Biographical – Thrift Reads

$6.00

This book is a true-life story that follows Vera Kasevich’s journey through hardship, faith, and survival. Set against the backdrop of Ukraine’s turbulent history, it recounts her experiences growing up in difficult circumstances and facing significant personal and societal challenges. Through these trials, Kasevich describes what she sees as a “miracle” in her life, showing how faith, resilience, and a sense of divine purpose helped guide her through suffering. The narrative emphasizes themes of: Spiritual purpose and destiny; Overcoming adversity; Faith in times of crisis; Personal transformation Ultimately, the book presents her life as evidence that each person is “born for a purpose,” encouraging readers to find meaning in their own struggles and to trust in a greater plan shaping their lives.

The Rise and Fall of a Young Turk Robert Muldoon Autobiography

$8.00

This early autobiography traces Robert Muldoon’s rise in New Zealand politics before he became Prime Minister. Written in 1974, the book covers his formative years, entry into Parliament, and rapid ascent within the National Party. Muldoon presents himself as a determined and outspoken figure, detailing the political battles, internal party dynamics, and economic issues that shaped his career. He reflects on both his ambitions and the setbacks he faced, offering insight into his leadership style and the controversies that surrounded him. The narrative blends personal history with political commentary, providing a candid and sometimes combative account of New Zealand politics in the 1960s and early 1970s. It also foreshadows the approach and convictions that would later define his time as Prime Minister. If you want, I can compare this with his later autobiography (My Way) to show how his perspective changed over time. Good: Minor tear on the upper edge of the dust jacket.

My way

$10.00

My Way is a political autobiography in which Robert Muldoon reflects on his time as Prime Minister of New Zealand, particularly focusing on the final years of his leadership. The book provides a firsthand account of the major political events, decisions, and controversies that shaped the country during his tenure. Muldoon offers his personal perspective on economic policies, leadership challenges, and relationships within government, often defending his actions and explaining the reasoning behind them. The narrative combines political insight with personal reflections, giving readers an inside look at both the public and private dimensions of his time in power. Illustrated with monochrome images. Very Good: Very tidy condition.

Harry Potter Bake, Create, and Decorate! An Offical Book Inspired by the Films

$14.00

“Decorate your own magical creations in this official dessert book that’s perfect for the youngest fans of the Harry Potter films! This gorgeous book is packed with full-colour photography and kid-friendly instructions for how to create 30 cake, cupcake and cookie designs. Build your own Acromantula out of cupcakes. Design Hogwarts house crest cookies. Frost a cake that looks just like the Knight Bus-and many more! Each design in the book can be created using simple store-bought cake or cookie mixes. Or whip up your own treats from scratch using the provided basic cake, cookie and frosting recipes. Plus, assembling cakes and frosting complex designs are made easy for bakers of all ages thanks to the handy templates included at the back of the book. The delicious Wizarding World-themed desserts found in this book are perfect for parties, holidays, movie nights and more! The perfect book for any beginning baker, aspiring decorator and Harry Potter fan!”–Publisher. A wizard of a book, spellbinding. As New Condition, an off the shelf copy.

Brewster A Novel

$6.00

“Intense and elegiac…devastatingly agile.” —New York Times Book Review

The year is 1968. The world is changing, and sixteen-year-old Jon Mosher is determined to change with it. Racked by guilt over his older brother’s childhood death and stuck in the dead-end town of Brewster, New York, he turns his rage into victories running track. Meanwhile, Ray Cappicciano, a rebel as gifted with his fists as Jon is with his feet, is trying to take care of his baby brother while staying out of the way of his abusive, ex-cop father. When Jon and Ray form a tight friendship, they find in each other everything they lack at home, but it’s not until Ray falls in love with beautiful, headstrong Karen Dorsey that the three friends begin to dream of breaking away from Brewster for good. Freedom, however, has its price. As forces beyond their control begin to bear down on them, Jon sets off on the race of his life—a race to redeem his past and save them all.

Mark Slouka’s work has been called “relentlessly observant, miraculously expressive” (New York Times Book Review). Reverberating with compassion, heartache, and grace, Brewster is an unforgettable coming-of-age story from one of our most compelling novelists.

A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
A Washington Post Notable Book of 2013
A Barron’s Favorite Book of the Year, selected by Daniel Woodrell
A Booklist Best Adult Books for Young Adults Editor’s Choice 2013

Fair: Well read, Showing signs of wear but still in good condition, binding is good.

