Explore the latest and most captivating books released this December
Swirly world: Lost at sea
Andrew Fagan
$39.99
Swirly World Publications 2024
Reviewed by Steve Atkinson
As the title rightly suggests, Kiwi icon Andrew Fagan decides to take on maybe more than his little 5.18m (17ft) yacht can handle, when he decides to sail solo around the Five Great Capes of the Southern Ocean, one of which is Cape Horn. If you have read his other two adventures in Swirly World, then this outing will not disappoint as our sailor contends with storms, equipment breakages and an edge-of-the-seat finale. Along with this there’s an entertaining backstory, all told very well, as only a true sailor can. Buy it.
Where the Nor’wester Blows
Bee Dawson
$60
Quentin Wilson Publishing
Reviewed by Steve Atkinson
This biography of sorts follows the life of Roland and Betty Clark, who emigrated from Northern Ireland in their mid-30s and farmed in mid-Canterbury from the 1950s to the 1980s. What makes the tale worth reading is that Roland penned hundreds of farming articles for numerous publications and became a minor celebrity on radio and television, mostly due to his unorthodox techniques. Even though it dragged in some areas, it was nonetheless a page-turner more than I expected and gave an insight into Kiwi farming in its heyday while providing an interesting backstory.
Safe Enough
Lee Child
$38
Penguin Random House
Reviewed by Steve Atkinson
Jack Reacher author Lee Child gives us a selection of some 20 short stories that in his typical style are all pretty dark in nature. Well, put it this way, if you’re looking for an uplifting read, this isn’t it. That said, if you have a limited attention span and like crime stories, then this will suit you perfectly as each tale can be read in around 10 minutes and like any well-written short, most have a neat little twist at the end. The best part is trying to work it out early in the piece.