• Current Reading Header

    I’ve been reading

    Below are some of the books I’ve been reading.
    For an in-depth review of each book, please click on the cover image.

  • LEAVE THE GIRLS BEHIND

    Leave The Girls Behind

    Leave The Girls Behind

    Jacqueline Bublitz
    Jacqueline Bublitz once again defies traditional crime-writing tropes to push a missing-persons’ mystery into fascinating new territory. Exploring the impact of childhood trauma on a victim’s life, as well as beliefs around an afterlife, this complex, character-driven novel provides so much food for thought! Just as in real life, where not all aspects of a mystery might be resolved, Bublitz invites the reader to answer some of the unknows.

  • ALL THE COLOURS OF THE DARK

    All The Colours Of The Dark

    All The Colours of the Dark

    Chris Whitaker
    A vast, engrossing and emotional novel about the abduction of a young boy, ‘Patch’ Macauley, by a serial kidnapper. We witness the impact of the crime not only on the marginalised teenager, but on his friends, family and the community at large – an impact that changes the trajectory of lives forever.

  • JAMES

    James

    James

    Percival Everett
    James, the skilful reimagining of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is told from the perspective of Huck’s companion, enslaved ‘Jim’. The two novels should be read side by side, the commentary and power of the ‘complete’ story greater than the sum of individual parts. Highly recommend.

  • ORBITAL

    Orbital

    Orbital

    Samantha Harvey
    The winner of this year’s Booker Prize is a slim wee book, but a cosmic and beautiful read. It’s a book to savour slowly – a hopeful and staggering summation of life on planet earth.

  • THE SURVIVORS

    the survivors

    the survivors

    Steve Braunias
    Prize-winning journalist and crime-reporter Steve Braunias reflects on an eclectic mix of individuals whose lives and/or deaths in New Zealand made the newspapers, and frequently the courtroom too. Sometimes dark, often poignant, and rich in human detail, the stories about lives lived and lives lost resonate all the more for the way they interleave with Braunias’ honest refection’s about his own life and profession.

  • PROPHET SONG

    Prophet Song

    prophet song

    Paul Lynch
    One woman’s struggle to keep her family intact as a ruthless political regime threatens to destroy it. A timely, dystopian read that viscerally explores the consequences of fascism.

  • THE BEE STING

    The Bee Sting

    the bee sting

    Paul Murray
    This story, about the disintegration of a well-off Irish family, is told from different family members’ points of view. The use of varying perspectives aligns well with the exploration of pretence and authenticity underpinning the book – namely the lies people tell themselves and others to make sense of their choices. Affecting, funny and deeply human. Highly recommend.