Memoirs

$8.00

Andrei Gromyko has held high office in the Soviet government for more than 50 years, serving under every leader from Stalin to Gorbachev. As his country’s Foreign Minister, he met and negotiated with almost every world leader. His memoirs describe the intrigues of power-politics behind the scenes in the Kremlin, and the characters and events which have dominated his political life. They provide unprecented insight into half a century of Soviet and world politics. We learn of Gromyko’s upbringing in a small village far from the main cities, of his academic prominence and courtship of his wife, Lidia Grinevich. We see him, already in 1939, as ambassador to Washington, then in Yalta alongside Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt. The book provides portraits of all his leading political contemporaries, and revelations, such as the time Chairman Mao asked for Soviet support for an atomic bombing of American forces. Good: Tidy condition.

Parky My Autobiography

$8.00

From prize-winning journalist totalk show king on a show voted one of the top10 British TV programs of all time, Michael Parkinson’s starry career spansmore thanfour decades. Now an international celebrity himself, the man from a humble but colorful Yorkshire mining family who can tease out the secrets of even the most reticent star guest at last reveals his own story, with the easy manner and insight that has kept his audiences fascinated. His distinguished career has involved working on highly acclaimed current affairs and film shows. His wide interests and expertise include jazz, film, soccer, and cricket. Witty, humorous, and blessed with exceptional intellectual clarity, Michael Parkinson’s memoir is a joy to read.” Good: Tidy condition.

Tasman Trespasser II

$8.00

In a nail-biting, funny, poignant and inspiring modern-day adventure, Shaun Quincey shares the physical and mental challenges and utter exhilaration of pitting yourself against something way bigger and way more unforgiving than anything you’ll ever face in a life more ordinary.

In 1977, Colin Quincey became the first man to row the tasman. Forty years later, his son Shaun decided to emulate his father – rowing the other way. His father’s boat was the tasman trespasser, and when Shaun decided to build and row tasman trespasser II, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy. At the time, he owned little more than a drum kit and a heap of dreams. While he was at home in the water – an experienced surf lifesaver and swimmer – in his own words he had never been so scared, had less money, been laughed at as much or been so unprepared for anything in his life. that he succeeded is history – that he set a new record, testament to personal endurance and sheer tenacity, as well as the skill with which he designed and built his boat. Don’t miss a moment. My world is a confusion of violent twists, rolls and thuds, with screaming wind and waves crashing into, onto and over me. I am lying braced with my feet against the cabin wall, my back against another, sweating and trying to eat cold porridge . . . Good: Tidy condition.

No Limits How Craig Heatley Became a Top New Zealand Entrepreneur

$8.00

Craig Heatley was still at high school when he created a subdivision on the back of $200 saved from his paper round. A few years later, building a mini-golf course launched a business that in 1986 saw him become the youngest person to have then featured in the National Business Review‘s Rich List. But it is Sky Television that was his boldest and most precarious undertaking. The fledgling company teetered in the early nineties as rugby suffered its own crisis, torn between its amateur heritage and the forces of professionalism. Heatley could see the answer. Making it happen is part of his story. Good: Tidy condition.

China Road A Journey Into the Future of a Rising Power

$8.00

China is a country on the move, and Route 312 – China’s Route 66 – is the artery along which 150 million Chinese are travelling daily in search of work and a better life. Running 3,000 miles from the east-coast boomtown of Shanghai to the border of Kazakhstan in the northwest, crossing many ethnic and provincial boundaries, it is the transcontinental road that Rob Gifford has always wanted to travel.

Part personal pilgrimage, part reportage, Gifford’s book cuts right through the middle of the turmoil. Sometimes poignant, often funny but always engaging, the author’s quest to get to the heart of the new China and his ability to talk to everyone across the social spectrum – from truckers and prostitutes to yuppies and travelling salesmen – makes China Road an outstanding travel narrative. Good: Very Tidy condition.

Life Or Death

$8.00

The Shawshank Redemption meets No Country for Old Men in the breathtaking new novel from international bestseller Michael Robotham — already receiving rave reviews, this is the most original, compelling thriller you’ll read all year and winner of the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2015.

Why would a man escape from prison the day before he’s due to be released?

Audie Palmer has spent a decade in prison for an armed robbery in which four people died, including two of the gang. Seven million dollars has never been recovered and everybody believes that Audie knows where the money is.

For ten years he has been beaten, stabbed, throttled and threatened almost daily by prison guards, inmates and criminal gangs, who all want to answer this same question, but suddenly Audie vanishes, the day before he’s due to be released.

