Toto Among The Murderers - Sally J Morgan 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 Among The Murderers which was published in 2021 and longlisted for the NZ Book Awards. The protagonist, Toto, is fond and completely unafraid of hitchhiking despite not always attracting people with the right intentions. She has graduated from art school, lives in an undesirable area in Yorkshire and is taking risks as she lives wildly, happy to not know where her life is heading. As she does so there are growing reports about attacks on women and slowly the violence creeps closer to her home and to her. The book setting is atmospheric and the tension builds and builds. I haven’t been to Yorkshire but I’ve seen several readers credit Morgan with re-creating a true to life ‘70s Yorkshire. #NewZealandfiction #newzealand #newzealandguide #nzfiction #kiwilit #nzliterature #nzbooks #newzealandbooks #readnzliterature #bookstoread #whattoreadnext #whattoread #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookaweek #sallyjmorgan #totoamongstthemurderers
Super excited to be in Tāmaki Auckland this weekend for @aklwritersfest Thoroughly enjoyed the crime writing session with Gavin Strawhan, Michael Bennett and Paul Cleave. Lots of laughs talking about how different writers write. I also enjoyed the free session with Dame Anne Salmond and the panel on fighting for indigenous rights. Looking forward to Trent Dalton tomorrow and Ann Patchett and Patricia Grace on Sunday.
I'm not usually one to ask for favours, but if you've read and loved my book-baby 'Hannah & Huia', it would mean so much if you would consider voting for it in the Whitcoulls Top 100 Books list. Not only would it be a dream to make the list, but it might flag my book as something Whitcoulls may like to consider stocking. It only takes a few moments, and you have the chance to win a $100 gift card! 'Hannah & Huia' isn't in Whitcoulls database so you will need to manually enter the book title; you also don't need to enter 3 book titles if you don't want to. Many thanks in advance - it means a lot - and please feel free to share far and wide. https://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/top-100-books ~ #nzfiction #nzbooks #nzauthor #mentalhealthmatters #inspiringstory #nzbookcommunity #nzbookstagram #charlottelobbauthor #charlottelobb #hannahandhuia
Congratulations Emily Perkins, well deserved win. @slinkyempire #emilyperkins @newzealandbookawards #theockhams #lioness #nzbooks #nzfiction
The Space Between by Lauren Keenan (Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki), published 2024 This novel is set amidst the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s in Taranaki and follows two women - Frances, who has recently arrived from England with her brother and mother, and Matāria, who has recently married Henry White, an ex-suitor of Frances. Matāria is on the outside of her family and her iwi, due to her marriage to a Pākehā and painful events in her past while Frances is feeling particularly vulnerable as a single woman of a certain age with a no-good brother. Tensions in the area between Māori and Pākehā begin to escalate and Frances and Matāria find themselves caught up in the conflict. This was a really evocative historical novel, beautifully written with a strong sense of place and character. I thought Keenan did an amazing job of bringing 1860s Taranaki to life and her two main characters are very well realised and supported by a cast of memorable secondary characters, particularly Frances’ mother and Matāria‘s sister. The use of te reo in this novel is outstanding - there is no translation supplied, Keenan trusts her reader to either have a working knowledge of te reo or be smart enough to work it out from context which is such a beautiful approach. It meant that the language felt really natural and you were never taken out of the story. I felt like the pacing was a little off - I think I had something like 25 pages to go and I felt like there was way more that could have happened. It seemed to wrap up quite quickly. I could have used maybe less at the start and more at the end? Otherwise, I hope Keenan writes more fiction - I’d love to read it. 👏🏼 This book is for you if you: are into historical fiction or interested in New Zealand history. 🙅🏼♀️ This book is not for you if you: aren’t a historical fiction fan - but in saying that, this would be a good one if you weren’t but wanted to give it a hoon - particularly if you’re a kiwi.
The way Pip Adam expresses how she sees the world so fully and excitingly is a marvel. It’s not always easy to describe what her books are about per se, inasmuch as they seem to encapsulate everything pressing about how we live in this world and beyond. The same goes for AUDITION, which travels through the borders of life and death and everything in between. Colonisation of land/resources/language/time/knowledge/ imagination, the imposition of conditions and a language of deficit to realise the myth that things have and is and always will be a certain way. The prisons on this earth, this earth that is a prison, the prison that is the body, language, rule and order. But also the ways in which we are the systems that imprison ourselves. We forget that the tools we use to create the conditions of our incarceration can also be that which sets us free. Being forcibly taken outside of ourselves, being made alien, mute and unseeing, reveals the truth as it is and not how we believe it to be. In absence of stress, in the face of unconditional love and acceptance, when we see with our hearts: what might be the world we remake in our image? In the end, when there is nothing but sound and feeling, when meaning ceases to be, when we surrender to the nothingness of us, mere dust motes in the universe, when we awaken to the limitless possibility of us - how utterly terrifying, how immensely exhilarating. 🌬️ “There goes the storm, a rearranger, through the woods and through the ages, and everything is timeless: the landscape, like a verse from the Psalms, is gravity and force and eternity. How small is that with which we wrestle, that which wrestles with us, how large; were we to be more like those things, if we but allowed the great storm to subdue us, we should become vast and nameless. We conquer only what is smaller, and success makes us smaller too. The everlasting and the awesome will not be swayed by us. […] So they grow: being utterly defeated by ever greater things.” (from “The One Who Watches by Rainer Maria Rilke, as translated by Charlotte Simmonds) 📸 of the Aurora that lit up our skies the other night, even with the bright lights of the city!
