From the author of Sookie Stackhouse “True Blood” novels.

When she was 5, Harpur Conelly was struck by a botl of lightning. She’s left with a spidery web of red over her body, severe headaches, and episodes of muscle weakness. Sometimes her right hand shakes. And she can find dead people.

Harpur can find dead people – but now it is clear someone wants her dead. Grave secret by Charlaine Harris is paranormal mystery writing at it’s best.

New Zealand travel

Antipodes: the ingenious and exhilarating expedition of Le Lider and La Campana by Mark Price. Wryly, dryly and with an economy that would do La Campana proud, author Mark Price forges paths where no New Zealander has gone before, and tells the bare truth which is funnier than any fiction.

This is Kiwi deadpan drollery a its finest.

Book sales are down

After strong starts and huge marketing campaigns, some of the biggest books of the fall season — on which the struggling bookselling industry has pinned much of its hopes — are losing a little steam.
“The Lost Symbol,” Dan Brown’s highly anticipated follow-up to “The Da Vinci Code,” broke sales records on its first day and in its first week of release last month, selling nearly two million copies in the United States, Canada and Britain, according to the publisher. But the number of copies the book sold last week fell by 47 percent, to 214,000 from 401,000.
“True Compass,” Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s memoir, sold 39,000 copies last week, down 43 percent from the previous week’s tally of 69,000. With sales of “True Compass” dwindling, some within the industry wondered how Twelve would recoup the advance of more than $8 million it paid for the memoir.
Book store chain owner Mitchell Kaplan said Senator Kennedy’s memoir was likely to appeal to gift-buying customers. But he said the biggest successes were often books from unknown authors that built slowly by word of mouth.
He pointed to “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, which has stormed through book clubs and has sold 4
21,000 copies in hardcover and 583,000 in paperback.
To Heaven by Water. Written by Justin Cartwright.

“ To Heaven by Water is a wonderful story of friendship, forgiveness and of love that comes from unexpected directions; it is an exploration of what we might hope for from this life and, in particular, the possibility of transcendence” says the blurb on the back of this book, which I picked up with some trepidation, as the author is the winner of many literary prizes!! I often find this sort of book a bit hard going, and I return with relief to slightly less literary stories, where I actually want to know what happens next. However I am glad that I persevered with this one, as I found all the characters interesting and although I found the behaviour of some of them rather extreme, I was certainly interested to know what they did next….I was also left with some lovely images and I found some of it very thought provoking. So give it a try, you might be pleased you did.

From cult-vampire-writer Sherrilyn Kenyon

Phantom in the night, co-written with Dianna Love, is a thrilling novel of romantic suspense; a gutsy female agent from the Bureau of American Defense encounter an elusive killer who isn’t at all what he seems.

After losing her mother to a vigilante killer, Terri Mitchell has dedicated her life to justice. Working covertly as a new agent for the Bureau, she’s consulting with the New Orleans Police Dept to bust an organised crime ring suspected of funding terrorism. But when rumours surface of a phantom ghost terrorizing and killing the very people she’s investigating, she’s suspicious.
Nathan Drake has spent his life protecting his family, the only thing that matters to him … until the most feared drug lord in the southeast takes everything Nathan holds dear. Now he’s a man on a mission with nothing to lose. He figures he only needs to stay alive long enough to protect the innocent lives the killers are out to destroy.

As the two of them seek a similar goal by different means, Terri and Nathan are drawn deep into an evil underbelly that cuts through all levels of society. Now two people who have no reason to trust must trust in each other or die. And if they die, a deadly attack will be unleashed on thousands of innocent people.

Water saving tips for gardeners

Quote of the Day
Gardening is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to it. ~Author Unknown

Tip of the Day
Plants should be watered in the early morning hours. The leaves can dry off during the rest of the day. Thus, fungal diseases are kept away.

Book of the Day
Garden painters : contemporary artists by Ariel Luke.
You’ve designed and planted a garden and everything is thriving; now what? Paint a constant reminder of how lovely it is! If you need some inspiration to get you going, look no further than this beautiful book which is a survey of 21 contemporary artists who specialise in painting gardens. The artists come from the United Kingdom as well as Europe and the United States. They work in a wide range of media including watercolour, acrylics, oils and tempera. For each artist, there is a brief biographical thumbnail sketch, reproductions of a variety of their work, and comments from the artists on their painting styles and working practices. The result is a intriguing look at this fascinating subject.

