THE GROOVE BOOK REPORT

Still wondering what to buy or read over the holidays?  Well, we've got more suggestions.  Couchdiva and Emily have already given you their selections. Now it's the Kid's turn.  Here are his 5 fav's from this year: The Cage - Lloyd Jones (Text Publishing)  Set in an unidentified hotel and told through the eyes of a boy, who himself is a victim of a personal tragedy, this novel documents the arrival of two strangers who have escaped unspeakably horrific event.  At first, the locals view them as a novelty, surveying their ramshackle clothing, and in the absence of any facts, constructing their own backstories about them.  However, over time this turns to condemnation.  In turn, the strangers become more insular and inward focussed. In a disturbing twist, both parties appear to 'naturally' select their roles for going forward.  The strangers come to be incarcerated in a prison created by circumstance and their acceptance of place. ...

Emily is our newest reviewer.  She's only 7 but she knows what she likes.  Her bookcase was overflowing with choice this year as many local writers and illustrators gave us so much to read and take delight in.  Selecting a book for an individual child should be a connecting experience.  Think about who's going to read it, says Emily.  Think about the colours, the text, the pictures and most importantly, the words.  For young readers rhyme and simple artwork best.  Plots need to be easy to remember.  That's why Hairy McClary still works so well. More than anything, Emily enjoyed the variety.  She's inquisitive and wanted to learn about topics outside here school curriculum.  And, as you can see from her first selection, she loves music and drama. "Sure, sure, Dad.  I also loved stuff that was in the news because it was (topical).  We ones about the Prime Minister and Donald 'Poo' (Trump).  Also, there was a book abo...

I can't believe that it's been 3 years since Charlotte Gibbs and co. launched this incredible initiative.  The idea for a journal began when Charlotte's middle daughter Georgie wrote a poem about a pesky mosquito that she was really proud of.  Her teacher sent it around New Zealand for publication but nothing happened. Charlotte then sent it to the US Children's Poet Laureate, who, much to George's delight, wrote an encouraging reply.  Charlotte, who has a background in publishing, then started producing Vox, a stapled booklet of creative work from the pupils of Georgie's school Vauxhall Primary.  The first year, each child at Vauxhall was given a copy of Vox on the last day of school. Ella Gregory's image on the end papers Charlotte requested submissions from other schools and spent a bit of time working on the design for the next version of Vox.  It was that very concept that inspired Charlotte to go national and try to get copies into every school...

Fourth Floor Journal Launch at the Crawl on Sat 10 November, at Ferret Bookshop. Photo by Fergus Haywood. Summer Reading + Reminiscing A bit stuck when it comes to summer reading material? Check out our  latest blog post  for some inspiration. We asked some of the amazing artists and writers we have worked with this year for their reading recommendations to inspire your own book pile. If you've found yourself feeling a little nostalgic about the whirlwind weekend that was LitCrawl - check out some of our  photo galleries  and remincise ... thanks to photographers Vanessa Rushton and Fergus Haywood.  Win $200 worth of book vouchers There is still time to fill out the Lit Crawl survey  here  before  18 December 2018  and be in to win $200 worth of vouchers from Vic Books (LitCrawl's official bookseller and long-time sponsor).  Photo by Vanessa Ruston Photography Crip the Lit: the Great Debate at...

Toy enthusiast and big brat himself, CoffeeBar Kid has always had a passion for old toys.  So it was an absolute please to talk with art gallery owner and curator and author Warwick Henderson about his own journey through the fascinating history of toys and games. Toys and Games have been entertaining children and adults alike for centuries. From the time of the Pharaohs to current day Chinese Chequers, Model Cars, the Space Race and Star Wars. Egyptian Sennet Board Game This illustrated history is an incredible insight into the background of the toys that we grew up with, including particular toys and games that became international favourites. The book is not just for toy and game aficionados, but anyone who is interested in history, both social and industrial, and collectors in general. Over 250 colour photographs complement this wonderfully researched and detailed book. The Toys and games that reflect history are wide-ranging: What sophisticated board game was ...

