The top 10 sales lists recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.
AUCKLAND
1 The Odyssey by Homer, Emily Wilson translation (W W Norton, $36)
Holy pigs trotters, have you all seen Nolan’s The Odyssey yet? Alex Casey and Claire Mabey have: here’s their take on it.
2 London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, $40)
Want to know who else is a huge PRK fan? Jack Tame.
3 Land by Maggie O’Farrell (Headline Press, $38)
The word “mawkish” was used in the Harvard Review Online … too harsh?
4 Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Viking Penguin, $38)
Strout: forever showing how novels can be wise; resonant but never loud.
5 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Del Rey, $28)
Between Homer and Weir, book-to-film blockbusters are back.
6 Ringside: A Political Memoir by Mike Munro (White Cloud Books, $40)
The Spinoff’s own Toby Manhire talked to Munro about his long and fascinating career at the heart of it. Catch up on their convo right here.
7 The Valley: Crime and Punishment in a New Zealand City by Asher Emanuel (Bridget Williams Books, $40)
A book to underline, and dog-ear (if you are that way inclined) and highlight.
8 Place to Stand by Clare Ward (Allen & Unwin, $38)
Caro at Unity Books Auckland says: “This story of a doctor’s life in Hokianga could be considered a modern response to ‘Being Pākehā’ by Michael King. Ward writes beautifully, with a great sense of place that will make you want to visit Hokianga (if you don’t already). Illustrated with her own photographs, this truly is a beautiful taonga full of wisdom.”
9 Whistler by Ann Patchett (Bloomsbury, $39)
The critics might be giving this one a hard time but Good Readers are loving it, like Haley who gave it five stars and said, “This book felt like a hug.”
10 Country People by Daniel Mason (John Murray, $38)
We just can’t get enough of the bug-eyed doggos on the cover:
WELLINGTON
1 The Valley: Crime and Punishment in a New Zealand City by Asher Emanuel (Bridget Williams Books, $40)
2 Out of the Box: 25 Deaf and Disabled Artists, Activist and Adventurers from Aotearoa New Zealand by Trish Harris (Otago University Press, $45)
A superb book bursting with brilliant people for ages 14+. Get a sneak peek of what’s inside right here on The Spinoff.
3 The Odyssey by Homer, Emily Wilson Translation (W W Norton, $36)
4 Cass and the Beast by Claire Mabey and illustrated by Jill Calder (Gecko Press, $30)
This lush new picture book isn’t actually out until August 1, but brave Cass got an early outing thanks to the writer receiving a rather wonderful award this week.
5 London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, $40)
6 Ringside: A Political Memoir by Mike Munro (White Cloud Books, $40)
7 Facing Up to Our Future edited by Peter Davis (Dunmore Press, $35)
Stern and stirring words from the publisher’s blurb: “Our different governments are failing to take effective action on the long-term economic, social, governance and environmental challenges New Zealand faces. In this book some of our best policy thinkers offer options for practical, feasible and longer-view solutions. Tackling the challenges our nation faces is vital for a better future.”
8 Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Viking Penguin, $38)
9 Land by Maggie O’Farrell (Headline Press, $38)
10 Whistler by Ann Patchett (Bloomsbury, $39)
