Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: Black Ferns star and author of the just-released Little Ruby & Friends, Ruby Tui.
The book I wish I’d written
Tbh I’m still getting over that I’m legitimately an author of my own book 😂 after all of the time and effort it takes I’m totally fine just being an author of my own book.
Everyone should read
A book that they immediately pick up and can’t put down. That’s your book and if that’s never happened to you keep trying different books until it happens. It’s actually such a buzzy feeling and many of my friends in the sport world haven’t felt it yet. I wish every person experiences this at least once. For me it was Andre Agassi’s Open that it first happened because he was so honest about sport not being this big positive glamorous experience that everyone sees it as. It’s brutal on your body, heart and soul. He was the top in the world at tennis and he literally wrote that he hated tennis. His honesty was riveting for me.
The book I want to be buried with
A photo album of my family.
The first book I remember reading by myself
Harry Potter.
Fiction or nonfiction?
Nonfiction. Going into the minds of other athletes at the top of their game is my favourite thing.
It’s a crime against language to
Miss an opportunity to write a pun.
The book that haunts me
Those Goosebumps books at school that never ended and jumped from page to page.
The book that made me cry
Will Smith’s memoir, Will.
The book that made me laugh
Valerie Adams’ book was funny because I know her and her humour in real life and I think she’s hilarious.
If I could only read three books for the rest of my life
I’d read a memoir from my mum, dad, and grandad.
The book character I identify with most
Ruby Tui from Straight Up. The similarities are crazy.
Favourite encounter with an author
I had the honour to read and comment on Shaneel Lal’s book One of Them. It was horrifying, but gripping and eye-opening and important. I really learnt so much about the Trans world.
Best thing about reading
I love consuming stories this way. It’s so intimate and private but at the same time so open and inclusive.
Best place to read
On holiday at a tropical beach you can’t remember the name of.
What are you reading right now?
You Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins.
Little Ruby & Friends by Ruby Tui ($23, Allen & Unwin) can be purchased at Unity Books Wellington and Auckland.