I don't have reason to go into the city centre very often but had a short necessary errand this morning. Did I just strike a bad day or is it usual to see mad men shouting obscenities at everybody in range, three police on the ground on top of what was presumably a person, and 3 ambulances and a […]

#reading #books A portrait of small town America from the 1930's through to the 1980's following two families who become intertwined. I really enjoyed it.

today #hamiltongardens It was a perfect day for reflecting at Hamilton Gardens.

#reading #books I usually prefer novels over short stories but this collection of stories about Vietnamese refugees is excellent.

#books #reading It would be good for every New Zealander to read this book. It speaks the truth about child abuse, gangs, the disproportionate prosecution and imprisonment of Maori and more. It is also a story of incredible courage and determination. Read it if you can.

#books #booktodon #reading Fredrik Backman has a unique style of writing. If you love it like I do you will love this book about grief, self identity and friendship. It was an easy 5 stars for me.

I am sure (meaning I hope) I can't be the only old lady who thought replacing your tv simply meant going to the shop and choosing a new one. The first one I bought was fine until I wanted to plug in the headphones that I sometimes need. There was no audio output connection. Why would they stop […]

#books #reading #bookstodon An interesting and brave book by a member of Pussy Riot but I found the writing a bit repetitive and disjointed and didn't persevere to the end.

#books #reading #bookstodon This interesting book throws light on the years of China's one child policy. In particular on a case of identical twin girls being separated (and later reunited) with one being adopted in America.

#reading #books #bookstodon This book is classified as historical fiction so I found it odd that it revolves around a visit to New Zealand by Marie Curie which never actually happened. But for all that I found it an interesting and enjoyable read.

Yesterday would have been the right day to put the winter duvet on the bed. Unfortunately I didn't know that until 4 this morning.

#reading #bookstodon #books A gentle read with not a lot happening at times but I enjoyed this. " an exploration of the ties that make us and bind us, as a family and community" Set in an Irish fishing village in the 1970's.

Luxon shoots the messenger as nightmare election scenario hangs over him https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/23/christopher-luxon-nz-pm-media-questions?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

#reading #books #bookstodon It is difficult to comment on this memoir by a mother who lost two teenage sons to suicide. I just could not understand some of her attitudes. But I can relate to this piece of advice for getting through hard times. "Some things are […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

#reading #books #bookstodon A fun read. Very Bob Mortimer.

#reading #books #bookstodon This was a 5/5 read for me, as all Niall Williams books have been. The way he uses words is music.

#reading #books #bookstodon Historical fiction, LGBT, 1900's homesteading on the Canadian prairies. It took a few chapters to get into this but I am glad I persevered.

reading #books #bookstodon I enjoyed this American Civil War story, well researched and inspired by true events which are detailed in the authors notes.

#books #bookstodon #reading A well written historical novel focused on portraying the roles of female SOE operatives during World War II, this book is inspired by the stories of real people.

#reading #books #bookstodon #downssyndrome A touching account of the affection between two adult brothers, one of whom has Downs Syndrome, and the problems encountered in getting suitable help for him.

#reading #bookstodon #books A mystery that takes place at a pub’s weekly trivia night, revealed through quiz categories, phone messages, and email correspondence. I am not a fan of this style of writing - it is called epistolary I believe - but once I got started I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

#reading #bookstodon #books "After decades of silence, the last surviving World War II British spy reveals the real, untold story of her time as a secret agent in the deadly world of Nazi France."

#bookstodon #reading #books This novel is written in the form of letters from a 78 yr old woman as she looks at past grief and relationships in the face of aging and illness. I rat it 4 out of 5 stars.

#books #reading #bookstodon There is nothing honorable about "honor" killings and it is not a comfortable subject to read about, but I wish the author had not tried to soften the impact by wrapping it in a chick lit style romance.

#reading #books #bookstodon A tough read detailing a life in the UK care system.

#reading #bookstodon #books 5 out of 5 stars for this memoir of a nine year old boy's journey from El Salvador to the U.S. to reunite with his parents, unaccompanied by anyone he knew.

