The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.
AUCKLAND
1 Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, $37)
Here’s a snippet from Rebecca K Reilly’s review on The Spinoff: “Peter’s chapters are written in a frantic, piecemeal way, which works with his characterisation as someone with rapidly cycling and racing thoughts that take him to the edge of a breakdown. But on a sentence level, this style of often eschewing articles but never forgoing description leaves a lot of sentences that begin with adjectives, and sound charitably like versions of Salinger’s short story ‘Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes’, and uncharitably, quite Yoda-ish: ‘Damp softness in the crook of her elbow he touches’, ‘Damp his hands and a tingling sensation’, ‘Clean the soles of her feet are’. The descriptive effect is certainly atmospheric, although some readers may have already tired of hearing about the streets of central Dublin, but it’s probably better if you don’t notice the repetitive sentence construction.”
2 Kataraina by Becky Manawatu (Makaro Press, $37)
The anticipated sequel to Becky Manawatu’s extraordinary and award-winning first novel, Auē, launched this week. Look out for a stunning review on The Spinoff this weekend.
3 Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (Viking Penguin, $38)
Olive and Lucy meet up and we cannot get enough.
4 We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (Viking Penguin, $38)
Lovely cosy crime.
5 Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden (Viking Press, $38)
Intrigued by the blurb for this new historical fiction release: “It’s 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is well and truly over. Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel’s life is as it should be: led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend, Eva, at Isabel’s doorstep-as a guest, there to stay for the season…
Eva is Isabel’s antithesis: sleeps late, wakes late, walks loudly through the house and touches things she shouldn’t. In response Isabel develops a fury-fuelled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house-a spoon, a knife, a bowl-Isabel’ suspicions spiral out of control. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel’s paranoia gives way to desire – leading to a discovery that unravels all Isabel has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva – nor the house in which they live – are what they seem.”
6 Let Them Eat Tripe by Tony Astle (Bateman, $45)
The story of famous Parnell eating and watering hole (to the tune of $20,000 bottle of fizz), Antoine’s.
7 The Financial Colonisation of Aotearoa by Catherine Comyn (ESRA, $30)
Right on time. Welcome back!
8 Gabriel’s Moon by William Boyd (Viking Press, $38)
A haunting spy thriller.
9 Playground by Richard Powers (Hutchinson, $38)
The latest from the author of The Overstory and as full of magic and wonder. Here’s a nubbin from this review in The Guardian: “That Powers is an outstanding writer is hardly news. But with Playground, he proves himself a wizard.”
10 Becoming Tangata Tiriti: Working with Maori, Honouring the Treaty by Avril Bell (Auckland Uni Press, $30)
If you’d like to hear more about this book, directly from the author, then this interview on RNZ is worth a listen.
WELLINGTON
1 Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, $37)
2 Kataraina by Becky Manawatu (Makaro Press, $37)
3 We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (Viking Penguin, $38)
4 Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (Viking Press, $38)
5 The Mermaid Chronicles: A Midlife Mer-moir by Megan Dunn (Penguin, $35)
Maverick writer Megan Dunn’s third book is a triumph. Give the gift of one of New Zealand’s most unique writers to all of the middle-aged mothers and daughters you know. And read Dunn’s essay on writing a mer-moir, right here on The Spinoff.
6 Make it Make Sense by Lucy Blakiston & Bel Hawkins (Moa Press, $37)
The book from the makers of internet sensation Shit You Should Care About is full of advice, life lessons, travelogues and poetry.
7 There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (Viking Press, $37)
Good Readers are mostly buzzing over this latest work by powerhouse author Shafak. Like this from Katie B: “There Are Rivers in the Sky is the second book I’ve read by Elif Shafak, and once again I’m impressed with her attention to detail and thoughtful writing style. This story covers multiple timelines including the ancient city of Nineveh, Victorian London, and the more recent 2010s. How are they all connected? Why water, of course.
The story unfolds in a heartbreaking but beautiful way. The characters featured are all struggling for various reasons and it was easy to feel invested in their lives. Clocking in at over 400 pages it does not feel like a long read. The pacing is good because the plot is moving around the different timelines and characters. Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a thought-provoking read.”
8 This is the F#$%ing News My Story by Patrick Gower (Allen & Unwin, $38)
Gower but in book form. Read this excerpt on The Spinoff about a curious microphone blunder involving former prime minister John Key.
9 Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (Jonathan Cape, $38)
The latest brilliant, gripping novel from Kushner is on the fantastic 2024 Booker Shortlist. Excellent chance of winning though suspect it’ll be hard to beat Anne Michaels’ Held.
10 Becoming Tangata Tiriti: Working with Maori, Honouring the Treaty by Avril Bell (Auckland Uni Press, $30)