Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers and guests. This week: Jennifer Domingo, nurse and author of A Wish for the Lost Dogs / Hiling para sa mga Asong Walang Tahanan, a bilingual picture book in English and Filipino-Tagalog.

The book I wish I’d written

I wish I could slip through time to be a contributor to The Bible as it was taking shape, to watch as prophets turned spoken truth and raw testimony into something that would last millennia. It’s more than just wanting to witness history; it’s about imagining the sacred weight of those moments. 

Everyone should read

Michelle Obama’s Becoming because of how personal it feels. Her candidness about imposter syndrome resonated with me, as she and I both started writing in our 50s. As my husband and I navigate the unknowns of self-publishing together, her honest perspective on partnership was a comforting guide.

The book I want to be buried with

Firstly, the books I’ve written myself, a legacy I share with my husband. They are my voice, my thoughts and my heart made tangible – the piece of me I created to leave behind. To be buried with them would be to take my own story with me on that final journey, the ultimate statement that my life wasn’t just lived, but written to resonate with people.

Alongside my own books would be the Bible. It represents the foundation of my faith, the eternal story that has guided me, and the divine truth that underpins everything I’ve created. Together, they tell the full story: the life I wrote, and the faith that wrote me.

The first book I remember reading by myself

It’s funny, I can’t recall the first book I read by myself as a child – I just remember it being in a classroom setting. But the “first read” that truly stays with me is the one I shared with each of my three daughters.

When I read classics like The Three Little Pigs and The Princess and the Pea for the first time, the joy and wonder on their faces was unforgettable. For me, that moment – seeing the magic of a story click for them – is even more moving than my own first reading experience. It was the moment I got to pass on the gift and the power of reading.

The book that haunts me

José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which exposes the corruption, abuse and suffering of the Filipino people under Spanish rule. What’s truly haunting is how these same struggles with injustice feel just as present in the Philippines today, a painful reality that pushes many of us to seek a different future for our families elsewhere. 

It’s a haunting not of ghosts, but of echoes, where the struggles of the book’s characters are reflected in the news today. Even from afar, their heartbreaking fates stick with me as a reminder that the struggle isn’t over, leaving me with a deep and constant longing to see change in our beloved country.

The book that made me cry

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. While it’s set in the American South of the 1930s, its themes of racism and being seen as “different” are timeless. For me, it resonates deeply with the experience of many of us Filipino overseas workers around the world. Like Tom Robinson in the story, we can be judged and misunderstood simply for being outsiders in a new place, facing prejudice even when our only goal is to contribute and provide for our families. That’s the part that hits me – the idea that it’s a sin to harm the innocent, the “mockingbirds” who are just trying to do good in the world. And while so many overseas workers succeed in building a better life, that struggle against prejudice is also why others tragically fail, no matter how hard they work.

Most underrated book

In a world of hyped-up bestsellers, the most underrated book for me is the quiet and constant Our Daily Bread. It’s a daily compilation of short stories that anchor me, acting as both a compass and a steadying hand. This daily ritual of reading shapes my perspective and grounds my thoughts. It has an uncanny way of speaking directly to my life each day. 

I could say it’s “underrated” in the sense that its global impact and the comfort it brings to millions of people isn’t widely recognised in popular culture. But for its intended audience, it’s a cherished and essential part of our daily lives.

Encounter with an author

My most interesting author encounter was with Dr Ineke Meredith, author of On Call. As a nurse in the surgical recovery ward, I knew her professionally first. She was elegant and soft-spoken, but what truly stood out was her incredible work ethic and the deep respect she had for her patients. That admiration became personal when she cared for my own daughter, and I experienced her compassion first-hand.

Reading her book was like discovering a hidden dimension to the amazing surgeon who had cared for my child. It’s a such a moving experience to see an author’s professional self first, and then to be invited into her inner world through her writing.

Best thing about reading

For me, the best thing about reading is how it shapes the person you become. It’s like a workout for empathy; I get to understand people and perspectives I’d never encounter otherwise. It’s the closest I can get to living a thousand different lives. I can fall in love, fly like a fairy, or walk in the shoes of someone from a completely different culture, all from my comfort zone. Reading is an escape, a lesson and a conversation with the past, all rolled into one. 

What I’m reading right now

Right now, my reading is providing me with two powerful and distinct views of Aotearoa New Zealand. On one hand, I’m reading Jacinda Ardern’s memoir, A Different Kind of Power. It offers a personal look at her journey to becoming prime minister, her experiences leading the country, and her honest reflections on the challenges of such a high-profile role, including dealing with “imposter syndrome.”

At the same time, I am immersed in Gavin Bishop’s Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes. Through its beautiful illustrations and storytelling, it provides a journey into the foundational cosmology of Māori culture.

More information on Jennifer Domingo’s bilingual books can be found on magictoothies.com.