It’s Ockhams day!! I can’t wait to tune in at 7pm to find out which one of these beauties takes out the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. (Non) spoiler alert: they’re all really good 📚🤩 @timarubooksellers @newzealandbookawards @thwupbooks @bloomsburypublishing @text_publishing @pipadam @slinkyempire @eleanorcattonauthor #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
It’s Ockhams day!! I can’t wait to tune in at 7pm to find out which one of these beauties takes out the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. (Non) spoiler alert: they’re all really good 📚🤩 @timarubooksellers @newzealandbookawards @thwupbooks @bloomsburypublishing @text_publishing @pipadam @slinkyempire @eleanorcattonauthor #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
A Better Place - Stephen Daisley A Better Place is Stephen Daisley’s third novel and was published in 2023. It has been shortlisted for the NZ Book Awards this year and longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. It is the story of two Kiwi brothers who head off to Crete in WWII to fight for the Allied forces, however only one comes home. It is a graphic, realistic portrayal of war that pulls no punches. There is stuff in here I hadn’t heard of before and couldn’t have imagined, and moments were absolutely heart-breaking. But there are emphatically told tender moments of brotherly love and camaraderie and bravery. And it’s all presented in a poetic but raw and honest way so it feels like you are far more involved than simply reading a book. Daisley has a military background and has clearly undertaken a great deal of research in order to ensure the book is historically accurate. #NewZealandfiction #newzealand #newzealandguide #nzfiction #kiwilit #nzliterature #nzbooks #newzealandbooks #readnzliterature #bookstoread #whattoreadnext #whattoread #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookaweek #stephendaisley #abetterplace
I always tear through Danielle Hawkins’ books then feel bereft when they’re over. Maybe this is why I’ve re-read all her previous books so many times? I’ve also read a few different and very successful authors from the rural romance genre and what sets Hawkins apart for me is her effortless dialogue, the authentic banter, and the complete lack of cheese. Her stories are honestly a joy to read and I really hope there are many more to come. That being said, Take Two did lack a teensy bit of the spark that I’m used to from DH but it was still a highly entertaining read. #taketwo #daniellehawkinsauthor #nzfiction #nzauthor #books #bookreview #booklover #bookworm #reading #read #readmorebooks #fiction #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookcommunity #nzbookcommunity #readersofinstagram #readersofig #bookstagramnz
Birnam Wood - Eleanor Catton Birnham Wood is Eleanor Catton’s third book, published in 2023. It is shortlisted for the NZ Book Awards and the Carol Shields Prize (Catton is Canadian born making her eligible for the later). Here, Catton has written a Macbeth-influenced tale about two opposing sides both using beautiful New Zealand land illegally, one a US billionaire, the other a guerrilla gardening group. As expected they clash but when tragedy strikes there is benefit in them colluding. There is a captivating cast of characters who have big personalities and outspoken opinions. The story becomes a tale of murder, corruption and greed told in a lively, Shakespearean-dramatic, page-turning way. This eco thriller is quite political. It is set in 2016 and includes references to events, people, and political and societal conversations that were in the public arena at the time. #NewZealandfiction #newzealand #newzealandguide #nzfiction #kiwilit #nzliterature #nzbooks #newzealandbooks #readnzliterature #bookstoread #whattoreadnext #whattoread #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookaweek #eleanorcatton #birnamwood
Our first batch of hard copy orders have arrived and they look amazing! 🤩 Later this week, these beauties will start making their way around New Zealand. Meanwhile, digital copies can still be downloaded from our website, link in bio 🙌🏻 #nzwriters #magazine #nzwriter #kiwi #kiwiwriters #kiwiwriter #nzfiction #nzpoetry #nzpoet #nzliterature #bookstagramnz #nzbookstagrammer #nzbookcommunity #nzbookstagram
L a n d m a r k s - It’s described as a ‘love song to the South Island’ & I can see why. Three long term friends artist Grahame Sydney, fiction writer Owen Marshall & poet Brian Turner all in one book…it’s a must have for the studio or coffee table. It also has a few surprises in there…taking you off guard…now you’re intrigued, better go get the book! @grahamesydneyartist #landmarks #nzartist #grahamesydney #nzpoetry #brianturner #nzfiction #owenmarshall #goodbook #southislandnz #centralotagonz #musthave #coffeetablebooks #studiobook #newzealand #artnewzealand #thekauritreestudio #rebekahhallartist
Happy Book Birthday to Between the Shadows!🎂👻🖤 Four years published today! You can grab your copy from Amazon or visit https://jobuer.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free copy. A man waits in the shadows watching his lover with someone else. A young girl must say goodbye to the only friend she has - a friend no one else can see. A boy writhes in agony in his hospital bed as his sister tries to calm him with a story. A mother must learn to let go of the child she has already lost. Between the Shadows is an eclectic collection of poignant and haunting tales about grief. Grab yours now! - - - @alchemyforauthors • #betweentheshadows • #shortstories • #shortstorycollection • #gothicfiction • #nzfiction • #nzauthor • #kiwiauthor • #bookbirthday • #indieauthor • #authorlife • #booklife
