Congratulations to Sophie Brathwaite, winner of the $20 gift voucher for July's plastic bag recycling draw.

Congratulations to Montana Award Winners - Hooray Mary, and of course the winner Charlotte Grimshaw.

We at Rona Gallery would like to congratulate all the winners of the Montana Book awards,

Most especially the overall winner, Charlotte Grimshaw for Opportunity - although Richard would like to say that he hopes the next edition will be published in bigger print!

And of course, Mary McCallum, (who is usually found in Rona Books on a Thursday) won the Society of Authors best first book AND readers' choice award for her novel, The Blue.

Anyway we've been very excited for Mary and we can't wait to see her next novel, which is apparently in the making, but very early days yet. Her blog is http://www.mary-mccallum.blogspot.com/ and it's always packed with news and events and books and excitement.

Congratulations also to the other winners:

Janet Hunt: Montana Medal for non-fiction and the environment category for Wetlands of New Zealand - A Bitter-Sweet Story.
Editors Piripi Walker and Huriana Raven: Short story collection Te Tu a Te Toka: He Ieretanga no nga Tai e Wha won the $5000 inaugural Maori language prize for .

Janet Charman: Poetry, Cold Snack
Judy Siers: Biography, The Life and Times of James Walter Chapman-Taylor.
Hilary and John Mitchell: History, Te Tau Ihu O Te Waka Volume II: Te Ara Hou - The New Society .
Gregory O'Brien: Reference and anthology, A Nest of Singing Birds: 100 years of the New Zealand School Journal

Lifestyle and contemporary culture: Mau Moko: The World of Maori Tattoo by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku with Linda Waimarie Nikora, Mohi Rua and Rolinda Karapu.
Bill Hammond: Illustrative, Jingle Jangle Morning by Jennifer Hay, with Ron Brownson, Chris Knox and Laurence Aberhart, designed by Aaron Beehre.
Jessica Le Bas: Best first book award for poetry, Incognito.
Alan Clarke: Best first book award for non-fiction: The Great Sacred Forest of Tane - Te Wao Tapu Nui a Tane: A Natural Pre-History of Aotearoa New Zealand.

This post is by Alicia Ponder.

BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Pop-Up Book of Invasions

Review by Mary McCallum: It didn't win the Montana NZ Poetry Award today but it's still gorgeous. I got it for my birthday and fell in love with a poem that it fell open to which began 'A book is like an/egg...'

Another firm favourite already is Midden which begins: 'Words are piled deep/ here. Middens of /language, dungheaps/ of song...' Farrell is talking about Ireland, the home of her ancestors.

Her publisher AUP says:
The Book of Invasions - Lebor Gabála Érenn - is a compilation of manuscripts describing the very specific discovery of Ireland ('on the fifteenth, on a Saturday') following the Creation and the Flood. The Pop-Up Book of Invasions is Fiona Farrell's poetic response to a six-month stay in Ireland as inaugural recipient of the Rathcoola Residency for Australians and New Zealanders in County Cork.

'Part travelogue, part family record, part song and myth and history rewritten, this collection revels and laments in equal measure in a landscape deeply inscribed with narrative. The poet also remembers her Irish father now dead who emigrated to the Antipodes and all the many migrations or 'invasions' of the past and the present. A beautifully constructed, thoughtful, topical and original book.'

My mother who has Irish ancestors too read it in an evening and couldn't stop talking about it when I saw her. She loved the poem about Farrell's daughter who had dreadlocks not unlike the matted multi-coloured hair of her ancestors. She especially liked the wonderful notes at the end which fleshed out the poems.

Highly recommended.

And now I'd better go and read Janet Charman's Cold Snack. She was announced today as the winner of the Montana NZ Poetry Award.

But first a tribute to the young poets who came to the Gallery today and wrote some wonderful poems around the theme of the beach. Amelia, Clem, Naomi and Xanthe's poems are on the wall for people to read. Their names sound like a poem on their own!

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Street without a Name

Our book of the week is Kapka Kassabova's wonderful new travel memoir. Born in Bulgaria, Kassabova settled in New Zealand as a teenager, published poetry and two novels, and has moved to Scotland.

In A Street Without a Name she chronicles her family's life on the muddy outskirts of Sofia under Communism in the 1980s, and how she felt returning to her homeland as an adult.

