Sound and Touch

Sound and Touch March 2026

Blind Low Vision NZ Library—Te Puna Whakamōhio.

Welcome to the March 2026 issue of

Library News for This Issue

As the warmth of summer fades and the colours of autumn begin to settle across Aotearoa, it’s the perfect season to slow down, get comfortable, and lose yourself in a good book. At the Blind Low Vision New Zealand Library, autumn is always a time for discovery, whether that means trying a new author, exploring a different genre, or revisiting a favourite voice.

This season, several standout titles from New Zealand’s Top 50 list offer something for every reader. Food lovers may enjoy the comforting, practical recipes in Nourish by Chelsea Winter, a celebration of wholesome meals perfect for the cooler months. For those drawn to thoughtful, down-to-earth reflections on life, Lessons on Living by Nigel Latta offers insight, humour, and perspective from one of New Zealand’s most recognisable voices.

If autumn calls for a touch of mystery, readers can immerse themselves in the atmospheric crime novel The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves, or the gripping psychological suspense of The Intruder by Freida McFadden, both perfect companions for longer evenings indoors.

Whatever your reading preference, autumn is a wonderful time to explore the collection, try something new, and enjoy the pleasure of stories shared in accessible formats. We hope this season’s selections bring warmth, intrigue, and inspiration to your listening and reading.

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.

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 by Bill Bryson

When originally published, Bill Bryson’s highly acclaimed A Short History of Nearly Everything became the biggest-selling popular science book of the 21st century. Some 20 years later, Bryson has updated and revised his landmark book, described by the Economist no less as “possibly the best scientific primer ever published”. Using everyday language to describe complex subjects, replete with Bryson’s trademark humor, A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 is the author’s quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. Narrated by Wendy Karstens, one of our longest-serving narrators, those that have not read previously read this first-rate non-fiction Bill Bryson book are in for a real treat. Read in 22 hours, 4 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144153.

Unsettled Bliss: Whiteness in Aotearoa by Elizabeth Ann Cook

Unsettled Bliss is a powerful new book confronting whiteness in Aotearoa. Narrated by Madeleine Lynch, this non-fiction book offers a clear explanation of settler occupation, its impact on indigenous land in Aotearoa, and the lasting consequences. Unsettled Bliss is a book for people who seek understanding on how racism operates in New Zealand, where it came from, and what unwittingly happens each day. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy delving deeper into the social history of New Zealand. Read in 9 hours, 58 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144124.

Book Club suggestions

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

For Fiction Fans

Atmosphere: a love story by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In the summer of 1980, astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin begins training to be an astronaut at Houston’s Johnson Space Centre, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond; mission specialists John Griffin and Lydia Danes; warm hearted Donna Fitzgerald; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer. As the new astronauts prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined and begins to question everything she believes about her place in the observable universe. Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant. Read by Anne Speir in 10 hours, 40 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143813.

For Non-Fiction Fans

Born a crime: stories from a South African childhood by Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah is the host of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Noah was born illegal—the son of a white, Dutch father and a black Xhosa mother in South Africa. This first book tells his coming-of-age story during the last years of apartheid-era South Africa and the turbulent years that followed. Published 2017. Read by Francis Mountjoy in 8 hours, 25 minutes. RNZFB. Book number 135721.

Start the Journey: A Series to Keep You Reading over the summer months

Legion of the damned series by Sven Hassel

First published in 1953, Legion of the Damned, book number 79238 is the opening novel in Sven Hassel’s gripping 14-book series set during World War II. The books follow a German penal battalion made up of convicts and outcasts, sent to fight on some of the war’s most brutal fronts. Through a cast of vivid, rough-edged characters, Hassel delivers a stark and often controversial portrayal of life on the front line—focusing not on glory, but on survival, camaraderie and the harsh realities of war.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors

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
Aotearoa Gaming Trust
Akarana Community Trust
Kiwi Gaming Foundation
Estate of Ernest Hyam Davis and Ted & Mollie Carr Endowment Trust
Trust House Foundation
New Zealand Community 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
Hugh Green Foundation

New DAISY audio

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

Adult Non-Fiction

Adventure

Hook, line and misadventure: Stories from legendary Kiwi fisherman Cliff Barnes by David Hastings

As he looks back over his adventurous life, Cliff Barnes muses that he must have used up eight of his nine lives while fishing, but on a recount, concedes he has used up the lot. “I must have been crazy,” is a thought that occurs to him repeatedly as he reflects on life at the grand old age of eighty. He was certainly a risk taker and at times downright reckless, but in the end, he was one of the best, if not the best, fishermen of his generation. NZ Top 50. Read by Bruce Hopkins in 5 hours, 58 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143947.

Authors (Biography)

Nobody’s girl: A memoir of surviving abuse and fighting for justice by Virginia Giuffre

The world knows Virginia Roberts Giuffre as Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s most outspoken victim: the woman whose decision to speak out helped send both serial abusers to prison, whose photograph with Prince Andrew catalyzed his fall from grace. But her story has never been told in full, in her own words-until now. In April 2025, Giuffre took her own life. She left behind a memoir written in the years preceding her death and stated unequivocally that she wanted it published. Nobody’s Girl is the riveting and powerful story of an ordinary girl who would grow up to confront extraordinary adversity. NZ Top 50. Read by Janice Finn in 13 hours, 52 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144119.

