Staff Picks: End Of Year 2022

2022 Staff Picks

Twyla

The last by Hanna Jameson

A thrilling apocalyptic mystery.

Six crimson cranes by Elizabeth Lim

An enchanting retold fairy tale.

Jenny

Better the Blood by Michael Bennett

Wow! A NZ crime novel that is a real page turner and incredibly thought provoking!

Everyone in my family has killed someone by Benjamin Stevenson

A clever and amusing murder mystery, I was hooked from the first line! Great narration in the eAudiobook.

Linda

Use it all: the  Cornersmith guide to a more sustainable kitchen by Alex Elliott-Howery

So good I bought my own copy!

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

An inspirational read with an unlikely hero.

Susi

The Nine lives of Kitty K by  Margaret Mills

Set in a turbulent period of gold fields history, Kitty Kirk was the toughest woman in Otago history.

Meltwater by  Michael Ridpath

A volcanic eruption, murder and a group of internet activists. A very interesting combination.

Pauline

Better the blood by Michael Bennett

I enjoyed the twists and turns this story takes. If you enjoy a good "who dunnit" you will too.

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris

I loved this book, not only for the writing and characterisation, but because it made me think about the hardships of this transitional time in American history.

Ngaio

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Amazingly written with a great cast of characters, it's hard to explain how good it is!

Mad about you by  Mairi McFarlane

One of my go to authors for a great story!

Beth

The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby

Quirky. Beautiful. Atmospheric. Two women who couldn’t be more different who end up connecting.

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

An intriguing mystery based around an old map, family drama and a touch of the mystical.

Richard

Under Italian skies by Nicky Pellegrino

Makes you want to pack up and move to Italy! A feel good story of new starts and happiness found in idyllic Southern Italy.

The four winds by  Kristin Hannah

A raw, gritty saga set in the Dust Bowl era of the Great Depression. Hard to put down, but also challenging to read. Sad, tragic and inspiring but always compelling.

Sarah

Honeybee by Craig Silvey

A young person's journey to become who they need to be, battling abuse and transphobia.

All that's left unsaid by Tracey  Lien.

A young Vietnamese Australian journalist investigates the death of her brother. Complex and compassionate.

Amy

Skylark by Meagan Spooner

One of those rear trilogy’s were the books just get better and better.

Skylark is the story of Lark a teen girl locked inside the walls of a dying city who finds herself cast out into the wilderness having to face the truth of what lies outside the walls. Fast paced and exciting!

I know I Saw her by  E.D Thompson

Alice thinks something horrible has happened to her neighbour Kim. She is certain Kim’s husband is lying about what has happened and Alice is determined to discover the truth. Masterly told tale full of twists and turns.

Sally

The one hundred years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

This is a story that should have been sad but is sweet and uplifting and completely fabulous!

Who lived there? the stories behind historic New Zealand buildings by  Nicola McCloy

Have you ever walked past an old house and wondered “who lived there?” I have! This book asks just that question of buildings both ordinary and impressive and it adds stories to their history too.

Laura

The Crane Wife by  C.J. Hauser

Poignant essays for anyone taking the road less travelled.

Here's Laura's review of the book on RNZ as well.

Lucy by the Sea by  Elizabeth Strout

Returning to Lucy Barton is like catching up with an old friend.

Laura  also  reviewed  Lucy by the Sea on RNZ.

Beks

The Pōrangi boy by Shilo Kino

A fantastic NZ story about resilience over bullies, with realistic and relatable characters.

The inheritance games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Had me guessing with all the twists and turns, can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy.

Marion

The Thursday Murder Club, The man who died twice and, The bullet that missed by Richard Osman

I loved all three of the Thursday Murder Club books by Richard Osman, exciting without being scary. I can’t wait until his 4^th comes out!