Non-Fiction Highlights
Border: A Journey to the Edge of Europe. Kapka Kassabova
Kassabova returns to her country of birth and explores the border zone between Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. With poetic observation, she tells the stories of people still living here.
Eyes on the Street: The Life of Jane Jacobs. Robert Kanigel
The first biography of Jane Jacobs, journalist, mother, indefatigable urban activist and author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Citizen-led Jane's Walks are now organized in cities around the world on the anniversary of her birthday @janeswalk
The Genius of Birds. Jennifer Ackerman
"Bird brains" no more! This fascinating book throws light on the intelligence of birds. There are some great stories of bird species in here, including our humble chicken.
The Glass Universe: The Hidden History of the Women Who Took the Measure of the Stars. Dava Sobel
In the mid-nineteenth century Harvard College Observatory employed women as human computers, interpreting astronomical data.
The Great Sicilian Cat Rescue: One Englishwoman's Mission to Save an Island's Cats. Jennifer Pulling
This is more than an animal rights' story. We learn so much about Sicily, its people and history.
Juggling in High Heels: How to Organise Chaos. Lisa O'Neill
This encouraging, inspiring and colourful book by a New Zealand mother, author, and professional speaker will have you letting go of the small stuff and feeling good about yourself.
Land Rover: The Story of the Car that Conquered the World. Ben Fogle
The author travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles in his Land Rover Defender - this is his amusing account of his story-gathering adventure.
Shakespeare and Company, Paris: A History of the Rag & Bone Shop of the Heart. Krista Halverson
The history of this iconic Parisian bookshop, established by American Sylvia Beach (publisher of Ulysses) in 1919, and frequented by writers, poets and booklovers ever since.
The Six-Day War: The Breaking of the Middle East. Guy Laron
6 June 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War. This book offers a contemporary reassessment of the conflict which continues to shape the modern world.
War Blacks: The Extraordinary Story of New Zealand's World War I All Blacks. Matt Elliott
A fascinating and moving story of rugby players who wore the silver fern in war and in peace.
Where's B**ksy? Xavier Tapies
A catalogue of street artist Banksy's brilliantly subversive works, and where in the world to find them.
The Wild Other: A Memoir. Clover Stroud
A beautifully-written, heart-wrenching story of the effect her mother's horse riding accident has on the author.
Wool Away Boy! Alan Blunt
A first-hand account of shearing sheds in the 1950's and 1960's told with wit and full of colourful characters.