Most recent Featured Recommendations - Books

Itsy-Bitsy Spider

It’s one of these books I have an inane aversion to opening.

Even looking at mere pictures of creepy crawlies is not my thing. But as it is so often, I’m at the same time grossed out and fascinated by the leggy creatures that inhabit our environment, no matter how we feel about them.

Long Live The Slow Cooker

I love the melt-in-the-mouth silkiness of a slow-cooked pork curry, the hearty creaminess of home-made baked beans and the rich, sweet lusciousness of a sticky date pudding. In fact, I could go potty over all slow-cooked meals.

Finishing Techniques for Crochet by Pauline Turner

Most crafters like their “crafty” books and often have a small library of useful guides. My stash of craft books is fairly small because styles and colours usually change faster than I can buy the often expensive books on knitting jerseys or crocheting blankets.

The Organic Pharmacy by Margo Marrone

In her introduction author Margo Marrone, a qualified pharmacist, herbalist and homeopath, illustrates the fact that all aspects of our lives are connected to each other.

Going The Whole Hog: Everything But The Squeal

Much has been written about some foods – almost too much: Jack ate locusts at the back of Timbuktu, Jill had an unforgettable donkey steak in the Andes and Tom, Dick and Harry stuffed themselves with deep-fried eyeballs in Hokitika.

Feast: Food That Celebrates Life

By Nigella Lawson, published by Random House, $79.95

Food and eating are not just about keeping us alive - a fact nobody can explain better than Nigella Lawson.

Flavours of Melbourne

A Culinary Biography, By Charmaine O’Brian. Published by Wakefield Press.

Chef and food writer O’Brian has put together a culinary portrait of her home town Melbourne, the food capital of our Aussie neighbours.

Collins Complete Writing Guide

Dodgy Meat And Other Issues

Jane Takagi-Little is a young American/Japanese documentary film maker living in New York. She is broke and looking for a job when she gets a call from her former boss in Japan.

Five Unusual Novels For Christmas

You still have a few minutes left to rush to your bookshop and buy a novel for your reading friend or family member. These novels are remarkable in every respect and deserve a special mention.