Anything could happen by Grant Robertson

Grant Robertson reflects on the major events in his life, from growing up in a loving but complex family, through to his highly successful career as a Labour politician and becoming Finance Minister in the Ardern government during one of New Zealand history’s most tumultuous times. A natural storyteller, Robertson writes memorably about his childhood and teen years in Dunedin, from grappling with his sexuality as a teenager, to his passion for music and a fleeting career managing bands, to his emerging political beliefs, and of being told the shocking news that his father had been stealing from his employer and was facing imprisonment. Robertson paints a vivid picture of life inside parliament—including his time in opposition, where he learnt at the feet of Helen Clark, to the immense privilege and responsibility of being Finance Minister, none more so than when the Covid-19 pandemic threatened to decimate New Zealand’s economy. In recounting the challenges he faced, Robertson writes honestly about how politics works, and why it matters, and his belief in the unique potential of Aotearoa and his optimism for its future. NZ Top 50. Read by Owen Scott in 11 hours, 40 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143818.

Reacher: The stories behind the stories by Lee Child

From global bestseller and creator of Jack Reacher, comes Lee Child’s first-ever autobiographical collection. From urgently scribbling out his debut Killing Floor in pencil (the stub of which he still owns), to taking a step back with Blue Moon, and everything in between, here are 24 fascinating personal reflections on his life and work, crafted across decades. Whether it is through Lee’s moving account of meeting a fan years after her mother brought her to a book signing, to facing his first computer and the coming of the internet, to writing about New York just before—and just after—9/11, to later seeing his novels adapted for the big screen … each riveting piece deftly evokes where he was, psychologically and physically, when he wrote each novel. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by Tim Roxborogh in 4 hours, 7 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143971.

Unapologetically me: Tales from my perfectly imperfect life by Bree Tomasel

Known and loved by her many New Zealand and Australia fans as a down-to-earth broadcaster, ZM radio host and social media sensation, Bree Tomasel is an irrepressible force of nature. Her high-profile role as co-host of Celebrity Treasure Island saw her named New Zealand TV Personality of the Year in 2022, while her million-plus followers on social media have hugely embraced both her and her “Oh, Brianna!” mum. But behind the banter and success is a young woman who has battled anxiety and who survived a harrowing attack as a young child. Now, for the first time, Bree writes about how that attack has shaped her, as well as what it was like to grow up questioning her sexuality in conservative country Queensland, her struggles with anxiety and ADHD, and living in the public eye. Adult content advised. Read by Catriona MacLeod in 6 hours, 48 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143497.

Food and Beverages

Nourish by Chelsea Winter

Nourish is a return, and a renewal. A return to hearty, well-loved classics. A return to meat, eggs, dairy and fish. A joyful return to what made Chelsea’s food household favourites, now reimagined with balance and a deeper intention to truly nourish. Inside you’ll find soul-warming meals like aromatic chicken curry, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, tender beef hotpot, and yes, a fresh new take on the iconic Chicken Pie that started it all. Every recipe is infused with Chelsea’s signature magic: mouthwatering flavour, reliable results, simple steps, clever tips and flexible swaps. Recipes are clearly marked for gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and vegetarian options. From delicious, practical dinners to sensational sweets, and even a new chapter on easy, food-based home remedies, Nourish is here to guide and uplift. These honest, sustaining recipes are nutritious, family-friendly, and made to be shared. This isn’t just a cookbook. It’s a trusted kitchen companion that will leave you feeling inspired, empowered—and, as always, like a legend in your own kitchen. NZ Top 50. Read by Christina Cie in 6 hours, 46 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144053.

Nadia’s farm kitchen by Nadia Lim

Welcome to my farm kitchen—where the food is real, the stories are personal and everything starts with what’s growing around us. These are the recipes I turn to as the seasons shift—as rhubarb pushes through frost-hardened soil, when sun-warmed peaches and tomatoes are bursting with ripeness, or when the wafting aroma of a slow-roasting lamb shoulder fills a snowbound afternoon with comfort. Nadia’s Farm Kitchen celebrates seasonal eating and the deep satisfaction that comes from cooking with produce from the land I call home. NZ Top 50. Read by Madeleine Lynch in 5 hours, 35 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144035.

The hungry cook by Olivia Galletly

Olivia Galletly, aka The Hungry Cook, loves food—all food. She spends her life creating recipes for her popular blog, Dish magazine and many well-known New Zealand food brands. This cookbook gathers Liv’s tried and true recipes that her fans love. From tasty nibbles to easy meals for weeknight dinners to recipes that are perfect for weekend entertaining—including her favourite cocktails—or when you have a bit more time on your hands … this cookbook will be on high rotation in your kitchen. NZ Top 50. Read by Christina Cie in 3 hours, 51 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143977.

