Category: NZ Book Awards

The Back Of His Head – Patrick Evans

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Trustees overseeing the estate of Kiwi Nobel laureate Raymond Lawrence discover more than they wanted to know while struggling to keep his affairs in order. A satire about the making and manipulation of literary fame. ➤ “When I read… Continue Reading “The Back Of His Head – Patrick Evans”

In A Fishbone Church – Catherine Chidgey

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Sonya Three generations of the Stilton family are affected by the truths in one man’s diaries of the 1950s. When Clifford Stilton dies, his son Gene protects his carefully kept diaries. They span continents and decades, from Berlin raves… Continue Reading “In A Fishbone Church – Catherine Chidgey”

Maori Boy – Witi Ihimaera

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS An honest, emotive work detailing not only Ihimaera’s childhood but also early life in rural New Zealand and Māori history. Ihimaera (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) tells of the myths that formed his early imagination, and the real life experiences that influenced… Continue Reading “Maori Boy – Witi Ihimaera”

Coming Rain – Stephen Daisley

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Lew McLeod and Painter Hayes have been travelling Western Australia since they were boys, shearing, charcoal burning, whatever work comes. They take shearing jobs for a large farm, where the younger of them, Lew, falls in love with the… Continue Reading “Coming Rain – Stephen Daisley”

The Invisible Mile – David Conventry

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A reimagining of the 1928 Ravat-Wonder team from New Zealand and Australia who were the first English-speaking team to ride the Tour de France, then 5476 km of unsealed roads. A psychological journey in which the cyclists rode over mountains… Continue Reading “The Invisible Mile – David Conventry”

The Luminaries – Eleanor Catton

READ FOR BOOKERTHON ❖ “The Luminaries is a ghost story and murder mystery set in  Hokitika, New Zealand. It is 832 pages and won the Booker Prize. “Its protagonist Walter Moody comes across 12 men having a secret meeting in the lounge of his hotel… Continue Reading “The Luminaries – Eleanor Catton”

The Whale Rider – Witi Ihimaera

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy Kahu Apirana is a 12-year-old Maori girl who wants to become the chief of her tribe, but must battle her great-grandfather to make herself heard. ♥ “Maori chief Koro Apirana is angered when his grandson’s wife gives birth… Continue Reading “The Whale Rider – Witi Ihimaera”

The Bone People – Keri Hulme

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy Joe Gillayley is a widower who maintains a love-hate relationship with his mute, adoptive son, Simon. Both male characters are prone to violence. Kerewin is a reclusive painter who comes into their lives. Set on NZ’s West Coast,… Continue Reading “The Bone People – Keri Hulme”