Review of Fungi of Aotearoa: A Curious Forager’s Field Guide – Liv Sisson

The complete introduction to finding, identifying and using mushrooms and other fungi in New Zealand

Enter and explore the fascinating world of fungi.

In this practical and up-to-date guide, forager and fungus enthusiast Liv Sisson shares her top tips and takes the reader on a journey to discover the unique and diverse fungi Aotearoa has to offer.

Discover how to identify the best edible varieties, and how to cook with them, how these incredible organisms have shaped the world as we know it, and the role they are playing in modern medical and environmental research.

Featuring stunning full-colour photographs, fun facts and current descriptions of over 130 species (including our brilliant blue national fungus, werewere kokako), Fungi of Aotearoa is packed full of information and advice that will delight armchair enthusiasts, backcountry explorers and budding experts alike.

Fungi of Aotearoa: A Curious Forager’s Field Guide

Liv Sisson

Penguin

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jacqui Smith

I think I have discovered a third category of practical non-fiction where it is absolutely essential to try to get locally published books. Which is foraging in general, and foraging for fungi in particular. I’ve personally only ever foraged field mushrooms (possibly horse mushrooms) and that mostly from my own front lawn where we have a mature Totara tree. But when someone posted photos of fungi she’d found on her trees, I recognised them immediately as hakeke or woodears from the pictures in this book – they are that clear. And after looking up the page where I remembered seeing them, I could help her with suggestions for what to do with them (and confirm that they are good eats). There’s also a lot of other interesting information about hakeke, including its early economic value.

But that’s what this book contains; heaps of fascinating facts, gorgeous photography and descriptions of many of New Zealand’s weird and wonderful fungi. It’s not exhaustive – another mushroom a friend found in Thames, which I was able to identify as agaricus augustus (the Prince mushroom) with the aid of various websites, was not included (to my surprise).

It was so refreshing to see a book on this kind of subject that values both tradition and modern scientific knowledge. Balancing the objective and subjective is always difficult, and there may be a few slight inaccuracies, but that does not detract from a very well-researched work. The author makes the subject approachable and is always encouraging (except when it comes to the consumption of those fungi which, in the words of Sir Terry, you can only eat once). Everything is here, how to understand New Zealand fungi, how to find them, recognise them, and photograph them. Highly recommended.

Review of A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carre – John le Carre, edited by Tim Cornwall

John le Carré was one of the greatest novelists of his generation but also had an extraordinary life, from his childhood with a con man father to his inimitable career as a writer. From his involvement in the Cold War, time in Berlin, travels to Vietnam and engagement with world leaders, his experiences were truly remarkable.

This collection of letters reveals John le Carré – the man, the writer and his world – for the first time and most intimately. Including letters to Stephen Fry and about Mrs Thatcher, and correspondence with Alec Guinness and a ten-year-old aspiring spy, Selected Letters come together with crispness and clarity to illuminate the extraordinary writer. A magnificent and tender portrait for John le Carré’s many millions of fans around the world.

A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carre

John le Carre, edited by Tim Cornwall

Viking

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Stephen Litten

David Cornwall, better known by his pen name John le Carre, lived about 90 years, wrote over 25 books and a considerable amount of correspondence. His son Tim has collected some of these letters in this large volume. Naturally it’s not all of them. JlC had purged whole sections of his correspondence, either to maintain confidentiality, or to preserve reputations. But there is sufficient, spread over a 70+ year period, to give us a flavour of the man.

The correspondence is divided into discrete and often overlapping subjects and presented chronologically. Thus, Schooldays blends seamlessly with Ski Racer and so on down until Lockdown.  Most of the letters are to people David had some affection for: his stepmother, his wives, children, agents. Notably missing is his father, with whom David had a complex relationship, as Cornwall senior was a serial conman and apt to draw all in his orbit into his schemes. Cornwall senior is not totally absent, as there are two(?) letters to him in this compilation, and he makes not infrequent appearances in the subject matter.

The subject matter of the letters is as wide-ranging as life. Love letters, birthday wishes, relationship maintenance, arranging tours and research, et cetera. All there. And more, such as advice to budding writers and spies, opinions of politicians (David’s opinion of Boris Johnson is priceless), and who would be best to portray a character in a film.

