Category: Family drama

Lessons – Ian McEwan

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jodie In a type of anti-memoir, McEwan has created Roland, a character who has lived the same years as him, observed the same global events and pondered the same questions about humanity and society. Roland has even lived in some… Continue Reading “Lessons – Ian McEwan”

Potiki – Patricia Grace

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Suzy Potiki tells the story of land developers who have their eye on coastal Māori land for commercial development with no understanding of the community’s needs or of their strong connection to the land. Grace (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Te… Continue Reading “Potiki – Patricia Grace”

The Color Purple – Alice Walker

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo The lives of two African-American sisters growing up in rural Georgia in the early to mid 20th Century are detailed in The Color Purple. Celie is raped by her stepfather and bears two children to him who are sent… Continue Reading “The Color Purple – Alice Walker”

Oh William! – Elizabeth Strout

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Writer Lucy Barton is asked by her ex-husband William to join him on a journey to investigate a recently uncovered family secret. A story about Lucy and William’s ever changing relationship as much as it is about the family secret. Set… Continue Reading “Oh William! – Elizabeth Strout”

Loop Tracks – Sue Orr

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS For a time in the late ’70s, abortion was illegal in New Zealand and young woman who could afford it would fly to Sydney for the procedure. Loop Tracks‘ story line is built around that moment in history. The… Continue Reading “Loop Tracks – Sue Orr”

Crossroads – Jonathan Franzen

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Suzy The Hilderbrandts are a clery family from New Prospect, Illinois. The minister father heads a youth group named Crossroads, yet this reference also pertains to the members of the Hilderbrandt family, who are all in a quandary of sorts… Continue Reading “Crossroads – Jonathan Franzen”

Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Greta and Valdin are brother and sister, both gay, with mixed heritages and living together in Auckland attempting to navigate life and all its triumphs and tribulations. Greta is a student/English tutor with a misguided crush on friend and… Continue Reading “Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly”

The Matriarch – Witi Ihimaera

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo Tama Mahana is a grown man analysing the mystique and ambition of his grandmother, the matriarch of his family. But to truely appreciate the paths she has taken, he must study Māori mythology and New Zealand history. Tama is… Continue Reading “The Matriarch – Witi Ihimaera”

The Promise – Damon Galgut

READ FOR BOOKERTHON The lives and deaths of a white South African family, and a promise made to their black housekeeper When Rachel, a 40-year-old white South African dies in 1986, her country is transitioning out of apartheid. The subsequent decline of the family… Continue Reading “The Promise – Damon Galgut”

The Swimmers – Chloe Lane

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Twenty six year old Erin is at the bach visiting her mum who has motor neurone disease, only to be informed her mother wishes to take her death into her own hands. Erin has walked away from a job… Continue Reading “The Swimmers – Chloe Lane”