bookshelf Norman Burns
A SPOT AT THE BAR: WELCOME TO THE EVERLEIGH Michael Madrusan and Zara Young, Hardie Grant Books, $45
For those inclined to mix a Martini after dinner rather than crack a coldie, this beautiful new book from the brains behind Melbourne’s multiple award winning cocktail bar The Everleigh will open up a whole new world of drinking delights. A Spot at the Bar features more than 300 recipes of classic, inventive and forgotten cocktails, plus tips and tricks for hosting the perfect soiree even how to dress with savvy style. Did someone say it’s happy hour? BOSS - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND - THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY Gillian G. Gaar, Voyageur Press, $45
This is a must for all Bruceheads, but even those with only a casual interest in the life and (mainly good) times of the rock superstar will get a buzz out of this lavishly illustrated, 208-page tome. Author Gaar delves into the creative process of every album and BOSS is also packed with nuggets of information about Springsteen’s pretty colourful private life,
from when he was on struggle street as a muso (hard to believe now; his The River concert tour this year has raked in an incredible $US170 million) to becoming a musical icon. A great primer for his upcoming Australian tour and the perfect pictorial companion to his recently released biography, Born To Run. DIRTY DEEDS Sabrina Hanh, Fremantle Press, $19.99
For those whose talents exist in a galaxy far, far, away from gardening (ie me), this nifty, 200-plus page guide from Perth’s gardening guru and ABC radio personality Sabrina Hahn could be the answer - a no-nonsense, and humorous, walk through the how, what, whys and when of getting the most out of your own little patch of paradise. Sabrina’s been at one with nature from an early age (at four she stripped flowers from her nan’s garden and rearranged them in baking trays); she’s been a pioneering voice in sustainability, too, and has been working hard in the Kimberley with Aboriginal communities to ensure knowledge of ‘bush tucker’ is passed on from generation to generation. With Dirty Deeds at your side, chances are high that your garden will not only
OUT THIS MONTH: THE LATEST AND GREATEST FROM THE WORLD OF BOOKS
survive our brutal hot summer but thrive in the winter too. TOKYO STYLE GUIDE Jane Lawson, Murdoch Books, $39.99
For me, Tokyo is - after New York - the greatest city an urban-o-phile can visit; sprawling, chaotic but jampacked with a vibe and beauty of all of its own. Add in a lot of quirky Japanese attractions (owl cafes, robot hotels), amazing food and some incredible history and Tokyo has pretty much something for everyone - and compared to Perth prices it’s not even that expensive. Chef-turned-travel writer Jane Lawson has been travelling to
Japan for 30 years and with Tokyo Style Guide she gives readers the lowdown on the best walks, eats. shopping, cultural and sightseeing highlights in 21 of Tokyo’s eclectic suburbs. SNOT CHOCOLATE Maurice Gleitzman, Penguin, $16.99
A collection of short, gross and spectacularly engaging short stories that will have your kids roaring with laughter. The title tale refers to a kid who struggles to save the reputation and career of their parent - a chronic nosepicker. Gleitzman has obviously struck a chord with Aussie children; this is his 36th book.
PASSAGE TO AFGHANISTAN Peter Bussain, Skyhorse Publishing, $67.99
I
n 2001, Australian snapper Peter Bussain was granted unfettered access by the Taliban to photograph the ‘real’ Afghanistan - a labour of love he’s been doing for 15 years now. In this beautiful 192-page volume, Bussain presents more than 130 images that go way beyond the clickbait headlines of the War on Terror and reveal a diverse, stunning land and its equally diverse - and fiercely independent - inhabitants.
summer 2016/17 | PRIMOLIFE
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