Turning Pages by Penguin Books NZ discussion

Just a little information about this new feature! Each month one of us moderators will be doing a Pick of the Month where we talk about a book we've loved recently. We'd love you to get involved by writing about your favourite book this month or, if you've read the pick of the month, sharing your thoughts on it!

I didn’t read the synopsis when I started The Hazel Wood so boy was I surprised when I realised it was going to be one of my favourite books... maybe ever? Don’t even get me started on all the beautiful covers and editions.

What I really enjoyed about this book was that it wasn’t your classic Disney princess romantic fairy-tale story, it was more along the lines of a good old Brother’s Grimm book. The writing style was this mishmash of beauty and modern hilarity and for the first few chapters I was in a whirlwind of having absolutely no idea what was going on but really enjoying that fact. If you feel like branching out from your usual then I would definitely recommend this deliciously dark book!

While I wasn’t 100% happy with the ending (I promise that I was thrilled with 90% of it…) I’ll definitely be picking up book two, The Night Country, which comes out early next year.

This book has caused quite a bit of controversy in the book community since its release, it’s definitely a love it or hate it situation, so if you’d like to be on either side pick this up today (and then immediately reply to this so we can chat hahaha)

this is on my TBR shelf, maybe I need to give it a go !!

Ooh I’ve got this one but haven’t read it yet! I’m currently reading Caraval and I’m hooked (I know, I’m so behind everyone else!) 🙄

This is on my TBR for this month!!

This is on my TBR shelf too! I might have to move it up a bit 😊 I just finished Red Rising and it was amazing!

SJ Reads wrote: "this is on my TBR shelf, maybe I need to give it a go !!"

Yes! Please do, I need to talk to people about it hahaha!

Gabrielle wrote: "Ooh I’ve got this one but haven’t read it yet! I’m currently reading Caraval and I’m hooked (I know, I’m so behind everyone else!) 🙄"

I wasn't the biggest fan of Caraval but I hope that you enjoy it! The writing is lovely. Nothing wrong with being behind, either!

Bland Boring Jessica wrote: "This is on my TBR for this month!!"

Yesssss! Your book brain sensed our suggestion haha!

Becca - beckys.bookish.life wrote: "This is on my TBR shelf too! I might have to move it up a bit 😊 I just finished Red Rising and it was amazing!"

Ooh, Red Rising has been on my list forever but I haven't gotten round to it yet (I definitely should!)

I read this last year. Wasn't my kind of book. I think I gave it three stars? I don't remember. But I passed it on to someone else who did really enjoy it.

My Pick of the Month is The Rift by Rachael Craw. One of those books where the first hundred pages are a struggle but oh boy, keep going! So good. I am so not a fantasy/magical realism type but those zombie deer and mutant space dogs are haunting! So good.

my pick of the month is The Boy Who Steals Houses. I absolutely adoooored it! I like it when contemporaries aren't afraid to get into the nitty gritty and also don't gloss over it with a magic healing brush

I need to get my hands on this! I loved Uprooted and The bear and the nightingale. Do you think it’s along the same lines? Anything set in the woods really I’m keen to read ☺️☺️

I hate hating books but I was on the hating side with this book. I almost DNF'ed it!

oooo I have this on my shelf! excited to read it!

Started The Hazel Wood yesterday as your post made me curious enough to move it to the top of my to read pile! And woah. Only a third through, but am surprisingly loving it - surprisingly because this isn’t the sort of book I normal go for. In saying that, I did read Pages & Co earlier this year, much younger audience but fairy tail style story; and ended up really enjoying that. Now to ignore everything else including the laundry pile and keep reading!

I have read The Hazel Wood and I wasnt a big fan of it by the end. i didnt like the ending and it kind of just became one big convuluted mess by then. The beginning was cool though. Cool premise!