The Seed Collectors
By Scarlett Thomas (Canongate)
The moment I finished this novel I wanted to re-read it to be sure I had fully appreciated its subtleties. Magnificently eccentric and streaked through with one-liners so brilliantly witty they made me laugh out loud, it's about the lengths people will go to when seeking happiness. Others might have a different interpretation, though, as part of Thomas' skill is managing always to keep the reader slightly off balance. It is the saga of the Gardener family, a botanically named and minded lot, living in southeast England. A large chunk of the older generation is missing, presumed dead, having gone off adventuring to far-flung places in search of a fabled plant. Now Great Aunt Oleander is also dead and she has left them all a mysterious and rather sinister seed pod. This family is hiding secrets: from beautiful Fleur who can never be with the man she really loves to unhappy Bryony who survives on the temporary highs of shopping and alcohol. Whether writing about the difficulties of reaching enlightenment or the unexpected complexities of buying a piece of fish, Thomas is equally genius and offbeat. The Seed Collectors is a joy to read.
Everyday Super Food
By Jamie Oliver (Michael Joseph)
This is Jamie Oliver's midlife crisis book. Approaching 40, he cleaned up his act, lost weight and now wants to equip us all to do the same. He's certainly put in the groundwork, studying for a degree in nutrition and meeting some of the world's longest-living people to discover their healthy eating secrets. Divided into chapters covering breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, like all of Oliver's books, this one is beautifully presented and full of approachable recipes. I'm a big fan of his dishes but nothing from this one really screamed must-cook at me. Novelties include fruit soups for breakfast, snack bowls of lettuce-based salads and stuffed cucumber sticks to nibble on between meals and flavoured waters to drink instead of alcohol. And as we head into asparagus season there are some nice ideas for those lovely green spears, including a pea, mint and asparagus mash to serve with fish. But rather than the worthy Oliver, I think I preferred this TV chef when he was all wey-hey let's get the mates over and cook up a storm.
Vintage Paua Shell Jewellery
By Elly van de Wijdeven (Bateman)
This book sprang from Auckland academic Elly van de Wijdeven's PhD work, so it is as deeply researched as it is beautifully illustrated. Over the years, paua shell jewellery has morphed from art souvenir to tourist kitsch and now it's collectible. This handsome volume showcases extraordinary designs that go far beyond the tiki and kiwi you might expect. Lovers of jewellery will find plenty to pore over and the background stories are well worth delving into, even if the writing is a little dry at times. I liked the balance between visuals and information, but for those who want to know more about the cultural history of paua shell jewellery an e-book compendium is available - New Zealand Paua Shell Jewellery.
The Taming Of The Queen
By Philippa Gregory (Simon & Schuster)
Twice widowed, beautiful and still young at 30, Kateryn Parr has no choice when the much older King Henry VIII asks her to be his sixth wife. She is under no illusion of the precariousness of such a position - four of his queens have already died, two lasted less than 18 months. As she weds and beds the King, who has become grossly overweight, she has to steel herself not to gag. If it weren't for her sister Nan, an experienced courtier who served two of the previous queens, Kateryn would be swamped by the connivances and contrivances of the court and its King. The intrigue is heightened by her hidden love for Thomas Seymour - a love the King may never know about or they would be executed. Expert Tudor historian Philippa Gregory weaves a compelling and credible tale around the real people and events of Henry VIII's reign, spicing up the less exciting details of Parr's pious life. Gregory has turned the scandals of the Tudor court into a terrific read that provides a valuable history lesson.
