Sound and Touch

Sound and Touch September 2025

Blind Low Vision NZ Library – Te Puna Whakamōhio

Welcome to the September 2025 issue of Sound and Touch

Library News

Spring has arrived and we’re excited to share another issue of stories, updates, and discoveries from the Blind Low Vision Library. In this issue, you’ll find new books to dive into, and information on updates and changes happening in the library space. Whether you’re hunting for your next great read, or looking for ideas for your book club or wanting to get stuck into a new series, we’ve got something here for you. So, grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and enjoy exploring everything Sound and Touch has to offer!

2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards

The results are in! The winners of this year’s Ockham New Zealand Book Awards have been announced, and we’re excited to let you know that some of these celebrated titles are already waiting for you in the Blind Low Vision NZ Library.

Delirious by Damien Wilkins: Winner of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, Delirious is a darkly comic and moving story that explores obsession, love, and the strange turns life can take. Wilkins brings sharp wit and deep humanity to a tale about how desire can reshape lives in unexpected ways. Available in our library, Book number 143153.

Hine Toa: A Story of Bravery by Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku: Winner of the General Non-Fiction Award, this memoir tells the powerful story of Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku’s breast cancer journey. Blending honesty, humour, and cultural insight, Hine Toa is both a deeply personal account and an uplifting reflection on resilience and identity. Available now, Book number 143139.

Liar, Liar, Lick, Spit by Emma Neale: Winner of the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, Neale’s latest collection is bold, inventive, and unflinching. With striking imagery and emotional resonance, these poems confront the rawness of human experience with both lyricism and edge. Currently not available in the BLVNZ Library.

Toi Te Mana: An Indigenous History of Māori Art by Deidre Brown, Ngarino Ellis, and Jonathan Mane-Wheoki: Winner of the BookHub Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction, this landmark work traces Māori art from ancient origins to contemporary practice. Lavishly illustrated and deeply researched, it presents an Indigenous perspective on art, history, and identity. Currently not available in the BLVNZ Library.

Pretty Ugly by Kirstin Gunn: A finalist for the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, Pretty Ugly is a sharp and compelling novel that examines beauty, power, and self-image in the digital age. With insight and urgency, Gunn captures the pressures of living under constant scrutiny. Available in our library, Book number 143094.

EasyReader Gets Easier!

An exciting update is coming to EasyReader to make the process of getting books easier. Soon, you will no longer be required to borrow a book before downloading it. This will mean that once you find a book you can just download it and start listening straight away. We will have resources and more information when the update is released. If you’d like to know more visit our EasyReader page

https://blindlowvision.org.nz/our-services/accessible-library/easyreader/

Stuff Closing Newspapers

On 1 August 2025 the following Stuff newspaper publications closed. No further content will be delivered for them after that date.

Marlborough Express
Central Leader
Eastern Bays Courier
Manukau and Papakura Courier
North Shore Times
Rodney Times
Western Leader
Cambridge Edition
Franklin County News
Taranaki Star
Feilding-Rangitikei Herald
Kapi-Mana News
The Hutt News
The Leader Nelson Tasman
Northern Outlook
Southern Outlook

BLVNZ Sports and Leisure Magazine

BLVNZ Sports and Leisure magazine available on Alexa and EasyReader. You can now access the monthly BLVNZ Sports and Leisure Magazine on Alexa, EasyReader, and TIS.

To listen on Alexa, simply say:

“Alexa, Blind Low Vision”

“Alexa, find Sports and Leisure Magazine”

To read it on EasyReader, search under Magazines for BLVNZ Sports and Leisure Magazine. The magazine is also available on the TIS M35.

Humanware Monarch

The Blind Low Vision library is now available on the Humanware Monarch, a groundbreaking multi-line Braille e-reader designed to transform the way people access digital content. Unlike traditional single-line Braille devices, the Monarch allows users to read multiple lines of Braille at once, making it easier to enjoy books, explore graphics, and navigate complex documents like tables and charts. Developed in partnership with leading blindness organisations, the Monarch is designed to give Braille readers faster, richer access to digital content. For Blind Low Vision NZ Library members who own these devices, that means a smoother, more enjoyable reading experience across a wide range of books and resources.

Did You Know?

That you can now write a book review, request a book or search the library catalogue online. All these services can be found on the BLVNZ Library page (https://tinyurl.com/accessible-Library-online). Thank you again for helping us grow.

Email List for News and updates

Do you want to get the latest news and updates about the Blind Low Vision NZ library services? We have set up a new email list where you can receive updates, news and tips and tricks about our library services. We will also include any news about other accessible library services. The email list is open to all; anyone interested can join. Simply send an email to BLVLibrary+subscribe@groups.io to join.

Book Reviews From Audio Producer Simon Lynch

The following book reviews have been written by book producer Simon Lynch and produced by Blind Low Vision NZ.

Groundwork: The Art and Writing of Emily Cumming Harris by Michele Leggott and Catherine Field-Dodgson

Emily Cumming Harris was one of NZ’s most significant botanical artists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and 100 years on since her death, Michele Leggott has written Groundwork: The Art and Writing of Emily Cumming Harris. Described as a splendid biography with significant assistance from young academic Catherine Field-Dodgson. Groundwork covers the life of Emily Cumming Harris, emigrating from England to New Plymouth and moving to Nelson. An industrious and famed painter of NZ flora, her watercolours and oils were admired and exhibited internationally, and she also wrote poetry. For fans of non-fiction and lesser-known NZ historical figures, Groundwork is an absorbing and well-written read, expertly narrated by Madeleine Lynch in 9 hours and 52 minutes. Published 2025. Book number 143726.

British Philanthropy in the Globalizing World: Entrepreneurs and Evangelicals, 1756-1840 by Roshan Allpress

Subtitled Entrepreneurs and Evangelicals 1756-1840, British Philanthropy in the Globalizing World by author Roshan Allpress is a weighty tome that covers an expansive movement from the mid 1700’s, that of British philanthropy with a global vision. During this period, philanthropy became something of a cultural tradition, based on Evangelical convictions and influential thinkers. The protagonists were both individuals and small communities, like the Clapham Sect that sought to influence governments for not only the betterment of society, but to blend commercial interests with religious beliefs. Thus, networks were established bound by common intellectual frameworks. Expertly narrated by Christina Cie, British Philanthropy in the Globalizing World is a thought-provoking non-fiction book that will appeal to readers with an interest in how this period in British history set about to reshape society. Read by Christina Cie in 18 hours and 10 minutes. Published 2023. Book number 143529.

Book Club suggestions

Are you part of a book club? Dive into these top picks to spark meaningful discussions!

For Fiction Fans

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Set aboard the International Space Station over the course of a single day, Orbital is a luminous and thought-provoking novel that looks at Earth from 250 miles above. As six astronauts from different countries circle the planet sixteen times, they reflect on their lives, their fragile home below, and the vastness of space around them. Harvey weaves together science, philosophy, and human emotion in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. This is a book about perspective—how distance can bring us closer to what really matters. Perfect for book clubs, Orbital invites big conversations about wonder, belonging, and what it means to be human in an infinite universe. Booker Prize Winner for Fiction 2024. NZ Top 50. Read by Bruce Hopkins in 4 hours, 47 minutes. RNZFB. Book number 143183.

For Non-Fiction Fans

Careless People: A story of where I used to work by Sarah Wynn-Williams.

In this candid and sharply observed memoir, Sarah Wynn-Williams takes us behind the scenes of her former workplace, offering an unflinching look at the culture, characters, and everyday dramas that shaped her time there. Both witty and unsettling, Careless People explores ambition, loyalty, and the quiet ways workplace dynamics can erode—or strengthen—our sense of self. For book clubs, this is a thought-provoking read that sparks conversation about power, belonging, and the hidden costs of work. It’s a story about what we give to our jobs, and what they take from us in return. NZ Top 50. Read by Christina Cie in 13 hours, 14 minutes. RNZFB. Book number 143663.