Naturally, we are only given David’s replies to letters, sometimes consecutive ones, so for much of it we must imagine the other half of the correspondence. Mercifully, Tim has provided excellent screen direction as it were, giving the provenance of the letter, whether it was the start, a reply, or even one in a series. He also does his best to fill in the dramatis personae that David often refers to by pet names. Unfortunately, both John le Carre/David Cornwall and son Tim have died prematurely, so it is unlikely we will be seeing a second volume of letters.

.This volume is an excellent companion piece to The Pigeon Tunnel, John le Carre’s autobiography. I thoroughly recommend it and thank Jerome Buckleigh of Penguin Random House for the review copy.

Review of I Will Find You – Harlan Coben

David and Cheryl Burroughs are living the dream – married, a beautiful house in the suburbs, a three year old son named Matthew – when tragedy strikes one night in the worst possible way.

David awakes to find himself covered in blood, but not his own – his son’s. And while he knows he did not murder his son, the overwhelming evidence against him.

Five years into his imprisonment, Cheryl’s sister arrives – and drops a bombshell.

She’s come with a photograph that a friend took on vacation at a theme park. The boy in the background seems familiar – and even though David realizes it can’t be, he knows it is.

It’s Matthew, and he’s still alive.

David plans a harrowing escape from prison, determined to do what seems impossible – save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened that devastating night.

I Will Find You

Harlan Coben

Century

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jan Butterworth

David Burroughs is in prion for murdering his

 three year old son Matthew – something he is not guilty off and doesn’t remember doing.  His son is dead though, so he doesn’t care about anything and keeps his head down, not accepting contact from anyone beyond prison walls. Then he gets a visitor.

His ex sister-in-law, Rachel, has a photo of a friend’s family trip to a theme park. There’s a boy in the background she’s convinced is Matthew, very much alive.  Rachel is an investigative journalist – with a murky past – and is determined to find her nephew.

David is dubious at first but slowly allows himself to believe Matthew is alive and out there.  He has to find him but needs to escape from prison first.  He forms a plan with some old friends and, with Rachel’s help, sets out to find his son, clear his name, and discover what really happened on that horrific night.

This is a fast-paced thriller which moves at a breath-taking speed yet the plot is very easy to follow. I could see some actions coming but other revelations were a complete surprise.  I was hooked from the first chapter and kept enthralled until the last page.

Harlan Coben has done it again!  Read this if you want a page-turner that will keep you guessing till the very end.

Review of Hairy Maclary and Friends: Ready To Play – Lynley Dodd

Hairy Maclary is always looking for mischief! Join the raggedy rascal and his gang as they gallop about, sniffing and snooping and bothering cats – until they meet their match.

Hairy Maclary and Friends by Lynley Dodd is one of the world’s best known and best loved brands for children, and this colouring book captures all the delightful humour of the stories, with illustrations of Hairy Maclary and his gang – Hercules Morse, Bottomley Potts, Muffin McLay, Bitzer Maloney, Schnitzel von Krumm as well as tough old Scarface Claw, sneaky Slinky Malinki and pittery pattery Zachary Quack.

Hairy Maclary and Friends: Ready To PlayLynley Dodd

Puffin MR

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jan Butterworth

Each double page has a statement of what Hairy Haclary and his friends like to do then suggests an activity that relates to it, such as colouring and applying stickers to a scene or untangling a mess of leads.  The activities are simple yet fun, and aimed at young children. The front and back pages have the activities, while the middle pages contain over 100 stickers of Hairy Maclary and the gang to apply to the pages.  The stickers are arranged in groups according to page numbers, so the child can either apply them to the relevant scenes or freestyle.

This sticker and activity book has some scenes to decorate, a couple of wordfinders, a jigsaw, and some puzzles.  There are not that many activities to do, with the book mainly consisting of stickers, but it does get little ones used to understanding and following written instructions.  They also use logic to solve puzzles and get to express creativity through colouring and sticker placement.

Thi0s book won’t keep a child occupied for hours and may require a helping hand from an adult but is a fun way to build skills needed for primary school. Recommended to keep ready for a rainy day before the stir crazy sets in.