenski
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the first game of rugby in Nelson. This book is a celebration of New Zealand's national game and features stories of players, teams, various provinces and, of course, the trophies. Importantly, the book features ordinary New Zealanders who have been rugby's lifeblood through all of the 150 years, as players and followers have always been drawn from all walks of life.
The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with this Groundbreaking Science of Kindness. Kelli Harding
Doctor Kelli Harding sometimes found her patients' illnesses a mystery, e.g. those who are biologically healthy but feel unwell. She came across some research from 1978 which used rabbits to find the link between high cholesterol and heart disease. When they found that one group of rabbits had healthier arteries than the other, they discovered that it was because of kindness. One researcher showed compassion and caring towards the rabbits and the result was better health. Sharing scientific evidence, Doctor Harding reveals how love, friendship and community can have a greater impact on your health than standard prescriptions.
Things I Learned from Falling. Claire Nelson
New Zealand journalist, Claire Nelson made headlines in 2019 when she injured herself in the desert of Joshua Tree Park California. She lay dying alone, but was miraculously rescued at the last minute. This is her amazing story, and it's a real page turner.
Where the Lost Dogs Go: A Story of Love, Search, and the Power of Reunion. Susannah Charleson
You will love the amazing stories of heroism that unfold in this heartwarming and uplifting book. The author is involved in search and rescue, and the reader takes to the streets beside her and her search dog Puzzle, to experience first hand all the drama and emotion.