For dog lovers
by Vicki Mathison and photographs by Tim Didgshun and Trudy Nicolson
Spoodle, German Shepherd, Jack Russell, Labrador, Beagle, Sheltie, Irish Wolfhound and many more: whether your favourite breed is in this book or not, if you are a dog lover/owner, you will find this quirky book of interest.
The author became fascinated by one dog's beautifully symmetrical series of sand-holes dug at the beach and began to wonder what other structures dogs might build and why.
Her interest led her on to further investigations not just into what creative behaviour dogs display but also into whether specific breeds of dog are inclined to certain types of construction, and again why.
The author consulted an animal psychologist and an animal behaviour expert in the preparation of this book. She also met and photographed the dogs and their owners and listened to their stories. The result gives some interesting insights into dogs' capabilities and the reasons behind their behaviour. The photography is excellent and augments the text perfectly.
At only $3.00 each, you can't afford NOT to buy a few copies for stocking fillers, Xmas presents, thank you gifts, or a bit of light reading for your guest bedroom or for yourself. Come on in and pick up a few.
SLOGANS
Slogans
by Laurence Urdang & Ceila Robbins (Eds)
A collection of more than 6000 slogans, rallying cries and other exhortations used in advertising, political campaigns, popular causes and movements, and divers efforts to urge people to take action, the entries representing a broad spectrum of time and origin yet conveniently arranged by thematic categories and identified as to source, the whole enhanced by a specially prepared foreword and introduction and by the inclusion of detailed indexes.
The above paragraph is the subtitle of the book!! Seeing that, one could be forgiven for being permanently put off reading further. Such an unneccessarily lengthy subtitle leads one to expect turgid dreary reading.
Far from it. This is a lovely book to dip into and will undoubtedly bring you face to face with some slogans you already know, although you may not know where they come from. You certainly will once you get your hands on this book. You could even use it as the basis for a quiz or an after-dinner competition. Some of them actually make you smile. Try a few of these:
Great aches from little corns grow. (No surprise that this is for corn pads).
Tide's in, dirt's out. (Proctor & Gamble's ad for Tide detergent).
Nothing runs like a Deere. (Deere Tractor slogan - obviously)
It's the real thing. (Coca Cola)
Pop goes the Piper. (Piper-Heidsieck champagne)
And with that last one, why not POP in and pick up a copy.
Science Fiction Frenzy
We have a huge collection of the above magazines available for you to look through in the shop or to browse on line.
Each issue contains short stories and "novelettes" as well as feature articles, fascinating editorials and interesting art work.
This is a really great way to meet a huge array of authors you've not heard of before and find out whether you like them or not before you invest in expensive books. The magazines showcase the really famous along with the relatively unknown so your exposure to different scifi writers will expand rapidly.
As if the above wasn't enough, they are small, light, easy to carry around AND they are cheap. Come on in and treat yourself to a pile or two of Galaxy and Analog magazines.
Fishing's Best Short Stories
This series of books aims to present the very best short fiction on popular sports. The series also comprises Golf's Best Short Stories & Boxing's Best Short Stories. Fishing has long been a favourite sport but it is, of course, also a source of delight for storytellers all over the world.
Edited by Paul Staudohar, this volume contains work by Stephen King, Robert Travers, Annie Proulx, PJ O'Rourke, Phiip Wylie and many more. It is guaranteed to give many hours' happy reading to anyone with a passion for fishing.
The tales cover all kinds of fishing in all kinds of places by all kinds of people, from the solitary fisherman to the competitive sportsman and the young kid dreaming of being the next fishing great. Many of the stories were published originally in magazines such as the New Yorker and Playboy.
Grab a copy of this book and you can either have a lovely weekend's reading or you could combine this with a copy of Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It and find yourself with the perfect gift for the fisherman in your life. Why not come into the shop and have a look at our fishing section or browse the online stock.
New Zealand Photography
by Hardwicke Knight
Hardwicke Knight is a very well known New Zealand author who has written widely on local history, art, and photography.
This book pays homage to the firm of Burton Brothers and to the remarkable contribution of Walter and Alfred Burton to New Zealand's photographic history. They travelled widely throughout the country and did a great deal to promote the country and its attractions.
They photographed everything from the scenery and the towns & cities to the buildings & the inhabitants. The selection in this book has been chosen to highlight not only their artistic flair but also to give a fascinating glimpse into the period itself. The photographs are combined with an in depth biography of the Burton Brothers and their firm.
Continuing the poetry theme of the last two days
Awake! for Morning in the Bowl of Night
Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight.
This is one of the most widely known poems in the English language and is enjoyed by experts and novices alike.
The Persian quatrains of Omar Khayyam have been translated by several different people. First was Edward Fitzgerald. Many professional critics claim that the poetry is badly translated in Fitzgerald's version and recommend the Robert Graves' version. Obviously it is a matter of opinion and you can make your own decision.
There have been so many different versions of the poem published that you are spoilt for choice if you are planning to buy one. This makes a thoughtful, simple and inexpensive gift for someone special in your life (or for yourself). Have a look at the attached images and see if you spot something that appeals.
I think the Folio Society version with drawings by Virgil Burnett is beautiful but some of the other versions are quirky and interesting. Come into the shop and have a look.
Poems for Kids
Edited by Rachel McAlpine and illustrated by David Elliott
Through my house in sunny weather
Flies the Dictionary Bird
Clear to see on every feather
is some outlandish word.
'Hugger Mugger" "gimcrack" "guava"
"waggish" "mizzle" "swashing rain"
Bird, fly back into my kitchen
Let me read those words again.
(Margaret Mahy)
This collection of poems deals with everything from moa and kiwi to robots and computers, from popcorn and chilli to naked horses and whales. It's perfect for children of today and features many of our best known writers such as Brian Turner, Roger Hall, Hone Tuwhare, Barry Crump, Bill Manhire, Fiona Farrell and many more. The illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the charming poems. If you want to get your kids keen on poetry from an early age, this book is just what you need.
Lighten up your day with Edward Lear
This is a lovely Folio Society edition in a matching slipcase, introduced by Quentin Blake with illustrations by Edward Lear which have been specially hand-coloured for this 1996 issue.
There are nonsense songs, nonsense stories, nonsense pictures, nonsense rhymes, nonsense poems, nonsense lyrics and yet more nonsense.
There was an Old Man who when little
Fell casually into a kettle
But growing too stout
He could never get out
So he passed all his life in a kettle.
This would make a lovely present but would also just be nice to have around at home for a bit of light entertainment and reading out loud to your kids.