Start the Journey: A Series to Keep You Reading

The Gabriel Allon series just got even bigger! The BLV Library now has the complete collection from Book 1 through Book 24, with the latest instalment, An Inside Job (published this year), coming soon.

Thrilling, sophisticated, and full of intrigue, Daniel Silva’s bestselling series follows Gabriel Allon—a master art restorer who also happens to be one of Israel’s top intelligence agents. Over more than twenty novels, Gabriel is pulled into a world of espionage, terrorism, and political drama, all while trying to hold onto a quieter life in the art world.

Fast paced and suspenseful, the series also dives into deeper themes of morality, justice, loyalty, and the cost of living a double life. From Jerusalem to Rome, London to Moscow, Silva combines meticulous research with unforgettable storytelling.

If you love spy thrillers with both heart and high stakes, the Gabriel Allon Series is sure to keep you gripped from beginning to end.

Book 1 – The Kill Artist – Book number 141173

Book 2 – The English Assassin – Book number 141161

Book 3 – The Confessor – Book number 141174

Book 4 – A Death in Vienna – Book number 141175

Book 5 – Prince of Fire – Book number 141176

Book 6 – The Messenger – Book number 141177

Book 7 – The Secret Servant – Book number 86924

Book 8 – Moscow Rules – Book number 86589

Book 9 – The Defector – Book number 141178

Book 10 – The Rembrandt Affair – Book number 86923

Book 11 – Portrait of a Spy – Book number 130948

Book 12 – The Fallen Angel – Book number 130946

Book 13 – The English Girl – Book number 141179

Book 14 – The Heist – Book number 141180

Book 15 – The English Spy- Book number 141181

Book 16 – The Black Widow – Book number 141182

Book 17 – House of Spies – Book number 141183

Book 18 – The Other Woman – Book number 143068

Book 19 – The New Girl – Book number 143069

Book 20 – The Order – Book number 143070

Book 21 – The Cellist – Book number 139435

Book 22 – Portrait of an Unknown Woman – Book number 143093

Book 23 – The Collector – Book number 143388

Book 24 – A Death in Cornwall – Book number 142921

Many Thanks

We would like to express our appreciation to the following funders. These funds have helped to make print material accessible to people who are blind or have low vision and without their support, it would not be possible to meet the reading needs of library users.

We would like to thank the following funders for continuing to support the Alexa roll-out:

One Foundation
Room-Simmonds Charitable Trust
Pelorus Trust
Manchester Unity Welfare Trust
Reed Charitable Trust

Also, we would like to thank the following funders for supporting the addition of talking books to the Blind Low Vision NZ Library:

Acorn Charitable Trust
Ray Watts Charitable Trust
Lake Memorial Charitable Trust
Grumitt Sisters Charitable Trust

New DAISY audio

This issue contains DAISY audio books added to the collection since the last issue of Sound and Touch in June 2025.

Abbreviations

BLVNZ: Blind Low Vision New Zealand
CNIB: (formerly known as) Canadian National Institute for the Blind
NLS: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Library of Congress
RNIB: Royal National Institute of Blind People
RNZFB: The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.
VA: Vision Australia

Adult Non-Fiction

Authors (Biography)

A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern

From the former prime minister of New Zealand, then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to give birth in office, comes a deeply personal memoir chronicling her extraordinary rise and offering inspiration to a new generation of leaders. What if we could redefine leadership? What if kindness came first? Jacinda Ardern grew up the daughter of a police officer in small-town New Zealand, but as the 40th Prime Minister of her country, she commanded global respect for her empathetic leadership that put people first. This is the remarkable story of how a Mormon girl plagued by self-doubt made political history and changed our assumptions of what a global leader can be. Read by Romy Hooper, Wendy Karstens and Cheryl Lawton in 14 hours, 14 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143748.

Three Wee Bookshops at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw

The bookseller at the end of the world described the first part of Ruth Shaw’s tumultuous life, touching readers in powerful ways. It became an international bestseller, translated into eleven languages. Three wee bookshops at the end of the world picks up Ruth’s story with more charming, heartbreaking, brave and funny tales. Having found the love of her life, Lance, she tells of their sailing adventures together, world travels, conservation efforts and their wee bookshops. Life has never been easy for Ruth but, despite that, her book is chock full of extraordinary people and situations, many of them laugh-out-loud funny. Tales from the bookshops are interwoven with Ruth’s story, along with expert book recommendations. Written in Ruth’s characteristic style, this absorbing memoir traverses the highs and lows of a life lived to the full, creating another deeply satisfying read. NZ Top 50. Read by Catriona MacLeod in 6 hours, 50 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143607.

No Words for This: A memoir by Alison Mau

From the age of twelve, Alison Mau wanted to be a journalist like her father. He was a beer-swilling, straight-talking Aussie who was rough around the edges but could quote passages of Hamlet at will. He taught Ali everything – from how to skin a rabbit and throw a punch to how to craft a sharp sentence – and she craved his validation as she navigated the sexist bad lands of Australian print and television journalism through the 1980s and ’90s. From Melbourne to London and Auckland, Ali built a glittering career and became a media darling – until an unexpected call from her sister brought her professional and personal lives crashing together with devastating force. As an investigative reporter bringing New Zealand’s #MeToo stories to light, she had to survey the wreckage of her family myth and ask herself, ‘Am I strong enough?’ and ‘Are there words for this?’ NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by Catriona MacLeod in 8 hours. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143534.

Sam the Trap Man: Cracking yarns and tall tales from the bush by Sam Gibson

Sam Gibson, aka Sam the Trap Man, is a bushman through and through hunting, fishing, trapping and adventuring – he does it all. As an unruly teenager starting to get into mischief Sam’s parents and teachers struck an unusual deal, letting him take time out of school to spend it in the outdoors, a path which would first steer him away from trouble and eventually come to define his life. NZ Top 50. Read by Kevin Keys in 8 hours, 5 minutes. Published, 2024. RNZFB. Book number 142859.

Blindness and Vision Impairment (Biography)

Live Laugh Love by Wyn Taylor

A life story of the author who developed macular degeneration in 2022. Read by Madeleine Lynch in 5 hours, 52 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143725.

Disabilities and Society

Social Work with Disabled People by Michael Oliver

This book has been substantially revised, taking account of the legislative changes since 1983 and the theoretical developments in the field of disability. Whilst continuing to highlight the negative impact of welfare policy on the lives of disabled people, it develops arguments as to how social work can contribute to the removal of disabling barriers and looks at the implications that an anti – disablist practice would have for the education and training of social workers and the management of welfare agencies. Read by Simon Lynch in 4 hours and 56 minutes. Published 1983. RNZFB. Book number 143766.

Food and Beverages

Tasty by Chelsea Winter

Chelsea Winter is back with her superb seventh cookbook, Tasty! It’s crammed full of scrumptious plant-based and refined sugar-free recipes that you can use with whatever additions work for your family. Chelsea is renowned for her totally delicious, accessible food, putting her magical spin on favourites like pies, lasagnes, curries, slices, cakes, pastas and traybakes – and making them every bit as flavour-packed and nostalgic as the classics. The recipes are all meat-free, egg-free and dairy-free; designed for every kind of eater, even those with allergies and intolerances. NZ Top 50. Read by Christina Cie in 6 hours, 44 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143274.

Everyday Comfort Food by Vanya Insull.

Vanya has built her reputation on simple, delicious, never-fail recipes. She knows what works in the kitchen when it comes to feeding a family and how to whip up the perfect dish for every occasion. Following on from the runaway success of Everyday Favourites and Summer Favourites, Everyday Comfort Food celebrates the colder seasons, with warming winter meals and nostalgic treats to keep the whole tribe happy – as well as more of the everyday winning dishes Vanya is known for. From hearty soups, tender slow-cooked lamb and flaky golden pies to sweet delights and indulgent self-saucing puddings, Everyday Comfort Food delivers 70 mouth-watering recipes that taste like home. NZ Top 50. Read by Christina Cie in 3 hours, 52 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143606.