Just a Mum’s kitchen: Classic recipes from a home cook and baker by Anna Cameron

From the creator behind the hugely popular Just a Mum’s Kitchen website and social media community, comes a cookbook filled with delicious, well-tested recipes that are as comforting as they are achievable. Anna’s recipes have become a beloved part of many kitchens—and now they’re gathered in one easy-to-use collection. With something for everyone, there are a mix of savoury and sweet dishes, with sections including snacks & starters, family meals, muffins & scones, cakes, cookies and more. Whether you’re craving something decadent or a simple, heartwarming meal, you’ll find recipes that are inviting, tasty and perfect for creating memories in the kitchen. NZ Top 50. Read by Madeleine Lynch in 4 hours, 46 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144036.

Great Britain

Led By Donkeys: adventures in art, activism and accountability by Led By Donkeys

Led By Donkeys are political artists and activists. This book is an adrenalised journey through five years of resistance against the ineptitudes, corruption and greed committed by those in power in Britain. The book tracks the major moments from 2019 to 2024 when Led By Donkeys’ activism captured the public mood with high-profile interventions. Read by Kevin Keys in 4 hours, 24 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143936.

Health and Wellbeing

The Let Them theory by Mel Robbins

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn’t you. The problem is the power you give to other people. Two simple words—Let Them—will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands—and this book will show you exactly how to do it. NZ Top 50. Read by Synthetic speech in 9 hours, 23 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143569.

Joyspan: the art and science of thriving in life’s second half by Dr Kerry Burnight

Growing old in today’s society is daunting. The core message of this book is that losing your quality of life as you age is not inevitable. You can live a great life all the way to the end by leveraging what “older you” does better. By the end of this book, your fear of aging will be replaced with confidence that you will know how to age into the best version of yourself. Read by Christina Cie in 8 hours, 34 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143969.

Fix iron first: the one thing that changes everything by Dr Libby Weaver

In Fix Iron First, Dr Libby helps readers understand why addressing low iron is key—not just for overcoming fatigue but for resolving a wide range of health challenges. She explores how iron deficiency develops, and its impact across life stages from pregnancy and birth to adulthood, as well as the most effective ways to restore optimal levels. She also examines the role of iron supplements, explaining why some are constipating, how to avoid this, and why fixing iron first is a fundamental step toward better overall health. “People are often so surprised about what else resolves when their iron levels become optimal, hence why I chose this title for the book,” shares Dr Libby. NZ Top 50. Read by Romy Hooper in 9 hours, 9 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143791.

Habits of high performers: Essential principles to thrive in life and work by James Laughlin

In Habits of High Performers, renowned strategist, mental skills coach, and award-winning podcaster James Laughlin uncovers the seven musts of a high-performing life. This collection of principles is a game-changer for anyone wanting to earn more, be healthier, grow, or be the best at what they do. Habits of High Performers will show you that high performance is hormonal and plays a massive role in your ability to perform at your best. Cortisol, dopamine, and oxytocin all influence how we handle stress, stay motivated, and build connections. This book will also show you that high performers focus on their strengths, take their MEDs, supercharge their belief systems, understand that desire is to a result what fuel is to a fire, and when your why is clear, your how is easy. Habits of High Performers is a roadmap for everyday people to achieve extraordinary things. NZ Top 50. Read by Paul Barrett in 7 hours, 24 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143946.

The smart but scattered guide to success by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare

Are you smart, scattered, and struggling? You’re not alone. Cutting-edge research shows that today’s 24/7 wired world and the growing demands of work and family life may simply max out the part of the brain that manages complex tasks. That’s especially true for those lacking strong executive skills—the core brain-based abilities needed to maintain focus, meet deadlines, and stay cool under pressure. In this essential guide, leading experts Peg Dawson and Richard Guare help you map your own executive skills profile and take effective steps to boost your organizational skills, time management, emotional control, and nine other essential capacities. Read by Paul Barrett in 11 hours, 9 minutes. Published 2016. RNZFB. Book number 144137.

Atua Wahine: the ancient wisdom of Maori goddesses by Hana Tapiata

Ancient wisdom of the Māori goddesses to help you navigate the modern world, Atua wāhine are the Māori goddesses who make up the world around us: earth, fire, water, the moon and more. From the earth mother, Papatūānuku, who sustains and nurtures us to the goddess of peace, Hinepūtehue, who transformed pain into beauty, and the misunderstood goddess of the underworld, Hinenuitepō, who created purpose and enlightenment from betrayal—this book is a treasure of knowledge and insight. Drawing on whakataukī (proverbs) and pūrākau (traditional stories), discover how the wisdom of 17 atua wāhine can help us live with courage and confidence in the modern world. With guided steps, these atua will inspire you to foster creativity, acknowledge cycles of change, and embrace self-determination. NZ Top 50. Read by Madeleine Lynch in 5 hours, 52 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143363.