Today my Ockhams Fiction Champion role representing @timarubooksellers comes to an end. What a fun time it’s been and I feel as though these books have been my life the past four weeks. However, I will continue to champion all four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Prize for Fiction at this year’s 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards📚 Those books are - Audition by Pip Adam, Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton, A Better Place by Stephen Daisley and Lioness by Emily Perkins. They’re all brilliant and I can’t wait to find out who the judges pick. Let me know if you’ve read any as a result of my championing, and what you thought. Or pick up a copy at Timaru Booksellers. We are so lucky to live in a country full of talented writers ✍️ @newzealandbookawards @eleanorcattonauthor @pipadam @slinkyempire @thwupbooks @bloomsburypublishing @text_publishing #theockhams #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionisbest #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Today my Ockhams Fiction Champion role representing @timarubooksellers comes to an end. What a fun time it’s been and I feel as though these books have been my life the past four weeks. However, I will continue to champion all four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Prize for Fiction at this year’s 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards📚 Those books are - Audition by Pip Adam, Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton, A Better Place by Stephen Daisley and Lioness by Emily Perkins. They’re all brilliant and I can’t wait to find out who the judges pick. Let me know if you’ve read any as a result of my championing, and what you thought. Or pick up a copy at Timaru Booksellers. We are so lucky to live in a country full of talented writers ✍️ @newzealandbookawards @eleanorcattonauthor @pipadam @slinkyempire @thwupbooks @bloomsburypublishing @text_publishing #theockhams #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionisbest #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
//FICTION NZ// It starts with a daguerreotype, recording for posterity a brutal act of colonial violence…one hundred and sixty years later Māori detective Hana Westerman and her team face a race against time to stop a suspected serial killer at large in Auckland. But these are no ordinary murders, and in the twists and turns of the pursuit that follows, the complex history of Māori and Pākehā interaction is laid bare, driving this gripping and thought-provoking thriller. Comments from BDS Reviewers 🗡"The dialogue is sharp, and the plot keeps twisting. It's a gripping police procedural." 🖊"The main characters are vividly drawn and I found the family dynamic very convincing." 🇳🇿"This book is not just a thriller, it's one with a real difference and one with a serious political message." 🏔"I really liked the focus on the Māori perspective. I liked the detailed explanations of Māori history and culture." 🤓"Very interesting and well done." 🤔"I sometimes felt that the plot was secondary to the author's views on racial issues." More book club reads at bds.org.nz/books #bookclub #bookgroup #bookclubnz #bookgroupnz #fiction #nzfiction #suspense #crimefiction #bettertheblood #michaelbennett #novel #bookreview
Hey, party people!! Happy Thursday 😊 I snapped this photo of my husband over the weekend as we took our daughter to some ride on trains in Hamilton. 🚂 Objectively, it's just a really cool photo, but I can't stop thinking about how much it reminds me of my current WIP 🤫 This will make no sense to anyone but me today, but hopefully, one day, this piece of my soul will be out in the world for you to enjoy. ☺️ My whole heart is going into this one, y'all - I can't wait to share more as I progress further! 💓
We have books and poetry anthologies to review but not enough reviewers to read them! If you’re part of the #nzbookcommunity who loves reading great Kiwi writing, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or send us a DM! 📖 #nzwriters #nzbookstagrammer #nzbookstagram #review #bookreview #kiwibookstagrammer #bookstagramnz #nzwriter #nzliterature #nzfiction #nzpoetry #nzpoet
Audition - Pip Adam Audition is Pip Adam’s fifth novel, published in 2023 and shortlisted for the NZ Book Awards. It begins with three giants aboard a space ship hurtling through the atmosphere discussing the recent history that got them to this moment. It then moves back into a more detailed exploration of these characters’ pasts. What the book is actually about is the unjust NZ justice system, the state of NZ prisons, and how to be a good coloniser. Pip Adam is passionate about these topics. She teaches creative writing in prisons. The blurb descirbes it as social fiction. I would describe it as experimental. Whatever the case it is quite different to what most readers of Kiwi Lit would expect from homegrown fiction, and provides many avenues for examination and discussion. #NewZealandfiction #newzealand #newzealandguide #nzfiction #kiwilit #nzliterature #nzbooks #newzealandbooks #readnzliterature #bookstoread #whattoreadnext #whattoread #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookaweek #pipadam #audition
