From the bomb blitz of London to Sydney, then Auckland and a tiny Pacific Island, Emirau Island, New Zealand author Olivia Spooner brings to life the harsh realities of parents having to make heartbreaking decisions to send their children to far off places to ‘keep them safe’ as the shadows of the European war stretched across Britain. Her meticulous research solidifies the fictionalised account, making The Girl From London an absolute must-read.

Full, extensive, invaluable intellectual knowledge is placed into our hands for us to glean from in their new book The Abundant Kitchen – we gain from their exploratory principles and hard work. Each page is full of a glossary of terms well explained for us to learn; the art of preserving plentiful yields and protect fragile food security; not just for themselves but in the true spirit of permaculture – nurturing the spirit of community.

Honest and authentic, Mason gives us not only his own memories, but quotes from Murray’s books, hand-written speeches and recollections from the wider family. A poignant touch is the cover photo taken by Murray’s beloved and dedicated wife Pam – a moment in time captured with the farm dog Finn who is reminiscent of his iconic Footrot Flats character Dog.

Big, bold, heart-breaking, hopeful – full of love, danger and audacious courage …this makes Lola In The Mirror my number one top read for 2023 and why Trent Dalton will continue to be a well-deserved award winning storyteller.

A fun, curious tale that sparks our adventurous spirit – young Adam breaks out from his wheezy, snorty reading nook to make a determined decision to head to the creek!

Carl and Schascha bring an unlikely friendship – perfectly paired for this time of their life and show us the need for enacting on intuition and the power that a book can bring to add the spark of life!

In Bookshop Dogs, Ruth Shaw introduces us to the wide, vast and varied community of Manapouri and the Fiordland region, south-west New Zealand. Isolated in geography only, Ruth’s collection of short stories reminds us that there is no isolation within these huge-hearted rural communities.

A perfect who-dunnit written in a gentle style that will transport you to the New South Wales Pittwater and straight into an eclectic boat-access-community, centred around the Briny Café. This is perfect, cosy reading.

‘What is it to be human?’ … Can fortune and powerful positions decide to create something more and will it better humanity?

These are the lofty themes in The Seventh Son. Sebastian Faulks has created an imagined future and the ethical boundaries are stretched to accommodate man’s pursuit of science in the year 2030 and beyond.

Ragnar Jonasson and Katrin Jakobsdottir deliver a most satisfying crime page-turner that was easy to devour. I was on a relentless pursuit to read ‘til I knew the answers. All the crucial elements of power, mis-use of societal position, a dutiful police officer and his drive to find the truth come together in Reykjavik that I highly recommend!

Milkwood means a combination of softness and strength, sustenance and shelter – and reflects the author’s commitment to permaculture principles.

A most impressive guide to create food resilience in homes and communities.

From vast real estate, wealth that ruled in the New York Gilded Age society, the legendary Waldorf-Astoria hotel then family grief in the Titanic disaster. The Astors are a hallmark of American history with all its rise and falls, fortunes favoured and lost.

Two worlds collide when artist Vincent van Gogh scoops up the frail prostitute Siene and her young daughter from the cold Dutch cobblestone streets in Geest. It’s winter in 1882 and two lives are pulled together by fate.

Based on a true-story, Thalia and Peter play a dangerous game under the dominance and oppression from German occupation within Thessaloniki in World War Two. Heart rates are heightened as it becomes increasingly risky to stay within the safe house provided. Tension and suspense put you ill at ease as you wish for a hopeful outcome.

Marie-Jeanne was born into tragic family circumstances in 1958 but is surrounded by a muse called ‘love’ that acts as narrator throughout the story. ‘Love’ watches over her life as she masters her unique, insightful gifts to see and understand the glow of love and loneliness in others.

Five chapters, five unique characters at different stages and phases of their lives. Philosophical in style, the stories are personally encouraging and uplifting. Indeed, the library is where you do find what you are looking for…

A snapshot of West Coast New Zealand history is woven into the page of Denniston Rose. Now available as a Popular Penguin paperback, and as an audiobook through LibroFM.

If you’d like to grow your own kai, Leah Evans gets you started in this hugely practical book. Understand the what, why and how to develop your resourcefulness and have an endless supply of food essentials.

Past, present, future have been imagined, across four time zones and author Kate Mildenhall has crafted a clever, thoughtful tale in The Hummingbird Effect.

A vibrant cast of quirky and unique characters come together to satisfy fans of Phryne Fisher. Mystery, suspense and shadowed identities anchor this succinct but perfectly formed tale.