Last in line of notable quake books
Immensely readable, Fiona Farrell's Decline & Fall on Savage Street speaks of lives and loss through the years.
Helen Speirs
Children's books
Children's books
Helen Speirs reviews a selection of the latest books for children.
Chilling in the Big Apple
Chilling in the Big Apple
A wintry New York is all kinds of cool, writes Helen Speirs.
Women united - Part 2
Women united - Part 2
It was the trip of a lifetime: to New York and a seat at the UN as part of the 61st Commission on the Status of Women. Helen Speirs continues her insider's view.
A world of experience
A world of experience
Otago Daily Times editorial executive Helen Speirs’ two weeks at the United Nations left several main impressions. She reflects on the experience.
Women united - Part 1
Women united - Part 1
It was the trip of a lifetime: to New York and a seat at the United Nations as part of the 61st Commission on the Status of Women. ODT editorial executive Helen Speirs had an insider's view.
Trumped at the border
Trumped at the border
While the United Nations buildings stand on international territory, that did not mean delegates were immune from the machinations of United States politics.
Women off to UN commission
Women off to UN commission
Six Dunedin women, including Dunedin City Council chief executive Sue Bidrose, are part of a 12-strong national delegation bound for the United Nations headquarters in New York next week.
NZ picture books for young children
NZ picture books for young children
Helen Speirs reviews the latest New Zealand picture books for young children.
NZ collections for juniors
NZ collections for juniors
Helen Speirs reviews New Zealand collections for junior readers.
International picture books for young children
International picture books for young children
Helen Speirs reviews the latest international picture books for young ones.
NZ picture book collections for young children
NZ picture book collections for young children
Helen Speirs reviews the latest in picture book collections for young readers.
NZ picture books for children
NZ picture books for children
Helen Speirs reviews the latest New Zealand picture books for children.
Loss and its aftermath beautifully handled
Loss and its aftermath beautifully handled
Emma Neale writes convincingly about loss and the complexities of grief.
Rage simmers in a story that stops you in your tracks
Rage simmers in a story that stops you in your tracks
A startling debut novel by a young American writer is far more than a retelling of the Manson murders or critique of cult culture, writes books editor Helen Speirs.
Moving elegy to a dying environment
Moving elegy to a dying environment
American author Annie Proulx's latest offering is epic - in every way.
Female-view novel naturally paced
Female-view novel naturally paced
Laurence Fearnley's latest work is unashamedly feminist, where mother nature rules.
Remembering the fallen
Remembering the fallen
A detail from the war memorial window in St Andrew's Church, Cambridge (pictured), is included in To the Memory: New Zealand's War Memorials by historian Jock Phillips (Potton & Burton).
NZ picture books for under-5s
NZ picture books for under-5s
ODT books editor Helen Speirs reviews New Zealand picture books for children aged under 5.
Board books for little ones
Board books for little ones
ODT books editor Helen Speirs reviews board books for babies and toddlers.