Social Issues

Husna's Story is written by Husna's husband Farid Ahmed. They were praying at El Noor Mosque in Christchurch when a gunman burst in and shot and killed 51 people and injured many others in a terrorist attack. This book tells Husna's story, describing the day of the attack - in al...l of its normal, mundane detail up until the tragedy, and then the horrendous tragedy of what followed. Interwoven with this is the story of Husna's life, telling of the selflessness and bravery with which she lived her life. As well as looking after her paraplegic husband, Husna was an important member of the community, helping women when they were giving birth, running classes for children and helping many others. Her last selfless act was going back into the mosque to look for her husband on that fateful day. She had already led the other women and children to safety. Tragically she was shot. Husna's husband, Farid Ahmed, quite incredibly, forgives the alleged killer. His remarkable philosophy of forgiveness, peace and love is an example of how religion and faith, through personal application, can be a tool for navigating the most horrific of tragedies.
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This vivid memoir by well-known New Zealand actor and novelist Barbara Ewing covers her tumultuous childhood, adolescence and young-adulthood in Wellington and Auckland in the 1950s and early 1960s - a very different time - and ends in 1962, when she boards a ship for London, to ...study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
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The Wine O'clock Myth takes an in-depth look at the drinking habits of New Zealand women. It's written through the lens of Lotta Dann's own story and her work in the field of recovery and addiction today. It contains evidence-based research gleaned from primary sources, and numer...ous interviews with experts in many fields. As well as examining the normalising of alcohol in New Zealand, The Wine O'clock Myth explores the glorification that goes on with regards to this drug. It discusses when and how the alcohol industry began specifically targeting women, unpicking the tactics they employ to target female customers. It looks at the rise of the now-ubiquitous 'Wine Mum' culture on social media and the role the alcohol industry and media companies play in perpetuating this. It also investigates the impact that regular, heavy drinking has on women, both physically and emotionally. It looks at the emotional impacts - the numbing, dulling and disconnection that can occur - and the physical impacts: the problems alcohol can cause in the body and the increased risk of diseases. But while the book offers a big-picture analysis, it also provides an intimate view of the issue by featuring the voices of Kiwi women sharing their personal stories, revealing the pervasive and negative impact alcohol can have on a woman's life. These personal reflections contain tales of emotional disconnection, diminished power, confused thinking and damaged relationships. There are also uplifting stories of the remarkable transformations that can occur when alcohol is removed.
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No one has ever asked Izzy what she wants. She's about to change all that...

The moving true story of Dr Amit Patel, who lost his sight in just thirty-six hours, and Kika, the guide dog who changed his world.