Tag: Books

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”

The Mirror Book – Charlotte Grimshaw

READ FOR BOOKCLUB & NZ BOOK AWARDSChosen by Suzy The memoirs of Charlotte Grimshaw, author and daughter of C K Stead ❝ I can’t lie – I initially wanted to read The Mirror Book for the goss factor, but this memoir is so much more. It’s… Continue Reading “The Mirror Book – Charlotte Grimshaw”

2022 – Reading Culture

As an environment where reading is championed and valued, bookclubs provide an encouraging culture of shared learning; of the ability to understand a reality other than our own. Establishing culture is not only an important basis of book clubs but books too, for stories… Continue Reading “2022 – Reading Culture”

Sisters – Daisy Johnson

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Rachel Born ten months apart, July and September are almost like twins. They do not look the same, they do not have the same personalties, but they are becoming inseparable and September increasingly exhibits dark influences over July. Their closeness… Continue Reading “Sisters – Daisy Johnson”

2021 Booker

⫸ There are many safety nets which we turn to in a time of ongoing global uncertainty, and one of them is the search for the truth. Opinions of experts and everyday people, the reliability of data and keeping up to date with what… Continue Reading “2021 Booker”

Great Circle – Maggie Shipstead

READ FOR BOOKERTHON The story of daredevil female aviator Marian Graves and her plans to circumnavigate the globe. Marian and Jamie Graves are rescued as infants from a sinking ocean liner in 1914, then raised by their uncle in Montana. After encountering a pair… Continue Reading “Great Circle – Maggie Shipstead”