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2010 ARCHIVE

ARCHIVE 

Myth New Zealand - Ever wondered what happened to the Good Keen Man? Where are the new Burt Munroes? If the Pavlova is our national dish, why can't we find it in restaurants? When's the last time you used number eight wire? I love my country but it's time we put it through a 21st Century reality check. Here I am with Graeme Hill on his Radio Live weekend show and in the New Zealand Herald BookloverHere's a review in the Times OnlineMax Cryer had nice things to say about 'Myth New Zealand: 'Superb. I can't believe the amount of research and concepts that are, shall we say 'adjusted' by Justin Brown. Fascinating, very, very, very well done. I picked it up thinking it was a clever title and it turns out every page has a myth about New Zealand we didn't know.'

BACK TO THE EARLY STARTS

Having spent the past 18 months rising at 7.45am and writing a bunch of books, I've signed to become 1/3 of the new Classic Hits Breakfast show in Auckland. Details here, but in a nutshell I'll be joining Jason Reeves (currently on the drive-time show) and TV host Stacey Morrison. The show starts on November 22nd so we have three weeks to get funny. (Note: may need longer.) Looking forward to being back on-air. Tell your mates and join the pages above to tell us how we should do our job! Hope we can provide listeners with a few laughs. 

A NIGHT WITH LEE CHILD

Brilliant night emceeing Lee Child author event. What a top bloke. Droll, funny, very British (even though he resides in the States). He was a pro, answering questions he must have answered a thousand times with ample humour. He shook my hand at night's end and said 'You're a good man,' and walked off clutching a cigarette, ala Jack Reacher.

WHITCOULLS TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Great night at the Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards, where Bowling Through India received runner-up prize for the Whitcoulls Travel Book of the Year. Huge congrats to the winner Jane Carswell, who penned 'Under the Huang Jiao Tree - Two Journeys in China.' Carswell (a grandmother from Christchurch) was so shocked with her win she was still shaking when we left. Her book looks great.

Chief Judge Owen Scott: 'Once again the books and stories were compelling and original in their different ways - often surprisingly so. The range of entries was incredibly varied. The honours, though, went to two books with that little something extra, elevating them beyond mere storytelling and their competitors. They could not have been more different from each other. One has you reaching for tissues, the other for smelling salts and Imodium!' Full comments here.

'BOWLING THROUGH INDIA' A BESTSELLER

It gives me great pleasure to announce that 'Bowling Through India' has become a bestseller, though this is the last time the Black Craps will be allowed on Eden Park.

HUGE THANKS TO AUCKLAND CRICKET AND RADIO TARANA!

'Bowling Through India' was released with a bang at Eden Park. Hat tip to Auckland's number one Indian radio station Radio Tarana and Auckland Cricket for their support. Given the Black Craps' form on  Close Up two nights ago, we never thought we'd cause the upset of the century by beating India Under 11s! (Truth is - you'll only get one chance to play on Eden Park, so you'd better win!). Meanwhile, here I am with Blanket Boy on Breakfast. Here's an article in the Sunday Star Times, and here's fellow Black Crap John Bougen and I with Chris Laidlaw on Radio New Zealand. 

ARCHIVE 2011

The book I co-wrote with Swazi Man Davey Hughes has been on the bestseller lists since release. Davey has lived a fascinating life and has a massive following so I'm not surprised people want to read his story.

Untamed

MYTH NEW ZEALAND

Recently, I rounded up every sheep in New Zealand to make the ultimate Kiwi Christmas Carol. And some nice words from The Wanganui Chronicle: 'This is an absolute beaut of a book, the best about Kiwis and Kiwiana ever. Brown is a prolific writer of odd books about strange subjects which somehow make sense. It's obvious the author has more than a modicum of intelligence and, more to the point, a real love for his country. Great read.'

AWARDS? WHO NEEDS THEM!

Thanks to North and South magazine, I won something recently which I never would have thought possible. Very humbled, thanks.

GOOD KEEN METROSEXUAL!

I've just completed a new song for those blokes that can't fix cars and have never shorn a sheep. (Hope that's not all of us!). 

KIWI SPEAK - TEN WEEKS ON BESTSELLER LISTS

Thanks to everyone who bought a copy of Kiwi Speak. I had no idea it would hit such a nerve with New Zealanders, at home and abroad. It is now available on Amazon. And here's the new clip I promised from the streets of Auckland!

KIWI SPEAK

 A NEW SONG FOR HOMESICK KIWIS

New Zealand isn't perfect by any means, but overseas ex-pats always seem to come home for the same reason. I decided to put it into song. Speaking of all things Kiwi, a top write up from the brilliant people atInspire Magazine. And thanks to Unlimited Magazine for this interview.

WHAT I'M READING AND WATCHING AT THE MO! 

Born into Brothels is widely regarded as the original Slumdog Millionaire, without the soundtrack or Bollywood extras. It's a 2004 documentary film about the chlidren of prostitutes in Sonagachi, Calcutta's red light district. Zana Briski, the director, gave all the kids cameras and taught them how to take pictures. Unlike Slumdog, there is no happy ending, despite Briski's best efforts. 

Schulz And Peanuts - by David Michaelis is a lengthy read, but worth it. It describes in vivid detail what made Charles Schulz tick. Who knew that Snoopy is a term of endearment in Norwegian? Or that Schulz really was Charlie Brown? Or that the famous cartoonist despised the title, Peanuts? I'm a sucker for Behind the Scenes, but this book is a gem.

David Byrne to me is like David Bowie. An icon, a muso, a web geek, a fashion guru and a bloody great entertainer. I have always been a fan of Talking Heads, especially his stuff with Eno, so quickly downloaded 'Everything that Happens' as soon as it became available. Then I was lucky enough to see him live in Auckland. Wow. Is there a more uplifting sight than watching David Byrne and his band - clad in white tutus - belting out 'Burning down the House!'

 WHO HASN'T LAID ANYONE OFF?

www.wehaventlaidanyoneoff.com is now 'live' and has 30 'Good Guys.'Here I am on TV3 with some illinformed  advice on how to get through this nasty old recession. And here I am on CNN with Richard Quest.

In other news, Paul Henry got my name wrong for the second time in two weeks on TVNZ's Breakfast and here's a clip I filmed in a an old Kiwi backyard made it onto CNN. Hardly news, but worth a peek.

REALLY IMPORTANT INFO

Slumdog Millionaire is all the critics say it is: brilliant, entertaining, moving. The best advice is to watch it as a work of fiction; it's not real life. Even if such slums do exist in India, it's also worth remembering 400 million Indians have more money than most Westerners could ever dream of.

Revolutionary Road, by Richard Yates, is worth reading before seeing the movie. Masterfully told, it's hard to believe this cult novel from the sixties only sold 12,000 copies. Gritty and dirty - with uncomfortable scenes - Yates' classic work still rings true today. In fact, you could almost bet on it that HBO hit 'Madmen' (particularly Don Draper and his wife's relationship) was based entirely on this dead author's work.

Esau Mwamwaya - okay, so I'm a sucker for African music. But this Malawian's first record, a fusion of reggae and pop and music from his homeland, really hits the mark. His cover of M.I.A's 'Paper Planes' (from Slumdog) is spine-tingling. His proper album isn't out till mid 2009, but you can download his free ep here. Pitchfork Media describe the ep as 'the most flat out and enjoyable record of the year.' I agree. Not bad for a bloke who was discovered fixing pushbikes in London.

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