NZ and Pacific Non-Fiction

Lessons on living: Finding your way through life’s ups and downs by Nigel Latta

What do you do when you’re told you only have months to live? If you’re Nigel Latta, first, you’re going to eat a lot of ice cream. Then you’re going to assemble a mental toolbox to deal with every conceivable conundrum the world could throw at you (the small ones and the big ones). After three decades working as a clinical psychologist, Nigel has found there are just three principles you need to deal with life’s ups and downs. Whether you want to be a better parent, build an empire or get through some tough times, these easy-to-carry principles will help you to do that. Consider this book a guide to how to respond in any situation, drive your own bus, and do it all with resilience, joy and attention to what matters most. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by Greg Hughes in 6 hours, 38 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143978.

A dim prognosis: our health system in crisis—and a doctor’s view on how to fix it by Ivor Popovich

This compelling tell-all reveals the realities of working as a doctor in New Zealand. Fast-paced and darkly funny, it chronicles ten years of working in medicine and sheds a light on where and why the health system is failing. From bullying and toxic culture to under-staffing and mismanaged priorities, this is a clear-eyed account of a health system on its knees. NZ Top 50. Read by Kevin Keys in 5 hours, 47 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143787.

Jacinda—the untold stories by David Cohen and Rebecca Keillor

Drawing on more than 100 interviews and extensive research, journalists David Cohen and Rebecca Keillor track the rise, fall, and re-emergence of former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern onto the global stage, just as the UN gears up to choose a new Secretary-General. With the world on a powderkeg, is Ardern up to the job? Read by Anne Speir in 8 hours, 58 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144108.

The middle of nowhere: Stories of working on the Manapouri Hydro Project by Rosemary Baird

For most New Zealanders, Manapouri is associated with the country’s largest and most successful environmental protest, but there is another, less well-known narrative of this time. The struggle to drill a tailrace tunnel under a rocky mountain at Manapouri, blast out a cavernous machine hall at West Arm and carve a road over the treacherous Wilmot Pass is a powerful tale of those who worked and lived in extreme and punishing conditions and faced many hazards. Eighteen men died and many were injured during the construction. In The Middle of Nowhere, the men and women of the Manapouri project tell their compelling stories. Read by Greg Hughes in 5 hours, 57 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143857.

Bloody minded by Susie Ferguson

Early in her radio career Susie Ferguson became a war correspondent. The only woman among hundreds of soldiers, in camo and a flak jacket she was one of the boys. None of them knew she was taking 15 painkillers a day, reliant on opioids to stem the burning and stabbing pain in her uterus. Even bloody-minded grit couldn’t have prepared Susie for womanhood. More than her body’s betrayal, it’s the vicious bullying only girls can do. It’s waiting years for surgery because your pain doesn’t matter. It’s the threat of violence in countries where a woman is either property or the spoils of war. It’s going overnight from a high-powered career to a stay-at-home mum. It’s the doctor who says you’re wasting his time. But it is also friendship, love, having the grit to carry on—and to do it smiling. Read by Margaret Blay and Cheryl Lawton in 8 hours, 22 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143383.

Nature And Animals

Edible weeds handbook: A field guide to the introduced edible wild plants of New Zealand by Andrew Crowe

Discover the rich world of New Zealand’s wild edible plants with this guide. In this comprehensive companion to the best-selling A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand, Andrew Crowe explores the rich culinary world of Aotearoa’s non-native plants—the so-called “weeds”. From miner’s lettuce to watercress, taro to acorns, this go-to, illustrated handbook offers tips on how to confidently identify introduced edible wild plants. Andrew Crowe explores traditional usage of the plants on the various continents where they originate to establish which parts are safe to eat and when and how to eat them. He then cross-checks this research against chemical analyses—both nutritional and anti-nutritional. The result is a practical, accessible and reliable forager’s guide for everyday use. NZ Top 50. Read by Paul Barrett in 7 hours, 49 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144043.

The Hollows Boys by Peta Carey

“The Hollows Boys” is the story of the helicopter deer recovery era in Fiordland, told through the lives of three brothers, Gary, Mark and Kim Hollows. There is the usual dare-devil “boy’s own adventure” side of the story. There is extreme competition between pilots and huge sums of money at stake. But there is also the strange phenomenon of luck, the roll of the dice, the gamble on survival. Ultimately, there is the overwhelming cost—not simply wrecked machines and insurance bills, but the loss of a brother, a friend, a father or a son. And there is the legacy from that loss that many continue to endure. The Hollows Boys is the real story of an extraordinary era in New Zealand history that will never be repeated, told with honesty and courage, against the magnificent backdrop of Fiordland National Park. NZ Top 50. Read by Tim Roxborogh in 5 hours, 18 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144041.

Royal Families (Biography)

Entitled: the rise and fall of the house of York by Andrew Lownie

The first joint biography of the Duke and Duchess of York and the first full biography of either of them, by renowned royal biographer and literary agent, Andrew Lownie. Drawing on four years of research, numerous FOI requests and interviews with over a hundred people who have never spoken before, the book traces the lives of the late Queen’s second son and his ex-wife through their childhoods, courtship, marriage, divorce, careers, and royal and charitable activities. Still living in the same house, they claim to be “the happiest divorced couple in the world”. Adult content advised. Read by Simon Prast in 13 hours, 41 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143827.

