10 GREAT READS FOR FATHER’S DAY
Nicola Russell picked 10 terrific Father’s Day reads. You can treat your dad to one of these books by entering our competition (see below).
Thrillers 1 RED HERRING by Jonothan Cullinane, HarperCollins.
Johnny Molloy, a private detective, joins forces with feisty reporter Caitlin O’Carolan to uncover a conspiracy that goes to the heart of the establishment and will threaten their own lives. Set during the bloody turmoil of the 1951 Auckland waterfront dispute, Red Herring is a debut thriller that delves into the world of union politics and dark political agendas. It’s line-up of memorable characters, including some based on real-life figures from recent history.
2 ORPHAN X by Gregg Hurwitz, Penguin/Random House.
This new release from crime writer Gregg Hurwitz is a high octane thriller about a boy taken from his orphanage home and trained as part of a top secret programme. There he is known only as Orphan X and is sent to the most dangerous places in the world to do things his government will deny any knowledge of. Then, using everything he knows, Orphan X disappears, determined to help those in need. But someone is now following him, someone who knows about his past.
War stories 3 ACTS OF VALOUR, The History of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand by Glyn Harper and Colin Richarson, HarperCollins.
The Victoria Cross has been the highest Commonwealth military decoration for 150 years, with more than 40 awarded. Acts of Valour tells each recipient’s story, up to the most recent, Willie Apiata. A great insight into our military history.
4 LADDER TO THE MOON by P.J. Fry, Longview International.
P.J. Fry knows the realities of war, having served with the UN in the Middle East. Set in 1977, Ladder to the Moon explores the human cost of war via the relationship of a Palestinian woman and a New Zealand Army captain serving as a UN military observer on the Israel–Lebanon border.
Memoirs 5 MY OLD MAN by Ted Kessler, Allen & Unwin.
An impressive group of contributors reflect on their relationship with their father, including Florence Welch, Paul Weller and the children of Leonard Cohen, Ian Dury and Johnny Ball.
Inspiration 6 HOW FAR CAN YOU GO? by John Maclean with Mark Tabb, Simon and Schuster.
When aspiring triathlete John Maclean was struck down by a truck at the age of 22, he was left a paraplegic. His response was to become one of the world’s most accomplished wheelchair athletes. But he never gave up on walking again and after discovering a radical new therapy, he realised his dream. This is his story.
7SHOE DOG by Phil Knight, Simon and Schuster.
At 24 and fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed $50 off his father to create a company. That company was Nike, which now earns $30 billion annually. In this memoir, Knight describes the wins and losses along the way.
Sport 8 RICHIE MCCAW: 148, Upstart Press.
A retrospective of beloved ex-All Black Captain Richie McCaw’s illustrious career, with 500-plus photographs and Richie’s own memories of the matches. A rugby lover’s dream.
Music 9THE AGE OF BOWIE by Paul Morley, Simon and Schuster.
The first full biography of David Bowie is written by the respected UK music/arts commentator Paul Morley, who was the chief artistic advisor of the record-breaking David Bowie Is exhibition. This is the story of the artist and the man, exploring the way Bowie worked, played, structured his ideas and created history. A definitive account of the life of a true star.
10 IN LOVE WITH THESE TIMES: My Life with Flying Nun Records by Roger Shepherd, Harper Collins
When a man working in a record store recognised his favourite bands needed someone to make their records, he stepped up to the challenge. That man was Roger Shepherd and his label, Flying Nun Records, defined an era of Kiwi music. In this memoir, he looks back at the passion, idealism and the spirit of independence that characterised the label and the tough realities of the music industry.