Book shelf
Reads to inform and inspire.
In My Past Life I was Cleopatra
Amal Awad, Murdoch Books, $37 A funny and shrewdly observed book that investigates the world of woo woo. Awad (journalist, TEDx presenter and sceptic) covers everything from psychic mediums to spirit guides, and whether these practices can help, harm or both in the quest for spiritual alignment.
Good For You
Claire Chitham and Kylie Bailey, De Angelo Publications, $40 Actress Chitham and health journalist Bailey have released a book on gut and cellular health as a follow on from their online health and happiness hub Good For You TV. Chitham has successfully kept Crohn’s Disease at bay for the past 20 years and Bailey has suffered from anxiety.
Love, Masks, & Social Distancing
Caroline Carter, Magpie Publishing, $21.40 A light and hilarious read about a young woman who moves to London for love to have it all fall apart and trying to pull her life back together in lockdown.
Aroha
Dr Hinemoa Elder, Penguin Random House, $30 A collection of Māori proverbs and timeless wisdom. Elder compiles and explains 52 whakataukī (traditional Māori sayings) that show us how we can live better lives, in harmony with the planet.
To Asia, with Love
Hetty McKinnon, MacMillan Publishers, $40 If you love Asian food you will love this! McKinnon shows home cooks how to create big-flavoured vegetarian (and often vegan) Asian dishes using the simplest of everyday ingredients.
I Love Mondays
Jess Stuart, Inspire Publishing, $30 The author of The Super Woman Survival Guide has penned a guide to finding joy and purpose in your work. She uncovers the secret to finding work you love and getting paid for it.
Sense
Russell Jones, Welbeck, $37 Author Jones is the founder of a pioneering multi-sensory design agency and has spent the last decade using sensory science to create immersive gala events and retail spaces. His book is a fascinating and revelatory look at how you can use your senses in a way you never have before.
Birds of New Zealand: Collective Nouns
Melissa Boardman, Harper Collins, $30 This beautiful book features more than 90 illustrations of different bird species and their collective noun by Wellington artist Boardman.