Wine, Books and More: October Reading

The chatty lot at Wine, Books and More meet at Hastings Library every third Tuesday evening of the month. Here's a snapshot of the books that really hit the spot at their October meet-up. Click on the titles for links to the catalogue:

Lovers and Newcomers by Rosie Thomas
Widowed and solitary Miranda invites some old friends to stay, but after the early euphoria, there's some bad behaviour while old grudges and new tensions bubble to the surface. Then nearby an ancient burial site is discovered drawing the attention of the outside world. 

Remember Me by Liz Byrski
In this memoir novelist Liz Birski writes about a lost early love and the phone call 37 years later that brings it all back. A journey across continents and decades to the reunion that follows.

The Cliff House by Chris Brookmyre
Our reader gave this book five stars! The story revolves around Jen's hen party on a private island with 72 hours before the helicopter returns for the party-goers. When one of them disappears, a message threatens their death unless a secret is revealed. 

Missing Persons by Steve Braunias
One of NZ's most popular journalists has investigated twelve missing people that have grabbed the headlines. A fascinating read with some insight on what might have really happened.

Seek You: a journey through American loneliness by Kristen Radtke
Our reader found this one a profound graphic novel that explores the way we try to make contact with the world to deal with loneliness. It does this through the lenses of gender, violence, technology and art. Another five-star read.

Golden Boy: a murder among the Manhattan elite by John Glatt
This is a true crime story that looks at what happens when a disturbed young man is accused of murdering his millionaire, hedge-fund founder father. A story of spiralling mental illness and its toll among the privileged classes.

We Are Water by Wally Lamb
Toxic secrets come out of the woodwork when wife, mother and artist Anna Oh divorces her husband to marry her wealthy art dealer. A layered novel about family relationships. Our reader gave this book four stars.

Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekback*
A gripping historical novel set in the 1700s Swedish Lapland where a family struggle in this harsh terrain, a dead body is discovered supposedly killed by wolves or was he? A slow-burner but an atmospheric suspense novel.
*Unfortunately we don't have a copy of this currently in the libraries.

The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
Number six in the Cormoran Strike series, this novel concerns online bullying taken to extreme. It is a complex story but hang on in there for a nice little twist at the end. 

Poppy Harman Investigates by Lee Hollis
The first in a series of cosy mysteries follows retiree Poppy who must find a way to make ends meet. She opens Desert Flowers Detective Agency with her friends Violet and Iris. Next thing you know there's a murder to investigate.

I Am Always With You by Philip Temple
This novel takes us to Berlin 1933 and the world of a community of artists who were declared 'degenerate' by the authorities. Told from the perspective of aspiring writer Maria Scholz amid the terror of a police state and the Russian invasion.

The Map of Night by Kimberley Starr
Astronomer Lucy Rutherford walks out on her aspiring politician husband just before polling night, but after she fails to return, only her eleven-year-old daughter seems worried. An engaging mystery thriller.

Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller
A disturbing but evocative and interesting read. Twins, Jeanie and Julius are in their fifties when their mother dies suddenly. Her death reveals a ton of secrets amid the challenge for each to make a living and order their own destiny.

Yes, Minister by Christopher Finlayson
Our reader found this a quite balanced view from a person with a bias. The book follows Finlayson's career as a minister in the National government led by John Key. Some interesting insight on what Key was really like as a prime minister told with wit and humour.

28 October 2022

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