Tag: non-fiction

More than meets the eye: Fascinating biographies

Xinxin
Image featuring some of our Biography pics

It can be fascinating to learn unexpected facts about celebrities. Did you know that Bob Dylan won a Nobel Prize? How about that Sonny Bill Williams is not just a rugby player, but also a boxer? Discover more interesting stories of famous people in these biography books.

The world of The Rock / Pantaleo, Steve
“Celebrate the impressive career of  “The Rock” Johnson from his explosive WWE debut match to his full-blown Superstar status. Dubbed “The Great One,” The Rock has delighted millions of fans with his charisma, catch phrases and championship wins. Discover The Rock’s fascinating family history as the first third-generation WWE Superstar; his epic wins and greatest moments as The People’s Champion; and his impressive movie career including Fast and Furious franchise. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The princess diarist / Fisher, Carrie
“When Carrie Fisher recently discovered the journals she had kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved–plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naiveté, and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1976, Carrie Fisher was just a teenager with an all-consuming crush on her co-star. Read what’s behind the scene from Carrie’s handwritten notebook.”  (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The world of Bob Dylan
“Is there any writer or performer more haunting-and more haunted-than Bob Dylan? Like the members of the Nobel committee that awarded him the world’s most important cultural prize, we know he is one of the world’s most influential artists. But which Dylan is it? Is it the country boy who went Nashville and befriended Johnny Cash? Or the Beat-inspired hipster who took to the road with a ramshackle medicine show?  The Sinatra-inspired crooner? ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

C. S. Lewis : a life : eccentric genius, reluctant prophet / McGrath, Alister E.
“In honor of the 50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis’ death, celebrated Oxford don Dr. Alister McGrath uses his research of Lewis’ correspondence and archival materials, presents us with a compelling portrait of the life of C. S. Lewis, the author of the well-known Narnia series who taught literature at Oxford University. This definitive biography paints a portrait of an eccentric thinker who became a compelling, prophet for our times. (Adapted from the catalogue)

You can’t stop the sun from shining / Williams, Sonny Bill
“Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) is a once in a hundred-year athlete with immense sporting talent in Rugby League, Rugby Union and Boxing. Sonny Bill has built an incredible career and sporting reputation across the globe. His athleticism has taken him from inner-city Auckland, where he grew up, to the highest sporting moments in Twickenham, Eden Park and Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. Working with Alan Duff, award-winning author of Once Were Warriors, this will be the must-read autobiography of the year.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Perspective / Perry, Ellyse
“Ellyse Perry is among the all-time greatest cricket and football players in Australia, making her international debut in cricket and football World Cup at the age of 16. From the lessons of a high-performance athlete’s career to appreciating the small things in life, this inspiring illustrated book features themes of dreaming, belief, work, resilience, appreciation, opportunity, balance and perseverance. This empowering book is about what it is to be an elite athlete and trying to be the best person possible.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

A Body Positive booklist for the New Year

Kath

It’s January and that means we’re being bombarded from all angles with diet ads, fitness challenges, and the endless “New Year, New Me” messages.  It can be hard keeping these negative body messages at bay, especially after the Christmas/New Year period when we’ve all been enjoying the celebratory kai and chilling out over summer.

Thankfully, there are plenty of excellent books available to help you get back to loving your body and feeling good about yourself.  Here are a few we have in our collection:


Body positive power : how learning to love yourself will save your life / Crabbe, Megan Jayne
“We’ve been convinced that happiness is something that only comes once we hit that goal weight, get those washboard abs, shrink ourselves down and change every part of ourselves. We believe that our bodies are the problem, but this is not true. It’s how we’ve been taught to see our bodies that’s the problem… It’s time for us all to stop believing the lies we’ve been fed about what it means to be beautiful, and take our power back. Megan’s body image issues began when she was five years old. She spent her childhood chasing thinness, and at fourteen found herself spiralling into anorexia. After recovery she spent years dieting, binging, losing and gaining weight. But then she found body positivity, quit dieting, and finally escaped the cult of thin. Now she’s determined to let as many people as possible know the truth: that we are all good enough as we are.” (Catalogue)

