In September, Nigel Latta passed away from gastric cancer—one year after his diagnosis, when doctors had given him just six to twelve months to live. On the very same day, his new book Lessons on Living arrived in bookstores. I think he would have appreciated the irony of that timing. Many of us know Nigel Latta from his television shows, parenting books, and presentations. As a clinical psychologist, he had a remarkable ability to make psychology relatable and practical. His down-to-earth, conversational style on screen carried through to his writing—filled with real stories, humour, and entertaining examples. Lessons on Living continues...
I was eager to dive into Michael Connelly’s latest novel, The Proving Ground, after hearing his interview with Jim Mora on RNZ’s Sunday Morning. The Proving Ground marks the eighth appearance of Mickey Haller, better known as “The Lincoln Lawyer.” In this story, the Los Angeles–based attorney takes on a civil lawsuit against Tidalwaiv, an Artificial Intelligence company whose chatbot allegedly convinced a 16-year-old boy that it was acceptable to kill his ex-girlfriend. The plot, both chilling and compelling, draws inspiration from real-life incidents where AI has played a disturbing role in human tragedies. With the rapid growth of artificial...
Becoming a bookseller is one of those dream jobs that sounds romantic, surrounded by stories, endless cups of coffee, and the quiet magic of bookish people. And it is wonderful. But like every great story, it comes with challenges, plot twists, and a steep learning curve. One of the biggest surprises for new booksellers is just how many hats you wear. You’re not only recommending great reads but also unpacking boxes, setting up displays, managing stock, creating social media posts, and learning the mysterious ways of book distributors. There’s also the challenge of predicting what customers will love - balancing...
