Tag: Must Read Books

Toto Amongst The Murderers – Sally J Morgan

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS ● In the 1970s, at age 21, Sally J Morgan was hitchhiking in Yorkshire and was offered a lift by Fred and Rosemary West. This close call inspired her novel Toto Amongst The Murderers, in which the protagonist, Toto, is… Continue Reading “Toto Amongst The Murderers – Sally J Morgan”

The Harpy – Megan Hunter

Chosen by Rachel A wife is permitted to hurt her husband three times after his affair is discovered. ⫸ “In Greek mythology a harpy is a half bird-half woman. As a bird of prey it has wide wings and sharp talons, yet the face… Continue Reading “The Harpy – Megan Hunter”

Bina: A Novel In Warnings – Anakana Schofield

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo A disillusioned woman in her 70s writes on the back of envelopes about her life, dedicating her story to all the women who have had enough. ⫸ “Anakana Schofield was quoted as saying literature does not exist only to… Continue Reading “Bina: A Novel In Warnings – Anakana Schofield”

The Secret History – Donna Tartt

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jodie A group of Greek mythology students attempt to experience a higher level of being and in doing so carry out an evil act. ⫸ “There were many reasons why the The Secret History was such a hit with… Continue Reading “The Secret History – Donna Tartt”

Lost Children Archive – Valeria Luiselli

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Becks A family’s road trip across America collides with an immigration crisis at the southwestern border. ✚ “Lost Children Archive is not purely about immigrants crossing borders. More, it reflects on the histories of immigrants that have been lost… Continue Reading “Lost Children Archive – Valeria Luiselli”

Shuggie Bain – Douglas Stuart

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A story of addiction, love and hardship in a working-class Scottish family. The main character is Hugh “Shuggie” Bain, a boy who spends his 1980s childhood in run-down Glasgow public housing attempting to establish his true identity.  ✚ “I knew I… Continue Reading “Shuggie Bain – Douglas Stuart”

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”

Real Life – Brandon Taylor

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A biochemistry student’s experiences of life as a gay, black man captured over one weekend ✚ “What started off as a fairly innocuous read soon became anything but. Reading Real Life after Burnt Sugar and The Shadow King I was more… Continue Reading “Real Life – Brandon Taylor”