Great Britain

Hidden Hands by Mary Wellesley

Manuscripts teem with life. They are not only the stuff of history and literature, but they offer some of the only tangible evidence we have of entire lives, long receded. Hidden Hands tells the stories of the artisans, artists, scribes and readers, patrons and collectors who made and kept the beautiful, fragile objects that have survived the ravages of fire, water and deliberate destruction to form a picture of both English culture and the wider European culture of which it is part. Without manuscripts, she shows, many historical figures would be lost to us, as well as those of lower social status, women and people of colour, their stories erased, and the remnants of their labours destroyed. Read by Christina Cie in 14 hours, 5 minutes. Published 2021. RNZFB. Book number 143215.

The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker by Annie Gray

Bustling with rich detail, historical vignettes and surprising wares, this is the story of Britain’s best-loved but ever-changing public spaces. What makes a high street? It’s certainly not just about the shopping; these thoroughfares are often the beating heart of our towns and cities and, by extension, of the people who use them. As spaces where local life and culture unfolds, our high streets can be playgrounds of personal indulgence and community spirit, or sites of contentious debate and politicking. Historian Annie Gray takes us down the street and through the ages, from medieval marketplaces to the purpose-built concrete precincts of the 20th century. Peeping through the windows of tailors, tearooms and grocers, we explore everything from the toyshops of yesteryear – where curiosities were sold for adults, not children – to the birth of brands we shop at today. Read by the author in 10 hours, 11 minutes. Published 2024. Ulverscroft. Book number 143474.

Health and Wellbeing

Patterns For Problem Solving by Dr Richand Bandler, Owen Fitzpatrick

The definitive study of successful problem solving, fully revised and updated in 1975, Dr. Richard Bandler co-authored a pioneering book, The Structure of Magic Volume 1, which revolutionised the way people worldwide thought about the language and psychology of problem solving. Now, almost 50 years on, this seminal work has been comprehensively revised and updated, presenting further powerful insights which will again transform the way we approach the problems we face in the modern world. Read by Madeleine Lynch in 7 hours, 11 minutes. Published 2022. RNZFB. Book number 143753.

Heal Your Eye Problems With Herbs, Minerals and Vitamins by Max Crarer

Read how a combination of herbs, minerals and vitamins have helped thousands of New Zealand sufferers of various eye complaints. Read by Christina Cie in 2 hours, 55 minutes. Published 2022. RNZFB. Book number 143770.

Open When: For life’s twists and turns by Dr. Julie Smith

Clinical psychologist Dr. Julie Smith (@drjulie) shares a handbook full of advice for dealing with mental health challenges in the moment they occur. Dr. Julie shares the research-backed concepts and powerful skills anyone can use to weather their most vulnerable moments and move through any situation with grace. Read by the author in 7 hours, 44 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143340.

The DOSE Effect by TJ Power

A neuroscientist’s powerful framework for enhancing quality of life through the regulation of four key hormones: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (DOSE). Read by the author in 11 hours, 46 minutes. Published 2025. Blackstone. Book number 143349.

How to Live the Good Life by Arthur Jackson

Arthur Jackson’s book is the product of his 40-year struggle to find a naturalistic alternative to traditional folk religions (like Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism) capable of providing comparable emotional support. This effort led to what is now recognized as a Science of Religion and Ethics – a religion of wisdom providing guidance to any person interested in making moral and ethical choices. Read by Synthetic speech in 15 hours, 58 minutes. Published 2011. RNZFB. Book number 143362.

Mindsight: Near-death and out-of-body experiences in the blind by Kenneth Ring and Sharon Cooper

This book investigates the astonishing claim that blind persons, including those blind from birth, can “see” during near-death or out-of-body episodes. The authors present their findings in scrupulous detail, investigating case histories of blind persons who have reported visual experiences under these conditions. There is fascinating evidence that the blind do “see” in these moments, but it is not sight as we think of it. Ring and Cooper suggest a kind of “transcendental awareness” they refer to as Mindsight. It involves seeing in detail, sometimes from all angles at once, with everything in focus, and a sense of “knowing” the subject, not just visually, but with multisensory knowledge. Read by Christina Cie in 7 hours 30 minutes. Published 2008. RNZFB. Book number 143721.

Medicine (Biography)

This is Going to Hurt: Secret diaries of a junior doctor by Adam Kay

As soon as Adam Kay set foot on a hospital ward for the first time, he realized there’s quite a lot they don’t teach you at medical school. His diaries from the NHS front line scribbled in secret after long nights, endless days and missed weekends are hilarious, horrifying and heartbreaking by turns. This Is Going to Hurt is everything you wanted to know about being a junior doctor, and more than a few things you really didn’t. And yes, it may leave a scar. Read by Kevin Keys in 6 hours, 51 minutes. Published 2018. RNZFB. Book number 143487.

Musicians (Biography)

Dark Star: The Roy Orbison story by Ellis Amburn

Chronicles the life and career of Roy Orbison, from the dusty oil patches and honky tonks of west Texas to the heights of international stardom. He examines Orbison’s addictions to hard work, heavy touring schedules, fast motorcycles, smoking and speed, all of which would contribute to great personal tragedies. In tracing Roy Orbison’s life, Amburn also recounts the pioneer days of rock ‘n’ roll. Read by Staci Hamlin in 9 hours 12 minutes. Published 1990. NLS. Book number 143798.

NZ and Pacific Non-Fiction

Retirement Ready: How I planned my retirement (and what you can learn from it) by Martin Hawes

Join acclaimed financial expert Martin Hawes as he shares the behind-the-scenes strategies that transformed his own retirement planning. With over 35 years of experience, Martin navigates the complex maze of decisions you face as you approach this pivotal life stage. From choosing who should manage your money to deciding on your investment approach, to determining how much you’ll need to sustain your lifestyle, Retirement Ready tackles the critical questions that will shape your future. Should you downsize your home? How do you balance current spending with leaving a legacy for your children? What insurance options should you consider and is a family trust still right for you. NZ Top 50. Read by Paul Barrett in 5 hours, 21 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143727.

Wild Walks Aotearoa: A guide to tramping in New Zealand by Hannah-Rose Watt

Featuring 59 walks across New Zealand’s North and South islands, this practical guide is for anyone keen to explore Aotearoa’s wilderness on foot. Containing key info about essential gear; safety on the tracks; how to read topographical maps and trail markers; hut and track etiquette; advice for solo and female trampers; and details and logistics for each walk, this book will be your new tramping companion. NZ Top 50. Read by Madeleine Lynch in 9 hours, 20 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143413.

This Is the F#$%ing News by Patrick Gower

Paddy Gower has never been afraid to stand up for what he believes in. From his teenage and university years where he learnt to defend himself from cruel bullying about his looks, to the pressure-cooker years he spent in the Press Gallery holding politicians to account to advocating for the families of the Christchurch terrorist attacks and for sufferers of cystic fibrosis, he has scrapped and fought for the truth and justice for others. Unfortunately, this unrelenting drive has come at a cost….NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by Kevin Keys in 7 hours, 24 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143273.

Unveiled: A story of surviving Gloriavale by Theophila Pratt

Theophila Pratt was born Honey Faithful in Gloriavale, the fundamentalist Christian community that has been at the centre of decades of allegations of sexual and physical assault, and workplace exploitation. Raised in this isolated community, where a small contingent of men held all the power, Theo found herself questioning the hostile and controlling environment in which she lived, where women and girls faced oppression and abuse daily. When she decided to leave the community at age eighteen, Theo was dropped at a bus stop and left to fend for herself. Having been sheltered from the outside world, and with no knowledge of how society operated, she must rebuild her life from scratch. Now a qualified occupational therapist, Theo is telling her story with a view to unveil the secrets of the Gloriavale community, and empowering other survivors to break free of the cycle of abuse. Read by Wendy Karstens in 8 hours, 57 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143498.

