Book Loving Kiwis discussion

#9
Book 5 - How High We Go in the Dark
Date finished: 8/3/23
Rating: 5 stars

This is a stellar debut novel by Sequoia Nagamatsu. It has a bit of everything - several time-lines, several intertwining and recurring characters. It is primarily science fiction dystopian novel with a pandemic as it's starting point. Most of the characters are Japanese and as I love Japanese novels, it was a bonus for me :)
I have put it on my 2023 faves list (along with Demon Copperhead).

I loved Sequoia Nagamatsu's writing so much, I've ordered his short story collection Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone.

#5

Book 4 -Love Stories by Trent Dalton

rating :⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a huge fan of Trent Dalton so I was excited for this one but it was actually a bit of a side track from his normal writing . I read this one a lot more mindfully than I normally would and found I would read a chapter or two then put it down and come back to it .

I've updated all the scores - this is where everyone stands at the moment :)

So many books read so far.

1. Carol She's So Novel - 2
2. Boadicea - 2
3. Darkpool -1
4. Tiffany
5. Nat - 4
6. Erica - 4
7. Kerry - 4
8. Angie - 1
9. Jennifer - 5
10. Zellian - 2
11. Bronwyn - 8
12. Kerri - 3
13. Claude - 5
14. Sharlene
15. Kat - 6
16. Minu
17. Chetna
18. Jessica Athukorala
19. HC
20. Bridget - 2
21. Jess - 3
22. Mikko
23. Kathleen

Jennifer wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: "Okay, 1 book nominated for now and I’ll add others if I can find some that suit my requirements.
It's like this, you see…
• I read on Kindle. I buy these books.
• I like to support ..."

I love David Sedaris and I loved Calypso but since I've already read it, I can't read it for the challenge. Enjoy :)

#9
Book 6 - Loop Tracks
Date finished - 10 March 2023
Rating - 4 stars

Originally, I chose this book because it was my turn on Libby. I was going to give it a go. Fast forward to right now: I'm so glad I read Loop Tracks!!! It was compelling and sad and funny. As the title suggests, there are recurring loops of all types, not just the musical kind. It is set in the NZ of the late 70s and in COVID times of 2020, and I loved the Wellingtonness of it all.
Thanks to Boadicea for adding Loop Tracks to our challenge :)

Number 1
Book 3 Station Life In New Zealand If this is all true then Lady Barker was a remarkable woman! Loved her writing style as well. 4.5★ finished 9/3.

#6
Book 5 - Victory Park
Date finished - 11 March 2023
Rating - 4 stars

This is more character-driven rather than plot but I still found it quite compelling.

#9
Book 7 - Never Let Me Go
Date finished - 11 March 2023
Rating - 1 star

In spite of choosing this book, I didn't like it at all! Maybe my expectations were too high after reading Klara and the Sun. Or maybe I just didn't get it. Anyway, don't let me put you off giving it a crack!

Great that you enjoyed “Loop Tracks”, Bronwyn, it’s a homegrown beauty in my eyes. I loved that the author brought in heavily contentious issues into the story and had her characters fully flesh out the debates around them.
And “Auē”!just blew me away….

Boadicea wrote: "Great that you enjoyed “Loop Tracks”, Bronwyn, it’s a homegrown beauty in my eyes. I loved that the author brought in heavily contentious issues into the story and had her characters fully flesh ou..."

Umm, I haven't read this yet, but it is on my list to come. Cheers.

#11
Book 9 The Lucky Galah
Rating 4 stars
Date finished 12/03/23
Quirky and somewhat undisciplined, but has charm because of its quirkiness.
Good to read an obviously Australian story.

#10 Zellian
Book 3 - Seven Wonders by Adam Christopher
Date Finished - 12/03/2023
Rating: Three Stars

This started out pretty good, kept my attention but then I noticed it seemed like it explained or info dumped too much for me to understand or to focus.
Also there were quite a few twists, the first one or two I was like oh yeah this is understandable to the story and then I was just so confused and lost.
It's okay though if you like Superhero books/comics, also this is written by a New Zealander!

#9
Book 8 - Crying in H Mart
Date finished - 13 March 2023
Rating - 3 stars

A memoir of a Korean American young woman. I enjoyed the author's experience of her relationship with her mother.

#10
Book 4 - Loop Tracks
Date Finished - 13th of March (same day finished!)
Okay, I so didn't know the turn this book was going to take, I just grabbed this book as it happened to be one of the few free at the time. I didn't look up what it was about but I enjoyed it well enough, it wasn't that long ago we were dealing with all these same feelings and being on either side of the covid and lockdown and anti whatever was the issue at the time. It hit all the right spots I reckon but I've only given three stars, but thinking of bumping up to four ever after some more thought.