Everybody wants to find Audie, but he’s not running. Instead he’s trying to save a life . . . and not just his own.

Good: Tidy condition.

Ladder of Years

$8.00

One warm summer’s day at the beach, forty-year-old Cordelia Grinstead, dressed only in a swimsuit and beach robe, walks away from her family and just keeps on going. After hitching a ride with a stranger to a new town where she knows no one, she reinvents herself as a single woman with no ties and begins living a new life altogether. But how long can she keep this up before her real life finds her? **ANNE TYLER HAS SOLD OVER 8 MILLION BOOKS WORLDWIDE** ‘Anne Tyler takes the ordinary, the small, and makes them sing’ Rachel Joyce ‘She knows all the secrets of the human heart’ Monica Ali ‘A masterly author’ Sebastian Faulks ‘I love Anne Tyler. I’ve read every single book she’s written’ Jacqueline Wilson Good: Tidy condition.

Hayley Westenra The World at Her Feet

$8.00

Hayley Westenra is unstoppable. Her album Pure has sold one million copies worldwide, is the best-selling debut album in the history of the UK classical album charts and has held the longest number one spot on the New Zealand Top 50 album charts. Hayley has signed a GBP3 million deal for her next five records. She’s performed at Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall; she’s sung with top classical artists such as Jose Carreras, Bryn Terfel and Russell Watson; she’s performed in front of the British Royal Family, George W. Bush and Tony Blair. born into a family of singers – her grandparents on both sides sang in pubs and on the radio. Her perfect pitch was noticed by a schoolteacher when at the age of six she performed in a school Christmas play. A demo tape and busking on the streets of Christchurch led to her signing a record deal with Universal. Thus began Hayley’s spectacular rise to fame. This is her story so far. It is also the story of an ordinary Christchurch family whose life has been turned upside down by Hayley’s success. Very Good: Very tidy condition.

Sister

$10.00

The Oslo Detectives are back in another chilling slice of Nordic Noir … Frølich searches for the mysterious sister of a young female asylum seeker, but when people start to die, everything points to an old case and a series of events that someone will do anything to hide…

‘An impeccably plotted gold-star, A-grade work of Scandi noir’ The Times

‘Absorbing, heart-rending and perfectly plotted’ Denzil Meyrick

‘Outstanding … This is a must for fans of Nordic noir’ Publishers Weekly STARRED review

____________________

Suspended from duty, Detective Frølich is working as a private investigator, when his girlfriend’s colleague asks for his help with a female asylum seeker, who the authorities are about to deport. She claims to have a sister in Norway, and fears that returning to her home country will mean instant death.

Frølich quickly discovers the whereabouts of the young woman’s sister, but things become increasingly complex when she denies having a sibling, and Frølich is threatened off the case by the police. As the body count rises, it becomes clear that the answers lie in an old investigation, and the mysterious sister, who is now on the run…

A dark, chilling and up-to-the-minute Nordic Noir thriller, Sister is also a tense and well-plotted murder mystery with a moving tragedy at its heart, cementing Kjell Ola Dahl as one of the greatest crime writers of our generation.

____________________

‘Kjell Ola Dahl has always been skilful at character and setting, but the particular defining characteristic of Sister is the steadily accelerating pace, handled with a sure touch. And Frølich remains a rounded and intriguing character, particularly in this latest iteration’ Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘Kjell Ola Dahl’s novels are superb’ William Ryan

‘Dark, stylish and suspenseful … the perfect example of why Nordic Noir has become such a popular genre’ Reader’s Digest

‘If you have never sampled Dahl, now is the time to try’ Daily Mail

‘Suspenseful, beautifully and clearly written, with a sure-footed plot, this is a book that thrills’ Live & Deadly

‘Dahl is a quiet master of the detective thriller, delivering complex plots and a simpatico hero — Frank Frolich, cop turned PI — with Chandleresque elan plus a serious intelligence that roots out essential truths. Here, Frolich is pulled into the “shadowlands” of Norway’s asylum seekers and those who profit from them, in an impeccably plotted gold-star, A-grade work of Scandi noir’ The Times Very Good: Very tidy condition.

Winter in the Summer Garden

$12.00

This vivid, moving and provocative novel presents a story of a whole society caught up in national turmoil, told through the experiences of one family, the Shubins. Their city is Leningrad, and the country Russia, but their story of love and heartbreak is universal. Starting with Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, the novel moves both back and forward in time, following three generations of the family as they face the horrors of war, political upheaval, imprisonment and famine. Their experiences are harsh, but their spirit remains undaunted and their family ties unbreakable. The legacy of hardship never quite relaxes its grip, but what endures is their humanity. Fine: almost like new very tidy condition.

