Books

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Unity Books + Creative New Zealand

Madeleine Chapman

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Our reviewers debate a new novel about a grieving copyeditor in London.

A hater and an enthusiast review The Royal Free by Carl Shuker

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The Friday Poem: ‘Bejeweled log’ by Holly Fletcher

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The bestselling books of the year, revealed.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for 2024

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From Mansfield Park to Jurassic Park, some reading inspiration for every age.

A book for every year of your life: Part two, ages 31 to the grave

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The results of our reader survey of the best books of the year.

The best books of 2024: The people’s choice

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A love letter to my five friends

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'For its purposes we were not people, just dollar amounts representing the salary that might be returned to the university’s coffers once we no longer worked there.'

Wasteland: A response to a university restructure

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The Friday Poem: ‘Cash register ding’ by Eliana Gray

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New short stories from Owen Marshall, and the finale to a sci-fi series that fans have been hanging out for. 

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending December 13

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In which we judge this year's New Zealand books by their covers, and pick the top 10.

The Spinoff’s best NZ book covers of 2024

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The writer and professor shares some of his favourite books – and the one he'd purge from his memory if he could.

‘A sick wish fulfilment fantasy, so badly written’: Harry Ricketts’ biggest book regret

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This year's best local fiction, nonfiction and poetry for adults and children, as chosen by our panel of readers. 

The Spinoff’s best NZ books of 2024

Hera Lindsay Bird

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The suspect was arrested today. His Goodreads page sheds much light on his views of the world.

A close reading of the United Healthcare CEO suspect Luigi Mangione’s Goodreads account

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From picture books to bell hooks, some reading inspiration for every age.

A book for every year of your life: Part one, ages 0-30

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Whatever the practice, the end goal is the same: to provide connection to Māori and indigenous women in a post-colonial world.

Review: A decolonial trip through femininity in Ngahuia Murphy’s Intuitive Ritual

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The Friday Poem: ‘Lamium purpureum’ by Joel LeBlanc

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The week’s bestselling books as we hurtle towards Christmas.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending December 6

Gabi Lardies

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A conversation about Damien Wilkins' latest novel.

What we thought about: Delirious by Damien Wilkins

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The talented siblings and authors of More Salad talk summer holidays with Ottolenghi, the life lessons of Garmus and more.

‘Her energy is as delicious as her recipes’: Two Raw Sisters on their favourite books

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Some additions and alternatives to this year's NZIER recommendations.

An alternative summer reading list for the prime minister

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It would be a more wonderful time of year if I knew there was no exploitation under the Christmas tree.

All I want for Christmas is modern day slavery legislation

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As he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television.

‘We were as famous as Tom Cruise’: Craig Parker on 90s Shortland St fandom

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'I want to check in at the pearly gates and have them say, ‘theres nothing left here, he’s worn to a nub, put it in the bin’.'

‘I prioritise the mission, not my health’: Adam McGrath’s perfect weekend playlist

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'It’s just so lovely to see a dog again.'

The rescue dog bringing joy to Christchurch retirement homes

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The 2024 Christmas cliffhanger screens on Monday, and you can expect the final episode to be bigger and badder than ever before. 

The one episode of Shortland Street you need to watch this year

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A couple of weeks after Spotify Wrapped comes a much more comprehensive survey of New Zealand’s listening.

The real NZ Wrapped: Analysing the 2024 NZ Music charts

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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