Scores have been updated :)

#15 - Kat
Book 7: Kurangaituku

Date Finished: 12/03/2023
Rating: 4 stars. Was quite good to read the perspective of the bird woman, having read Hatupatu and the Bird Woman when I was a kid! Majority of it I enjoyed, but I think some parts kinda "waffled on" a bit, if that makes sense.

14. Sharlene
Book 0 - DNF!
My year of rest and relaxation

Ugh. I’d be lucky if I made it 15% through as Carol did. I’m so disappointed because it’s been on my TBR forever and I follow booktubers who love it. I thought it would be a little more ‘self-help’ but I couldn’t get past hearing the profanity, and i’m a higher-class, privileged voice. I was listening to an audiobook so it might’ve been easier to read. I’m definitely not a prude!

The author wrote well, so I’m putting it in my better-luck-next-time shelf. Maybe just not in the right mood.

Sharlene wrote: "14. Sharlene
Book 0 - DNF!
My year of rest and relaxation

Ugh. I’d be lucky if I made it 15% through as Carol did. I’m so disappointed because it’s been on my TBR forever and I follow booktubers w..."

Sharlene!

How are you?

I was reading a dead tree copy & still didn't like it at all.

#9
Book 9 - The Quiet People
Date finished - 17 March 2023
Rating - 4 stars

A NZ crime novel! I loved it! Thanks to the person who put it on our list :)
I had read one other Paul Cleave (The Cleaner) and always thought about reading another of his books so glad I now have. I'll definitely read more of this author.

Scores are updated :)

Bronwyn and Jennifer tied in the lead having read 9 books from the pool so far, great efforts!

I've just got The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida and The Last Wild Horses in from the library (had Seven Moons on reserve for ages!) so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to them this weekend :)

#9
Book 10 - Almond
Date finished - 18 March 2023
Rating - 4 stars

I really liked this book by Korean author, Won-Pyung Sohn. It was a short listen on Audible (nearly 5 hours) but well worth paying for. To me, it was about the human spirit - in a good way, mostly.

Erica wrote: "Scores are updated :)

Bronwyn and Jennifer tied in the lead having read 9 books from the pool so far, great efforts!

I've just got The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida and [book:The L..."

I was sick from 1-12 March so managed more reading than I would normally ;)

Jennifer wrote: "Heya Darkpool, not that I mind having an extra book credited to me, but I’m #9 🤭"
LOL, finally saw this so many weeks later. As the old saying goes: there are 3 types of maths teachers....

#5

Book 5 - Crying in H mart by Michelle Zauner
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger warning for death and cancer . Took me ages to read this one , the topic was intense and it felt like I needed space from it every now and again . Felt like the author wrote this more for than for the reader.

Darkpool wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Heya Darkpool, not that I mind having an extra book credited to me, but I’m #9 🤭"
LOL, finally saw this so many weeks later. As the old saying goes: there are 3 types of maths teac..."

Oh dear Darkpool - you'll have to tell me what they are! Maths was not my best subject at school ...

#11
Book 10 Never Let Me Go
Rating 4 stars
Date finished 17/03/23
Well written in easy to read prose, though it is over-detailed and would be improved by shortening.The underlying scenario is horrific to contemplate because one can imagine it could happen.

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#1
Book 4
Circe Finished 20/3 3.5★

Unlike Eleanor, this is a heavily hyped book that didn't totally deliver for me, although Miller's prose was wonderful.

#15 - Kat
Book : 8 - The Key to Rebecca
The Key to Rebecca
Date Finished: 22/03/2023
Rating: 4 stars. Enjoyed this one, was a good read. But I do like most of Ken Follett's books, especially the Pillars of the Earth.

Scores are updated :)

Agree Kat - you can't go wrong with Ken Follett if you want a great story. My sister read his latest novel The Evening and the Morning over Christmas time and she plowed through it so quickly - even though it's a chunky one :)

#9
Book 11 - City of Spies
Date finished - 22 March 2023
Rating - 4 stars

I like a nice spy novel. Compelling reading.

Erica wrote: "Scores are updated :)

Agree Kat - you can't go wrong with Ken Follett if you want a great story. My sister read his latest novel The Evening and the Morning over Christmas time and she plowed thro..."

Ohhh yeah that's a good one!

#7 Kerry
Book 5: Anxious People
Date Finished: 23.03.23
Rating: 3.5 stars
I enjoyed this one about a bungling bank robber who takes a group of people hostage at an apartment viewing. More of a comfort read with a bunch of oddball characters.

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Jennifer wrote: "Darkpool wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Heya Darkpool, not that I mind having an extra book credited to me, but I’m #9 🤭"
LOL, finally saw this so many weeks later. As the old saying goes: there are 3 ty..."