When the Moon Hatched - A vibrant world with mysterious creatures, a unique magic system, and a love that blazes through the ages. 🐉 For fans of Fourth Wing & Sarah J Maas. Also Sarah is a NZ Author too!📚📚 #fantasy #scifi #newbooks #justarrived #dragons #magic #nzfiction #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness
Getting myself ready for the Auckland Writers Festival. I’m counting down!! * Pet by @catherinechidgey – I was absolutely hooked from start to finish. I loved the 80’s nostalgia, the vivid and such memorable characters, and the way the words flew off the page and formed such rich images in my head. It’s not a thriller in the conventional manner, but I was absolutely absorbed in the story and loved every minute of my reading journey. * The Girl from London by @oliviaspoonerwriter – I’ve really got into historical fiction lately and I loved this insight into WWII and the volunteers who helped evacuate children from war-torn England to Australia and New Zealand. From its stunning cover to its heartfelt story, this was a book that really resonated with me. * Cult Trip by #ankerichterwriter– This isn’t an easy read, but it’s a hugely well-researched, insightful and compassionate look into the world of coercion and control in cults. There were cults I hadn’t heard about, and those like Centrepoint and Gloriavale that are a shocking part of New Zealand’s past and (sadly) present. Superb writing and a very informative read. ~ #mustread #mustreadbooks #mustreadbook #nzfiction #nzauthor #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #supportingnzauthors #authorsupportingauthors #nzreads #book #bookreview #nzbooks #bookcommunity #nzbookcommunity #nzbookstagram #charlottelobbauthor #charlottelobb
Loved the book - so excited to be watching the series! ~ #tattooistofauschwitz #heathermorris #nzfiction #truestory #booktotvseries #yay #charlottelobbauthor
Double page spread ❤️📚 my interview with @eleanorcattonauthor is in today’s Sunday Star Times and on The Post. Read about her Birnam Wood big screen offers, her own attempts at gardening and her upcoming novel 🌳🪶. Her superb book, Birnam Wood, is a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Buy a copy of the paper, or read it here: https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/350259193/eleanor-catton-ockhams-big-screen-and-gardening @newzealandbookawards @timarubooksellers @vicuniwgtn #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschamp #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Double page spread ❤️📚 my interview with @eleanorcattonauthor is in today’s Sunday Star Times and on The Post. Read about her Birnam Wood big screen offers, her own attempts at gardening and her upcoming novel 🌳🪶. Her superb book, Birnam Wood, is a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Buy a copy of the Sunday Star Times, or read it here: https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/350259193/eleanor-catton-ockhams-big-screen-and-gardening @newzealandbookawards @timarubooksellers @thwupbooks #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschamp #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Repost from @bookdiscussionschemenz • NZ author Lauren Roche has been visiting Northland BDS book groups who have read and are meeting to discuss her novel “Mila and the Bone Man”. WHANG 003 (aka ‘On the Same Page Book Club’) recently hosted Lauren and member Jenny Carsten wrote of their time with the author: “We enjoyed a fabulous evening on the stunning Tutukaka Coast with local author Lauren Roche (holding the cat). Lauren shared her journey of writing with us and unpacked ‘Mila and the Bone Man’ which was our April read. She helped us understand how powerful our stories are and how they shape us. We are so appreciative of Lauren’s time and connection with our group and highly recommend her book.” Has your group read “Mila and the Bone Man” yet? Find it and add it to your book list at bds.org.nz/books @laurenroche_author #milaandtheboneman #nzfiction #nzauthor #bookclub #bookclubnz
NZ author Lauren Roche has been visiting Northland BDS book groups who have read and are meeting to discuss her novel "Mila and the Bone Man". WHANG 003 (aka 'On the Same Page Book Club') recently hosted Lauren and member Jenny Caston wrote of their time with the author: "We enjoyed a fabulous evening on the stunning Tutukaka Coast with local author Lauren Roche (holding the cat). Lauren shared her journey of writing with us and unpacked 'Mila and the Bone Man' which was our April read. She helped us understand how powerful our stories are and how they shape us. We are so appreciative of Lauren’s time and connection with our group and highly recommend her book." Has your group read "Mila and the Bone Man" yet? Find it and add it to your book list at bds.org.nz/books @laurenroche_author #milaandtheboneman #nzfiction #nzauthor #bookclub #bookclubnz