The Chancellor The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel

$10.00

‘An intimate, insightful portrait of an extraordinarily private leader’ WALTER ISAACSON

From the bestselling author of Enemies of the People

An intimate and deeply researched account of the extraordinary rise and political brilliance of the most powerful – and elusive – woman in the world.

Angela Merkel has always been an outsider. A pastor’s daughter raised in Soviet-controlled East Germany, she spent her twenties working as a research chemist, only entering politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall. And yet within fifteen years, she had become chancellor of Germany and, before long, the unofficial leader of the West.

Acclaimed author Kati Marton sets out to pierce the mystery of this unlikely ascent. With unparalleled access to the chancellor’s inner circle and a trove of records only recently come to light, she teases out the unique political genius that is the secret to Merkel’s success. No other modern leader has so ably confronted authoritarian aggression, enacted daring social policies and calmly unified an entire continent in an era when countries are becoming only more divided. Again and again, she’s cleverly outmanoeuvred strongmen like Putin and Trump, and weathered surprisingly complicated relationships with allies like Obama and Macron.

Famously private, the woman who emerges from these pages is a role model for anyone interested in gaining and keeping power while staying true to one’s moral convictions. At once a riveting political biography, an intimate human portrait and a revelatory look at successful leadership in action, The Chancellor brings forth from the shadows one of the most extraordinary women of our time.

Miles to Go

$10.00

For the first time ever, read Miley Cyrus’ story in this, her only official autobiography. It is a unique look inside the life of an international megastar, including never-before-seen photographs, poems, drawings and stories. Very Good: Very tidy condition, almost like new.

Last Tango in Toulouse

$10.00

The year of her fiftieth birthday, Mary Moody ran away from home, family and work for six months to live in a remote French village. Her book about these experiences, Au Revoir, struck a chord with tens of thousands of readers across Australia. Yet those experiences were to mark a beginning rather than an end. They were six months that turned the rest of her life upside down, as she bought a house in the village, persuaded her husband to sell the family home of twenty-five years and take up goose farming in central NSW and abandoned her television career in favour of writing about her travelling experiences.Yet even these dramatic events were merely the outward signs of far deeper changes that challenged the stability of thirty years of monogamy and motherhood. To her surprise, Mary found herself grappling with the intense emotion of an affair, and its consequences on her marriage and family. Amid this turmoil, Mary also rediscovered a sister not seen by the family for nearly fifty years. Last Tango in Toulouse is Mary’s compelling account of these tumultuous upjeavals in her life, and an affirmation of the power of family in overcoming the greatest challenges. Written with humour, warmth and passion, and an often searing honesty, Last Tango in Toulouse shows that life really can begin again at 50. Very Good: Very tidy condition. Almost like new

Marc Ellis’ Good Fullas A Guide to Kiwi Blokes

$20.00

Ellis looks at all species of Kiwi maledom – the archetype, the stereotype and the type(s) he has only just invented…Marc Ellis remains New Zealand s most popular male television presenter and was recently voted our favourite New Zealand male. His humour is unique and his innate ability to thumb his nose at The Establishment and all things P.C will mean no group – no matter how seemingly untouchable – will be spared the Ellis invective. It will also ensure that this book will not lack attention, especially those who don t take themselves too seriously.Twenty-five categories of quintessential Kiwi maledom feature, including: the Ginga (redhead), the Cardycrat (bureaucrat), the Bogan, the Big Fresh (new Pacific Islands immigrant), the Pandabear (Asian immigrant), the Gromit (boy racer) and the AJ (Adrenaline Junkie). As New No marks or damage to report. An off the shelf copy.

Billy Graham A Motivational Memoir

$7.00

Billy Graham has an international career as a motivational talker, delivering speeches and seminars to large audiences around the world. This memoir, as told to Phil Gifford, covers his life story and his beliefs, including how he deals with his dyslexia. Fair: Tidy condition, minor creases on the cover.

