A shortlist of 28 titles in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults has just been released. It’s a rich and varied array of the best titles – from picture books to Te Reo to the “best first book”. Selecting winners...... Read More

by Alex Perry This is the true story of the women who took on the world’s most powerful mafia ’Ndrangheta. Founded more than 150 years ago in the toe of Italy, the ’Ndrangheta is today one of the most powerful organised crime groups,...... Read More

by Rosy Fenwicke Maggie inherits the family funeral parlour after her parents die in a helicopter crash. She returns home with baby Nick, toddler Kate, and no husband in sight.  With the support of her best friend, Elka, and her mentor, Betty,...... Read More

by Madeline Miller Madeline Miller is the author of the Orange Prize-winning The Song of Achilles. This time she turns her attention on Circe, the daughter of Helios, god of the sun, and Perse, daughter of Oceanos, god of the oceans. Circe has neither...... Read More

By A.A. Gill For more than 20 years, people turned to A.A. Gill’s columns for his fearlessness, his perception, and the laughter and tear provoking one-liners – but mostly because he was the best.  This is the definitive collection...... Read More

By Elizabeth J. Church In the summer of 1968, Ruby Wilde is the toast of Las Vegas - Showgirl of the Year, in her feathers and rhinestones, five-inch heels and sky-high headdresses. She mesmerises audiences of movie stars, gamblers and astronauts,...... Read More

By Bonnie Etherington Also longlisted for the 2018 Ockham Acorn Fiction Prize is this debut novel from Bonnie Etherington. After the accidental death of Ruth’s five-year-old sister, their father decides that atonement and healing are in order,...... Read More

By Annaleese Jochems Cynthia is 21, bored and desperately waiting for something big to happen. Her striking boot camp instructor, Anahera, is equally stifled by her job and marriage and suggests they run away together. With stolen money and a dog in...... Read More

This book is described as ... “An imaginative story of individuality, sisterhood, creativity and appreciating each other’s strengths” ... and that about sums it up. Twin sisters Grace and Katie love to draw, but both have quite different...... Read More

At first glance, this book looks like a story for children. In fact, it is a pug dog’s guide to leading a “happier, more optimistic and fulfilling” life. Apparently, the pug is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and they have,...... Read More