The body is not an apology : the power of radical self-love / Taylor, Sonya Renee
“Humans are a varied and divergent bunch with all manner of beliefs, morals, and bodies. Systems of oppression thrive off our inability to make peace with difference and injure the relationship we have with our own bodies. The Body Is Not an Apology offers radical self-love as the balm to heal the wounds inflicted by these violent systems. World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength. As we awaken to our own indoctrinated body shame, we feel inspired to awaken others and to interrupt the systems that perpetuate body shame and oppression against all bodies. When we act from this truth on a global scale, we usher in the transformative opportunity of radical self-love, which is the opportunity for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world–for us all” (Catalogue)

Size sexy : how to look good, feel good, and be happy – at any size / Ellis, Stella
“”I like to say that my hourglass figure is more like an hour and a half”–Stella, as quoted in O Magazine. To become a “muse” to Jean-Paul Gaultier, you have to be someone special, and Stella Ellis filled that role when she rocked the modeling world.” (Catalogue)

More than a body : your body is an instrument, not an ornament / Kite, Lexie
“Positive body image isn’t believing your body looks good; it is knowing your body is good, regardless of how it looks. How do you feel about your body? Have you ever stayed home from a social activity or other opportunity because of concern about how you looked? Have you ever passed judgment on someone because of how they looked or dressed? Have you ever had difficulty concentrating on a task because you were self-conscious about your appearance? Our beauty-obsessed world perpetuates the idea that happiness, health, and ability to be loved are dependent on how we look, but authors Lindsay and Lexie Kite offer an alternative vision.” (Catalogue)

Embrace yourself / Brumfitt, Taryn
“Body positivity from the maker of documentary Embrace – how to love the skin you’re in and embrace yourself.” (Catalogue)

Screw inner beauty : lessons from the fat-o-sphere / Harding, Kate
“A sassy, sexy, no-holds-barred book for everyone – fat or thin – who’s tired of being told they are too big, thin, tall, short, wrinkly.” (Catalogue)

Fattily ever after / Yeboah, Stephanie
“Twenty-nine-year-old plus-size blogger Stephanie Yeboah has experienced racism and fat-phobia throughout her life. From being bullied at school to being objectified and humiliated in her dating life, Stephanie’s response to discrimination has always been to change the narrative around body-image and what we see as beautiful. In her debut book, Fattily Ever After, Stephanie Yeboah speaks openly and courageously about her own experience on navigating life as a black, plus-sized woman telling it how it really is and how she has managed to find self-acceptance in a world where judgment and discrimination are rife.” (Catalogue)

Happy fat / Hagen, Sofie
“‘I am a fat person and I love my body. I feel lucky to be able to say that – it has taken a lot of work and a lot of time. I want to tell you what I have learned and how I got here.’ In Happy Fat, comedian Sofie Hagen shares how she removed fatphobic influences from her daily life and found self-acceptance in a world where judgement and discrimination are rife. Part memoir, part social commentary, Happy Fat is a funny, angry and impassioned look at how taking up space in a culture that is desperate to reduce you can be radical, emboldening and life-changing.” (Catalogue)

And a few titles for kids:


Bodies are cool / Feder, Tyler
“Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text celebrate bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors, with different kinds of hair, eyes, spots, scars, and more.” (Catalogue)

All bodies are good bodies / Barkla, Charlotte
“Bold and beautiful, loud and proud, All Bodies are Good Bodies is an uplifting book about different body features and types. Through playful rhyme, it promotes the development of body acceptance and celebrates inclusivity and individuality.” (Catalogue)

Beautifully me / Noor, Nabela
“Zubi, a happy Bangladeshi girl, is excited about her first day of school, but at breakfast she is puzzled by her mother and older sister worrying about being “too big,” and even at school she hears other people criticizing each other’s bodies, and she starts to worry that maybe something is wrong with how she looks–until her declaration at dinner that she is on a diet makes her family realize what they have been doing wrong.” (Catalogue)

Art Deco heritage architecture and collectables

Xinxin

Glamourous, avant-garde and beautiful, Art Deco style influenced the world since 1920 in architecture, fashion, jazz music, and cars. This blog has all things about Art Deco, from New York to New Zealand, and from admirable to collectable.

