These are our Faves & Raves of 2011

This is the pile of books that needs to be beside your bed!

The Broken Book  Carole’s ‘Book of the Year.’ Sublime prose & poetry about walking through life on shaky ground.  $35 

There But For The  Dinner guest locks himself in upstairs bedroom; hilarious, painful, wise, stunning word-play. Brilliant. $32

State of Wonder  Atmospheric adventure about an elusive woman doctor ‘experimenting’ in the depths of the Amazon. Stunning.  $37

The Dovekeepers  Extraordinary epic about the fall of Masada in ancient Israel, featuring four strong women. Breathtaking.  $37

A Visit from the Goon Squad  Winner 2011 Pulitzer Prize; bizarre, marvellous, edgy satire on Western society.  $25

A Train in Winter  French Resistance women taken to Auschwitz; gut-wrenching, gripping, inspiring.  $43

The Cookbook Collector  Delightful novel with quirky characters, IT geeks, antique books & romance.  $37

The Forgotten Waltz  An adulterous affair, warts & all, from the gritty Booker Prize winner.  $38

From Under the Overcoat  Brilliant original NZ short stories inspired by famous classic stories.  $30

Shadow Tag Irene keeps two diaries; one for her husband to read, the other containing the truth. Erdrich at her finest.  $27

Hokitika Town  Plucky young Halfie tells all about life in an 1880s NZ gold mining town. Beguiling.  $30

When God was a Rabbit  Lovely family, strong brother-sister bond, quirky characters & dark humour.  $37

The Night Circus  Magical black & white circus captures your imagination. Enchanting.  $38

All That I Am  Gripping novel based on real writers & political activists escaping Nazi Germany.  $40

The Conductor  Stunning novel about Shostakovich during the siege of Leningrad, from NZer, with CD enclosed.  $40

The Language of Flowers  Heartwarming but realistic story of a troubled girl who
gains self-worth through flowers.  $40

The Submission  Memorial for 9/11 victims causes controversy & soul-searching.  $38

The Song of Achilles  ‘Broke Back Mountain’ meets Troy! Gods & glory & love on a human level. Brilliant.  $37