Tag: Books

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”

Halibut On The Moon – David Vann

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A suicidal man visits his family in California before deciding his fate. ✚ “My previous experience of David Vann was of the book Goat Mountain, which both freaked me out and captivated me. I wanted to recommend it to… Continue Reading “Halibut On The Moon – David Vann”

A Mistake – Carl Shuker

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A surgeon is investigated after the death of a patient. ✚ “I have to preface this by saying it’s been at least six months since I read A Mistake. I bought it after reading numerous positive reviews. I remember the… Continue Reading “A Mistake – Carl Shuker”

Educated – Tara Westover

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Sonya A 16-year-old fundamentalist Mormon defies her family by getting herself educated. ✚ “Educated is the memoir of a girl who flees her fundamentalist Mormon family in lieu of an education. “Tara Westover’s Idaho parents were suspicious of everyone… Continue Reading “Educated – Tara Westover”

Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo A romantic, 1960s coming-of-age story recaptures a young man’s first, hopeless, and heroic love. ✚ “Norwegian Wood is the book that made Haruki Murakami famous. Which some would say is surprising considering it is a move away from… Continue Reading “Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami”

The Man Who Saw Everything – Deborah Levy

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel In the opening pages of The Man Who Saw Everything, Saul Adler, a young historian, steps onto the famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing and is hit by a vehicle. This is the key event of the story, against… Continue Reading “The Man Who Saw Everything – Deborah Levy”

Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jodie A marshland recluse becomes tied up in a 1960s murder mystery, set in North Carolina  ⚑ “In the isolated marshlands of North Carolina, a young orphan named Kya lives alone, with only the local flora and fauna from… Continue Reading “Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens”

Dogside Story – Patricia Grace

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo Conflict in a North Island whanau means one man must reveal a great secret. ⚑ “Considered one of NZ writer Patricia Grace’s (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa) masterpieces, Dogside Story presents a portrait of Maori: their… Continue Reading “Dogside Story – Patricia Grace”

Ducks, Newburyport – Lucy Ellmann

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Written in stream of consciousness style, an Ohio housewife worries about the state of the world ⚑ “the fact that Lucy Ellmann has written an absolutely remarkable novel with what will be perceived by some as an entirely unremarkable protagonist, the fact… Continue Reading “Ducks, Newburyport – Lucy Ellmann”