Running for Office The Strategies, Techniques and Messages Modern Political Candidates Need To Win Elections

$10.00

This non-fiction guide by Ronald A. Faucheux offers a comprehensive roadmap for anyone considering a run for public office. It breaks down the modern political campaign into practical, manageable steps, showing how candidates can plan, launch, and win elections in an increasingly competitive and expensive environment. The book covers everything from deciding whether to run and building a campaign team, to crafting persuasive messages, fundraising, voter targeting, media strategy, and debate performance. It emphasizes both big-picture strategy and detailed tactics, including grassroots outreach like door-to-door canvassing and effective use of campaign resources. Designed for newcomers and experienced politicians alike, the book serves as an all-in-one manual for navigating the complexities of political campaigning, helping candidates understand challenges, avoid common pitfalls, and develop winning strategies. Very Good: Very Tidy condition.

Just a Bang on the Head Living with a Brain Injury

$9.00

Just a Bang on the Head offers a searingly honest and moving insight into the world of brain injury. Very Good: Very Tidy condition.

Curious Questions

$8.00

Max Cryer’s 15-minute spot on John Campbell’s National Radio program every Saturday morning has proved a hit with listeners for three years now. The quirks of language seem to fascinate New Zealanders, and Max’s mailbag of ‘curious questions’ about language usage and evolution is always full. After repeated requests from listeners, and attempts by other publishers to persuade Max to produce a book, he has finally allowed HarperCollins to proceed. Curious Questions contains almost all the questions asked during the first three years of the show, together with Max’s informative and often witty responses. Arranged alphabetically by key word, this book is a goldmine of information, to be dipped into for reference or pleasure. Good: Tidy condition.

When I was a Child Reminiscences of Childhood in New Zealand

$8.00

Intrigued by the idea that many of New Zealand’s prominent people were shaped by a childhood in a world that has largely disappeared, Deborah Sellar asked a diverse group of them – almost all born in the first half of this century – to reminisce about their lives as children.

Day by Day A Kiwi Collection

$8.00

A collection of entertaining historical anecdotes for every day of the year, including interesting tidbits, fascinating facts and quirky information. Good: Tidy condition

The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook

$6.00

Since the first screening of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, New Zealand has become the embodiment of Middle-earth to millions of moviegoers the world over. This definitive guidebook showcases the principal movie set locations around New Zealand as seen in all three films. Ian Brodie has written this larger-format edition of his popular location guidebook to include new information and photographs, extra images from all three films in the trilogy and extended entries from cast and crew. Produced with the full cooperation of New Line Productions, Inc., it enables fans of Peter Jackson’s cinematic masterpiece to experience their own unique insight into the magic and complexity of Middle-earth. Good: Very tidy condition.

The Bride Bed

$6.00

From fast–growing USA Today bestseller Linda Needham, a medieval historical romance between a young maiden and the powerful knight who’s taken over guardianship of her castle – and of her.

Fair: Tidy condition

Ever His Bride

$5.00

His looming form blocks the firelight. His voice is like midnight fog, shivering along her skin. Yet Felicity Mayfield must marry hard, cold Hunter Claybourne, or goto debtor’s prison. Boldly, she proposes a bargain to the wealthy financier: she’ll become his wife in name only for one brief year — if he allows her the freedom to continue living an independent life. Surely her newspaper scribblings are a matter of indifference to him.

He never suspected a wife would be such a nuisance. It was supposed to be a simple business arrangement. Instead, she has invaded his cavernous home — rearranging the furniture, winning over his servants, blinding him with sunlight. Her constant presence is unsettling, her vanilla scent everywhere, her skin a soft temptation. Suddenly it seems only right that she should wear his ring … and share his bed. After all, she is his wife. Yet even as Felicity opens a chink in Hunter’s heart, her exposé of the scandalous workhouses threatens to uncover his darkest secret, forcing him to choose between his hard-won empire and the miracle of love.

The Resilient Farmer

$12.00

Every day I watch my farm burn. Day after day, the sky is a relentless, empty blue. As our land dries up, all my hopes have turned to vapour, lost in that wide, blue yonder.

And so begins Doug Avery’s story of emotional resilience in the face of what at times seemed a hopeless situation.

The South Island farmer suffered terribly during eight years of drought. His farm was depleted and so was he, to the point of severe depression.

The Resilient Farmer is Doug’s powerful example of how to get life back on track. With candour and wisdom, he tells his story of turning desperation into determination, embracing risk, navigating change and, on top of everything, enduring monumental earthquakes.

An inspiring tale of how one man overcame heartbreaking adversity to live a fruitful life and help others.

https-//depression.org.nz
http-//farmstrong.co.nz

Kiwis Might Fly

$8.00

This is a second travel memoir by the author of ‘It’s not About the Tapas’. A tour around New Zealand on a motor bike. Good: Tidy condition.

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