We asked our reviewers to all give us their top five books for the year, with a few reasons why. First up was Scandi-crime enthusiast, Couchdiva. "Looking for that last-minute gift for the reader in your life? Or just want something to get you through the holiday season? Dear reader - fret no more. Below are my top 5 recommendations for Xmas 2018 (and not a Scandi-crime novel in sight). Merry Xmas, and happy reading!" XXX Couchdiva The Bus on Thursday - Shirley Barrett Allen & Unwin RRP $33 Strap yourself in for a wild ride with this novel! From the opening page, Eleanor grabs you by the lapels to tell you her strange, wonderful, weird story and doesn’t let go until she’s done. It’s a darkly comic tale with a heroine in the midst of a maelstrom. Caused in no small part, by her cancer, a bad breakup and moving to a small town to start a new job. But all is not well in the new town. There’s the mysterious circumstances surrounding the previous teacher’s disapp...

On my bookshelf are two of the best accounts of the restaurant trade ever written in the modern era – at least in my opinion.  The first, Kitchen Confidential , by the late Anthony Bourdain, takes you into the kitchens of many of New York’s eating houses to reveal what really goes on.  It’s not really an expose (no spitting on food in these establishments) but you do learn a lot about how commercial kitchens operate, told through the eyes of an up and coming chef and foodie.  I know, for example, that the main secret herb in country fried chicken is a mix of onion salt and white pepper.  And I’m now always weary about ordering fish on Sunday or Monday, as I know that the boats won’t be in until mid-week. The second book is by notorious critic Jeffrey Steingarten ( The Man Who Ate Everything ) covers a lot of ground – from clandestine disguises for shabby-chic bistros to experiments with homemade organic bread making, he does it all.  I love this book becau...

Former Randell Cottage resident Tina Makareti was bound to write this book.  After all, it was in her contract.  When she took up the residency offer just over 2 years ago, she was obliged to complete a book or project.  What that was, specifically was up to her.  But history was in her ink.  So, what she chose tied in her former work as a curator at the Wellington Museum.

Dunedin-based writer Paddy Richardson is to be the 2019 Creative New Zealand Randell Cottage Writing Fellow. Richardson has published seven novels and two short story collections. Her Randell project,  The Green of Spring  is the sequel to her 2017 novel  Through the Lonesome Dark . Set in WWI New Zealand, it tells the story of young mining activist Otto Bader who is arrested as an ‘enemy alien’ and incarcerated on Somes Island along with others of Austrian and German origins. Selection panel convener Stephen Stratford says “Many of us wanted to know what happened next for the characters in  Through the Lonesome Dark ,  longlisted for the 2019 Dublin Literary Award, which is right up there with the Booker.  For the sequel, Paddy will be able to research the Turnbull Library’s holding of letters and diaries of Somes Island inmates. A perfect synchronicity of project and residency.” Richardson says she is delighted to be the 2019 resident a...

Cuba Street has many faces. Restaurants, cafés, record shops, fashion outlets — and the bucket fountain. Cuba Street has iconic status in Wellington – its colour and character over the last few decades have made it a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. From the late lamented Matterhorn and Mighty Mighty , to Midnight Espresso , Logan Brown and Ombra , the street is filled with places and people worth remembering. RIP Mighty Mighty If you live or regularly visit Wellington then you know that Cuba St. is at the heart and soul of the city.  Named after one of the original settler ships, Cuba St. has always been a place in transition - restaurants, art, cafe's, music and people.  It's an instant magnet for anyone with a beating heating and a  lust for creativity.  What authors Beth Brash and Alice Lloyd have done is remarkable.  They've managed to collect together a some of the history and fairy dust that makes up this undefinable street....

The current Randell Cottage resident James Norcliffe will be speaking at the National Library at lunchtime this Thursday 6 December (12.10 - 1.00PM) James will be reading from recently published work, speaking about the background to those pieces, and giving us an introduction to his Randell project, The Frog Prince.  The name is a working title for   a dual narrative with one strand set in early 19th century Westphalia, the other a contemporary narrative set variously in New Zealand and Europe.