True Stories

The Wine O'clock Myth takes an in-depth look at the drinking habits of New Zealand women. It's written through the lens of Lotta Dann's own story and her work in the field of recovery and addiction today. It contains evidence-based research gleaned from primary sources, and numer...ous interviews with experts in many fields. As well as examining the normalising of alcohol in New Zealand, The Wine O'clock Myth explores the glorification that goes on with regards to this drug. It discusses when and how the alcohol industry began specifically targeting women, unpicking the tactics they employ to target female customers. It looks at the rise of the now-ubiquitous 'Wine Mum' culture on social media and the role the alcohol industry and media companies play in perpetuating this. It also investigates the impact that regular, heavy drinking has on women, both physically and emotionally. It looks at the emotional impacts - the numbing, dulling and disconnection that can occur - and the physical impacts: the problems alcohol can cause in the body and the increased risk of diseases. But while the book offers a big-picture analysis, it also provides an intimate view of the issue by featuring the voices of Kiwi women sharing their personal stories, revealing the pervasive and negative impact alcohol can have on a woman's life. These personal reflections contain tales of emotional disconnection, diminished power, confused thinking and damaged relationships. There are also uplifting stories of the remarkable transformations that can occur when alcohol is removed.
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When extreme endurance athlete, Lisa Tamati, was confronted with the hardest challenge of her life, she fought with everything she had. Her beloved mother, Isobel, had suffered a huge aneurysm and stroke and was left with massive brain damage; she was like a baby in a woman's bod...y. The prognosis was dire. There was very little hope that she would ever have any quality of life again. But Lisa is a fighter and stubborn. She absolutely refused to accept the words of the medical fraternity and instead decided that she was going to get her mother back or die trying. This book tells of the horrors, despair, hope, love, and incredible experiences and insights of that journey. It shares the difficulties of going against a medical system that has major problems and limitations. Amongst the darkest times were moments of great laughter and joy. www.lisatamati.com
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An inspirational and gripping first-person account of determination, adversity and survival against the odds. Last year, Claire Nelson made international headlines. She was in her thirties and was beginning to burn out - her hectic London life of work and social activity and stri...ving to do more and do better in the big city was frenetic and stressful. Although she was surrounded by people all of the time, she felt increasingly lonely. When the anxiety she felt finally brought her to breaking point, Claire decided to take some time off and travelled to Joshua Tree Park in California to hike and clear her head. What happened next was something she could never have anticipated. While hiking, Claire fell 30 feet, gravely injuring herself and she lay alone in the desert - mistakenly miles off any trail, without a cell phone signal, fighting for her life. She lay there for four days until she was miraculously rescued - the doctors saying she had only hours to live when she was eventually found. In THINGS I LEARNED FROM FALLING Claire tells her incredible story and what it taught her about loneliness, anxiety and transformation and how to survive it all.
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This is the third volume of a trilogy detailing the everyday experiences of NZ school children. It covers state and private schools, single sex schools and co-educational from throughout New Zealand. This particular volume has a special emphasis on Maori with seventeen out of the... thirty five interviewees being Maori. As to be expected, some sailed through school with no problems while others suffered discrimination and prejudice from pupils and teachers alike. The book traverses all aspects of schooling, academic, sporting, discipline, religion, school libraries, assemblies and prize-givings. There are some extremely interesting anecdotes which will not fail to raise a smile. The book is illustrated with colour photographs. Judith Bassett kindly wrote a foreword.
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Following the hugely successful Sunday Times Bestseller, Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize nominee and Costa shortlisted, The Salt Path, Raynor Winn returns with her second brilliant book. This time the narrative explores the difficulties surrounding the return to mainstream life... after a period of homelessness. Recovering self-esteem and trust, in herself and in others, is harder than she expected. Raynor and her husband Moth continue to face his debilitating illness, until an incredible gesture by someone who read The Salt Path changes everything. This book is about readjusting to life after homelessness, but also about recovering trust and self-belief after a traumatic event - feelings that can translate to many episodes in the life of any of us.
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