Mulch mulch more!

Quote of the Day
There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling. ~Mirabel Osler

Tip of the Day
There is a way to prevent too many weeds from coming up, and that is by using mulch. Since weeding can be quite taxing on the hands and knees, put down a layer of regular mulch or organic mulch (2 to 3 inches thick) on the soil! The appearance is neat. Also, mulch helps in maintaining the soil temperature and moisture. Most important of all, weeds do not have the liberty to grow out of control!

Book of the Day
Gardens of Eden : among the world's most beautiful gardens by Holly Kerr Forsyth.
Spanning time and continents, this unique handbook tours the world’s most beautiful gardens—from the gardens of ancient Persia and the Buddhist-inspired landscapes of China to Les Jardins du Paradis in France and the Nooroo Gardens in Australia. The remarkable guide is not only visually pleasing but also truly informative, providing descriptions and histories of the featured gardens, as well as suggestions on how and when to visit them. A celebration of the ideals and aesthetics that govern the creation of gardens in many cultures, this book also discusses the issues involved in the process and the maintenance necessary to keep them blooming. Atypically organized by theme rather than place, chapters including Writers' Gardens reveal where some of the world's greatest writers found inspiration, such as Vita Sackville-West's Sissinghurst in Kent, while Politician's Gardens profiles where leaders found solace, such as George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate.

Chinese veges, size and a quote

Quote of the Day
What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it. ~Charles Dudley Warner, My Summer in a Garden, 1871

Tip of the Day
If you are new to gardening it is easier to take care of a smaller garden, giving you enough time to get acquainted with the basics of gardening such as--how much water is required approximately, knowledge about fertilizers, keeping growth of weeds under control, keeping away pests and diseases.

Book of the Day
Growing Chinese vegetables in your own backyard : grow 40 vegetables and herbs in gardens and pots by Geri Harrington.
Chinese greens, herbs, and other edible plants will delight gardeners seeking new challenges and cooks who want different options from a backyard garden - but there's relatively few books available on the specifics of growing Chinese vegetables in a backyard. Some 40 vegetables and herbs are covered in a survey of varieties, growing and harvest options, and more. Gardeners who cultivate culinary interests will be particularly excited by the options in lovely book.

Composting, Martha and a quote.

Quote of the day.
Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. ~Lou Erickson

Tip of the Day
Plant material can be turned into compost in as little as two weeks, or it can take as much as a year. The speed at which the decomposition occurs depends on the size of the material you are composting, and the effort which you want to put out. Although stems and branches will eventually decompose, you wouldn't want them added to your compost pile because they will still be stems and branches long after your leaves and grass clippings have returned to earth. Smaller is better, with the optimum being material which has been chopped or shredded into small pieces. The process is speeded up even further by keeping the pile moist and turning it regularly to expose all of the material to the air.

Book of the Day
Martha Stewart's encyclopedia of crafts : an A-to-Z guide with detailed instructions and endless inspiration
A craft book in the garden guide? Yes, because Martha includes projects that are handy for the home gardener such as decorating pots and using produce from your own garden. Stewart leaves no craft behind in this extensive compilation covering every craft for the DIY set, from albums and scrapbooks to wreaths. With more than 1,000 photos and 100 line drawings, Stewart provides step-by-step instructions for something as simple as making a shell soap dish to the more complicated marbleizing paper. Each subject is arranged in alphabetical order, and begins with an overview of the craft and the supplies needed, then continues with variations on the featured craft and tips for success: for example, with the chapter Nature Crafts, Stewart focuses on acorns, pinecones and shells, then within the chapter shows the reader how to whipstitch, how to make an acorn pin cushion, pinecone flowers, shell-covered pots, etc.

Time to get gardening!

Quote of the Day
My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~H. Fred Ale

Tip of the Day
When you bring your new plants home from the nursery, allow them to acclimatize themselves by placing them in the shade, and then gradually bring them into their proper lighting. Be sure to keep them well watered until they are ready to plant into the ground. It is best to plant them on an overcast day.

Book of the Day

The new outdoor kitchen by Deborah Krasner. Deborah does an amazing job with this how - to on outdoor cooking. Beautiful pictures and designs to inspire even the most uncreative of readers. Highly recommended - she even includes pictures of her own amazing outdoor kitchen which is just a testament to her knowledge and experience. Even if you are just looking for ideas or creative possibilities pick up a copy and you will not be disappointed. I just wish I could just carry out all of the projects she puts in here!

Even PP has got into the garden

Why waste a wonderful day inside when the garden awaits. Even Penelope Plus was motivated to go out to the garden. Here she is chatting with chief pest eradicator Henrietta Cluck.

New Zealand weather forcasting

Quote of the Day
The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, 1932

Tip of the Day
The right fertiliser is very important for a vegetable garden to be successful. You should use organic fertiliser. There are several reasons, but mostly because there is less damage to the plants and organic fertilisers are much safer. They are also more environmentally safe and that is important.

Book of the Day
Ken Ring's predict weather almanac and isobaric maps for New Zealand 2010 by Ken Ring.
Ring provides essential weather predictions for keen gardeners. Conventional weather forecasts are valid only a few days in advance, but observing the cyclical influence of the moon, Ken Ring can predict the weather for up to a year. In this easy-to-use almanac, he predicts the weather for most New Zealand towns and regions for every day of 2010, providing weather maps which will closely match those in daily newspapers and on TV.

NZ coastline under threat

Castles in the sand by Raewyn Peart asks the questions “what is happening to the New Zealand coast?”. Author Raewyn Peart is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Environmental Defence Society. She is a qualified lawyer and has worked in the field of resource management for more than 15 years.

In this timely evaluation and call to action, she concludes that it is not too late to change our management of the coast to ensure continued access for all New Zealanders, the protection of our natural heritage, and responsible, sustainable development.

Avoiding your bank statements?

The money therapist is your fix to financial woes! If you are afraid to look at your debt or avoid your bank statements, then this is the book for you.

Author Marcia Brixey offers hope, encouragement, and financial peace of mind no matter what your current relationship with money is. The money therapist offers step by step how to instructions to organise your financial life.

Bk 3 of the Kira Chronicles

The cry of the Marwing by KS Nikakis is book three of the Kira Chronicles. This action-packed conclusion to the trilogy finds our heroine battling for her people, her beliefs, her love for a man and, finally, her very existence.

If you enjoyed The whisper of leaves and The song of the silvercades you won’t want to miss this thrilling finale.

Victorian mystery

London, summer 1839, and the temperature is rising as Liberty Lane takes on her strangest case yet.

Caro Peacock’s A corpse in shining armour has great period detail and heaps of energy woven into a feisty Victorian romp.

Something for meat lovers

Steak by Fiona Beckett is a collection of steak recipes, from old favourites to new flavours.

This mouth-watering book tells you all you need to know about cooking the perfect steak.

Relax with a DVD

David Arquette stars in See Spot Run, a zany comedy all about Mischief The super dog, Agent 11, has just brought down notorious Mob boss Sonny Taila and now there’s a contract on his life, Placed in a dog-witness protection programme, Agent 11 sniffs out a booby trap and decides to flea …oops, flee!

His big mistake is hiding out in the house of a man who has spent his life running from, being bitten by and trying to outwit dogs, moronic mailman Gordon. You see Gordon doesn’t know Agent 11 is a highly trained super sleuth and beside taunting and teasing him, he further humiliates him by naming him “Spot”. Now Gordon has two problems on his hands – babysitting his next door neighbour’s precocious son and minding a mutt that’s smarter than he is! PG rating, 93 minutes long.

Having a baby?

Peanut, an interactive story to help build the bond between your child and your unborn baby, talks your child through the weeks of your pregnancy.

Week by week the book encourages interaction between you and “peanut” in order to form a lifetime loving and caring bond between the siblings.

From best-selling author Dilly Court

The constant heart, in large print, is the story of Rosina May – despite living by the side of the Thames, with its noise, disease and dirt, eighteen-year-old Rosina May has wanted for little in life, until her father’s feud with a fellow bargeman threatens to destroy everything.

To save them, Rosina agrees to marry Harry, the son of a wealthy merchant, but a chance encounter with a handsome river pirate has turned her head and she longs to meet him again. When her father dies a broken man, Harry turns Rosina out onto the streets, but in spite of her hardships she cannot forget her pirate. Is she really prepared to risk everything for love?

Set in wartime England

A mother’s hope by Kate Flynn is available in large print.

Along a blacked-out wartime street a girl is scurrying, a basket on one arm. As the sirens begin and the bombs crash down, she is filled with panic, abandons her burden in a sheltered doorway, meaning to return later. Even as she disappears in the resulting chaos, the bundle in the basket begins to wail.