Woman Uninterrupted by Brodie Kane

Yarns on a life lived at a million miles, from beloved broadcaster, podcaster and go-getter Brodie Kane. First up: this is not a guide to life. I’ve done some impressive stuff, but I’ve also slept on the floor of an old Greek man’s house and lost my dignity in the Brunei jungle. I say yes to everything this life has to offer — I’m from the ‘women can have it all’ club – and, boy, have I got the stories to show for it. From surf-lifesaving to a hungover Army deployment, being broke with a gum infection in Europe, spooning Richie McCaw on a mountain, improvising make-up for Paul Holmes, running my first ultra-marathon and reinventing myself after redundancy: every wild, brilliant and hilarious experience has taught me something new. Whether it’s how not to care about being judged, how to fake it till you make it, how to throw yourself into the unknown or how to push through the pit of despair, I’ve come to love that we are all works in progress. If I fail from time to time, that’s okay too. Open the book of this open book (me). I want to show you the raw, the real and the vulnerable of a full-volume life and how the greatest moments – or at the very least the greatest yarns – come about by just giving it a crack. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by Anne Speir in 7 hours, 42 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143533.

Nature And Animals

Born Wild by Tony Fitzjohn

Following Tony Fitzjohn’s journey from London bad boy to African wildlife warrior, the heart of the story is a series of love affairs with the world’s most beautiful and endangered creatures. Tony tells of his twenty years in Kenya with George Adamson of Born Free fame – a time of discovery, isolation and frequent danger living far from civilisation. And when he was prevented from re-introducing any more animals into the wild and made unwelcome in the country he loved, Tony had to start anew in Tanzania. Read by Paul Barrett in 12 hours. Published 2010. RNZFB. Book number 143232.

New Zealand History

Woolsheds: The historic shearing sheds of Aotearoa by Annette O’Sullivan and Jane Ussher

Woolsheds take readers to historic sheep stations in the North and South islands and explores the rich histories of this key primary industry that are contained in their heritage shearing sheds. From the oldest working woolshed in Mid Canterbury to woolsheds rebuilt after earthquakes, it is a celebration of the tenacity of the sheep-farming sector. NZ Top 50. Read by Cheryl Lawton in 5 hours, 49 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143432.

Sportspeople (Biography)

Leading Under Pressure by Ian Foster

Ian Foster led the All Blacks through one of the most tumultuous periods of the team’s 120-year history. Leading Under Pressure is a fascinating look into the pressure cooker inner-sanctum of the world’s most famous rugby team. With revelations about Foster’s time in the job, it also delves into the politics of rugby, and the events preceding the dramatic 2023 Rugby World Cup. Read by John Leigh in 6 hours, 36 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143758.

Behind the Mask: My Autobiography by Tyson Fury

A Manchester lad from Irish Traveller stock, born three months premature and weighing just a pound at birth, Tyson (named after his father’s boxing hero) grew up to become one of the most unlikely heavyweight champions in history. This ‘dream come true’ soon turned to nightmare, however, as alcohol and cocaine abuse took hold and Tyson was stripped of his titles. What followed was the darkest moment of his life detailed in this book for the first time in which he came within seconds of ending everything. Read by Bruce Hopkins in 7 hours, 7 minutes. Published 2019. RNZFB. Book number 143532.

The Storm Within by Cameron Smith with Andrew Webster

Cameron Smith AM is the most decorated rugby league player of all time. The recipient of numerous Dally M and Golden Boot awards, he has starred in the toughest league competition on the planet every season since he made his NRL debut in 2002. Captaining the Melbourne Storm to multiple premierships, Smith played in a staggering seventeen finals campaigns. An integral member of the record-breaking Queensland teams of 2006-2017, he won eleven State of Origin series. As skipper of the Australian national team for over a decade, he led the Kangaroos to two World Cups. Smith is credited with revolutionising the number nine position. He holds the State of Origin records for most appearances and most wins, as well as the NRL records for most games, goals, points scored, wins and appearances as captain. Read by Kevin Keys in 10 hours, 11 minutes. Published 2020. RNZFB. Book number 143531.

Wars

Operation Biting: The 1942 parachute assault to capture Hitler’s radar by Max Hastings

Max Hastings recounts the odds-defying Operation Biting, a 1942 parachute commando raid on Northern France to steal vital components of German intelligence, one of the most thrilling British commando raids of World War II, and one of the most successful. Read by Max Hastings and John Hopkins in 8 hours, 35 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143333.

Adult Fiction

Australian Stories

The Dry by Jane Harper

Amid the worst drought to ravage Australia in a century, it hasn’t rained in small country town Kiewarra for two years. Tensions in the community become unbearable when three members of the Hadler family are brutally murdered. Everyone thinks Luke Hadler, who committed suicide after slaughtering his wife and six-year-old son, is guilty. Policeman Aaron Falk returns to the town of his youth for the funeral of his childhood best friend and is unwillingly drawn into the investigation. As questions mount and suspicion spreads through the town, Falk is forced to confront the community that rejected him 20 years earlier. Because Falk and Luke Hadler shared a secret, one which Luke’s death threatens to unearth. And as Falk probes deeper into the killings, secrets from his past and why he left home bubble to the surface as he questions the truth of his friend’s crime. Read by Steve Shanahan in 9 hours, 38 minutes. Published 2016. VisAbility. Book number 142769.

Crime Fiction

The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

Private Detective Cormoran Strike is contacted by a worried father whose son, Will, has gone to join a religious cult in the depths of the Norfolk countryside. The Universal Humanitarian Church is, on the surface, a peaceable organization that campaigns for a better world. Yet Strike discovers that beneath the surface there are deeply sinister undertones, and unexplained deaths. To try to rescue Will, Strike’s business partner, Robin Ellacott, decides to infiltrate the cult. Adult content advised. Cormoran Strike series, book 7. Sequel to: The ink black heart, 142340. Has sequel: The hallmarked man, not yet in collection. Read by Christine Hewton in 32 hours, 16 minutes. Published 2023. RNZFB. Book number 142341.

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell

Summoned to an unnerving, abandoned theme park to retrieve a body, Dr. Kay Scarpetta is devastated to learn that the victim is a man she once loved. While teaching in Rome during the early days of her career, Scarpetta had an intense love affair with Sal Giordano that led to a lifelong friendship. Scarpetta’s niece Lucy believes he was dropped from an unidentified flying craft. Scarpetta knows an autopsy can reveal the dead’s secrets, but she is shocked to find her friend seems to have deliberately left her a clue. NZ Top 50. Kay Scarpetta series, book 28. Sequel to: Unnatural death, not yet in collection. Read by January LaVoy in 10 hours, 12 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143330.

Fantasy

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

A thousand years ago, the prophesied hero from lore rose up to overthrow a great and terrible evil. Only, he lost, and the Dark Lord took over and has been ruling with an iron fist for a thousand years. Ash falls from the sky in this barren land, and mists come every night, deep and mysterious. In this setting, a gang of thieves decides that the prophecies were all lies and that they can’t trust in some fabled hero to save them. They decide to take matters into their own hands and plan a daring heist of the dark lord himself, planning to use the emperor’s own wealth to bribe his armies away from him and take over the empire. Mistborn series, book 1. Has sequel: The well of ascension, 134380. Read by Synthetic speech in 23 hours, 8 minutes. Published 2009. RNZFB. Book number 143547.

Archangel’s Sun by Nalini Singh

The Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease may be gone but their legacy of evil lives on – especially in Africa, where the shambling, rotting creatures called the reborn have gained a glimmer of vicious intelligence. It is up to Titus, archangel of this vast continent, to stop the reborn from spreading across the world. Titus can’t do it alone, but of the surviving powerful angels and archangels, large numbers are wounded, while the rest are fighting a surge of murderous vampires. Guild hunter series, book 13. Sequel to: Archangel’s war, 142254. Has sequel: Archangel’s light, 142256. Read by Owen Scott in 11 hours, 36 minutes. Published 2020. RNZFB. Book number 142255.

Historical Novels

Frankie by Graham Norton

Always on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie Howe was never quite sure enough of herself to take centre stage after all, life had already judged her harshly. Now old, Frankie finds it easier to forget the life that came before. Then Damian, a young Irish carer, arrives at her London flat, there to keep an eye on her as she recovers from a fall. A memory is sparked, and the past crackles into life as Damian listens to the story Frankie has kept stored away all these years. Travelling from post-war Ireland to 1960s New York a city full of art, larger than life characters and turmoil Frankie shares a world in which friendship and chance encounters collide. A place where, for a while, life blazes with an intensity that can’t last but will perhaps live on in other ways and in other people. But as Frankie’s past slowly emerges, her spirit and endurance are revealed as undeniable and unforgettable. NZ Top 50. Read by the author in 9 hours, 6 minutes. Published 2024. Ulverscroft. Book number 143436.

The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh

Botanical artist Jane Saville is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else’s honour. Isolated far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family from public shame. Guy Attwood is heir to a fortune but prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family’s business empire. He sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and re-naming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated George V. When the paths of these people from two very different worlds collide, Jane begins to hope for a different future, but their new friendship is shattered by jealousy, misunderstanding, duty and treachery. NZ Top 50. Read by Wendy Karstens in 14 hours, 55 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143368.

Gabriel’s Moon by William Boyd

Gabriel Dax is a young man haunted by the memories of a tragedy: every night, when sleep finally comes, he dreams about his childhood home in flames. His days are spent on the move as an acclaimed travel writer capturing the changing landscapes in the grip of the Cold War. When he’s offered the chance to interview a political figure, his ambition leads him unwittingly into a web of duplicities and betrayals. As Gabriel’s reluctant initiation takes hold, he is drawn deeper into the shadows. Falling under the spell of Faith Green, an enigmatic and ruthless MI6 handler, he becomes ‘her spy’, unable to resist her demands. But amid the peril, paranoia and passion consuming Gabriel’s new covert life, it will be the revelations closer to home that change the rest of his story. NZ Top 50. Read by John Callen in 10 hours, 7 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143382.

The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies

1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows, and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer’s job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets. 1944. Running from the brutality of war in France, Florence Baudin faces a new life. But her estranged mother makes a desperate request to find her vanished sister, who went missing years before. Betrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence’s only clue, the war an immovable barrier and time is running out. Read by Wendy Karstens in 14 hours, 52 minutes. Published 2022. RNZFB. Book number 143237.

Humour

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

Lula Dean wants to rid her town’s libraries of all inappropriate books, none of which she’s ever read, and starts her own lending library in front of her home. But one of Lula’s enemies discovers the library and decides to turn the tables on her, just as Lula and her archenemy Beverly Underwood are running against each other for town mayor. Suddenly people who’ve been borrowing from Lula’s library begin to reveal themselves. Read by January LaVoy in 10 hours, 13 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143324.

Modern Women’s Fiction

The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida

Welcome to Tenderness! A quaint seaside town in Kitakyushu, Mojiko is full of hidden delights. And one unexpected treasure is the 24/7 convenience store, Tenderness. At first glance, it’s a store like any other. Sure, it’s a bit odd that the handsome manager has his own fan club. And perhaps the customers are somewhat eccentric. But there’s a warmth about Tenderness that draws you in. The bright lights are always on. The employees know you by name. And the shelves are stacked with delicious treats, from strong hot coffee to sweet parfaits, egg sandos to ramen, crispy fried chicken to refreshing soba. After a while, you get the feeling that whatever you need might just be waiting for you here. Read by Yuriri Naka in 9 hours, 34 minutes. Published 2024. Ulverscroft. Book number 143463.

The Island Swimmer by Lorraine Kelly

When Evie’s father falls desperately ill, she finally returns to the family home on Orkney and the wild landscape she left as a teenager, swearing never to return. Not everyone is happy at her arrival, particularly her estranged sister Liv, their relationship broken after a childhood trauma. As Evie clears out her father’s neglected house to prepare it for sale, she finds herself drawn to a group of cold-water swimmers led by her old friend Freya, who discovers calmness beneath the waves. Together they help Evie face up to the mistakes in her past, unlocking a treasure of truths that will reverberate through the community, and shake her family to its core. Read by the author in 9 hours 15 minutes. Published 2024. Ulverscroft. Book number 143462.

Mystery And Detective Stories

8 Months Left by James Patterson

Jane Smith is running out of time. Her repeat client, Rob Jacobson, is the unluckiest of the unlucky. No sooner is he accused of killing a family of three in the Hamptons than a second family is gunned down. He says he’s being set up again. Despite the odds, Jane believes him. Now she must mount the most complex investigation of her career. But she’s facing her own battle too. A terminal medical condition. The defence may never rest. NZ Top 50. Read by John Reynolds in 8 hours and 42 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 142913.

A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin

John Rebus stands accused: on trial for a crime that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life. Although it’s not the first time the legendary detective has taken the law into his own hands, it might be the last. What drove a good man to cross the line? Or have times changed, and the rules with them? Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke faces Edinburgh’s most explosive case in years, as a corrupt cop goes missing after claiming to harbour secrets that could sink the city’s police force. But in this investigation, it seems all roads lead to Rebus – and Clarke’s twin loyalties to the public and the police will be tested to their limit. Inspector Rebus series, book 24. Sequel to: A song for the dark times, 140012. Has sequel: Midnight and blue, 143336. Read by James MacPherson in 11 hours, 44 minutes. Published 2022. VisAbility. Book number 142779.

See How They Fall by Rachel Paris

Turner Corp, a luxury goods empire, has been rocked by the death of its founder. As his three sons gather at the family’s opulent estate for a long weekend, tensions rise when an illegitimate heir is introduced – and no one could predict the tragedy that follows. Skye, who married into the dynasty, is uneasy in her husband’s world, hiding her own secrets while trying to maintain a normal life for their six-year-old daughter. The weekend quickly morphs into any parent’s worst nightmare, leaving Skye desperate to uncover the truth about the Turner family. Mei, the detective assigned to the case, is pressured by her superiors to close the investigation swiftly. However, as she begins to unpick the complex web of lies and betrayal, she realizes that pulling at these threads might just bring down an empire. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by Janice Finn in 9 hours, 19 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143622.

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

When forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway goes to the Smith Museum to supervise the opening of the coffin of a fourteenth-century bishop, she finds the young curator near death. Galloway and DCI Nelson must work on the case together, despite their estrangement. Ruth Galloway series, book 4. Sequel to: The house at Sea’s End, 143398. Has sequel: Dying fall, 143434. Read by Christina Cie in 10 hours, 10 minutes. Published 2012. RNZFB. Book number 143490.

Midnight and blue by Ian Rankin

A convict is brutally murdered in his locked cell deep in the heart of Scotland’s most infamous prison. Sleeping in a cell across the floor lies John Rebus, the equally notorious detective. Stripped of his badge and estranged from his police family, he is now fighting for his own life, protected by an old nemesis, but always one wrong move away from the shank. As new allies and old enemies circle, and the days and nights bleed into each other, even this legendary figure struggles to keep his head. NZ Top 50. Inspector Rebus series, book 25. Sequel to: A heart full of headstones, 142779. Read by James MacPherson in 10 hours, 22 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143336.