The writing is curious, funny, unflinching, and poignant, capturing the absurdities and idiosyncracies of this hidden country to the north of Greece. Kapka the small girl asked why everything in Bulgaria was so ugly, Kapka the adult tries to understand why that was so.

This book is for anyone who wants to know more about Europe's newest member or who simply wants to spend time with the perfect travelling companion. (Review: Mary McCallum)

Street without a Name. Childhood and other Misadventures in Bulgaria. By Kapka Kassabova (Penguin) $28

RECYCLE @ RONA - JUNE WINNER

Congratulations to Liz Everiss

Winner of the $20 gift voucher for June's plastic bag recycling draw.

Caught on Canvas and Painted days

Caught on Canvas and Painted Days - by Richard Ponder
(The painted days colour - is the more accurate colour for the books)

And today we're offering our readers
the pair for only $50

Caught on Canvas showcases
wellington, the city,
and wraps it
Richard Ponder's artwork.

Painted Days is that book nobody should be without
a calender of occasions,
adress book

and general infromation
birthstones/flowers/anniversaries/
christmas card list
family tree
notes and quotes

RECYCLE @ RONA

Congratulations to Matt Harrison, Winner of a $20 voucher for
this month’s plastic bag
recycling draw.

Stephanie Meyer, Author of the immensely popular "twilight series" has an inimitable style that draws you into the story.

In, "The Host" society has been over-run by aliens who take over human bodies, but Melanie is a fighter, she refuses to just fade away. Her love beomes a central holding point of the story, and the only way she has of keeping her indentity until she finds that she is not the only one trying to fight back.

A highly enjoyable read, and although I did not enjoy this as much as the twilight series, it's still a must read for any Stephanie Meyer Fan.

$32 only, Mon 19- Mon 26 May

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Wendy's Pick

Hunting and Gathering $22.50 this week only, until the 19th of May or while stocks last - you know the usual disclaimer -- although you will be able to order it.

O.K. Yes, it's been made into a movie, but as with nearly all really good books the movie doesn't hold a patch on the book.

Quirky and endearing French novel about three disperate characters, Camille, an artist who is working as a cleaner.

Philbert, an erudite French aristocrat who sells postcards for a living and Franck, an angry chef, who loves his grandmother dearly, but could otherwise be described as womanising and cantankerous.

This is the story of how they come to care for one another as a family and regain their faith in humanity.

book of the week

Of course we're all very excited about Fiona Kidman's coming over on Thursday morning, but I thought it was about time we did something different with this blog, and started instituting a book of the week. And I did wonder about the book I'm currently reading, "An arsonists guide to writer's homes in new england" but decided that was probably in poor taste - however fun and interesting the book has turned out to be, besides I'm at home and I'm not sure how many copies we have left.

So Darwin Road it is,

RRP $34.99 but Just $30 for the day of thurs 8th May-and possibly only if you ask for Alicia. I'm not sure if we're giving that to everybody yet and although this isn't technically a week - the next one will be.

Have fun, people, and if you're reading this before sun 11 May - don't forget that's mother's day, and I know I'm going to be expecting my breakfast in bed. Also I'd appreciate it if anybody out there has an idea for a great book of the week you can leave me a note or just tell me, and I'll try and make sure you get a good price for a whole week.

Cheers,

Alicia Ponder of Rona Gallery

Fiona Kidman - At The End of Darwin Road

We're all very excited Fiona Kidman has agreed to come and visit us on Thursday May the 8th, to talk about her new memoir "At the End of Darwin Road" with Mary McCallum in ...

We're looking forward to seeing you here and sharing a slice of New Zealand literary history with this most distinguished New Zealand writer.

Mary McCallum's "The Blue" book signing Saturday 4 August

Mary McCallum's New Novel - "The Blue" available from 27 July 2007

Lilian lives in an isolated island community at the mouth of Tory Channel trying to make the best of a life that has at its core a secret grief. It is 1938 and for three months of every year the men take to the sea to hunt whales with fast boats and explosive harpoons. This year, the whales aren't the only ones returning - Lilian's troubled son Micky has come home too. In this rugged, unsettled world, things are not always what they seem.

