The Women's Bookshop Faves & Raves 2018
This is the pile of books that needs to be beside your bed!
Call Them by Their True Names Rebecca Solnit – another incisive collection of essays from USA commentator on society, politics, feminism, ecology
The Bed-Making Competition Anna Jackson - Prize-winning novella exploring lives of two sisters, from esteemed NZ poet. A wee gem!
Happiness Aminatta Forna – Stunning, positive novel dealing with serious subjects, set in contemporary London
Milkman Anna Burns - 2018 WINNER Man Booker prize; sinister, charming, funny, brilliant. We’re thrilled it won!
The New Ships Kate Duignan – engaging, beautifully-written NZ novel featuring a middle-aged man reflecting on his life & losses
The Silence of the Girls Pat Barker – brutal but brilliant account of Achilles & Patroclus in the Trojan War, told from a woman’s point of view. Gripping.
The Lost Man Jane Harper - being acclaimed as the best yet of Harper’s atmospheric, absorbing Australian crime novels
We Can Make a Life Chessie Henry – an extraordinary account of Chessie’s family & her doctor father’s courage during the Christchurch earthquake.
Boys Will Be Boys Clementine Ford – This scorching expose of toxic masculinity will make you angry - & make you laugh! Challenging!
Poukahangatus Tayi Tibble – Extraordinary, perceptive, often political poetry from a stunning new NZ voice
Unsheltered Barbara Kingsolver –This new novel is a wonderful metaphor for current world politics & the state of our planet. Engrossing & ultimately positive.
Transcription Kate Atkinson – sly, subtle humour involving cold war spies. All is not as it seems! Clever, as Atkinson always is.
Becoming Michelle Obama – honest, very readable bio by this amazing woman. Her integrity shines through.
Circe Madeline Miller – absorbing novel gives overview of all things Greek – the myths, Gods, heroes & mortals, all from Circe’s viewpoint
The Female Persuasion Meg Wolitzer – fabulously feminist! Vivid characters with the history of US feminism woven in.
Normal People Sally Rooney – charming but painful novel about the miscommunication of young lovers. Heart-warming, subtle, funny.
The Mars Room Rachel Kushner – fierce yet tender; a searing indictment of the US prison system
This Mortal Boy Fiona Kidman – compelling recreation of the events leading up to one of the last hangings in NZ (1955). Vivid & moving.
Animalphabet Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai – gorgeous, clever picture book with cut-outs, flaps, subtle colours, & charming questions
Go Girl Barbara Else – nearly 50 wonderful NZ women who stepped up, spoke out & blazed trails. With stunning portraits by women artists. Inspiring!
Flourish Juliet Nicholas & Barb Rogers – NZ women & their extraordinary gardens - formal, flamboyant, lovely works of art all over NZ.