#reading #books #bookstodon Written in 1975, set in early post-colonial India. Very reminiscent of A Passage to India by E M Forster . It seems writers of the day were fascinated with the idea of British women having romantic liaisons with Indian gentlemen.

#reading #books #bookstodon I don't think this is Adichie's best novel. Her writing is as wonderful as ever but the story rambles endlessly through the love lives of four women with no real plot. I have loved all her other books.

#reading #bookstodon #books A family drama set in New Zealand in 1985 - full of nostalgia and I love it.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #reading I can understand why this has been well reviewed. As a crime mystery. it is well written but it is a bit far fetched for me.

"A powerful, eye-opening insight into navigating the world as a disabled young woman. Women’s lives are shaped by sexism and expectations. Disabled people’s lives are shaped by ableism and a complete lack of expectations. But what happens when you’re subjected to both sets of rules?

#currentlyreading #books #bookstodon #reading A companion book to This is Happiness, this book continues the slow paced, meandering story of life in a bygone Irish village. I am loving being back in the lives of characters who truly feel like people I know.

#books #bookstodon #reading An emotional roller coaster with a totally unexpected ending. Deals with domestic abuse, loss, and moving on.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #books The writer was depressed and about to become homeless when he decided to walk the coast of the UK. No preparations were made, no appropriate equipment bought, he literally undertook the challenge a day at a time. A fascinating read.

#currentlyreading #reading #bookstodon #books This book starts strongly but for me it seems to be trying to cover too many issues and would have been better if it had been edited down a bit. Still quite a good read about family secrets and decisions made that cannot be reversed.

#currentlyreading #reading #bookstodon Amma is the story of three generations of women with Sri Lankan heritage in three different locations - Singapore, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. The first few chapters were a bit confusing with different timelines but since I […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

In her book Amma, Sarandon da Silva describes Hamilton in 1997 like this - "The town center has the air of a party that just finished, one where everyone cleaned up badly. It does feel like something happened here once, but nobody remembers what it was." It seems nothing has changed much since.

#currentlyreading #reading #bookstodon “Operation Paperclip” was a secret United States intelligent program in which more than 1,600 Nazi German scientists, engineers, and technicians were taken —from former Nazi Germany to the United States for government […] [Original post on mastodon.nz]

#currentlyreading #reading #bookstodon Detective story set in Belfast in the 80's. The story is not gripping me so far but I like the authors writing style so will carry on.

#currentlyreading #reading #bookstodon I picked this up to fill in a couple of days till library day. It is OK but I really don't like the idea of conversation without conversation marks, sometimes right in the middle of a paragraph. I just don't get it.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #reading It's hard to critique a memoir and evaluate how someone has described their own life. Although I respect and admire the author the telling of the story fell a bit short for me.

#currentlyreading #reading #bookstodon "A love story with the pulse of a thriller, Broken Country is a heart-pounding novel of impossible choices and devastating consequences."

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #reading I am transported to an early 20th century Irish village and the characters are so wonderfully described I feel as though I know every one of them and live there myself. Not a book to be rushed. I am loving it.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #reading The story cover three hours of a school shooting situation. I was interested for the first couple of chapters but I think I will just skip to the end and find out who died and who survived. I have better ways to spend three hours.

#currentlyreading #reading #bookstodon Another quick to read mystery thriller by Christian White who is an absolute master at twists and there is always more than one of them.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon Christian White's third novel delivers all you expect from a mystery thriller.

I didn't get the alert as I am in Hamilton. Which made me wonder, is there an official "furthest from the ocean" point in the country?

#currentlyreading #bookstodon I have loved all of Liane Moriarty's books and this one is no exception. I want to make it last but I can't stop reading.

I have not bought butter for three years, lamb for about 20 yrs. I do occasionally think it might be nice but when I see the price i am happy to stick to my quite acceptable alternatives. But I have never once thought how nice it would be if the words on my passport were arranged differently.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon I read and enjoyed The Little Coffee Shop in Kabul so I was expecting a lot from this memoir of the author's life after she left Afghanistan and settled in Mexico. The best I can say for it is that I am disappointed and the further I read the less I care.