Black Diamond by Martin Walker

France’s Perigord region is the home of the exquisite black truffle, and at five thousand euros a kilo, it’s a treasured local asset. When reports come in that this unique delicacy is being adulterated with a cheaper Chinese version, Bruno is asked to investigate the scam. In St Denis market, a Vietnamese family runs a popular stall selling their country’s dishes, until one day their stall is overturned and wrecked by attackers who look Chinese. Bruno wonders if these are the opening shots of a Viet-Chinese triad war. When brutal murder is added to the mix, Bruno has his work cut out to find the connection between present and long buried crimes that are linked to France’s colonial past. Bruno, Chief of Police series, book 3. Sequel to: The dark vineyard, 143018. Has sequel: The crowded grave, 143270. Read by Synthetic speech, Charlie in 7 hours, 48 minutes. RNZFB. Book number 143066.

Stalemate by Iris Johansen

Eve Duncan has turned down the job twice already. Her skill and devotion in identifying murder victims and helping bring their killers to justice may be world-renowned. But Eve works exclusively for law enforcement and the families of the innocent, and the man on the other end of the phone is many things – none of them law-abiding or innocent. One of the world’s most wanted men, little is really known about Luis Montalvo except that he is extraordinarily dangerous and that he never takes no for an answer. Now he wants Eve’s help in the worst way. For he believes they have something in common – and he’s about to prove it with a grisly warning. Eve Duncan series, book 7. Sequel to: Countdown, 108374. Has sequel: Quicksand, 141172. Published 2008. RNZFB. Book number 143722.

The Devils Stop by Scott Blade

At the remote town of Hellbent, New Hampshire, Widow meets a woman who is eight months pregnant, alone, and desperate to find her missing husband. She fears that he’s dead. They’re not the only ones looking for him. A gang of Army-rejects is out there hunting for him. Jack Widow series, book 10. Sequel to: The last rainmaker, 143020. Has sequel: Black daylight, in production. Published 2018. RNZFB. Book number 143095.

NZ and Pacific Novels

The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey

In a sinisterly skewed version of England in 1979, thirteen-year-old triplets Vincent, Lawrence and William are the last remaining residents of a New Forest home, part of the government’s Sycamore Scheme. Each day the boys must take medicine to protect themselves from a mysterious illness to which many of their friends have succumbed. Children who survive are allowed to move to the Big House in Margate, a destination of mythical proportions, desired by every Sycamore child. Meanwhile, in Exeter, Nancy lives a secluded life with her parents, who never let her leave the house. As the government looks to shut down the Sycamore homes and place their residents into the community, the triplets’ lives begin to intersect with Nancy’s, culminating in revelations that will rock the children to the core. Read by Janice Finn in 13 hours, 10 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143747.

Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka

In the void of time, Kurangaituku, the bird-woman, tells the story of her extraordinary Life – the birds who first sang her into being, the arrival of the Song Makers and the change they brought to her world, her life with the young man Hatupatu, and her death. But death does not end a creature of imagination like Kurangaituku. 2022 Ockham Book Awards winner for Fiction. Read by Romy Hooper in 10 hours, 30 minutes. Published 2021. RNZFB. Book number 141607.

Dice by Claire Baylis

Four teenage boys invent a sex game based on the toss of a dice. The police charge them with multiple sexual offences against three teenage girls. Twelve jurors must work out what happened. How does the jury find? Dice is a stunning courtroom drama told from the perspective of a diverse group of ordinary people – the jury. How will twelve women and men of different ages, backgrounds and beliefs decide whether consent was given, or crimes were committed? Winner of the 2024 Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel. Adult content advised. Read by Anne Speir in 10 hours, 39 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143008.

Miss Bumby’s Mission by Josie Laird

In 1838 when Mary Bumby’s brother John decided to travel from England to be a missionary in New Zealand, she went with him. And she took two hives of live bees on their arduous six-month sea voyage. This story tells, in her own words, how both Mary and her skeps of bees survived this incredible adventure. When they landed in the Hokianga, she became New Zealand’s first beekeeper. Based on Mary’s actual diary and accounts by others, this novel shows near-forgotten skep-keeping practices and what it was like for Mary as one of the few European women living in pre-treaty New Zealand. Read by Romy Hooper in 8 hours, 13 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143641.

Expectant by Vanda Symon

The shocking murder of a heavily pregnant woman throws the New Zealand city of Dunedin into a tailspin, and the devastating crime feels uncomfortably close to home for Detective Sam Shephard as she counts down the days to her own maternity leave. Confined to a desk job in the department, Sam must find the missing link between this brutal crime and a string of cases involving mothers and children in the past. As the pieces start to come together, and the realisation dawns that the killer’s actions are escalating, drastic measures must be taken to prevent more tragedy. Long list for 2024 Ngaio Marsh Awards for best Novel. Finalist in the 2024 Barry Awards for best Mystery or Crime Novel. Adult content advised. Sam Shephard series, book 5. Sequel to: Bound, 61635. Read by Tim Roxborogh in 6 hours, 26 minutes. Published 2023. RNZFB. Book number 143067.

Better Left Dead by Catherine Lea

DI Nyree Bradshaw and her team have their work cut out for them once again. Local woman Lizzy Bean has been found dead, garrotted with a piece of wire. Lizzy’s property, a 1970s beach house overlooking a pristine Northland bay, is overflowing with rubbish. Inside, the house is even worse. As Nyree and her team delve into the case, clues begin to reveal an intricate web of connections involving a local crime syndicate, a kidnapped woman, and a group of ex-foster children haunted by the past. Meanwhile, Nyree’s own history is catching up with her. Forever racked by guilt that she has failed her son, who is currently in prison for murder, she might finally get a chance to redeem herself in his eyes…but it comes at a steep cost. DI Nyree Bradshaw series, book 2. Sequel to: The water’s dead, in production. Read by Sara Lynam in 10 hours, 39 minutes. Published 2024. Ulverscroft. Book number 143468.

Lost Souls by Jenny Haworth

The Anglo-Boer War is, for New Zealanders, the forgotten war. Yet over 10,000 New Zealand soldiers recruited in 10 contingents left New Zealand for South Africa between 1899-1902. Most arrived too late to fight in the major battles. Instead, they were used in the “dirty war”, rounding up Boer women and children for the concentration camps, slaughtering animals and burning crops. Luke Macpherson is now an old man, haunted by memories of his time in South Africa as he watches his favourite nephew prepare to volunteer in World War II. Luke is inspired to write an account of his own war, and how he was forced to serve under his brother when he arrived in South Africa. Lost Souls explores the relationship between brothers, the horrors of imperialism and the false excitement and goals of patriotism. Read by Paul Barrett in 10 hours, 5 minutes. Published 2005. RNZFB. Book number 143551.

You’re So Vine by Catherine Robertson

Whoever invented love at first sight should have left instructions for what to do when it only strikes one of you… is all Ava Durant can think as she watches the man of her dreams from across the room at her brother’s wedding. Handyman Cam Hollander takes the ‘strong, silent type’ label to new extremes and getting more than four words at a time out of him is Ava’s primary life goal. But when Ava’s health takes a hit it’s Cam who unexpectedly steps in to nurse her, and the dynamic between them is forever changed. Read by Christina Cie in 8 hours, 28 minutes. Flora Valley series, book 2. Sequel to: Corkscrew you, 142752. Has sequel: Kiss my glass, in production. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 142753.

Romance

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever. He has never once been tempted to break those rules, until her. Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She’s nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed. Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defence’s until he’s faced with a truth he can no longer deny he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her. Because she’s his. His princess. His forbidden fruit. His every depraved fantasy. Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses. But when her brother abdicates, she’s suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted. And as she navigates the intricacies, and treacheries, of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can’t have. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Twisted series, book 2. Sequel to: Twisted love, 142938. Has sequel: Twisted hate, in production. Read by Romy Hooper in 14 hours, 32 minutes. Published 2021. RNZFB. Book number 142939.

An Almost Perfect Summer by Jill Mansell

Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He’s a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart. Then Nella loses her job. There’s a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can’t risk falling in love with. While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie’s sworn off people – especially men – until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation – with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though. Then an astonishing secret changes everything. Read by Katherine Press in 12 hours, 3 minutes. Published 2025. Ulverscroft. Book number 143470.

