Stock up on summer reading

The staff at Unity Books have come up with this collection of summer reading picks.

Orwell’s Roses, Rebecca Solnit, Granta, $33

Solnit’s roses, whether planted in George Orwell’s garden, photographed by Tina Modotti, grown in Colombian polytunnels, or the subject of suffragist slogans, open discussions on politics, beauty, truth, and an eloquent argument that joy must be at the heart of any resistance to oppression.

How We Love, Clementine Ford, Allen & Unwin, $33

Ford takes you on a love rollercoaster in her latest book, a personal memoir about love, loss and life. From teenage infatuation and crushes to family, friendship and being a mum, It’s intimate and raw, funny and compassionate. Empire of Pain, Patrick Radden Keefe, Picador, $40

A compelling tale, Empire of Pain meticulously follows the history of the opioid crisis, right through to the beginnings of the Sackler pharmaceutical empire. The denial, the corruption, the cover ups. An excellent read for all those who enjoy history, science and investigative journalism.

The Democracy of Species, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Penguin, $13

The three essays in this book introduce practical and conceptual approaches to sustainability and ecology using indigenous American knowledge. It’s short and sweet, full of hope and a great introduction to indigenous teachings from a succinct and poetic author.

Great Circle, Maggie Shipstead, Doubleday, $37

This is an epic tale told through two narratives. Marian is a daredevil aviator and Hadley who’s cast as Marian in a modern day biopic. It’s a story of struggle and freedom backdropped against key events of the 20th century.

Burntcoat, Sarah Hall, Faber, $39 Sarah Hall brings her visceral and sensual writing style to a story of life in a pandemic. An acclaimed artist channels past and present trauma into her work whilst tentatively entertaining the possibility of personal connection. Haunting.

Animal, Lisa Taddeo, Bloomsbury, $35

Animal is a journey into female rage, sexuality, and what happens when the two combine. Like Taddeo’s earlier work, Three Women, Animal is a visceral and wild read set in a stylised and eccentric Los Angeles. Silverview, John Le Carre, Viking Penguin, $35

In his last book, Le Carre opens with a seemingly chance meeting of a small-town bookseller and an eccentric émigré, and grows his story through set-piece conversations recalling his classic ‘‘Karla’’ novels. Equally disenchanted and pleasurable, its 200 pages only look slight.

The Leaning Man, Anne Harre, Cuba Press, $37

A tense, sometimes nasty thriller set in our Wellington. This tight pacy story takes us through Wellington streets, past our buildings, waterfront and even the outer suburbs. Harre’s tone is pitchperfect through to the climactic ending.

The Gosden Years, Bill Gosden, Victoria University Press, $50

Bill Gosden (1953-2020), director of the Wellington International Film Festival, was much loved and respected. He presented a fresh, exciting and relevant programme for 40 years. This book is a tribute to and record of those years.

Small Bodies of Water, Nina Mingya Powles, Canongate, $33 Writing on swimming, cetaceans, language, travel, and a sense of home, Small Bodies of Water brings together the lyrical deftness of Nina Powles’ poetry, the openness and generosity of her prose, and a compassionate, perceptive way of looking at the world. Kurangaituku, Whiti Hereaka, Huia, $35

Based on the story of Hatupatu and the Birdwoman, Kurangaituku is totally absorbing. The reader enters another realm. The intensity and the wairua between characters is maintained throughout this devastating journey. Beautifully written.

KIDS

Tim te Maro and the Subterranean

Heartsick Blues, HS Valley, Hardie Grant, $23

A gleefully addictive book for NZ’s LGBTQ+ young adults! Final year at Fox Glacier High School for the Magically Adept, arch enemies Tim and Elliott are paired for their final assignment – looking after an eggbaby. What could go wrong!

Hike, Pete Oswald, Walker, $19

A beautiful (wordless) picture book that deserves to be read and reread. Spend dawn until dusk with a father and their child as they go on a hike to plant a tree in a family grove. Behold nature!

Deltora Quest 21st Anniversary Edition, Emily Rodda, Scholastic, $40

In this fast-paced fantasy adventure perfect for kids aged 8-12, Leif and friends are sent on a quest to complete the Belt of Deltora. As they search for the seven missing parts, they encounter different guardians of the gems, entrusted by the evil Shadow Lord.

Draw Some Awesome, Donovan Bixley, Upstart, $30

In a book that spans all levels of skill, Donovan Bixley takes his readers through warm-up exercises, character creation, perspective, shading, making an illustration, and even drawing a unicorn. Of course he does it with humour as well as skill.