Tag: Bookclub Blog

The Shadow King – Maaza Mengiste

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, The Shadow King portrays the first real conflict of World War II, casting light on the women soldiers who were left out of the historical record. ✚ “Early on in The Shadow King I… Continue Reading “The Shadow King – Maaza Mengiste”

The New Wilderness – Diane Cook

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A group of strangers escape a polluted city and learn to live in the wild as part of a study  ✚ “This dystopian-type novel features a polluted and over populated city and a location which is the only place in which… Continue Reading “The New Wilderness – Diane Cook”

Burnt Sugar – Avni Doshi

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A story of love and betrayal between a woman and her mother.  ✚ “Though dementia is the vehicle for the plot, the real story in Burnt Sugar is the toxic co-dependent relationship between Tara and her daughter Antara. Despite Antara’s sense… Continue Reading “Burnt Sugar – Avni Doshi”

Born A Crime – Trevor Noah

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jodie The memoir of one man’s coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. ✚ “Born a Crime is the true story of a South African boy who starts his life under Apartheid… Continue Reading “Born A Crime – Trevor Noah”

The Memory Police – Yoko Ogawa

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo On an unnamed island, people’s memories are slowly deleted by the controlling authority, the Memory Police. ✚ “Censorship and authoritarian surveillance are at the thematic heart of this novel. Items that represent art, cultural identity and independent thought… Continue Reading “The Memory Police – Yoko Ogawa”

Rules of Civility – Amor Towles

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel Katey Kontent tells the story of when, in 1937, she and friend Eve met Tinker Grey in a New York jazz bar ✚ “It may have been written in 2011 but Rules of Civility has all the atmosphere… Continue Reading “Rules of Civility – Amor Towles”

American Dirt – Jeanine Cummins

READ FOR BOCKLUB Chosen by Becks Mexican Lydia and her son Luca are on the run from Cartel hitmen. ✚ “The interesting part of American Dirt is not only the content, but how the content was received. “Before it was finished several publishing houses… Continue Reading “American Dirt – Jeanine Cummins”

Normal People – Sally Rooney

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jodie Marianne and Connell  struggle to define themselves in their on-again, off-again relationship ✚ “Normal People follows the lives and  relationship of Irish students Connell and Marianne. Born to different social classes, the two experience fluctuating power struggles and divisions.… Continue Reading “Normal People – Sally Rooney”

Auē – Becky Manawatu

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Auē is about the struggles to escape a life of violence, told through the experiences of brothers Taukiri, 17 and Arama, 8. Tauriki decides to undertake a quest to locate his birth mother. Responsible for Ārama, he entrusts the… Continue Reading “Auē – Becky Manawatu”

Pearly Gates – Owen Marshall

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS The mayor of a small NZ town recalls his successes and failures in the lead up to an election and school reunion. ✚ “Pearly was such a recognisable character it was disarming. We all know a Pearly – a… Continue Reading “Pearly Gates – Owen Marshall”