Category: Literary fiction

The Axeman’s Carnival – Catherine Chidgey

READ FOR BOOKCLUB & NZ BOOK AWARDS Chosen by Suzy From New Zealand author Catherine Chidgey is a story quite unlike her former novels. Instead of wartime Germany, this time the setting is rural New Zealand and the protagonist is a magpie called Tama,… Continue Reading “The Axeman’s Carnival – Catherine Chidgey”

Lessons – Ian McEwan

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen 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… Continue Reading “Lessons – Ian McEwan”

Oh William! – Elizabeth Strout

READ FOR BOOKERTHON ❝ Oh, William! is a story about Lucy Barton’s relationships, especially her time with her ex-husband William. While they are no longer together as a couple they still see each other regularly and often reflect on their shared experiences.  The triumph of… Continue Reading “Oh William! – Elizabeth Strout”

The Trees – Percival Everett

READ FOR BOOKERTHON ❝ The Trees is set in Money, Mississippi and is full of characters with names like Junior Junior, Hot Mama Yeller and Reverend Fondle. The white folk of the town suddenly start turning up dead, savagely beaten and with a black… Continue Reading “The Trees – Percival Everett”

Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan

READ FOR BOOKERTHON ❝ As I got underway with Small Things Like These the size and simplicity almost lulled me into feeling like this was going to be a book of little consequence. How wrong I was. We gently follow the thoughtful day-to-day musings of Bill… Continue Reading “Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan”

Glory – NoViolet Bulawayo

READ FOR BOOKERTHON ❝ Glory is an Orwellian retelling of the coup that overthrew Mugabe. All the characters are anthropomorphised animals, with the Old Horse’s character modelled on Mugabe, his wife a donkey, and all other characters various creatures in heels, in queues for… Continue Reading “Glory – NoViolet Bulawayo”

At Night All Blood is Black – David Diop

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel ❝ Alfa and his ‘more than brother’ Mademba are Senglese, fighting for the French in World War I. Seen as ‘chocolate soldiers’ they are considered able to scare the life out of the enemy. After Mademba is fatally… Continue Reading “At Night All Blood is Black – David Diop”

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki & His Years of Pilgrimage – Haruki Murakami

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo A young man attempts to discover why his friends have abandoned him ❝ The protagonist of this book is Tsukuru Tazaki, a Japanese man in his 30s who designs railroad stations. He recalls his younger years, where at… Continue Reading “Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki & His Years of Pilgrimage – Haruki Murakami”

The Lying Life of Adults – Elena Ferrante

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Teenager Giovanni learns about the lies adults are capable of ❝ Giovanni is a 13 year old living in Naples. One day she overhears her father compare her to her Aunt Vittoria, a woman the whole family despises. Hurt but also… Continue Reading “The Lying Life of Adults – Elena Ferrante”

Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A contemporary retelling of traditional Māori folklore. ❝ Kurangaituku is the story of Hatupatu told from the perspective of Kurangaituku, the bird woman. The traditional story is told from the view of Hatupatu. He is out hunting and is captured by the bird… Continue Reading “Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka”