Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: illustrator and author of Big Bang Bread, Lily Uivel.
The book I wish I’d written
I have a new source of fierce writer’s envy every week or so, but I recently loved reading Sophie Blackall’s picture book Farmhouse. It details the imagined lives and stories once held within the walls of an abandoned farmhouse. It is poignant and comforting but manages to address a deep subject with a lightness and wonder that resonates with children. I love Sophie Blackall’s anthropological approach to picture books. Her work is equally satisfying and rich for children and adults alike.
The book everyone should read
This is a hard one… there’s too many to choose from! But today I would recommend The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula K. Le Guin. Obviously not everyone loves to read fantasy, but this is a book I love to share. Le Guin creates a really powerful and intriguing atmosphere in this series. The world of Earthsea and its lore feels very intricate but accessible. The series follows two main characters, a young wizard destined for greatness and a priestess trapped by her role, seeking her own identity. The plot arcs are satisfying and classic, but don’t feel overdone or predictable.
The book I want to be buried with
Actually I don’t have an answer for this one really – can I pack a suitcase? Maybe The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman, or Journey to the Riversea by Eva Ibbotson, or Uprooted by Naomi Novik, or The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, or Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen … or … yes, a suitcase please.
The first book I remember reading by myself
The first solid chapter book I can clearly remember reading would be Redwall by Brian Jacques. My older brother had a bookshelf full of Jacques’s books in his bedroom, which I eventually read all of. These are super serious speculative historical novels, except all the characters are woodland creatures. The bad guys are ferrets and stoats and rats, the good guys are badgers and mice and hares, and so on. Jacques’ books are so much fun and full of clever riddles and mysteries for young readers to puzzle out.
I wish I’d never read
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Thinking of this still makes me furious. This book and its sequel were so fun, thrilling and seriously addictive. But after 15 long years the third book in the trilogy remains unpublished, probably unwritten, and I remain deeply unsatisfied. I would like to say that I’ve moved on, but if that book ever comes out I will be running to the bookstore.
Utopia or dystopia
Dystopia every time. Although lately reality has been feeling a little too dystopian. Time to switch it up maybe?
It’s a crime against language to…
Not write and not read. We should all feel able to express ourselves and to write and read, even if it’s bad or trashy or silly. In a similar vein, using AI to do your creative writing for you. Don’t feed the machine, use your beautiful brain! Using AI to write stories is nonsense to me, why skip all the good bits of life like that?
The book that haunts me
Jessica by Bryce Courtenay. This book is unremittingly sad. I still want to reach into the story and save Jessica.
The book that made me cry
There are many. I love a good book-cry. Probably the most tears shed were for Lee Scoresby in The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman.
The book I never admit I’ve read
Elfquest by Richard and Wendy Pini. Sexy 70s elf romance/smut graphic novel … I would never ;)
The plot change I would make
OK, so in the end of The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman surely they could have left one portal open between the worlds, right? RIGHT? I mean I actually love this ending but Will and Lyra never seeing each other again was too sad.
The book I wish would be adapted for film or TV
This is actually happening, so my wish is coming true! Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe. This amazing Webtoon/ graphic novel is a modernised retelling of the romance between the Greek gods Hades and Persephone. Seriously addictive and fun, but told with depth and sensitivity. Smythe’s art style is unique and stunning. I cannot wait to watch this.
Greatest New Zealand book
At the moment I really love A Lion in the Meadow by Margaret Mahy and illustrated by Jenny Williams. My son loves this book too. Such a beautiful dream of childhood captured in both text and illustrations.
Best food memory from a book
Actually I’m going to revisit Redwall for this one. Absolutely top tier food descriptions in all of Brian Jacques’ books. As a kid I would try to recreate his woodland delights, resulting in mostly messes. Those mice were always feasting it up. Here’s a mouthwatering excerpt: “Dishes went this way and that from paw to paw, snowcream pudding, hot fruit pies, colourful trifles, tasty pasties, steaming soup, new bread with shiny golden crusts, old cheeses studded with dandelion, acorn and celery. Sugared plums and honeyed pears vied for place with winter salads and vegetable flans.”
Big Bang Bread by Lily Uivel ($21, Penguin NZ) is available to purchase from Unity Books. It’s New Zealand Children’s Book Week! Find out more at Read NZ.
