Alice Worsley's Looks at Books

SHANNON LUSH

Shannon Lush has become a media celebrity thanks to her unique ability to solve any domestic disaster. A fine art restorer who can repair anything, whether it’s an expensive antique or a mouldy cushion, Shannon is also a keen collector of handy household hints that she thoroughly tests and modifies to ensure they work. She has now written a number of highly successful books around this theme. The first one SPOTLESS, came about when 702 ABC Sydney host James Valentine asked listeners to ring in with their problems fixing a spill or stain and invited other listeners to give their solution. One day Shannon Lush rang in and answered every question. She became a regular guest on the show and is now heard on 17 regular radio spots around New Zealand and Australia.

Spotless rocketed onto the bestseller lists in Australia as soon as it was published. It has sold over 340,000 copies and is ABC Books best-selling title ever. It has been reprinted an amazing 22 times since December 2005. How’s that for a book about stain removal!!!
Oh and by the way, Shannon has never been stumped by a listener’s question.

One of my favourite hints from the book is for the removal of old coffee and tea stains on the carpet. You apply glycerine to the stain with a cotton ball. Leave it for five minutes then damp sponge the stain with white vinegar. Sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda then vacuum when dry. SIMPLE!

Shannon relies a lot on some of the good old remedies and uses white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and glycerine in lots of her trusty remedies.

If you have problems with moths in the pantry place a few dried bay leaves throughout the pantry. They do not like the smell. They must be dried though and not fresh…that was the mistake I made and I wondered why the moths hadn’t cleared off.

All of Shannon’s books are excellent and well worth adding to your library at home. She says she has a whole lot more in the pipeline.

Her website has lots of good info too. ww.shannonlush.com.

This week there is a chance to win Shannon's best selling books. Click here to go to the Competitions page.


ISLAND OF THE LOST
Joan Druett
Published by Allen and Unwin.
RRP$32.99

I have enjoyed interviewing Joan Druett many times over the years about her maritime stories, from women on whaling ships to her latest true story of shipwreck, death and survival on a Godforsaken island at the edge of the world.
Island of the Lost is one of the most amazing stories I have read in a long time. It tells the true story of two separate shipwrecks, within months of each other on either side of Auckland Island. Such was the harshness of the island and its brutal terrain that neither party knew the other was there. The book tells of how the two crews survived, one doing so much better than the other. Some died of starvation and exposure and were eaten by their companions on one side of the island while on the other side they all survived thanks to great leadership.

Joan Druett is a superb historian, who makes every page come alive. One of the best stories of survival you will read this year.


A MAN IS NOT A FINANCIAL PLAN
JOAN BAKER
Published by Allen and Unwin
RRP$24.95

A very practical, user-friendly guide to investment planning written specifically for women.
How do you see your future? Will you be working hard until you're seventy? Or retiring early - wealthy, independent and financially free? The difference between these scenarios is simple: investing.

In this life-changing book, Joan Baker demystifies the jargon and shows how you can make investment work for you. No matter what your age, if you're in a couple or single, or even if you're a complete investment novice, you can take control of your finances.

Gone are the days of relying on a man for your financial future - after all, it's far too important to leave to anyone else. A Man Is Not a Financial Plan gives every woman the skills and inspiration they need to achieve the future they dream of.
About the Author : Joan Baker is a financial advisor who gives one-on-one advice to individuals as well as speaking at seminars and conferences on personal finance and investing

WHAT YOUR PET NEEDS series
From Penguin.

Four great little books priced at only $12.95 each. Each has a foreword by Bob Kerridge from the SPCA Auckland.

They are published in pocket size format and are full of unbeatable information on every aspect of owning and caring for your pet whether it be a cat, dog, bird or fish. The books are beautifully illustrated and easy to read. They are something the whole family can share when buying that new pet.

The titles are:
What Your Dog Needs.

What Your Cat Needs.

What Your Bird Needs.

What Your Fish Needs.

They are available at all good bookstores.

Flick The Little Fire Engine
Adapted by Jamie Lawrence
Puffin Books $12.95

One of my favourite children’s stories on radio in years gone by was Flick The Little Fire Engine. It had everything including a catchy song that everyone could singalong to. Flick was recorded in Hollywood in 1948 on the MGM label.

