Category: Literary fiction

Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan

READ FOR BOOKERTHON In New Ross, Ireland in 1985 a man named Bill Furlong works tirelessly delivering coal and firewood to the townsfolk, when he makes an unexpected discovery. A short book about community and complicity. ❝ As I got underway with Small Things Like… Continue Reading “Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan”

Glory – NoViolet Bulawayo

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Glory is an Orwellian retelling of Zimbabwe’s political history. It centers around the unexpected fall of Old Horse, a long-serving leader of a fictional country. Told via anthropomorphised animals there is much drama, humour and colourful observations. ❝ Glory is a… Continue Reading “Glory – NoViolet Bulawayo”

At Night All Blood is Black – David Diop

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen 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 wounded… Continue Reading “At Night All Blood is Black – David Diop”

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki & His Years of Pilgrimage – Haruki Murakami

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo 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 high school he had four best friends whose names all include a colour: red,… Continue Reading “Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki & His Years of Pilgrimage – Haruki Murakami”

The Lying Life of Adults – Elena Ferrante

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Rachel 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 curious, Giovanni goes in search of her Aunt. Vittoria… Continue Reading “The Lying Life of Adults – Elena Ferrante”

Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS 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 woman who imprisons him in her cave in the mountains. Hatupatu… Continue Reading “Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka”

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”

Entanglement – Bryan Walpert

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Time and perspective are entangled in this novel, in which a time traveller attempts to return to the right point of his past to correct a mistake. Paul’s actions and recollections are scattered throughout the book, reported in three… Continue Reading “Entanglement – Bryan Walpert”

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”