A new book trailer for Operation: Genocide

Here's a new book trailer for you.

The Book of Everything - the Play (based on a Novel by Guus Kuijer)

I've just seen "The Book of Everything" in the theatre. The play was so brilliant (making full use of live drama tricks like chalk-drawn props, audience participation, and on-the-stage production of sound effects) that I can't imagine how the book could possibly do it justice.

Auckland Chinese Lantern Festival 2016

It's with a touch of sadness I'm writing this farewell to Auckland's Chinese Lantern Festival. It's our family tradition to attend the event every year. Or, I should say, it's been our tradition. It will be no more.

The event's got too big, and moving it from Albert Park to the Domain did not help matters. The bigger venue simply attracted more people, which resulted in more queuing time to buy dinner. The less-central location meant fewer public transport options, fewer parking choices, and more traffic jams.

The vendors are probably happy. But, as a friend has put it: "In future, nobody will go to the Lantern Festival because it's too crowded."

Agent Dallas Thriller series by LJ Sellers

"The Trigger", "The Target", "The Trap". Three titles in the series so far, and I can't get enough of agent Jamie Dallas, a fun-loving but damaged heroine who'd rather work undercover than have a relationship that's anything more than sex-deep.

Fast-paced and well-plotted. I can't wait for #4.

The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs

"The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs" by Matthew Dicks (The author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend) is a book about bullying by social exclusion, and how its effects can potentially haunt you your whole life. The issues are serious, but the style makes for an enjoyable read.

Told from the perspective of a 40+ old woman, the book nevertheless has passages that can help teens identify and deal with emotional bullying.

The Cellar - Minette Walters

The latest long-awaited novel - more of a novella - from the author of The Ice House, The Scold's Bridle and The Dark Room is a different kettle of kippers. Yes, it's still crime fiction. Yes, it's still a mystery. You can even call it a detective novel(la).

Told from the point of view of one of the victims, however, it's not a police procedural. It's not a thriller. I would never in a million years guess it to be a Minette Walters, the way a Lee Child is a Lee Child and a Harlan Coben is a Harlan Coben. In a way, it's more of a Tess Gerritsen than the latest Tess Gerritsen (Playing with Fire).

It's a good book. Well paced. Interesting characters.

Just not what I expected.

The Abominable Bride - Sherlock

I love Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock. New Year's special episode, "The Abominable Bride", was no exception. I know some people had an issue with it

SPOILERS AHEAD















going back and forth between the historical and the contemporary setting, some even found it confusing. Apart from the obvious plagiarism of the Inception concept, I couldn't fault it. Even the ghost was scary.