Now 60 years later it’s available in book form for today’s children. It even includes a CD in the back of the book with the catchy title song from the original story.
It’s a great book to introduce a new generation to, but it’s also one the adults will love sharing with them. The illustrations are excellent and there are even some fire safety tips as well. Word is that there are some more great adventures coming with Flick soon.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Anyone else out there a Patricia Cornwell fan? Well only a few more weeks and her latest book will be hitting the bookstores. It is another Kay Scarpetta novel called Book Of The Dead. I will have one for you to win shortly, so keep an eye on my page.

RETURN TO WHYKICKAMOOCOW
By NICOLA McCLOY
$19.99
Published by Random House

Wherever you travel in the world there are always place names with fascinating stories behind them. New Zealand is no exception. Nicola McCloy wrote WHYKICKAMOOCOW last year that was a celebration of some quirky and fascinating New Zealand place names.

Such was its success she has written RETURN TO WHYKICKAMOOCOW. In her latest book you will find the background to such place names as Drybread, Eketahuna, Peep-o-day, and Mystery Creek. In fact there are nearly 70 new place names.

It’s not only a great gift idea for Dad this Father’s Day but for anyone who likes a little history that’s fun to read.
And it’s a nice size for popping in the glove compartment of you car or for sending to family oversea.


COMMUNICATE
By IAN GRANT
$34.99
Published by Random House

Another great book for Dad or anyone for that matter is the latest from well-known New Zealand parenting and relationship expert Ian Grant.

Communicate is an indispensable guide to the secrets of communicating well whether it be one to one in your family or speaking in public. With 50 years of communicating on TV and radio, in high school assemblies, plus to over 161,ooo parents attending Parents Inc Hot Tips for Parents seminars Ian Grant shares a treasure of ideas and skills to make you and your family winners in the communication game.
There’s great advice on how to talk to your spouse, your son, daughter, teenager or grandchild.
It’s simply written and full of great anecdotes that make you want to give it a go.
A must read.
Ian and his wife Mary have an excellent website brimming with inspiration and good sound advice. It’s www.parentsinc.org.nz .

The Kindness Of Strangers
Shonagh Koea
Random House
$34.99

Koea’s new book, The Kindness of Strangers, is a Memoir with a unique and quirky take on life.

Cast in a range of roles, including daughter, wife, mother, journalist and novelist, the collection of warm reminiscences not only gives us vivid scenes from Koea’s life, but also provides a unique record of New Zealand life over the past fifty years and an insight into the realities of being a writer, as well as detailing the inspiration behind her seven novels and
various collections of short stories.

Peppered with comforting recipes (Pianist’s Kedgeree, Marmalade Loaf, Margery’s Gingernuts), photographs and some decorative drawings by the noted film-maker and writer Peter Wells, this is a book to be cherished.

Healing Headaches
A New Zealand guide
$34.99
Published by Random House

By Dr Jim Bartley FRACS

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Bartley on my Radio Pacific show recently and was very impressed with both him and his book.

If you suffer from headaches on a regular basis then this book is for you.

If you would like to use less medication and learn more about alternative non-drug techniques for controlling your headaches, then read this book.

Healing Headaches includes advice on sleep, relaxation, massage, nutrition, food triggers and allergies, herbs and supplements, exercise and pain management. All this from one of New Zealand’s leading ear, nose and throat surgeons and a senior lecturer at Auckland Medical School.



TWISTING THROTTLE AUSTRALIA by Mike Hyde.
Harper Collins. $36.99

If you are stuck for a good book for Dad this Father’s Day don’t go past Twisting Throttle. It’s the true story of a Kiwi bloke going through a midlife crisis. And what better way to kick it into touch than pack your backpack and your motorbike and head for Australia…with your wife’s permission, of course!

Mike writes well. It’s funny, outlandish and it’s something most men would secretly love to do themselves. There are heaps of photos too. Mikes next adventure is to travel through every state in the USA, and then on to having a go at every other country starting and ending with A. e.g. Albania, Angola. Good Luck mate. Oh and wait till you read about the very thoughtful gifts he brought back from Australia for his wife. I am sure she said,”Thankyou dear but you SHOULDN’T HAVE!!!!”

You can find out more about Mad Mike at his website www.twistingthrottle.com.

Published 13th Aug 2007

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