Good living

Summer reads

November 2024

Whether you’re a sports fan, a nature lover or looking for a suspenseful summer page-turner, these hot-off-the-press new releases have something for every reading list.

The happiness of dogs by mark rowlands book cover

The Happiness of Dogs
Mark Rowlands

Allen & Unwin

Philosopher Mark Rowlands draws from his life with dogs and the ideas of thinkers like Socrates, Hume and Sartre to explore how dogs experience the world. Delving into their morality, freedom, consciousness, intelligence and love of life, Rowlands suggests that canines may offer profound insights into the meaning of life – perhaps even more so than humans

the fallen woman by fiona mcintosh book cover

The Fallen Woman
Fiona McIntosh

Penguin Books NZ

In this historical adventure, botanical artist Jane Saville is banished to the countryside by her manipulative mother to protect the family’s honour. Living in secrecy and poverty, she meets Guy Attwood, a wealthy heir passionate about rare-apple hunting for the Royal Kew Gardens. Set against the backdrop of the English countryside and Salisbury Cathedral, this heart-wrenching tale reveals Jane discovering her greatest strength in her darkest hour.

odyssey can a hero find his way home book cover by stephen fry

Odyssey
Stephen Fry

Penguin Books NZ

In the final chapter in Stephen Fry’s retellings of the Greek myths, Odyssey follows the aftermath of the Trojan War. As the Greeks return home, they face new trials – Agamemnon must confront his wife Clytemnestra, who is understandably looking for vengeance since he sacrificed their daughter to appease the gods. Meanwhile, Odysseus has angered the god Poseidon and is cursed to wander the seas, facing angry monsters as he attempts to return home to Ithaca. Ideal for classics fans, Fry brings these ancient tales to life with his signature wit and insight.

Wild Walks Aotearoa
Hannah-Rose Watt

Penguin Books NZ

Informative and visually stunning, Wild Walks Aotearoa is packed with essential information about gear, safety on the tracks, reading topographic maps, hut and track etiquette, and advice for solo and female trampers. Featuring 59 well-trodden and lesser-known walks – from quick stop-offs to hikes for tykes and multi-day journeys – you’ll find options for all ages and all levels of fitness, and experience.

diddly squat home to roost by jeremy clarkson book cover

Diddly Squat: Home to Roost
Jeremy Clarkson

Penguin Books NZ

Bedlam prevails in another eventful year at Diddly Squat Farm. Jeremy Clarkson faces failed crops, unprofitable livestock and relentless challenges from weather and bureaucracy. Yet he remains undeterred, thanks to his thriving farm shop and the support of his quirky team – girlfriend Lisa, farm manager Kaleb, Cheerful Charlie and security head Gerald. Despite setbacks, Clarkson’s humour and determination shine through.

murakami the city and its uncertain walls book cover

The City and Its Uncertain Walls
Haruki Murakami

Penguin Books NZ

In the latest novel from internationally bestselling author Haruki Murakami, The City and Its Uncertain Walls, showcases the author’s signature skills in surrealism to move between reality and fantasy. The plot is set around a man who is trying to work out what happened to his former girlfriend who disappeared when they were teens and shifts between childhood and adulthood as Murakami uses intricate storytelling to delve into the complexities of human existence.

the blue hour by paula hawkins book cover

The Blue Hour
Paula Hawkins

Penguin Books NZ

The latest from the bestselling author of The Girl on the Train, The Blue Hour is another one for fans of suspenseful thrillers. The story is set on Eris, an island with only one house, one inhabitant and one way out – unreachable from the Scottish mainland for 12 hours each day. Once home to Vanessa, a famous artist whose unfaithful husband disappeared 20 years ago, it’s now inhabited by Grace, a solitary woman content in her isolation. When a shocking discovery is made in a London art gallery, a visitor arrives on the island, and long-buried secrets begin to surface.

fineding joy in oyter bay by susan duncan book cover

Oyster Bay
Susan Duncan

Allen & Unwin

When former journalist turned café owner Kate Jackson abandons her 6-month-old baby and disappears without a word, the quirky offshore community of Cook’s Basin steps in to salvage the situation. In the midst of it all, relationships are tested, loyalties divided and the future of the beloved Briny Café – the heart of the community – comes under threat. Wrapped in the colourful culture of a boat-access community, Finding Joy in Oyster Bay is the final book in the Cook’s Basin series.