From London With Love by Katie Fforde

It’s 1968 and it’s cold when Felicity arrives in London to stay with her mother, improve her English, do a secretarial course – and meet a suitable man. She is already missing her home in Provence. But it’s only for a year she tells herself – and then she can go back to France and become a painter. And then she bumps into Oliver who is quite the most interesting young man she has ever met. He lives on a barge for one thing, but his passion is looking for hidden treasures along the shores of the river Thames. In a word, he’s a mud larker – and before long Felicity is mudlarking too. She is also pursuing her dreams and painting scenery for Oliver’s actor friends. But is Oliver a Suitable Man of whom her mother will approve? Felicity knows she will not. Read by Emma Handy in 9 hours, 49 minutes. Published 2025. Ulverscroft. Book number 143472.

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Teen Merit Voss is fed up with her dysfunctional family and the secrets they force her to keep. She decides to expose their lies and then leave for good, but her escape plan fails, and she must face the music. Adult content advised. Read by Jill Fox in 9 hours, 51 minutes. Published 2017. NLS. Book number 143045.

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

During the summer before college, Natalie is once again visited by an elderly apparition, missing from her life for almost three years, who tells her to save a boy. Her confusion ebbs when she meets Beau, who changes her life. Read by Mare Trevathan in 10 hours, 27 minutes. Published 2016. NLS. Book number 143050.

Science Fiction

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. NZ Top 50. Hunger Games series, book 0.5. Has sequel: The Hunger Games, 71431. Read by Wendy Karstens in 14 hours, 8 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143599.

Death of the Author: A novel by Nnedi Okorafor

Disabled, disinclined to marry, and interested in writing, Zelu has always felt like the outcast of her large Nigerian family. Then her life is upended when she’s fired from her job, and another publisher rejects her novel. Fed up, she decides to write something for herself. When Zelu shares her new novel, she does not realize she is about to embark on a life-altering journey. Read by Liz Femi, Anthony Oseyemi, Jason Culp, and Chris Djuma in 16 hours, 14 minutes. Published 2025. Book number 143348.

The Family

The Rest of You by Maame Blue

Now on the cusp of thirty, Ghanaian Londoner Whitney Appiah was born with a special gift. The massage therapist can physically sense where her clients’ trauma lies and heals them. But Whitney is also suffering, so she embarks on a journey to reclaim her memories. Read by Ekua Ekumah and Sara Novak in 8 hours, 46 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143335.

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah

Time and differences have kept divorce lawyer Meghann Dontess and her sister, Claire, from the closeness they shared during a difficult childhood. Reunited for Claire’s wedding, they establish new bonds, and Meghann finds herself falling in love as well. Adult content advised. Read by Mary Beth Wise in 13 hours, 2 minutes. Published 2003. NLS. Book number 142732.

Thrillers

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

After months of maternity leave, Camilla is about to drop her daughter off for daycare and return to her job. After arriving at the office, she learns of a nearby police standoff and is shocked to discover her husband is one of the criminals. Years after the unsolved crime and disappearance of her husband, she receives an anonymous tip and starts to search for the truth. Read by Emilia Fox in 13 hours, 6 minutes. Published 2025. Blackstone. Book number 143359.

The Waiting by Michael Connelly

LAPD Detective Renée Ballard tracks a terrifying serial rapist whose trail has gone cold, with the help of the newest volunteer to the Open-Unsolved Unit: Patrol Officer Maddie Bosch, Harry’s daughter. NZ Top 50. Renee Ballard series, book 6. Sequel to: Desert star, 141291. Read by Christine Lakin, Titus Welliver, and Madison Lintz in 10 hours, 50 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143334.

The House of Cross by James Patterson

Supreme Court candidates are being murdered, and Alex Cross and John Sampson take on the case. In this, his toughest investigation, Alex Cross must put himself inside the mind of a diabolical killer. NZ Top 50. Alex Cross series, book 33. Sequel to: Alex Cross must die, 143320. Read by Wayne Carr, William Christopher Stephens, Peter Giles, Zeno Robinson, Andrew Kishino, Christine Lakin, and Inger Tudor in 9 hours, 38 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143337.

The Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel Kọ́láwọlé

Able God works for low pay at a four-star hotel where he must flash his “toothpaste-white smile” for wealthy guests. When Able is suddenly caught in a web of violence, guilt, and fear, he must run to save himself, a journey that leads him into the desert with a group of drug-addled migrants. The travellers’ dream of reaching Europe and a new life in a better place is shattered when they fall prey to human traffickers, suffer starvation, and find themselves on the precipice of death, fighting for their lives and their freedom. As Able moves into the treacherous unknown, his consciousness becomes focused on survival, and the foundations of his beliefs are forever altered. Read by Atta Otigba in 9 hours, 1 minute. Published 2019. Blackstone. Book number 143328.

To Die For by David Baldacci

Travis Devine is sent to Seattle to aid the FBI in escorting twelve-year-old orphan Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, who is under investigation. As he gets to know Betsy, he learns of a grand conspiracy. NZ Top 50. The 6:20 Man series, book 3. Sequel to: The edge, 143198. Read by Zach Villa, Mela Lee, Cassandra Morris, Rena-Marie Villano, Christine Lakin, Will Collyer, Kiff Vanden Heuvel, and Erin Bennett in 11 hours, 58 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143338.

No One Will Know: A novel by Rose Carlyle

With a child on the way, Eve Sylvester is hired by wealthy couple Julia and Christopher Hygate as a nanny. But the job seems too good to be true. Arriving with no money or experience, why would they hire her, and why must she stay out of sight? NZ Top 50. Read by Siho Ellsmore in 10 hours, 40 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143332.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

If you knew when you were going to die, what would you do differently? It all begins on a flight from Hobart to Sydney. The flight will be smooth. It will land safely. Everyone who gets on the plane will get off the plane. But almost all of them will be changed forever. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by Marguerite Vanderkolk in 13 hours, 58 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143367.

EBraille and Braille books

This issue contains EBraille and Physical Braille books in our collection. Ebraille books have an Ebraille number and Physical Braille books have a BR number. Ebraille, can be embossed upon request or supplied in BRF format. If you are unsure, please contact us to enquire as to whether a particular title is available on the shelf or requires embossing. Braille books are contracted, single-spaced and double sided.

Abbreviations:

UEB: Unified English Braille Code

EBraille: Electronic Braille books

BR: Braille

CNIB: (Formerly known as) Canadian National Institute for the Blind

NLS: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Library of Congress

RNZFB: The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind

Adult Non-Fiction

Adventure

Two Generations by Edmund Hillary; Peter Hillary

Each Hillary tells sometimes separate, sometimes interwoven stories of their pleasure in discovering the world’s most beautiful wildernesses. 6 v. of braille. Pre-UEB. Published 1984. BR 824.

Country Living

Four Seasons of Country Diary by E. V. Sale

From his remote Northland home, the author observes the flowering of the native clematis, first sighting of a kokako, rescue of a stranded young petrel, blue penguin chicks under the tank stand and the local fishing fleet endangered by a winter storm. 3 v. of braille. Pre-UEB. Published 1982. BR 920.

NZ and Pacific Non-Fiction

This Is the F#$%ing News by Patrick Gower

Paddy Gower has never been afraid to stand up for what he believes in. From his teenage and university years where he learnt to defend himself from cruel bullying about his looks, to the pressure-cooker years he spent in the Press Gallery holding politicians to account to advocating for the families of the Christchurch terrorist attacks and for sufferers of cystic fibrosis, he has scrapped and fought for the truth and justice for others. Unfortunately, this unrelenting drive has come at a cost. Contracted, 4 files. Published 2024. RNZFB. Ebraille 143380.