Sportspeople (Biography)

Perspective by Shaun Johnson

Discover the man behind the magic as rugby league sensation Shaun Johnson tells the story of his life on and off the field for the very first time in his own words. Shaun Johnson burst onto the big stage with a bang—his electrifying mix of speed and skills dazzled fans and experts alike as the New Zealand Warriors reached the NRL grand final in his debut season. Over the years that followed, he racked up 268 NRL appearances and represented the Kiwis 35 times in a career filled with extraordinary moments. But behind the highlights and headlines lies a story of perseverance, resilience and passion. NZ Top 50. Read by Greg Hughes in 9 hours, 24 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144042.

Adult Fiction

Crime Fiction

And then there were none by Agatha Christie

Ten guests travel to an island at the invitation of someone named U.N. Owen. The guests have two things in common: each of them is an unconvicted murderer and none will leave the island alive. As each guest is picked off one by one, who could possibly be responsible? Over two days and nights, each of the guests is killed off in a different manner in keeping with the nursery rhyme, “Ten Little Soldier Boys”. The murderers are forced to turn detective so they can find the unknown killer, but one by one they become a victim. Billed as “The famous detective story without a detective”, “And then there were none” is one of Agatha Christie’s darkest and most enduring tales. Read by Lyndsey Marshal, Geoffrey Whitehead, and John Rowe in 1 hour, 28 minutes. Published 1939. VisAbility. Book number 144241.

Fantasy

A darkness returns by Raymond E. Feist

Hatushaly, last scion of the Firemane dynasty, his beloved Hava, and their dubious friend Donte have been transported across space and time from their war-torn world of Garn to the relative peace of Midkemia. There, on Sorcerer’s Isle, with guidance from the great magician Magnus, Hatu will expand his unique magical abilities: for if Garn is to be saved, they will be needed. The Dragonwar Saga series, book 1. Read by David Thorpe in 19 hours, 31 minutes. Published 2024. Blackstone. Book number 143327.

Gay and Lesbian Fiction

Time to shine by Rachel Reid

A merry and bright hockey romance about finding your place, finding your people and finding your way back to the one you love the most. For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes. The only player who doesn’t seem to notice is Calgary’s superstar young winger, Casey Hicks. Casey treats Landon like an old friend, even though they’ve only interacted briefly in the past. He’s endlessly charming and completely laid-back in a way that Landon absolutely can’t relate to. They couldn’t have less in common, but Landon needs a place to live that’s not a hotel room and Casey has just bought a massive house and hates being alone. As roommates, Casey refuses to be defeated by Landon’s one-word answers. As friends, Landon comes to notice a few things about Casey, like his wide, easy smile and sparkling green-blue eyes. Spending the holidays together only intensifies their bromance-turned-romance. But as the new year approaches, the countdown to the end of Landon’s time in Calgary is on. Read by Julia Brown in 10 hours, 45 minutes. Published 2023. NLS. Book number 144253.

Historical Novels

The chocolate factory by Mary-Lou Stephens

It’s 1921, and after years of working for Cadbury’s at Bournville, Dorothy Adwell is on her way to a new adventure in the colonies, helping to establish the Firm’s new Australian factory. A promotion and a fresh start are just what she needs after the horrors of the Great War and the loss of her beloved husband. During the long sea voyage, she meets Thomas and is immediately drawn to him. The war has left Thomas damaged, both mentally and emotionally, and Dorothy vows to help him—if only he will let her. Maisie Greenwood is the oldest daughter of a war widow, living on a pittance in the Hobart suburb of the Glebe. Her mother’s health is failing, and with two younger siblings depending on her the security of a job at the brand-new Cadbury’s factory is a godsend. With Dorothy’s mentorship and her budding romance with fellow worker Frank, life begins to look a little sweeter. Cadbury’s competitors have one goal: to steal the recipe for Dairy Milk, the most popular chocolate in the world. But the recipe is kept in a vault and the few who know it are legally bound to never divulge its secret. Read by Wendy Karstens in 15 hours, 19 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143843.

Night train to Marrakech by Dinah Jefferies

Marrakech 1966. Vicky Baudin steps onto a train winding through Morocco, looking for the grandmother she has never met. It’s an epic journey that’ll take her to the edge of Atlas Mountains and closer to the answers she’s been craving all her life. But dark secrets whisper amongst the dunes. And in unlocking the mystery of Clemence’s past, Vicky will unearth great danger too. Daughters Of War series, book 3. Sequel to: The hidden palace, 143237. Read by Synthetic speech in 10 hours, 30 minutes. Published 2023. RNZFB. Book number 143238.

Children of liberty by Paullina Simons

At the turn of the century and the dawning of the modern world, Gina from Belpasso comes to Boston’s Freedom Docks to find a new and better life, and meets Harry Barrington, who is searching for his. The fates of the Barringtons and Attavianos become entwined on a collision course between the old and new, between what is expected and what is desired, what is chosen and what is bestowed, what is given and what is taken away. As America races headlong into the future, much will be lost and much will be gained for Gina and Harry. The Bronze Horseman series, book 0.5.1. Has sequel: Bellagrand, in production. Read by Nicol Zanzarella in 12 hours, 40 minutes. Published 2012. Blackstone. Book number 143985.

