Having left the university to write full-time at the end of volume two, Stead throws himself into his work. In novels like Sister Hollywood and My Name Was Judas, criticism in the London Review of Books and the Financial Times, poetry and memoir, Stead establishes his international reputation as novelist, poet and critic. It is also a period when Stead's fearless lucidity on matters literary and political embroil him in argument &– from The Bone People to the meaning of the Treaty to the controversy over a London writer's flat.What was it like to be Allen Curnow's designated &‘Critic across the Crescent'; or alternatively to be labelled &‘the Tonya Harding of NZ Lit'? How did poems emerge from time and place, sometimes as naturally as &‘leaves to a tree', sometimes effortfully? And how did novels about individual men and women retell stories of war (World War II, Yugoslavia, Iraq) and peace?Covering Stead's travels from Los Angeles to Liguria, Croatia and Crete to Caracas and Colombia, as New Zealand poet laureate and Kohi swimmer, What You Made of It takes us deep inside the mind and experience of one of our major writers &– and all in Stead's famously lucid &‘story-telling' prose.

Domestic abuse is a national emergency: one in four Australian women has experienced violence from a man she was intimate with. But too often we ask the wrong question: why didn’t she leave? We should be asking: why did he do it? Investigative journalist Jess Hill puts perpetrators – and the systems that enable them – in the spotlight. See What You Made Me Do is a deep dive into the abuse so many women and children experience – abuse that is often reinforced by the justice system they trust to protect them. Critically, it shows that we can drastically reduce domestic violence – not in generations to come, but today. Combining forensic research with riveting storytelling, See What You Made Me Do radically rethinks how to confront the national crisis of fear and abuse in our homes. ‘A shattering book: clear-headed and meticulous, driving always at the truth’—Helen Garner ‘One Australian a week is dying as a result of domestic abuse. If that was terrorism, we’d have armed guards on every corner.’ —Jimmy Barnes ‘Confronting in its honesty this book challenges you to keep reading no matter how uncomfortable it is to face the profound rawness of people’s stories. Such a well written book and so well researched. See What You Made Me Do sheds new light on this complex issue that affects so many of us.’—Rosie Batty

The trajectory of a marriage, from its promising beginning to its inevitable end.

A deeply researched mental abusebook from an award-winning journalist that uncovers the ways in which abusers exert control in the darkest—and most intimate—ways imaginable. A gripping and eye-opening exposé that courageously confronts the dangers society often turns a blind eye to. This groundbreaking book sheds light on the insidious nature of domestic abuse, challenging our preconceived notions and urging us to acknowledge the horrifying reality many victims face. In this compelling narrative, investigative journalist Jess Hill meticulously unravels the complexities of domestic abuse, examining the subtle nuances that perpetuate the cycle of violence. Drawing on extensive research, powerful real-life stories, and compelling statistics, Hill reveals the harrowing truths we collectively choose to ignore, explain away, or simply refuse to see. See What You Made Me Do is an indispensable resource that empowers readers to identify and dismantle the myths surrounding domestic abuse, challenging us all to take a stand against this pervasive social issue. By understanding the psychology of abuse and the mechanisms that enable its perpetuation, we can collectively work towards creating a safer and more compassionate society. Whether you're an advocate, survivor, or concerned citizen, this thought-provoking book serves as a catalyst for change, urging us to confront the uncomfortable truths about domestic abuse and inspire actionable steps towards a future free from violence.

Are You Still A Murderer If Someone Else Does The Killing? A dangerous Internet game is sweeping the schools and when the body of a young girl is found at a nearby beauty spot the evidence points to her being the fifth teenager to take part. The only difference is...the others survived. Grace Dalton is swiftly assigned to the case. As the location of the murder triggers painful memories of her own ordeal and the press pick up on the similarity, she is determined not to let her past cloud her judgement. Plunging herself deep into the teenagers' lives she soon unearths a tangled web bound together with resentment, injustice, greed and an unstoppable thirst for revenge. Now, it's down to Grace and her partner, DS Ryan Nash, to race against the clock to save the next victim before the killer strikes again. See What You Made Me Do is the second book in the DI Grace Dalton series by Natalie Hames. Each book can be read as a standalone British detective crime thriller however all the stories follow Grace's journey to solving her own kidnapping and subsequent imprisonment in the prequel, The Death Of Me. Reader's Praise For Natalie's Books "My interest was held throughout and when the perpetrator was finally revealed it wasn`t who I thought it would be. Always a sign of a good crime thriller." ~ Marion Butler "(As a retired police officer I do still like a good crime!) what a lovely surprise this was. I couldn’t put it down, loved the characters from the beginning and a great story which stayed interesting throughout." ~ Amazon Customer "Another twisty, turny book when reading this everything else around you just disappears as you get so engrossed in it. Di Grace Dalton and her partner Ryan Nash total opposites so gripping." ~ Sharon Hurst "... the best police thriller I have read in a long time. I cant praise the authors writing highly enough. I just love her work..." ~ MCR " I will be waiting for book two. Full of action interesting caricatures . So get writing Natalie." ~ Kindle Customer

“Annabelle Gurwitch is the child prodigy of the literature on aging. The only downside of this book is that it is bound to deepen your laugh lines.”—Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed Actor and humorist Annabelle Gurwitch returns with a wickedly funny book of essays about the indignities faced by femmes d’un certain âge. Whether she is falling in lust at the Genius Bar, coping with her best friend’s assisted suicide, or navigating the extensive—and treacherously expensive—anti-aging offerings at the beauty counter, Gurwitch confronts middle age with candor, wit, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Scorchingly honest, surreally and riotously funny, I See You Made an Effort is the ultimate coming-of-middle-age story and according to Bill Maher, "it should be required reading for anyone between the ages of 40 and death. Scratch that—even after death, it's a must read."

Life has a way of taking the wind out of our sails if we allow it. Everyday stress takes away that desire to accomplish great things. Your day involves the people who annoy you at work, and the pressures of being a responsible adult. This stress has many "sleepwalking" through life. Keith Ballard is a Christian author, inspirational teacher, entrepreneur, and professor of business administration and psychology. Life threw challenges at him that could not be solved by his collegiate and professional success. Like many people out there, Keith searched for spiritual and practical answers to the following questions: How do we obtain enjoyment out of life and work? How do we live out those big dreams and goals that keep tugging at us? How does one find a sense of mental, physical, and emotional freedom? How do we become more secure and confident in ourselves? You Made Your Bed, Now WAKE UP In It is a book that answers these questions and many more. This book is for anyone in search of answers. Those with no spiritual belief system and those with a spiritual belief system who read this book will learn: - How to be more effective and successful in your everyday goals. - How to break free from past mental and spiritual barriers. - How to rely on God as your source and supply for every need. - How to use spiritual principles that can be applied to everyday life. - How to obtain quality relationships, true peace, and happiness. - How to identify your gifts, talents, and purpose in life. - How to take authority over life's challenges. If life does not seem to be giving you what you want, then this book is a must read for you. Wake up to a new reality.