The author interview I did a little while ago for @global_girls_bookclub is now on YouTube for all to listen to. The interview was late at night so I didn't put contacts in, but as my glasses were reflecting my laptop screen I had to go without - doing the interview completely blind! Because I can't see anything at all without them, I had no clue where I was looking (and clearly blink a lot when I can't see 😏😁) - so apologies in advance! See link in bio. ~ #charlottelobbauthor #charlottelobb #AuthorInterview #authorchat #booktalk #bookchat #nzfiction #nzauthor #mentalhealthmatters
On the fence about which one should win - they’re all so so good ❤️ and I am happy to keep singing their praises - and today I will be at @timarubooksellers (though there will definitely be no singing 🤣). Join me at noon to talk all things Ockhams Fiction Champion 📚 @newzealandbookawards @bloomsburypublishing @text_publishing @vicuniwgtn @pipadam @slinkyempire @eleanorcattonauthor #theockhams #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #dontenvythejudges
On the fence about which one should win - they’re all so so good ❤️ and I am happy to keep singing their praises - and today I will be at @timarubooksellers (though there will definitely be no singing 🤣). Join me at noon to talk all things Ockhams Fiction Champion 📚 @newzealandbookawards @bloomsburypublishing @text_publishing @thwupbooks @pipadam @slinkyempire @eleanorcattonauthor #theockhams #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #dontenvythejudges
Know a kid (or adult!) who likes a twisty mystery and a tingle down the spine? My middle-grade novel The Ghosts of Moonlight Creek (ebook) is free for a few days on Amazon (all regions). 👻 . #ghoststory #middlegrade #kidlit #childrensbook #nzfiction #readnz #otago #newzealand
Thanks to author, Marie Connolly, and all our guests for an interesting discussion about our featured murder mystery, Dark Sky. Mt John Observatory is an ideal location for a murder 🥹 #crimenovel #murdermystery #independentbookshop #independentbookstore #geraldinenz #darksky #nzfiction
APRIL BESTSELLERS 💚 Bit of a flipflop from March's NZ Bestsellers but a kiwi still snuck in there (& a children's book to boot)! On the latest episode of Booklover Banter we judge books by their covers so we found it very interesting that 4/5 of the bestselling books this month have green featured on their covers when we have in house knowledge from publishers that green covers don't work!? 🤔 Podcast link in the bio 🔗🎧 1. The Husbands - Holly Gramazio 2. Ruby Loud Mouse and the Ruru - Alice Pearce 3. Earth - John Boyne 4. The Last Secret Agent - Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson 5. My Favourite Mistake - Marian Keyes Did you read any of these this April or are they on your tbr?
Birnam Wood, a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at this year’s 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards ‘leaves’ a lasting impression. Did I mention I am loving being an Ockhams Fiction Champion? @eleanorcattonauthor @vicuniwgtn @newzealandbookawards @timarubooksellers #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Birnam Wood, a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at this year’s 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards ‘leaves’ a lasting impression. Did I mention I am loving being an Ockhams Fiction Champion? @eleanorcattonauthor @thwupbooks @newzealandbookawards @timarubooksellers #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Join me at noon on Saturday at @timarubooksellers to talk all things Ockhams Fiction Champion, and why I think everyone should read the four fiction finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 📚 hint: you should read them because they’re all sensational ❤️ @text_publishing @vicuniwgtn @pipadam @eleanorcattonauthor @slinkyempire @bloomsburypublishing @newzealandbookawards #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #theockhams #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Join me at noon on Saturday at @timarubooksellers to talk all things Ockhams Fiction Champion, and why I think everyone should read the four fiction finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 📚 hint: you should read them because they’re all sensational ❤️ @text_publishing @thwupbooks @pipadam @eleanorcattonauthor @slinkyempire @bloomsburypublishing @newzealandbookawards #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #theockhams #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
An empty plot for a book that has the exact opposite. Birnam Wood, by Eleanor Catton, is a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. As an Ockhams Fiction Champion, representing @timarubooksellers, I have thoroughly enjoyed it, and the other three finalists’ work. I’m digging it, even 📚🌳 @newzealandbookawards @eleanorcattonauthor @vicuniwgtn #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #theockhams #fictionrules #NZFiction #NZFictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
An empty plot for a book that has the exact opposite. Birnam Wood, by Eleanor Catton, is a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. As an Ockhams Fiction Champion, representing @timarubooksellers, I have thoroughly enjoyed it, and the other three finalists’ work. I’m digging it, even 📚🌳 @newzealandbookawards @eleanorcattonauthor @thwupbooks #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #theockhams #fictionrules #NZFiction #NZFictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