Art deco : living with the art deco style / Miller, Judith
“In the 1920s and 1930s, designers and craftsmen made innovative use of both natural and man-made materials to produce elegant pieces that broke with tradition and celebrated the future. This beautifully illustrated book explores all the key collecting areas, with chapters on furniture, glass, ceramics, sculpture, metalwork, silver and plastics, prints and posters, rugs and textiles. With clear price codes and biographies of key makers and designers. ” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk)

Art deco New Zealand : an illustrated guide / Moyle, Terry
“A book covers New Zealand’s Art Deco heritage in the world famous cities like Napier and Hastings, and in towns and cities throughout the country. With many Art Deco buildings obscured, dilapidated, or even lost, the stunning detailed illustrations bring to life a compelling and evocative vision of the past. Here the style and mood of buildings, along with the cars and fashion styles of the period give an appreciation of New Zealand’s Art Deco heritage. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Art deco : the twentieth century’s iconic decorative style, from Paris, London, and Brussels to New York, Sydney, and Santa Monica / Schwartzman, Arnold
“Art deco is the 20th century’s most glamorous architectural style which shaped popular ideas of modern luxury. This book highlights photographs of Art Deco buildings, with an emphasis on London, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, and Paris. Art Deco features detail on murals, mosaics, flooring, ironwork, and other ornamental flourishes.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Art deco collectibles : fashionable objets from the Jazz Age / Capstick-Dale, Rodney
“This book demonstrate Deco style items at the height of fashion, and are highly prized collectibles today. They demonstrate an era of close cooperation between designers and manufacturers, who aimed for function and beautiful products. This informative showcase of portable classics of avant-garde modern design from Britain, Europe (particularly France) and the United States.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk)

Sydney art deco / Sheridan, Peter
“Longlisted for the Indie Book Awards 2020 for Illustrated Non-Fiction. This book explores the impact of the Art Deco style on the landscape and life of Sydney during the 1930s and 1940s with a glimpse of Australian artwork, fashion, furniture and accessories. The time of Art Deco was a brief hiatus between two World Wars and compounded by the devastating effects of the Great Depression. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Raupo to deco : Wellington styles and architects, 1840-1940 / Mew, G
“Celebrating a century of architectural achievement in Wellington, this book links the progression of style characteristics from raupo thatching to art deco ornament with the development of the city. It contains information about more than 300 architects associated with Wellington at various times plus photos, elevations and reproductions of rare plans. The authors last collaboration was the prize-winning Ring Around the City.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Carpets of the art deco era / Day, Susan
“The design revolutions of the early 20th century were woven into the very fabric of the carpets and rugs of that era. It charts the evolution of Victorian floral into the angular elegance of Art Deco and bold abstraction of Modernism. Such artists and designers as Picasso, Poiret, Gray, Delaunay, Matisse, Klee, and many more advanced the designs going on underfoot, making these rugs extremely collectible artworks in their own right. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

A kind of magic : art deco vanity cases / Hue-Williams, Sarah
“After 1918, post-war euphoria spread across Europe and America. Technology such as aeroplanes, motorcars and ocean liners changed the pace of life, while avant-garde fashion, jazz, The Great Gatsby and Hollywood flourished. The vanity case, the ultimate jewelled fashion accessory were made using  precious metals including platinum and gold, with inlays of lacquer, gemstones, mother of pearl, jade, or enamel. These ‘reticules’ took Paris’ skilled designers and craftsmen months to complete and were extremely expensive. Objects of desire to be passed round and shown off at gatherings of the super-rich, they became miniature status symbols to be seen with at the opera or restaurant. (Adapted from the Catalogue)

New Zealand in the eye of artists

Xinxin

From time to time, we may stop and cherish the beautiful sceneries around us. Thanks to these artists who freeze the beautiful moments onto canvas, now we can cherish New Zealand scenery along with the rest of the world. This blog also includes artists’ work using different techniques.

