Fiona Farrell offers a telling view of Christchurch's post-earthquake rebuild. Photo / Supplied
Fiona Farrell offers a telling view of Christchurch's post-earthquake rebuild. Photo / Supplied
The Villa at the Edge of the Empire
By Fiona Farrell (Vintage)
I met New Zealand writer Fiona Farrell at the Marlborough Book Festival recently and I'm glad I hadn't read this book at that point, as I might have been too awed to speak to her. It is a tremendous piece of work from a brilliant mind that examines Christchurch, how the city was made and how it is remaking itself post-earthquake. There are all the stories you would expect, of people whose lives are hostage to the whims of insurance companies, of neighbourhoods scattered and schools closed, of government and money. But Farrell takes a broader view, visiting the historic Italian town of L'Aquila, also devastated by earthquake and also rebuilding itself, but with a very different approach. Essentially, this is long-form journalism, warmed by a personal touch, enlivened by the unexpected connections Farrell's mind makes, fuelled by anger, passion and hope. Farrell conceived it as a two-volume project. Next, she will examine her city in recovery through fiction. It's a hallmark of real genius to be able to tackle such a difficult topic and create such a readable book.
From Venice To Istanbul
By Rick Stein (BBC Books)

Initially, I found myself rather disappointed by television chef Rick Stein's latest book. I had thought it would take me on a culinary voyage from Venice to Istanbul but I think I'll have to watch the accompanying TV series for that. There is not much sense of journey here, just a large collection of recipes from the Eastern Mediterranean, arranged in classic cookbook style, punctuated with chatty anecdotes. I was won over in the end, as the photography is stunning and the recipes scream "try me". I'm keen to try my hand at the Turkish dishes, in particular Kapuska, a stew of spiced cabbage and minced lamb as well an Albanian dish that involves frying potatoes with nutmeg and honey - yum


Healthy Brain, Happy Life
By Dr Wendy Suzuki (William Heinemann)
As well as being good for you, exercise boosts your brain. In this blend of autobiography and science, New York neuroscientist Dr Wendy Suzuki explains why. After a lifetime of putting her career first, Suzuki found herself nearing 40, overweight, friendless and unhappy. Joining a gym, she discovered that the fitter she got, the sharper her mind became. So Suzuki delved into decades of research to find out exactly why. What she learned is that physical activity can cause striking changes in the brain, allowing it to better receive and process information, improving memory and creativity, and essentially helping it grow. This discovery changed Suzuki's area of research and her life. Clear explanations and personal recollections help juice up what could otherwise be dry reading. Suzuki also shares her brain hacks - four-minute exercises to enrich the brain - making for a practical, fascinating book.