And last, but by no means least, it’s Birnam Wood. The fourth finalist I am reading as an Ockhams Fiction Champion representing @timarubooksellers 📚 This page-turner by Eleanor Catton about a guerrilla gardening group is hard to put down. It is a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at this year’s 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. @eleanorcattonauthor @vicuniwgtn @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #birnamwood #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
And last, but by no means least, it’s Birnam Wood. The fourth finalist I am reading as an Ockhams Fiction Champion representing @timarubooksellers 📚 This page-turner by Eleanor Catton about a guerrilla gardening group is hard to put down. It is a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at this year’s 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. @eleanorcattonauthor @thwupbooks @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #birnamwood #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
The latest collection from one of my favourite authors. Her ability to transport you into her stories is both magical and thought provoking. A must read. “Bird Child & Other Stories “ by Patricia Grace, published by Penguin. #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #nzfiction #ilovetoread #booksbooksbooks #ourstories
Five minutes before my Zoom call with @eleanorcattonauthor last night and it turns out Tubbs is also a fan ❤️ one of the many highlights of my time as an Ockhams Fiction Champion. I have been reading all four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, one of which is Catton’s brilliant Birnam Wood. You can get it at @timarubooksellers 📚 @vicuniwgtn @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Five minutes before my Zoom call with @eleanorcattonauthor last night and it turns out Tubbs is also a fan ❤️ one of the many highlights of my time as an Ockhams Fiction Champion. I have been reading all four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, one of which is Catton’s brilliant Birnam Wood. You can get it at @timarubooksellers 📚 @thwupbooks @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
This book ❤️ the perfect weekend to start this, or one of the other three finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Check them out at @timarubooksellers 📚 @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #NZfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
This book ❤️ the perfect weekend to start this, or one of the other three finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Check them out at @timarubooksellers 📚 @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #NZfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Another pakipaki for our Novel Excerpt winners 👏🏻👏🏻 @williamforrester.author @megan_clare_writes @craigarthur_nz Our Micro-Fiction competition is also now open for entries… ✍🏻 #nzwriters #nzfiction #nzbookcommunity #nz #nzwriter #microfiction #nzbook #nzbooks #bookstagramnz #nzbooks #nzbookstagrammer #nzbookstagram
It was such a pleasure to interview Emily Perkins recently, the author of Lioness, a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Her book is one of four I am reading as an Ockhams Fiction Champ. To read it visit @timarubooksellers, to read my story go to: https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/350241727/push-change-idea-worth-exploring-says-emily-perkins. @slinkyempire @bloomsburypublishing @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #thezone
It was such a pleasure to interview Emily Perkins recently, the author of Lioness, a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Her book is one of four I am reading as an Ockhams Fiction Champ. To read it visit @timarubooksellers, to read my story go to: https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/350241727/push-change-idea-worth-exploring-says-emily-perkins. @slinkyempire @bloomsburypublishing @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #thezone
How many books have you read by Australian & New Zealand authors? 👀 Today is ANZAC day, a national holiday where we remember the fallen Australian & New Zealand soldiers from the Gallipoli campaign of WW1, using the poppy flower to symbolize the spilled 🩸Lest we forget 🥀 In honour of our countries' historical alliance (and perpetual frenemy status) I'm showcasing some books by two Australian authors 🇦🇺 Ann Liang: If You Could See the Sun 🌞 & one of my all-time favs, Afterworld 🗡by Lynnette Lounsbury As well as two New Zealand authors 🇳🇿 Chloe Gong: These Violent Delights 🥀 and (Dr) Eileen Merriman: Catch A Fallng Star 🌠 I've always found that Aus/NZ authors have such a down to earth and relatable writing style! The characters always feel like people you know- and the funny thing is, our countries are so connected that they may well be based off the people we know... 👀🤣 I also feel like social media has been instrumental in allowing Aussie/Kiwi authors to reach bestselling lists, just like the big authors in the UK/US do 🥹 Chloe Gong & Lynette Noni (The Prison Healer trilogy) are some examples of booksta authors we should be proud to claim as our own!! 💪 We kiwis still love you Australia 🫶 Even though you stole our Pavlova 🎂😏 #bookstackforacause #bookstack #anzacday #anzacbookstack #australianauthors #newzealandauthors #kiwiauthor #australianauthor #ifyoucouldseethesun #annliang #eileenmerriman #lynnettelounsbury #chloegong #theseviolentdelights #yabooks #readingbooks #reader #books #fiction #ausfiction #nzfiction #authors #nzbookstagrammer #nzbookstagram #nzbookcommunity