Looking for the light : landscape photographs of New Zealand / Latham, Peter
“New Zealand born landscape photographer presents this epic collection of his most popular gallery fine-art prints, together with numerous new images of the New Zealand landscape. Peter’s poetic eye and unique presentation has earned him a coveted reputation in the elusive art market. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Grahame Sydney : paintings 1974-2014 / Sydney, Grahame
“Grahame’s paintings of the Central Otago landscape and the wider South Island are known and loved by large numbers of New Zealanders at home and abroad, and have become touchstones that reflect the depth of feeling many people have for this country. His work now spans over four decades and encompasses oils, watercolours, egg tempera, lithographs, etching, photography and film. (Adapted from the catalogue)

Van der Velden : Otira / Vangioni, P. J.
“Petrus van der Velden is one of New Zealand’s keystone artists, and this sumptuous publication brings together major examples of his ground-breaking Otira series from public and private lenders throughout New Zealand. It highlights the manner in which van der Velden’s art has resonated throughout the twentieth and into the twenty-first century.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Drawing the Waitakere Coast / Binney, D. H.
“In 2008, painter Don Binney completed 24 charming coloured pencil drawings of Auckland’s West Coast, from Huia to Te Henga (Bethells). They are evocative of the coast so many New Zealanders love and they are magnificent works in themselves. They are accompanied by text commenting on the landmarks shown in each of the drawings. “(Catalogue)

Art New Zealand.
“Art New Zealand is the major visual arts journal in New Zealand. First published in 1976, it has consistently surveyed New Zealand’s contemporary art with rigour and professionalism. It is essential reading and reference for those interested in New Zealand art. Its place in the art world is secure and its reputation is unequalled.” (Publisher’s website)

Artists’ impressions of New Zealand
“Denis Robinson’s latest offering is something of an artist’s road trip around New Zealand. There is a wide variety of techniques displayed in the work, and often this seems related to place, like central Otago, which attracts oil painters than Wellington, where watercolourists dominate the painting landscape. Denis Robinson has once again achieved a portfolio of striking artworks that not only demonstrates the deep well of artistic talent in this country, but also reflects the scenic beauty that surrounds us.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The Scent of Empires: The Origins of Chanel No 5

wclstaff

How do you celebrate the 300th anniversary of a seemingly all-powerful dynasty that rules over the largest empire on earth? With perfume, of course! And not just any perfume will do–you need something unique, something revolutionary.

The perfume in question was Le Bouquet Préféré de l’Impératrice, developed just a few years before the end of the Russian Empire. But while the Romonovs would not survive the coming revolution, it was a different story for Le Bouquet: the scent would go on to form the basis of two of the world’s most well-known perfumes: Chanel No 5 and Red Moscow.

Want to know more about the smells of Imperial Russia? A good place to start is Fragrantica, with reviews of both Chanel No 5 and Red Moscow. But what if you want to take it further? What if you want to make a revolutionary scent of your own? Then check out our booklist below!


The scent of empires : Chanel no. 5 and red Moscow / Schlögel, Karl
“Can a smell bear the traces of history? What can we learn about the history of the twentieth century by examining the fate of perfumes? Piecing together the intertwined histories of these two famous perfumes, which shared a common origin, Schlögel tells a surprising story of power, intrigue and betrayal that offers an altogether unique perspective on the turbulent events and high politics of the twentieth century.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Perfume : a century of scents / Ostrom, Lizzie
“Signature scents and now-lost masterpieces; the visionaries who conceived them; the wild and wonderful campaigns that launched them; the women and men who wore them–every perfume has a tale to tell.” (Catalogue)

Perfume : the alchemy of scent / Ellena, Jean-Claude
“In this one-of-a-kind book, the master himself takes you through the doors of his laboratory and explains the process of creating precious fragrances, revealing the key methods and recipes involved in this mysterious alchemy. Perfume is a cutthroat, secretive multibillion dollar industry, and Ellena provides an insider’s tour, guiding us from initial inspiration through the mixing of essences and synthetic elements, to the deluxe packaging and marketing in elegant boutiques worldwide.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Homemade perfume : create exquisite, naturally scented products to fill your life with botanical aromas / McCoy, Anya
“This unprecedented, comprehensive guide from renowned perfumer Anya McCoy is an inspiring resource for anyone interested in creating artisanal perfume. Discover simple step-by-step methods for making perfume without harsh chemicals. Jump right in, using local plants and common household ingredients. Soon you’ll be building your own scent collection and creating unforgettable gifts.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Cult perfumes : the world’s most exclusive perfumeries / Williams, Tessa
“Even in times of economic hardship, perfume is an affordable luxury, recognized for its ability to make us not only smell good but also feel great. No woman’s dressing table or bathroom cabinet is complete without at least one bottle. Cult Perfumes is the first book to explore the most exclusive boutique perfumeries producing some of the world’s most captivating scents.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Smell in eighteenth-century England: a social sense / Tullett, William
“In England from the 1670s to the 1820s a transformation took place in how smell and the senses were viewed. The role of smell in developing medical and scientific knowledge came under intense scrutiny, and the equation of smell with disease was actively questioned. Yet a new interest in smell’s emotive and idiosyncratic dimensions offered odour a new power in the sociable spaces of eighteenth-century England.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Perfumes : the guide / Turin, Luca
“An authoritative, one-of-a-kind guide to perfume, from over 1200 reviews to a comprehensive FAQ section. Beautifully designed and elegantly illustrated.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Housing