Horror and Supernatural

Never flinch by Stephen King

When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to “kill thirteen innocents and one guilty” in “an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man”, Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think. Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realises that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help. Meanwhile, controversial and outspoken women’s rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. At first, no one is hurt, but the stalker is growing bolder. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Holly Gibney series, book 4. Sequel to: Holly, in production. Read by Romy Hooper in 17 hours, 42 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143789.

Humour

Dream girl drama by Tessa Bailey

A steamy chance encounter between professional hockey player Sig Gauthier and Chloe Clifford, the pixie dream girl that he can’t seem to forget, takes a shocking turn when they discover that their parents are engaged. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more. Big Shots series, book 3. Sequel to: The au pair affair, not yet in collection. Has sequel: Pitcher perfect, not yet in collection. Read by Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton in 9 hours, 15 minutes. Published 2019. Blackstone. Book number 143360.

Spy Stories

The English assassin by Daniel Silva

Israeli spy Gabriel Allon discovers stolen works of art after he is accused of murdering Swiss banker Augustus Rolfe. He joins Rolfe’s daughter, Anna, in uncovering the truth about her father’s collection. Meanwhile, a killer stalks Gabriel and Anna. Violence and strong language. Adult content advised. Gabriel Allon series, book 2. Sequel to: The kill artist, 141173. Has sequel The confessor, 141174. Read by Chuck Benson in 9 hours, 49 minutes. Published 2002. NLS. Book number 141161.

The Family

Telephone by Percival Everett

Zach Wells is a perpetually dissatisfied geologist-slash-paleobiologist. Expert in a very narrow area—the geological history of a cave forty-four meters above the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon—he is a laconic man who plays chess with his daughter, trades puns with his wife while she does yoga, and dodges committee work at the college where he teaches. After a field trip to the desert yields nothing more than a colleague with a tenure problem and a student with an unwelcome crush on him, Wells returns home to find his world crumbling. His daughter has lost her edge at chess, she has developed mysterious eye problems, and her memory has lost its grasp. Powerless in the face of his daughter’s slow deterioration, he finds a mysterious note asking for help tucked into the pocket of a jacket he’s ordered off eBay. Desperate for someone to save, he sets off to New Mexico in secret on a quixotic rescue mission. A deeply affecting story about the lengths to which loss and grief will drive us, Telephone is a Percival Everett novel we should have seen coming all along, one that will shake you to the core as it asks questions about the power of narrative to save. Read by Jared Zak in 8 hours, 7 minutes. Published 2020. NLS. Book number 143105.

Modern Women’s Fiction

The correspondent by Virginia Evans

In her letters to family and friends we come to know the life of Sybil Van Antwerp—stubborn, cantankerous, opinionated, always steadfast in her belief in the power of the written word. But as the clock begins to tick for Sybil, the need for a few post-scripts to the life she’s led becomes apparent. Fixing her difficult relationship with her children. Taking a final chance at romance. Atoning for an old legal case which has come back to haunt her. And finally, reckoning with a devastating loss that she has spent the last thirty years holding close to her chest. Read by Wendy Karstens in 7 hours, 56 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143938.

Comfort and joy by Kristin Hannah

School librarian Joy Candellaro takes an impromptu vacation during the holidays when she learns that her ex-husband and her sister are having a baby. After surviving a crash landing in a remote Pacific Northwest forest, Joy encounters reclusive Daniel and his eight-year-old son Bobby—or did she imagine them? Read by Rachel Glass in 6 hours, 6 minutes. Published 2005. NLS. Book number 142733.

Mystery And Detective Stories

The killing stones by Ann Cleeves

When a violent storm descends upon Orkney, the body of Archie Stout is left in its wake. An unusual murder weapon, a Neolithic stone bearing ancient inscriptions, is found discarded nearby. Archie was a popular, larger-than-life character, and his death is a shocking blow to the community. Detective Jimmy Perez, no stranger to the complexity of human nature and the darkness it can harbour, is soon on the scene. He counted Archie as a childhood friend, so this case is more personal than most. Now living in Orkney with his partner, Willow, and their son, Perez is soon drawn into the lives of the islanders, many of whom harbour secrets. Dark secrets, which could have led to the man’s murder. Here, in these ancient lands where history runs deep, Perez must discern the truth from legend before a desperate killer strikes again. Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves series, book 1 also book 9 of Sheltand series. Read by Christina Cie in 11 hours, 3 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144051.

The darkest sin by D.V. Bishop

Florence. Spring, 1537. When Cesare Aldo investigates a report of intruders at a convent in the Renaissance city’s northern quarter, he enters a community divided by bitter rivalries and harbouring dark secrets. His case becomes far more complicated when a naked man’s body is found deep inside the convent, stabbed more than two dozen times. Unthinkable as it seems, all the evidence suggests one of the nuns must be the killer. Meanwhile, Constable Carlo Strocchi finds human remains pulled from the Arno that belong to an officer of the law missing since winter. The dead man had many enemies, but who would dare kill an official of the city’s most feared criminal court? Cesare Aldo series book 2. Sequel to: City of vengeance, 143746. Has sequel: Ritual of fire, 143016. Read by John Leigh in 13 hours, 9 minutes. Published 2022. RNZFB. Book number 143849.