The Greenstone Door - William Satchell The Greenstone Door is an historical novel, set in the mid 1800s and published in 1914. It is a New Zealand classic, one of our most early novels. It is about Cedric Tregarthen, an orphaned Pākehā boy who grows up in a Māori family and community. His foster brother Rangiora is a similar age and they grow up together, discovering their own worlds and each others. It is set around the time of the Māori wars so the story lines do detail conflict and family dramas. It is regarded as historically accurate. The book has a surprising inclusive storyline. It tells things from both the Māori and Pākehā point of view and the positive ways in which their traditions and actions come together. It has been many years since I read this but I remember it was written in what I’d describe as a sophisticated British style. It includes a bit of romance alongside the boyhood adventures. I enjoyed it and am glad to have read something significant in our literary history. #NewZealandfiction #newzealand #newzealandguide #nzfiction #kiwilit #nzliterature #nzbooks #newzealandbooks #readnzliterature #bookstoread #whattoreadnext #whattoread #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookaweek #thegreenstonedoor #williamsatchell
This story’s message is even more relevant today. Lest we forget ❤️📚 @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing @timarubooksellers #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
This story’s message is even more relevant today. Lest we forget ❤️📚 @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
This story’s message is even more relevant today. Lest we forget ❤️📚 @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing @timarubooksellers #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
Pet, Catherine Chidgey “Like every other girl in her class, twelve-year-old Justine is drawn to her glamorous, charismatic new teacher, and longs to be her pet. However, when a thief begins to target the school, Justine’s sense that something isn't quite right grows ever stronger. Set in New Zealand in 1984 and 2014, and probing themes of racism and misogyny, Pet is an elegant and chilling psychological thriller.” ⭐⭐⭐.5 Emoji Summary: ✒️🐝 💊🩸☠️ I’ve been wanting to read more from New Zealand Authors, and Pet was on the unlimited loans list on the Libby App, so I went in blind and read it. It was, imo, okay~ . I liked how it gave me a teeny insight on what NZ looked like during the times the book was set in. Thriller enthusiasts will most likely know where this book was headed even before it started, but Catherine Chidgey drizzled enough humour, wits, and twists throughout the book to keep you reading until the bitter end. Slow-paced, a bit muted on the thriller aspect, and heavy on the psycho, it was an overall good read. ❓❔❓ Suggestions on NZ authors and titles? .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 🏷️🏷️🏷️ #thriller #mystery #nzfiction #fiction #bookstagram #book #bookish #booklove #bookstagrammer #bookinstagram #bookcommunity #autumnreading #autumnreads #nzbookstagram #nzbookcommunity #nzbookstagrammer #bookreview #nzbookreview
A Better Place by Stephen Daisley, a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, follows twin brothers fighting in World War II. While it features violence, bloodshed and the harsh realities of war, there is passion, love and art. It really is a beautiful, heartbreaking story. Get your copy at @timarubooksellers. @text_publishing @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
A Better Place by Stephen Daisley, a finalist in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, follows twin brothers fighting in World War II. While it features violence, bloodshed and the harsh realities of war, there is passion, love and art. It really is a beautiful, heartbreaking story. Get your copy at @timarubooksellers. @text_publishing @newzealandbookawards #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
No better place to be than reading this book - heartbreaking, moving, beautiful. The story of two brothers fighting in WWII. Get your copy today at @timarubooksellers. It’s one of four fiction finalists I’m reading as an Ockhams Fiction Champion ahead of the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
No better place to be than reading this book - heartbreaking, moving, beautiful. The story of two brothers fighting in WWII. Get your copy today at @timarubooksellers. It’s one of four fiction finalists I’m reading as an Ockhams Fiction Champion ahead of the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #theockhams #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: KATE MAHONY Kate Mahony Author is a New Zealand writer of historic contemporary fiction. Her short stories and flash fiction have been published widely, both in New Zealand and internationally. Her novel Secrets of the Land was the top pick by Featherston Booktown supporters for a new readers’ choice event. Set in Taranaki, Ireland and Australia, Secrets of the Land is an engrossing story with long shadows that stretch from 1864, when two young Irishmen joined the British Army to fight Taranaki Māori. Kate will be in conversation with Maggie Rainey-Smith for Secrets Of The Land: Our Readers’ Choice.