'The Blue creates in glowing detail both a community and a place, and tells a richly atmospheric and suspenseful story. It's a novel of delicacy when it treats the interior life of its characters but it also has absolute confidence when summoning the physical world. This is an involving, rewarding book made with care and skill and gusto.' Damien Wilkins

'The Blue is a fine piece of work which I immensely enjoyed reading. It is imaginatively conceived, cleverly structured and written in an elegant and considered style, often with great beauty in its phrasing and imagery.' Fiona Kidman

This is one book not to be missed by Rona Gallery's own Mary McCallum

Book Signing: Julia Makes Her Move: First Steps Into Leadership

Authors: Viv Beck and Karin Kos
Publisher: Random House

There’s a legion of ambitious twenty-something women entering management positions who will never read a big scary business book but need some pointers on how to cope with their new roles. This unique book is aimed right at their Karen Walker-clad hearts. Styled as a novel, it follows a young woman called Julia who is parachuted into management and learns the hard way how to behave like a team leader.

The book follows Julia as she discovers: how to assert authority over people who were her colleagues; how to run a good meeting; how to write a budget … and what to do when you wake up the morning after office drinkies and think you might have slept with the office sleaze. With break-out boxes focusing on strategies and lessons learned, Julia is a perfectly targeted and innovative approach to teaching basic management skills and is being used by companies such as KPMG.

A must-have for all young career enthusiasts keen to step out towards leadership. Come and join us at this exclusive author signing by Karin Kos at the Rona Gallery, 151 Muritai Road Eastbourne, Lower Hutt. (Date and time to be confirmed).

Rona Gallery Exclusive - Michael Ponder's NEW novel

Don't miss the book launch debut of Michael Ponder and his new thriller The Windsor Conspiracy on sale on 1 March 2007.

Observe the exhilarating ride of Michael Ponder's first new novel The Windsor Conspiracy. Ponder stretches his talents further from his beginnings as a artist turning over a new leaf into the literary world. This magnificient thriller published by Random House is available on sale on 1 March 2007. Don't miss your chance to purchase a copy.

The severed finger of a kidnapped man is mailed to newspaper journalist Joanna Doyle, witha a note claiming the victim is none other than HRH Prince Charles. As she ahs just watched an interview with him live on television, Joanne refuses to take the note seriously. Why then the interest of the Secret Service? Why do they demand she relinguish the finger and note to them? Why only hours later is she brutally murdered?

Security expert Simon Dwyer is hired to uncovert he truth in this fast-pced thriller full of intrigue and suspense.From the vastness and hostility of the Australian Outback, to a Medieval Castle protected by 1000 feet of sheer rock, every page brings another twist.

Rona Gallery December Special - Painted Days

Author: Richard Ponder
Hardback

This book is a timeless must-have record of every event, address, and visitors book. The pages are full of Richard Ponder's beautiful paintings and spaces to record every memory. This book makes a fabulous Christmas gift for every person.

December only, this book is available for just $25.00 (RRP $39.95) plus free shipping around New Zealand.
Don't miss out on your chance to own this book!

Rona Gallery December Special - Caught On Canvas

Author: Richard Ponder
Hardback
Non-Fiction

This book features fantastic images of the landscapes and scenery around Wellington. This is complete with inspirational quotes and stories from Richard's perspective. A unique companion for every coffee table.

Available in December for $25.00 (RRP $39.95)

with free shipping around New Zealand. Don't miss this fantastic special only in December!

Featured Book - Easy French

Author: Katie Dynes and Nicole Irving
Children's Non-Fiction aged 9+
Paperback
Usborne

A wonderful quick guide to French from the Usborne series. This book offers an illustrated language guide and there are helpful tips to make learning easy. In addition there are Web sites recommended to try out a selection of free, downloadable French picture puzzles.

A must have guide to French.

Sally's Recommended Book - When Santa Fell to Earth

Author: Cornelia Funke
Children's Fiction aged 8+
Hardback


From the best selling author of Dragon Rider this is the story behind how Santa arrived to Earth via a mischievous reindeer Twinklestar leaving his Christmas caravan to fall from the sky! But this is not all of Saint Nicholas's troubles. There's still a group of bad Santas trying to steal Christmas!

A delightful holiday reading book, perfect for Christmas.

Elspeth's Recommended Book - e'cco

Author: Philip Johnson
Non Fiction
Paperback


Join Philip Johnson's journey into the heart of Australian Bistro with exquisite and delightful recipes. This book is currently on sale at $20! Be quick, stocks are limited , do not miss your chance to own a copy, on your way to become a fabulous chef.