Poetry

Nowhere Far from the Sea: An anthology of New Zealand verse by Helen M. Hogan

Some 200 poems spanning the years 1930-1970, arranged by themes such as beach and sea, space and flight, war, the rural scene, people and places. 5 v. of braille. Published 1971. BR 3699.

Politics (Biography)

Hard Labour by Mike Moore

The author, a Cabinet minister in the fourth Labour Government, outlines his political apprenticeship, his battle with cancer and his opinions about New Zealand’s future. 4 v. of braille. Published 1987. BR 3703.

Sportspeople (Biography)

All Out by Neil Wagner

Neil Wagner is one of the greatest bowlers ever to play test cricket for New Zealand. His unique style and passion for the game made him a Black Caps’ fan favourite and earned him praise from every corner of the cricket-playing world. In this revealing memoir, he tells his story for the first time in his own words. From his humble beginnings in working-class Pretoria, to his move to New Zealand to chase his lifelong dream and his emergence as an integral part of the most successful period in Black Caps’ history, Wagner opens up about his triumphs on the field and personal challenges off it. His story resonates with determination, showcasing the grit and resilience that saw him not only survive but thrive as he navigated the high-pressure world of professional sport. Contracted, 6 files. Published 2024. RNZFB. Ebraille 143375.

Adult Fiction

Historical Novels

The Whip: A novel by Catherine Cookson

Emma is the orphaned daughter of an English farm girl and a wandering Spanish carnival performer. Sent to live with her English grandmother after her father’s death, Emma simply cannot adjust to life in Tyneside. The exotic young girl becomes a fiery woman whose skill at performing with the whips – her father’s only legacy – makes her both fascinating and threatening to the suspicious villagers. Adult content advised. Contracted, 5 files, UEB. Published 1983. NLS. Ebraille 143484.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

‘Women can be heroes, too’. When twenty-year-old nursing student, Frances “Frankie” McGrath, hears these unexpected words, it is a revelation. Raised on California’s idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl. But in 1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different path for her life. Contracted, 9 files. Published 2024. RNZFB. Ebraille 143379.

Mystery And Detective Stories

Hot Money by Dick Francis

Gold trader Malcolm Pembroke contacts the one son he feels he can trust, amateur steeplechase jockey Ian, a few weeks after Malcolm’s fifth wife, Moira, is murdered. Malcolm believes that Moira, who was on the point of divorcing him and suing for half his estate, was murdered to prevent this legacy takeover. Contracted, 4 files, UEB. Published 1987. NLS. Ebraille 143562.

Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson

Welcome to Rook Hall. The stage is set. The players are ready. By night’s end, a murderer will be revealed. Ex-detective Jackson Brodie is staving off a bad case of midlife malaise when he is called to a sleepy Yorkshire town, and the seemingly tedious matter of a stolen painting. But one theft leads to another, including the disappearance of a valuable Turner from Burton Makepeace, home to Lady Milton and her family. Once a magnificent country house, Burton Makepeace has now partially been converted into a hotel, hosting Murder Mystery weekends. Jackson Brodie series, book 6. Contracted, 6 files. Published 2024. RNZFB. Ebraille 142941.

NZ and Pacific Novels

Plumb by Maurice Gee

A picture of New Zealand life in the early 1900s and a man battling with an over-large conscience. Plumb series, book 1. Has sequel: Meg, BR916. 7 v. of braille, pre-UEB. Published 1978. BR 1018.

Meg by Maurice Gee

Meg, youngest daughter of George Plumb, struggles from his shadow to lead her own life. Love, both in and out of marriage, and deaths both peaceful and violent are recounted. Plumb series, book 2. Sequel to: Plumb, BR1018. Has sequel: Sole survivor, BR 3474. 7 v. of braille, pre-UEB. Published 1981. BR 916.

The Bone People by Keri Hulme

A despairing part-Māori artist lives a solitary life, convinced it is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is blown away by the sudden arrival of a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold some terrible trauma. Three lives are irrevocably intertwined by a complexity of dreams and reality.12 v. of braille, pre-UEB. Published 1983. BR 754.

Tu by Patricia Grace

Tu has returned from the Second World War with a shadow over his war experience with the Māori Battalion in Italy. He is the sole survivor of three brothers who went to war. Tu’s war journal contains the story of what happened to the brothers in the hills of Italy. Now his inquisitive nephew and niece have the journal. They bring Tu face to face with the past and a secret that he does not want to share. Contracted, 5 v. of braille, single spaced, double sided. Published 2012. BR 4526.

Romance

The Hidden Girl by Lucinda Riley and Harry Whittaker

Born and raised in a small village on the Yorkshire moors, Leah Thompson grows more beautiful with each passing day. When she catches the attention of the influential, troubled Delancey family, she knows her life will never be the same again. Years later, Leah takes the modelling world by storm, travelling from Milan to London and New York and living life in the lap of luxury. But her past follows her like a dark shadow, mysteriously intertwined with the tragic tale of two young siblings in Poland during the Second World War. As two generations of secrets threaten to explode, Leah is haunted by a fatal, forgotten prophecy from her past, and must fight to challenge the destiny that has been mapped out for her in the stars. Contracted, 9 files. Published 2024. RNZFB. Ebraille 143378.

Short Stories and Essays

The Sky People by Patricia Grace

Ranginui the sky parent is guardian of the sky people, the dispossessed and the unwanted. These stories are about the aspirations of such people to love, to belong, even perhaps to fly. 4 v. of braille. Published 1994. BR 4135.

Youth Collection

NZ and Pacific Novels

The Astromancer: The rising of Matariki by Witi Ihimaera; illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

The Astromancer is looking for four new apprentices to learn about Matariki and the Maramataka calendar. She chooses three boys and an orphan girl, Ariā, who will come only if she can bring her smelly dog. Ariā, though, is bored by the lessons, and she doesn’t want to be told what to do. But these are dangerous times, and Ruatapu the Ravenous is about to threaten the safety of the whole tribe. Will Ariā step up to save them? Read by Romy Hooper in 1 hour, 21 minutes. Published 2022. RNZFB. Book number 143682.

Te Marama by Michelle Mihi Keita Tibble; translated by Moana Keelan; illustrated by Katharine Hall

This story book introduces the reader to the practices of the maramataka – commonly referred to as the Māori lunar calendar – by sharing the names and characteristics of 8 phases of the lunar cycle. Read by Joe Dekkers-Reihana in 11 minutes. Published 2020. RNZFB. Book number 140761.

Humour

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The deep end by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that’s not exactly a summertime paradise. Diary of a wimpy kid series, book 15. Sequel to: Diary of a wimpy kid: Wrecking ball, 132486. Has sequel: Diary of a wimpy kid: Big shot, 140791. Read by Dominic Lewis in 2 hours, 30 minutes. Published 2020. RNZFB. Book number 138469.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big shot by Jeff Kinney

After a disastrous field day competition at school, Greg decides that when it comes to his athletic career, he’s officially retired. But after his mom urges him to give sports one more chance, he reluctantly agrees to sign up for basketball. Try-outs are a mess, and Greg is sure he won’t make the cut. But he unexpectedly lands a spot on the worst team. As Greg and his new teammates start the season, their chances of winning even a single game look slim. But in sports, anything can happen. Diary of a wimpy kid series, book 16. Sequel to: Diary of a wimpy kid: The deep end, 138469. Has sequel: Diary of a wimpy kid: Diper overlode, 142621. Read by Dominic Lewis in 2 hours, 43 minutes. Published 2021. RNZFB. Book number 140791.

Romance

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

One boy. One girl. A bond that will last forever, or so they believe. Seventeen-year-old Rune Kristiansen returns to Georgia to find out why the girl who was one half of his soul cut him off without explanation. When he discovers the truth, he finds the greatest heartache is yet to come. Read by P. J. Ochlan & Katie Schorr in 13 hours, 50 minutes. Published 2016. Blackstone. Book number 143294.