Books

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There's little to like about figures like American politician Vivek Ramaswamy, but there is a lot to learn.

A new novel imagines a New Zealand version of the conservative South Asian grifter

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The Friday Poem: ‘THE THING IS’ by Johanna Cosgrove

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The onward march of Intermezzo, a bundle of new releases, and Wild Robot.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending November 1

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Fancy some paranormal activity with your pint? Here's where to go.

These are New Zealand’s most haunted pubs

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We asked a handful of New Zealand writers for some recommended Halloween reading. Here's what they said. 

Writers pick their favourite scary stories for the spooky season

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Now 48, Megan Dunn is still paying off the huge student loan she first took out when she was 17. This is her story.

My number one regret? My $100,000 student loan

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'This was a defining and transformative conflict in the nation’s history … It is the story of how we got to where we are today.'

Remembering the Waikato War, Te Riri ki Tainui

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A debut novel that's one part family drama, one part harrowing road trip, and one of the most honest portraits of Aotearoa you're likely to find.

‘Observations that hit like a truck’: Poorhara by Michelle Rahurahu, reviewed

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Books editor Claire Mabey sings the praises of Margaret Mahy’s 40-year-old supernatural thriller.

The Changeover by Margaret Mahy is still the greatest young adult novel ever

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A stunning new graphic novel, dystopias, new non-fiction and more.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending October 25

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The Friday Poem: ‘Uniform’ by Jackson McCarthy

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The speech delivered at the recent launch of Damien Wilkins' novel, Delirious.

‘Death cleaning’, ageing and loss: Elizabeth Knox on her favourite New Zealand novel

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A new poem as performed by Tusiata Avia at the 2024 Arts Foundation Laureates Awards.

‘I’m writing you a poem about art’: a new poem by Tusiata Avia

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Marilyn Garson calls for a religious space not distorted by nationalism.

Justice as our common cause: What can an Aotearoa Jewish identity look like?

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Remember the Wilberforces? Here's an interview with their creator. 

‘You can’t kill Jimmy Jaspers!’: An interview with Maurice Gee

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The Friday Poem: ‘Kōauau kōiwi’ by Ruby Solly

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Featuring the boldest cover of the year, so far.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending October 18

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Children's author and illustrator Gavin Bishop on which of his books he most wants to see adapted for the screen, the classic he struggled to finish and more.

‘I became besotted’: Gavin Bishop on finding Middle-earth in the school journal

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Which political party benefitted most from the parliament protests in 2022?

Populists, populism and the 2023 election

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Reese Witherspoon is co-writing a thriller. At first this annoyed books editor Claire Mabey, but then she did a full 180. Here's why.

Is celebrity book culture… good, actually?

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A cheap tent, overnight lows in the single digits and a four-legged friend for company – what could possibly go wrong?

I survived a night camping with my dog

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Exclusive: New messages released under the OIA show Rainbow acknowledged he 'didn't get the HRC job' – then suddenly he did. 

‘I didn’t get the HRC job’: Stephen Rainbow’s Human Rights Commission appointment just got weirder

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Day two of one man's foolish attempt to travel from the bottom of the country using only public transport.

The longest commute, day two: Joel makes it to Dunedin

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Home Education: On the road with the Rasmussens

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Price hikes, disappearing products and sourcing struggles – could this be the new normal for the chocolate industry?

Nobody panic, but we’re in the midst of a global chocolate crisis

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A white woman’s account of backpacking through southeast Asia? Groundbreaking. 

My Greatest Trip: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

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'Five words to describe my financial personality? Irresponsible but a great budgeter.'

The cost of being: A uni tutor who spends on vapes, samosas and the odd night out

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And everything else you need to know about timings, where and what to watch in our user’s guide to the Trump v Harris big day(s).

When will we know the US election results in New Zealand?

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The PM says he'll work with whoever wins the White House, but the trade minister has previously expressed concern over higher tariffs.

Todd McClay, trade, and the spectre of Trump

New verse by Otago writer and optimist Brian Turner.

The Spinoff

BooksAugust 12, 2016

The Friday poem: ‘Solo’, by Brian Turner

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BooksAugust 12, 2016

The Friday poem: ‘Solo’, by Brian Turner

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