The impossible fortune by Richard Osman

Who’s got time to think about murder when there’s a wedding to plan? It’s been a quiet year for the Thursday Murder Club. Joyce is busy with table plans and first dances. Elizabeth is grieving. Ron is dealing with family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favorite criminal. But when Elizabeth meets Nick, a wedding guest asking for her help, she finds the thrill of the chase is ignited once again. And when Nick disappears without a trace, his cagey business partner becomes the gang’s next stop. It seems the duo have something valuable—something worth killing for. Joyce’s daughter, Joanna, jumps into the fray to help the gang as they seek answers: Has someone kidnapped Nick? And what’s this uncrackable code they keep hearing about? Plunged back into action once more, can the four friends solve the puzzle and a murder in time? The Thursday Murder Club series, book 5. Sequel to: The last devil to die, 142965. Read by Owen Scott in 10 hours, 8 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143976.

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

Judith Potts is seventy-seven years old and blissfully happy. She lives on her own in a faded mansion just outside Marlow, there’s no man in her life to tell her what to do or how much whisky to drink, and to keep herself busy she sets crosswords for The Times newspaper. One evening, while out swimming in the Thames, Judith witnesses a brutal murder. The local police don’t believe her story, so she decides to investigate for herself, and is soon joined in her quest by Suzie, a salt-of-the-earth dog-walker, and Becks, the prim and proper wife of the local vicar. Together, they are the Marlow Murder Club. When another body turns up, they realize they have a real-life serial killer on their hands. And the puzzle they set out to solve has become a trap from which they might never escape. Marlow Murder Club series, book 1. Has sequel: Death comes to Marlow, 143841. Read by Christina Cie in 9 hours, 34 minutes. Published 2021. RNZFB. Book number 143961.

NZ and Pacific Novels

Julia Eichardt: a life of grit and grace by Lauren Roche

From famine-ravaged Ireland to the glittering goldfields of Australia and New Zealand comes the captivating story of Julia Eichardt, a woman who defied every hardship life placed before her. Born into poverty and shaped by loss, Julia’s fierce determination and unbreakable spirit propel her on an extraordinary journey. In the rugged chaos of the gold rush era, Julia courageously navigates love, heartbreak, and survival in a world dominated by men. Against the odds, she builds a legacy, reinventing herself as an influential figure in the burgeoning hospitality industry. Her resilience culminates in the creation of Eichardt’s, an iconic Queenstown hotel that still stands proudly today. Richly evocative and deeply inspiring, Julia Eichardt is more than a historical novel—it’s a testament to the enduring strength of one remarkable woman whose story is finally being told. NZ Top 50. Read by Cheryl Lawton in 9 hours, 59 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144054.

Heist in the Hutt by Robert Rattenbury

“Heist In the Hutt” is about a gang of out-of-town criminals who were active in both Australia and New Zealand in the late 60s and early 70s. They are all dangerous people and are armed on all their criminal enterprises. They keep low profiles and have outwardly straight lives in New Zealand but meet about twice per year in either country to burgle a jewellery manufacturing company. Their leader is Charlie Toth, a Hungarian New Zealander, a refugee from World War 2. He is a cold-hearted, psychopathic killer and a very effective planner of crimes. They burgle Cohens Jewellers in Lower Hutt one Monday morning at 3.00 am, but are quickly spotted by a passing police patrol. Adult content advised. Read by Dominic Lewis in 7 hours, 18 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143965.

Romance

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies? Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust—and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring. Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth. Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love. Read by Catherine Byers in 11 hours, 32 minutes. Published 2013. NLS. Book number 143046.

Kiss my glass by Catherine Robertson

If there’s one thing Frankie has learned in life, it’s that you never challenge Worse. Because when things happen and you say, “Well, at least things can’t get worse”, Worse is always listening … Returning to her family vineyard in California to help with the annual grape harvest is not how Frankie Armstrong wants to spend her summer, but when her sister calls in distress there’s only one answer: yes. Now she’s back in the grasp of the vines she’s hated her whole life, being confronted by memories that bring nothing but fury, and having to join forces with the sexiest arrogant jerk she’s ever had the misfortune of meeting: Danny Durant. Frankie’s sister might have married Danny’s brother, but that doesn’t mean they have to be friends. Adult content advised. Flora Valley series, book 3. Sequel to: You’re so vine, 142753. Read by Christina Cie in 9 hours, 49 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143660.

Science Fiction

Red rising by Pierce Brown

Sixteen-year-old Darrow works in a mining colony on Mars. He thinks he is improving the planet for future generations, but his wife Eo believes they are slaves. When Eo is condemned to death, Darrow infiltrates the governing caste to foment rebellion. Adult content advised. Red Rising trilogy series, book 1. Has sequel: Golden son, 144255. Read by L.J. Ganser in 13 hours, 50 minutes. Published 2014. NLS. Book number 144254.

