Motor memoirs top readers' poll

Tauranga author Maurice O'Reilly's book, A Series of Small Explosions, has created a big explosion in the publishing world by topping a readers' poll against heavy-weight overseas competition.
Mr O'Reilly, a car enthusiast and entrepreneur, is delighted at his success in the nationwide vote of readers' all-time favourite books.
"I wrote it to entertain, with no other expectation than to raise a smile," he told the Bay of Plenty Times.
"I have had unbelievable feedback - it is wonderful for my ego."
His book was the most popular read in the biography and autobiography section, emerging ahead of such luminaries as Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love; Bill Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid; Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom and Daniel Coyle's Lance Armstrong: Tour De Force.
Mr O'Reilly's first venture into publishing struck a big chord, particularly among middle-aged New Zealand men.
A Series of Small Explosions is 23 chapters of easy-to-read reminiscences of a young man's life around cars. The book's name is both a reference to the internal combustion engine and all the derring-do things that happen when teenagers get behind the wheel of their first car.
The announcement of the success of his book, now into its second print run, comes ahead of New Zealand Book Month in March to promote books and reading.
Mr O'Reilly said the popularity of his book was not an indication of literary excellence, it just showed that those who read it were sufficiently entertained to take the trouble to vote.
The only serious note in his book was the last chapter in which he described how young people nowadays were being denied the opportunity to learn through their own experiences behind the wheel - and as a result make good judgments.
"The boy racer fraternity has always existed. It has been going on ever since young men hooned around on horses."
A Series of Small Explosions was a self-published book in which Mr O'Reilly kept control of all aspects of printing and distribution.
As well as traditional distribution through bookshops, he has utilised Trade Me, online booksellers and as a download e-book through Amazon.com and Whitcoulls' website.
Sales have surged since the announcement of the vote and he is well on the way to selling 3000 copies.
Feedback included from middle-aged men giving the book to their sons to read and the inevitable consequences of sons wanting to know about their dad's first cars and what they got up to.
Mr O'Reilly is planning his next book. It will feature the best anecdotes from driving through 180 countries.