By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult. Told in two timelines, one in the 16th century and one in the present (well, almost present – the action takes place against Covid, just as there was a plague back in the earlier timeframe) – the premise being that women have been, and in the modern world are often, still unable to be credited for work which is presented as being done by men when in fact the women were the creators but have no voice. Jodi places much of the action around Shakespeare and posits that a woman named Emelia Bassano was actually the writer of his plays and sonnets but that the only way for them to be performed and published was to do so under his name. An enormous amount of research has clearly gone into this and it’s one of the most interesting and thought provoking books she’s done in a very long time.

Safe Enough by Lee Child. Twenty short stories by Lee Child, who proves that he’s not a one-series wonder with the Jack Reacher books – but in fact it’s clear reading these that they could also easily come from the same pen, and I think would be enjoyed by all Reacher fans. Easy to read as they’re bite sized stories and it’s a book you can pick up and put down without losing your place. The themes and characterisations are really clever. Quite macho as you’d expect from the Reacher creator, but a great addition to his oeuvre.

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A recent incident that impacted some unlucky Kiwi travellers in Bali serves as a reminder about the significance of travel insurance.

A Christchurch real estate agent Amanda Blair had emergency surgery at Siloam Hospital in Mataram after a harmful scooter crash - setting her and her family back thousands of dollars.

BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton says checking the fine print is essential for travel - before you get caught out.

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This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast Day host Lorna Riley and senior PR consultant at One Plus One Communications, Damien Venuto, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!

As St John ambulance staff keep striking, more people are wondering why the service isn't fully funded by the Government. Does this need to change?

New research has revealed Kiwis are divided as to whether the Government should have axed funding for mega-ferries. What do we think of this?

How do we feel about politicians taking part in Celebrity Treasure Island?

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New research has found strength training may be the key to living a longer, healthier life.

Strength training can benefit anyone and help people fight off the impacts of sarcopenia - and the associated health issues.

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara unveils her recommended strength training techniques for people of all ages.

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 25th of August 2024, new research has revealed microplastics have infiltrated human brain tissue to a 'concerning' degree. Expert Dr Joel Rindelaub explained the harm this could do.

Kiwi actress and comedian Madeleine Sami has had a busy few months - but she found time to chat to Francesca about her latest acting projects.

The 2024 Paralympic Games are set to get underway. Three-time gold medallist Cameron Leslie joined Francesca to discuss the upcoming event.

Later, author Maureen Callahan opens up about her new book exposing the darker scandals the Kennedys worked to keep under wraps.

Plus, Polly Markus shares her recipe for a chicken dish that could come in handy for your next dinner party.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Serves - 4

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 cup chicken stock

1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) potatoes – peeled

50 g (1¾ oz) butter

2 cups frozen peas – defrosted

100 g (3½ oz) feta – crumbled

1 cup chopped Italian parsley

Crusty garlic bread

1 cup cream

½ cup harissa paste

¼ cup lemon juice

3 garlic cloves – minced

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) fan bake.

To make the Harissa Marinade, mix the ingredients in a large bowl. Season with salt and cracked pepper. Add the chicken and leave to marinate for 30 minutes or longer if you have time.

Pour the chicken stock into the marinade. Stir well. Transfer to a large baking dish and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

While the chicken is cooking, ready a large saucepan of salted boiling water on a high heat. Cut the potatoes into large bite-size pieces. Boil until tender. Drain. Return the potatoes to the saucepan, add the butter and mash until smooth. Place the lid on to keep warm.

When the chicken is cooked, gently fold in the peas. Sprinkle with the feta chunks and parsley and season with cracked pepper. Serve with the mashed potato and crusty garlic bread.

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For decades, the Kennedys were held in high regard, with the family name being synonymous with wealth, power and integrity.

However, author Maureen Callahan has exposed the hidden dark side between one of America's most powerful families in her new book Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed.

The book unveiled stories of sexual assault, abuse, exploitation and scandal - all carried out by an iconic American family.

Callahan says the women who married into the family were subjected to a 'brutal' experience.

"I wrote Ask Not like a novel because I wanted the readers to be in their head and their hearts as they go through these relationships and experiences."

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Next time you grab a bag of oranges at the supermarket, take a closer look at the packaging. Chances are they are in a red net bag, and it turns out this bag is not just for convenience - it’s a clever trick to make the fruit look more appealing.

New research in the journal i-Perception finds that the red netting creates an optical illusion, making the oranges appear more vibrant and ripe than they might actually be. This in turn makes you think the oranges in a red bag are more ripe than the ones that are loose next to them, and so you might purchase more oranges than you had planned because they appear to be riper - even though they are exactly the same.

The technique is based on the confetti illusion, a visual phenomenon where a neutrally coloured object, such as a ball, appears to change colour based on the surrounding coloured patterns. In this illusion, when the ball is placed among an array of differently coloured lines, the colour of the ball assimilates to the colours of the lines, making it appear to take on hues that are not actually present in the ball itself.

When applied to oranges, the red net essentially enhances the orange colour, making the fruit look juicier and more enticing.

The same trick works for lemons too - and now you know the trick, you will notice they often come in yellow or green net bags as these have been found to intensify their natural colour.

So, next time you’re shopping and eyeing up the oranges and lemons, remember that colourful netting isn’t just a way to carry your fruit, it’s also a subtle way to trick your eyes and make you think you are selecting more ripe and juicy fruit than you actually are.

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