New week, new book as an Ockhams Fiction Champion, and what a goodie it is. A Better Place, by Stephen Daisley, is the story of twin brothers fighting in WWII, and is one of four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Get your copy at @timarubooksellers. @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing #theockhams #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fiction #fictionrules #nzfiction #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
New week, new book as an Ockhams Fiction Champion, and what a goodie it is. A Better Place, by Stephen Daisley, is the story of twin brothers fighting in WWII, and is one of four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Get your copy at @timarubooksellers. @newzealandbookawards @text_publishing #theockhams #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamchampion #ockhamschampion #fiction #fictionrules #nzfiction #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact
What better way to spend a Sunday than hanging out with a talented group of Tauranga writers!! I had fun talking all things Hannah & Huia, plus doing a mini workshop on adding emotional depth to your writing. Writers groups are such a great way to share knowledge, learn from others, and make great friendships along the way. Thanks heaps to Tauranga Writers for inviting me to speak today 😊 ~ #writersgroup #taurangawriters #authorlife #weekendfun #nzauthor #nzwriter #nzfiction #wordsmatter #writinggroup #tauranga #charlottelobbauthor #charlottelobb #hannahandhuia
Congratulations to William Forrester @williamforrester.author for his top placing in our Novel Excerpt Competition! You’ll be able to read an excerpt of his work-in-progress ‘Through the Eyes of the Sun-Cat’ when our first edition of The Little Lit releases this May. Thank you so very much to everyone who entered. For more info about our top place-getters, our Featured Artists, and our next competition, subscribe to emails at littlemonroelit.co.nz #nzwriters #nzwriter #nzfiction #nzbook #nzbookstagrammer #nzbooks #nzbookcommunity #nzbookstagram #bookstagramnz #nzcommunity #nzcompetition
Whenever I read a novel I love noticing all the ‘signs’ around me. One such was this record that spoke out to me from @thevinylrevolutionnz yesterday. Their lyrics feature in Audition, by Pip Adam. It’s one of four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Books. I’m reading all four as an Ockhams Fiction Champion, representing @timarubooksellers where you can get your copies of the books today. Say I sent you 📚 @newzealandbookawards @pipadam @vicuniwgtn #ockhamchamp #theockhams #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #callingoccupantsofinterplanetarycraft
Whenever I read a novel I love noticing all the ‘signs’ around me. One such was this record that spoke out to me from @thevinylrevolutionnz yesterday. Their lyrics feature in Audition, by Pip Adam. It’s one of four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Books. I’m reading all four as an Ockhams Fiction Champion, representing @timarubooksellers where you can get your copies of the books today. Say I sent you 📚 @newzealandbookawards @pipadam @thwupbooks #ockhamchamp #theockhams #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #ockhamschampion #fictionrules #nzfiction #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #callingoccupantsofinterplanetary
The Call by Gavin Strawhan, published 2024 DS Honey Chalmers is back in her hometown of Waitutū after surviving a brutal attack in Auckland. She’s dealing with her mother’s early signs of dementia, the memories of her sister Scarlett who died by suicide, and the whispers of the small town as she starts getting closer to her old friend Marshall, who was the last person seen with her sister before she died ... oh and there’s also the guilt from how she dealt with a police informant and the possibility that a gang is after her. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. If you love thrillers, you need to put this at the top of your list ASAP. It won the Allen & Unwin Fiction Prize for 2023 (the previous winner was Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by Josie Shapiro so you know they have good taste) and it is a banger. The author works in TV and you can tell - the writing is so clear and vivid, and he knows how to work with tension. As I got near the end, I was doing that thing where I wanted to turn the pages so badly but also really didn’t for fear of what would happen. There is a brilliant scene at Rotorua’s luge which you could see play out in a TV drama. The characters are really well drawn and for a male, he writes his female characters very convincingly. The sense of place is spot on, it’s a very quintessential Aotearoa book, without hitting you over the head with it. Anyway, stop listening to me and go read it. 👏🏼 This book is for you if you: love a convincing, well written thriller. 🙅🏼♀️ This book is not for you if you: aren’t into thrillers but even then - this could be the one to sell you.
This lovely little buddy, who has no idea of time or space, is a great reading partner as I power through Audition, by Pip Adam, in my Ockhams Fiction Champion role. He, and his big brother, have been with me as I make my way through all four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. @newzealandbookawards @pipadam @vicuniwgtn #theockhams #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #fictionrules #NZfiction #nzfictionisthebest #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #callingoccupantsofinterplanetarycraft
This lovely little buddy, who has no idea of time or space, is a great reading partner as I power through Audition, by Pip Adam, in my Ockhams Fiction Champion role. He, and his big brother, have been with me as I make my way through all four finalists in the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. @newzealandbookawards @pipadam @thwupbooks #theockhams #ockhamschampion #ockhamchamp #ockhamchampionofnzfiction #fictionrules #NZfiction #nzfictionisthebest #nzfictionrules #fictionisfun #fictionisfunthatsafact #callingoccupantsofinterplanetarycraft
Owls Do Cry - Janet Frame Probably the most well known of Janet Frame’s books, Owls Do Cry is her first novel (preceded by a short story collection). It was published in 1957 and in recent years has been voted as one of the best NZ classics. It is about the Withers family and begins when Daphne, Chicks, Toby and Francie are children. A traumatic event from that time still affects them as adults 20 years later. It looks at rationality and sanity in a post-war setting, examining mental illness, disability, financial instability and grief. More over it details family shame, the smothering effect of small town judgement and living lives to appease others. This is demonstrated by Chicks’ marriage and desired social standing, Toby’s epilepsy and Daphne’s mental illness, the later of which was based on Frame’s own institutionalised experiences. How these situations are handled are a typical response to the small mindedness and lack of understanding about tough topics at that time in history. The prose is poetic, emotional, sometimes surreal and flows dream-like. It is beautiful and affecting. I have read Owls Do Cry a few times and it remains as one of my top five NZ books. #NewZealandfiction #newzealand #newzealandguide #nzfiction #kiwilit #nzliterature #nzbooks #newzealandbooks #readnzliterature #bookstoread #whattoreadnext #whattoread #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookaweek #janetframe #owlsdocry