This week's biggest-selling New Zealand books, as recorded by the Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list and described by Steve Braunias
FICTION
1 Eddy, Eddy by Kate De Goldi (Allen & Unwin, $29.99)
The author will speak with chair Liz Grant at the WORD Christchurch literary fesival on Sunday (September 4) about her latest novel, set in Christchurch in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
2 Harbouring by Jenny Pattrick (Penguin Random House, $36)
3 Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $35)
The author will appear alongside Christchurch novelist Chloe Lane and Wellington writer Sue Orr at the WORD Christchurch literary festival on Friday afternoon (today, September 2).
4 Poor People With Money by Dominic Hoey (Penguin Random House, $37)
"The plot of my new novel is about fighting and drugs and money. But I think it’s really about the things we have to endure for a shot at holding onto our dreams": the author, in a self-portrait published this week in ReadingRoom.
5 Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka (Huia Publishers, $35)
The author is joined by writer Tina Makareti and others in a theatrical event devoted to Keri Hulme at the WORD Christtchurch literary festival on Friday night (tonight, September 2).
6 Return to Harikoa Bay by Owen Marshall (Penguin Random House, $37)
"Koru Club", a story from the master's latest collection, is published in ReadingRoom tomorrow (Saturday).
7 The Wrong Woman by J.P. Pomare (Hachette, $36.99)
8 A Message for Nasty by Roderick Fry (Awa Press, $39.99)
Set in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in World War II.
9 The Last Letter of Godfrey Cheathem by Luke Elworthy (The Wairau Diversion, $35)
"I lost my virginity at Centrepoint aged 15, to someone a year younger than me. Older women propositioned me a few times – 'do you want to go off with me?' – I always ran away. Their behaviour was predatory, it seems to me now, and declining their offers made me feel awkward and confused. Sometimes I did want to go off with them, but looking back I’m so glad I didn’t. Nothing about it felt right, but it didn’t amount to abuse": the author, in a self-portrait published last week in ReadingRoom.
Nice pastiche cover.
10 How to Loiter In a Turf War by Coco Solid (Penguin Random House, $28)
The author will appear alongside Murdoch Stevens, whose novel Down Upland Road may be the best novel of 2022, at the WORD Christchurch literary festival on Saturday afternoon (tomorrow, September 3).
NON-FICTION
1 Ross Taylor: Black & White by Paul Thomas (Upstart Press, $49.99)
James Borrowdale's thoughtful review of a largely thoughtless sports bio will appear next week in ReadingRoom.
2 Yes, Minister by Christopher Finlayson (Allen & Unwin, $36.99)
The author will be chaired by Kim Hill at the WORD Christchurch literary festival on Sunday afternoon (September 4).
3 Everyday Favourites by Vanya Insull (Allen & Unwin, $39.99)
4 Sons of a Good Keen Man by The Crump Brothers (Penguin Random House, $38)
5 Owning It by Brad Smeele (Allen & Unwin, $39.99)
In 2014, at a Florida lake, the great wakeboarder was filming a difficult double rotation ramp-to-ramp jump he had pioneered when he was paralysed in a failed landing. This is his story.
6 After the Tampa by Abbas Nazari (Allen & Unwin, $36.99)
7 How to be a Bad Muslim by Mohamed Hassan (Penguin Random House, $35)
The author will talk about his identity at the WORD Christchurch literary festival on Friday afternoon (today, September 3).
8 Aroha by Hinemoa Elder (Penguin Random House, $30)
9 Jumping Sundays by Nick Bollinger (Auckland University Press, $49.99)
"There’s plenty of BLERTA and Geoff Murphy and Bruno Lawrence, true Renaissance Hippie. There's Tim Shadbolt being revolutionary and baffling and hugely engaging…There's Nick's father Con [Bollinger] helping the publishers of Cock find a way to publish subversive literature when no printer will oblige…There are expat legends like John Esam, poet, psychonaut, trip adviser. Here he is being the first person charged in the UK with possession of LSD": from a review by top man David Slack, of Bollinger's entertaining social history of the New Zealand counterculture.
Lazy generic swirly cover.
10 Tikanga by Keri Opai (Upstart Press, $39.99)
