Book Loving Kiwis discussion

I'm currently reading Butcherbird by Cassie Hart which is a thrilling yet tender story set in rural NZ. Very enjoyable and a great escape at the moment!

I read my second Paul Cleave crime novel recently which is my 11th book for my Kiwi Reads challenge.

Trust No One

I think I discovered this one when someone added it to the book pool challenge (possibly a couple of years ago). I liked it. I thought it was a tad long but was pretty gripping. Will def check out more of his books in the future.

Yes! I can claim Mophead and Mophead Tu by Selina Tusitala Marsh for Kiwi Reads!

I read Mophead to my daughter because she has lovely long curls and she keeps asking for a boy haircut like her Dads. 💇‍♀️

I've heard good things about those kids books :)

Erica wrote: "I've heard good things about those kids books :)"

I read Mophead last year & absolutely loved it!

Erica wrote: "Angie wrote: "I'm reading Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz at the moment. It was selected by my book club and I hadn't realised the author was from NZ until the book cl..."

The cover is gorgeous isn't it :) I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and was quite surprised that it is a debut novel. One I would recommend.

Awesome effort! Good range of genres covered too :)

I just re-read one of Serenity Woods books! She is a Kiwi and you can tell she loves New Zealand and makes you love it also!

#12 Before You Knew My Name

A debut novel. A different take on a murder-mystery novel.
I read the first half really quickly, before life and work got in the way. But really liked the story, it's messages and the writing style. 4.5*

Erica wrote: "#12 Before You Knew My Name

A debut novel. A different take on a murder-mystery novel.
I read the first half really quickly, before life and work got in the way. But really liked ..."

Heard really good things about this one. Looking forward to reading it in future.

#14 - I am resigned to the fact I'm not going to successfully complete this challenge.
Common Ground: Garden Histories Of Aotearoa finished 15/11. I'm not a keen gardener, so probably not the right reader for this. Nice to see the little guy/gal celebrated though instead of just the big, formal gardens. 3★

#15 Check to Your KingRead 21/11 I'm trying to decide how I feel about this book - it certainly slowed down my reading pace (that & having the house reroofed) I enjoyed the light whimsical tone at the start, but it kept veering between a non fiction history & a historical novel. 3.5★

#16 A RomaJuliette Christmas Special Very flat and lacklustre Read 29/11 2.5★

#17 A Pukeko In A Ponga Tree A reread, 9 sacks of pipis - really??? Still enjoyable 4★

#13 The Mirror Book

This book seriously slowed down my reading over the last few weeks. I usually love a memoir but despite ok writing I just never felt invested in what Charlotte Grimshaw had gone through. I almost dnf'd half way through but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something as this book seems pretty well-received. Just wasn't for me.

Sigh, I feel like a bit of a failure since I didn't even get close to my target of 22. I read 17 + I had a DNF & a not yet completed. :(

Still 17 is great Carol!

Erica wrote: "Still 17 is great Carol!"

Yeah, but I still felt a bit guilty. I will lower my total for 2022. :)

I know I'm not part of this challenge, but I have to tell you of a really good book I've just finished. It's a mystery/thriller set in Wellington and is the debut novel of Anne Harre. It's a must read for anyone, but particularly those familiar with Welly.

The Leaning Man / Anne Harré

Thanks for the recommendation Lesley :)

FYI- new Kiwi Challenge coming for 2022. Will set up as soon as I'm back home with a laptop :)

Erica wrote: "FYI- new Kiwi Challenge coming for 2022. Will set up as soon as I'm back home with a laptop :)"

Cool! I'm going to set a far more modest target this time! I've also slightly reduced my Goodreads Challenge target. :)

Erica wrote: "FYI- new Kiwi Challenge coming for 2022. Will set up as soon as I'm back home with a laptop :)"

Sounds good! Thought I was on track for my 10 books last year, but hit a reading slump in September and only managed 8. Barely scraped in with my 2021 Goodreads Challenge.

Sadly, I didn't reach my goal either. Like Carol, I will set a more realistic goal this year ❤📚