Xinxin

This blog includes some innovative ideas for improving housing quality, sustainability, and affordability.

150 best tiny space ideas / Zamora Mola, Francesc
“Discover the latest innovations in tiny space design in this lush compendium in the 150 Best series, showcasing 150 full-color profiles. As the price of large residences have become increasingly out of reach for many people, aspiring home owners have begun to think smaller. All the projects featured in this handsome reference were created by internationally renowned architects. Encompassing current trends in small space design, this book offers the work of international visionaries who have created and transformed a range of accommodations, from a micro-apartment in Taipei City to a silo in Phoenix to an island shack in British Columbia. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

How to survive a leaky home : risks, remedies and repairs / Van Dongen, Yvonne
“This book will provide information on the following: Tell-tale signs and other not-so-obvious signs, who to go to, what steps to take, how the Weathertight Homes Tribunal works, whether to go to court or use the state system, what to expect in terms of time and cost, what to claim for and whether to stay in the home or go during repair.” (Catalogue)

 

New Zealand property investor.
“The New Zealand Property investor magazine provides readers with information you can use to successfully invest in residential property. You can learn from the experts, read the stories of your fellow investors and keep up to date with the latest house prices and rental statistics.” (Catalogue)

Buying a house in New Zealand / Ripley, Alison
“Buying property in New Zealand is not only for those who have emigrated; the country is also an ideal destination for those who wish to escape from the bleak northern winters and spend a second summer in their dream house down under, helped by the “open-door” policy that allows nonresidents to live in New Zealand for up to six months without ….” (Catalogue)

 

Green modern : eco-conscious contemporary New Zealand homes / McCall, Claire
“Green Modern showcases design-conscious New Zealand houses that embrace a more sustainable way of living. Ranging from inner-city homes to remote retreats, each house demonstrates how thoughtful design and environmentally-responsive building techniques can work together to produce beautiful and ecologically sound living spaces. They are ‘smart’, eco-conscious homes that champion style and sustainability. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Managing your investment property / Barnes, Rachel
“The property market is booming and more investors than ever are using property to build wealth. But there is more to property investing than just purchasing the right property. Whether you’ve got a property manager or are a DIY landlord, this is the essential guide for all Australian and New Zealand investors to ensure they’re effectively managing their investment and getting the maximum cashflow. Covering everything from finding tenants, setting the rent and securing a bond, to maintaining the property, Managing Your Investment Property covers all of the essential information to get the most out of your investment.” (Catalogue)

The sophisticated property investor : for new and seasoned commercial property investors / Brill, Jeff
“Those of you who want financial freedom and/or have a need to create a legacy to leave a secure money machine behind for your children, need to read this book. Herein you will learn the tools needed to invest in the commercial property sector, be it a building of your own or a share in one. No longer is this investment vehicle an exclusive domain for the rich, many mums and dads are learning how to play and making substantial gains to secure their future. Contains an interview with Sir Robert Jones and other specialists in their fields.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Warm house, cool house : inspirational designs for low-energy housing / Hollo, N
“We all want to minimise our environmental impact, but we don’t always know how. In this book, respected Australian architect Nick Hollo provides valuable advice, illustrated by more than 100 inspiring contemporary examples of low-energy housing design, to help keep our homes cool in summer and warm in winter with little or no cooling and heating by appliances. From project and kit homes to new architect-designed houses, renovations and extensions, these low-energy principles can easily be incorporated into every home. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)