February 2025

Haere mai, welcome to our Biography & Memoir newsletter. Explore true stories about people and their interesting lives.

Staff List

New For You - Biographies - February 2025

New biographies and memoirs of the famous, the interesting and everyday people.

New For You Biographies

New in Biography & Memoir

eAudiobooks

"Unapologetically Ita" by Buttrose, Ita, 1942-

"The Man Who Climbs Trees" by Aldred, James (Tree climber)

"I'm Still Here" by Barrie, Amanda, 1935-

New eAudiobook biographies

Blog Post

Frontline Surgeon by Mark Derby

Troy reviews Frontline Surgeon by Mark Derby, a book about a surgeon who served in the Spanish Civil War and WW2.

Read about Douglas Jolly

Explore Eccentric Christchurch

Blog Post

Tuakiri Investigates: Eccentric Christchurch at Tūranga

Eccentric Christchurch is a Tuakiri Investigates exhibition telling stories of unique characters who have inhabited this city.

Website

2026 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards

The shortlist has been announced for New Zealand's most prestigious literary awards.

About Eccentric Christchurch

New and Interesting

Sonny Boy by Al Pacino

Al's young years are touched by trauma and he is friends with kids up to no good. He gets into acting as a young man, but it's not an easy road to success. His commitment to acting, Shakespeare and the theatre is strong. He talks about his roles that have made him famous. You can read the book, or the eAudiobook has Al reading his own story.

A thousand threads by Neneh Cherry

A warm and insightful memoir about Neneh's family - her parents, siblings, relatives, friends, lovers, and musical collaborators. It really is a life made of a thousand threads of connection, creation, and love. Neneh's life is rich in art, music, family, food, and places.