Those who can count and those who can't. LOL

#3
Book #2 - Victory Park
Read: 18/03 Feels like it took me forever to finish cos I got really stuck in the middle.

Book #3 - First Cut
Read: 25/03

Hoping to finish Greta and Valdin before the end of the month too. I'm maybe 7% in, and thoroughly enjoying it so far.

#2 Boadicea

Book 3-Just finished Carl Nixon’s The Tally Stick which I knew slightly from National Radio and rocked through it. Preferred the oral iteration but a great 4.5* overall.

Now onto Lady Barker’s 1st novel, thanks to Carol for adding it to the Pool.

Darkpool wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Darkpool wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Heya Darkpool, not that I mind having an extra book credited to me, but I’m #9 🤭"
LOL, finally saw this so many weeks later. As the old saying goe..."

Hahahahaha - no wonder I didn't get it :)

#9
Book 12 - Before You Knew My Name
Date finished - 26 March 2023
Rating - 4 stars

A uniquely told story of two women running away to New York. I won't spoil it by saying anything more.

I liked it but I thought it was longer than it needed to me, otherwise it would have been a 5 star.

#11
Book 11 We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
Rating 4 stars
Date finished 25/03/23
Well written, though it wasn't till I was 20% in that it grabbed me. Thought-provoking.

Looks like lots of reading happened over the weekend :) I've updated the scores and will pop them here so it's easier to see for those accessing via the app.

1. Carol She's So Novel - 4
2. Boadicea - 3
3. Darkpool -3
4. Tiffany
5. Nat - 5
6. Erica - 5
7. Kerry - 5
8. Angie - 1
9. Jennifer - 12
10. Zellian - 4
11. Bronwyn - 11
12. Kerri - 3
13. Claude - 5
14. Sharlene
15. Kat - 8
16. Minu
17. Chetna
18. Jessica Athukorala
19. HC
20. Bridget - 2
21. Jess - 3
22. Mikko
23. Kathleen

I've started The Lucky Galah & hope to have finished it before the end of the challenge. & I have added others like Crying in H Mart to my reading lists & will get to them at some point.

Only a few days left of the challenge :) I'm hoping to finish Seven Moons.. before then. Definitely have a bunch of others added to my tbr list which I'll try and get to throughout the year.

Book 4 - Demon Copperhead
Date Finished - 24/03/2023
Review : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brilliant read and a good homage to Dickens without actually ripping it off chapter for chapter. Excellent relevance to contemporary society and its challenges. Compelling, well-drawn characters, great dialogue (and dialect) and just one that makes you want to keep reading. Go read it!

#5
Book 6 - Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author dissects privilege in feminism . It was an important read but at times felt the argument made was without data or references to back the assertions made . It also felt at times the author had personal beef with Lena Dunham who was made an example of - I think the points were valid however .

Probably my last one for this challenge . Was a great selection of books all and well done to those who read something different as part of the challenge

#6
Book 6 - The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Really loved this author's writing style. You can tell he likes playing with words etc. Lots of insights of society, particularly the political situation of Sri Lanka peppered throughout. Didn't get 4* from me just because there were a few points were the story lagged a bit for me. But otherwise really creative story.

Scores up to date :)

#11
Book 12 Auē
Rating 4 stars
Date finished 29/03/23
The frequent jumping about in time and between characters doesn't make it an easy read. But worth it. So so sad.

#15 Kat
Book 9: mortal engines, Philip reeve
Date finished: 30.03. Just in time!
Rating: 4 stars
That was a great story, I really enjoyed it once I could picture the strange land :-)

Kat wrote: "#15 Kat
Book 9: mortal engines, Philip reeve
Date finished: 30.03. Just in time!
Rating: 4 stars
That was a great story, I really enjoyed it once I could picture the strange land :-)"

Ooh, I loved this series, I read the prequel series as well.

#9
Book 13 - Lessons in Chemistry
Date finished - 31 March 2023
Rating - 5 stars

I loved this book! I loved Elizabeth Zott the protagonist - a woman who knows her mind and says what she thinks. It doesn't always help her though but she goes her own way all the same.
This is a funny, appalling, brutal, sad (yes, I cried) and interesting tale. I learnt about rowing and chemistry into the bargain.
There are many fine (and horrible) characters. One of my favourites was 6:30. You'll know what I mean if you read the book ;)

#11
Book 13 Circe
Date finished 31/03/23
Rating 5 stars
I've been reading 2 books simultaneously, Auē on kindle and this one in paperback. Both well worth the time.
Circe impressed me greatly for the way the author wove the old myths into a very readable and fascinating story. I would not have chosen to read this book, so thank you to who added it to the list.



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