Book Loving Kiwis discussion

If I have put this in the wrong folder, feel free to move it! :)

This year I am going to try to read as many of the nominees as possible. I'm not sure if I will get to many of the fiction, due to my library system charging for new fiction works, but let's see how I go in the other 3 categories.

Everyone is welcome to post their reads - as long as they are 2017 nominees!

Poetry (shortlist)
Hera Lindsay Bird finished 2/1/17 Loved it! A fresh new voice that speaks to millennials & is getting them to read poetry. This has to be a good thing! 5★

Fale Aitu Spirit House read 20/3/17 Her stronger poems are stronger than Bird's but there are a couple of weak ones, fragments of prose and a lot of filler at the end - nearly 10% of an already slim book. 4.5★

Illustrated Non fiction (Shortlist)
A History of New Zealand Women read 18/5/16 A couple of disappointing omissions, but this beautifully illustrated tome is a must read for Kiwis! 5★

What do you think of the Baileys Women's Fiction for 2017, Carol? A few of them look worthwhile too.

Lesley~~aka Ella's Gran wrote: "What do you think of the Baileys Women's Fiction for 2017, Carol? A few of them look worthwhile too."

I just looked at the longlist & I haven't read any of them - but I have Hag-Seed on my to-read list & I'm a big fan of Proulx.

It's funny- I have Atwood down on GR as a favourite author but I haven't read any of her works since joining here. Basically I've gone back to my retro roots with fiction!

Our library re-opens in March. Will try for some of the list. Not attracted to many of them though!!!!

P.D.R. wrote: "Our library re-opens in March. Will try for some of the list. Not attracted to many of them though!!!!"

Which list? :)

Er..? Both?

Kathleen wrote: "I went through a few days ago and reserved quite a few books from the short list. Picked up two books of poetry from the library yesterday, but didn't get to look at them yet. I'll try to make comm..."

Cool! It will be fun to exchange views!

Kathleen wrote: "Just read your review, Carol - I agree with you, though with less real analysis..... "

Thanks! Which book? :)

Edit; Never mind! Found your review. :)

Went to the library to find a few listed books and they don't have anything in I wanted to read. Went home with three new McCall Smiths to comfort me through this tempest.

I finished what I thought was going to be a difficult read quickly so I thought I might tackle a couple of Ockham's - but Goneville : A Memoir & Can You Tolerate This? were both on loan. I'll look up a couple of other titles - see if inspiration strikes.

I don't know Kathleen! Bertie's horrible mother is worse! I had hopes through 'The Bertie Project' that she might be squashed. !!!! No such luck!

Kathleen wrote: "Just finished Gregory Kan's book of poetry - This Paper Boat - like the way he puts words together but don't know Robin Hyde's life or work so t didn't work for me."

That is the only other poetry nomination that our library system has (short or longlist)& I would have to request from another branch.

I hate that we have to request so many books and pay for them. I can't get much on either of the lists at all!

& we have or winners http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealan...

I don't recall seeing any books shortlisted for these best first book awards???

I don't think they shortlist for the best first book awards but just select a winner in each category from all books entered. :)

Thanks Melinda I was confused - I'm a librarian for Goodreads & I will enter the Ockham winners on GR if no one else beats me to it.

I am surprised about the poetry winner.

i don't know poetry well enough to have an intelligent opinion on this :)

My MIL just gave me The Wish Child, so I'll start reading that and report back!

Has anyone else read it? Thoughts?

I'm waiting for it from the library!

Kirsten wrote: "My MIL just gave me The Wish Child, so I'll start reading that and report back!

Has anyone else read it? Thoughts?"

I read it and really enjoyed it - as much as you can enjoy a story like that I guess. Beautifully written. Sometimes a bit confusing. I wrote a review here: http://www.shesareader.com/the-wish-c...

I've also just recently bought Fale Aitu, Hera Lindsay Bird, and Billy Bird. Has anyone read Billy Bird yet? I went to a reading by Emma Neale, it seems like it's going to be a very good read!

Annette wrote: "
I read it and really enjoyed it - as much as yo..."

No I haven't but I do like some of her poetry.

Will be interested to hear what you think of those 2 books of poetry, Annette. I'm newish to loving poetry & thought both were very good.

The next Ockham I'm planning to tackle is Goneville : A Memoir I'm reading it for our June/July book pool.

Join the clan, Kathleen! It's sometimes like you can understand each word but put together it doesn't mean a thing!

I might try Billy Bird. Sounds readable. I remember being a pony as a small child to the great irritation of my parents so feel for Billy already!