Tag: bookclub-recommendations

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”

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”

A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Olga is an older woman who has taken on the role of carer to her friend Lara, Lara’s grieving daughter Sophie and Sophie’s child Michael. The family are extremely grateful for – what appears to be – her selfless… Continue Reading “A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster”

From The Centre: A Writer’s Life – Patricia Grace

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS The memoir of writer Patricia Grace ❝Patricia Grace (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa) is a stalwart of New Zealand literature and someone whose work I have read a lot of and deeply admired. So her memoir was… Continue Reading “From The Centre: A Writer’s Life – Patricia Grace”

Boys Don’t Cry – Fiona Scarlett

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jodie Two brothers in a Dublin tower block battle illness, crime and poverty. Joe is 17, a gifted artist and older brother to 12-year-old Finn. They live with their Ma and Da in a Dublin tower block dealing with all… Continue Reading “Boys Don’t Cry – Fiona Scarlett”

Sophie’s Choice – William Styron

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Rachel An aspiring novelist is captivated by a Holocaust survivor and her unpredictable boyfriend Stingo is a Southern young man aspiring to be a novelist and living off the income from his grandmother’s controversial sale of slaves many years prior.… Continue Reading “Sophie’s Choice – William Styron”