Book on men attracts women

PATRICK HAMILTON/Nelson Mail

GOOD READING: Peta Mathias, right, hands off a signed copy of her new book yesterday.

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Nelson women were happily buying up Peta Mathias' latest book last night, hoping to learn more about men.

Just in Time to be Too Late: Why Men are like Buses is Mathias' follow-up to her successful book on women, Can We Help It If We're Fabulous?

The success of the books has been an eye-opener to Mathias because they've sold better than her cookbooks. "I've been writing the wrong books," she said today, thrilled at last night's turnout of 400 fans at the Rutherford Hotel.

That was 380 women and 20 men, who came to hear Mathias talk, sing and sign books at the fundraising function which raised more than $7000 for the Nelson Women's Centre.

"It was fantastic. They were right up for it," said Mathias.

Event organiser Margot Wilson said it was Mathias' zest for life that made her popular.

"A lot of Kiwis live more timidly. Some people don't have the guts, and it's no criticism, to take the risk of making a fool of themselves and really enjoy life like Peta does."

Mathias wants her latest book to be enrichening. "The message is basically positive about men. It's quite funny and there's quite a bit of slagging off but it's also serious and parts are sad and touching," she said.

Nelson Women's Centre co-ordinator Carrie Mozena said many of the women they worked with had experienced relationship breakdowns, so it was good to put out a positive message about men.

"There are so many men out there who are wise and funny and enjoy their partners, and it's important for us to remember that."