Books

The Spinoff Review of Books is proudly brought to you by Unity Books

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Unity Books + Creative New Zealand

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A new novel set in Wellington is a narrative of grief, and an ode to beautiful food writing. 

A love letter to Wellington: when i open the shop by romesh dissanayake, reviewed

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The bookseller confessional uncovers the best bookshop in Ireland, what it's like having a panic attack in front of Sally Rooney and more.

‘Coffee table books or Dune’: Secrets from the bookshop floor

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A novel of ‘deliciously judged suspense’ to get you and your kids through the school holidays.

Folkloric magic for all ages: The Grimmelings by Rachael King, reviewed

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A poem from Lee Murray's new collection Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud.

The Friday Poem: ‘狐 fox’ by Lee Murray

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Rick Rubin's book about creativity is not done with you yet. 

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 12

April childrens books

A fresh pile of recommendations for young readers, handpicked by the experts at Unity Books.

The Unity Books children’s book review roundup for Autumn

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The author of Budget Like a Legend on the books that have helped him in life so far.

‘No singular book is going to be useful for everyone’: Reading tips of a budgeting legend

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Aotearoa's leading indigenous publisher is taking Māori stories to the world.

Huia Publishers wins big at Bologna

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An operationalised, strategically aligned, actionable guide to the phraseology of prime minister Christopher Luxon.

The Christopher Luxon dictionary of corporate speak

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'It's 65 years back. I'm in my final year at Napier Boys' High, and I'm about to earn my first money from writing.'

‘He’s finally done it’: David Hill on the high school essay that made him a writer

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'What if we ate something from every book we read?' my older child suggests. It feels like a good idea. A great idea. A challenge!

Why my family is eating our way through children’s books

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A new poem from Te Whanganui-a-Tara poet and editor Ash Davida Jane.

The Friday Poem: ‘no strangers’ by Ash Davida Jane

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AMMA is on top for the second week in a row. 

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 5

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Original Paul Jennings book covers, ranked by their levels of body horror

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Join us for a nose around parliament's own library, and the books its patrons have been borrowing. 

Ghosts, gargoyles and a mystery box: What’s inside our Parliamentary Library?

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Melissa Oliver from Unity Books Wellington tells all in our first Bookseller Confessional.

‘I just can’t keep up’: The best and worst things about selling books for a living

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An excerpt from Richard Shaw's new book, which explores his and other Pākehā families' settler histories.

What we find when we dig up the past

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A poem by Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2024 featured poet Carin Smeaton.

The Friday Poem: ‘Daughtr of the 90s’ by Carin Smeaton

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Stunning debut novels from Aotearoa writers, and cult hits from afar. 

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 29

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The bestselling novelist on crimes against language and other bookish annoyances. 

‘New books are such a risk’: Danielle Hawkins’ ‘unadventurous’ reading habits

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Yes, they're better for the environment. No, that's not a good enough reason for me to use them. 

Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products

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The government's plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start.

20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last year

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Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? 

All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to best

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Student advocates are calling for 'drastic measures' to force the university to take their concerns seriously.

Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation fees

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The government has made it well known it expects departments to cut roles. We break down the numbers as they currently stand.

An updated tally of the public sector job cuts

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Of course I wind down my window at the lights to profess my love to the strangers in the black De Tomaso Pantera. And of course they accommodate me with amused grins.

Confessions of an unlikely petrolhead

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I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here's exactly how it played out.

What it’s like to be made redundant by the Ministry of Education

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They pressured me to have children, and I had two. Now they won't lift a finger. 

Help Me Hera: My parents won’t help out with my kids

New verse – he wrote it on Wednesday, actually – by Wellington writer Bill Manhire.

The Spinoff Review of Books is brought to you by 

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New verse - he wrote it on Wednesday, actually - by Wellington writer Bill Manhire.

The Spinoff

BooksJune 23, 2017

The Friday Poem: ‘Last words’ by Bill Manhire

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BooksJune 23, 2017

The Friday Poem: ‘Last words’ by Bill Manhire

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