The Family

A new chapter at the Little Penguin bookshop by Joanna Toye

Carrie Anderson’s business selling books at her local train station is thriving and, with her beloved Mike returned from war, everything feels as though it is falling into place. That is, until Mike is sent to Washington as a liaison between Britain and America. When her twin brother, Johnnie, a fighter pilot, is injured, and her bookstall falls on hard times, Carrie misses the sage advice and comfort of Mike more than ever. Bolstered by her supportive station community, can Carrie battle through this challenging new chapter and reach the happy ending she deserves? Read by Katy Sobey in 8 hours, 29 minutes. Published 2025. Ulverscroft. Book number 143459.

Thrillers

Revenge of Odessa by Frederick Forsyth with Tony Kent

Summer, 2025. A US senator is burned to death in his Washington townhouse. Masked gunmen massacre supporters during a football match in Berlin. And an old man is murdered while he sleeps in the dementia ward of a German hospital. Three apparently unconnected events, three steps on the countdown to apocalypse. When journalist and podcaster Georg Miller starts joining the dots between them, he finds himself the target of professional killers. His investigation soon reveals that his would-be assassins are from an organisation known as the Odessa, a menacing and powerful Nazi group intent on regaining power. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. The Odessa series, book 2. Sequel to: The Odessa file, 75387. Read by Simon Prast in 11 hours, 43 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143960.

Transfer of power by Vince Flynn

The CIA learns that foreign terrorists intend to assault the White House imminently. The Secret Service has only seconds to usher the president into his bunker, leaving others to be taken hostage. As officials dither, a CIA counterterrorism operative mounts a rescue. Adult content advised. Mitch Rapp series, book 3. Sequel to: Kill shot, 141686. Has sequel: The third option, 141688. Read by Jack Fox in 16 hours, 33 minutes. Published 1999. NLS. Book number 141687.

Slow horses by Mick Herron

Slough House is a dumping ground for British intelligence agents who’ve screwed up a case in any number of ways—by leaving a secret file on a train or blowing a surveillance. River Cartwright, one such “slow horse,” is bitter about his failure and about his tedious assignment transcribing cell phone conversations. When a young man is abducted and his kidnappers threaten to broadcast his beheading live on the Internet, River sees an opportunity to redeem himself. Is the victim who he first appears to be? And what’s the kidnappers’ connection with a disgraced journalist? As the clock ticks on the execution, River finds that everyone has his own agenda. Currently a popular series on Apple TV. Read by Gerard Doyle in 10 hours, 47 minutes. Published 2010. VisAbility. Book number 144126.

The intruder by Freida McFadden

Casey’s cabin in the wilderness is not built for a hurricane. Her roof shakes, the lights flicker, and the tree outside her front door sways ominously in the wind. But she’s a lot more worried about the girl she discovers lurking outside her kitchen window. She’s young. She’s alone. And she’s covered in blood. The girl won’t explain where she came from or loosen her grip on the knife in her right hand. And when Casey makes a disturbing discovery in the middle of the night, things take a turn for the worse. The girl has a dark secret. One she’ll kill to keep. And if Casey gets too close to the truth, she may not live to see the morning. NZ Top 50. Read by Wendy Karstens in 8 hours, 55 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144105.

The boyfriend by Freida McFadden

Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. Then she meets Tom. Tom is utterly perfect. He’s charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Before she knows it, Sydney is swept off her feet. But the brutal murder of a young woman the latest in a string of deaths across the coast confounds police. Read by Sara Dakin in 10 hours, 24 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143278.

Strangers in time by David Baldacci

Charlie Matters’ life has always been a fight for survival. Orphaned with no prospects, Charlie steals what he needs, living day-to-day until he can enlist in the battle against the Germans. He miraculously emerges unscathed from the Blitz, but there’s no telling when the next bomb will fall, and whether it will be the one to end his life. Molly Wakefield’s dreams of a joyful homecoming are all she’s had to hold on to after being evacuated to the countryside via “Operation Pied Piper” five years before. But when she finally returns to the city, Molly faces a London changed beyond recognition, and the devastating news that neither of her parents are there. Charlie and Molly’s paths converge when they both seek solace at “The Book Keep”, where they find an unexpected ally and protector in the bookshop’s owner, widower Ignatius Oliver. But the trio’s newfound peace is jeopardized as past secrets catch up with them. NZ Top 50. Adult content advised. Read by John Callen in 13 hours, 25 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143662.

The crash by Freida McFadden

Tegan is eight months pregnant, alone, and desperately wants to put her crumbling life in the rearview mirror. So she hits the road, planning to stay with her brother until she can figure out her next move. But she doesn’t realize she’s heading straight into a blizzard. She never arrives at her destination. Stranded in rural Maine with a dead car and broken ankle, Tegan worries she’s made a terrible mistake. Adult content advised. Read by Wendy Karstens in 9 hours, 35 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 143277.

An inside job by Daniel Silva

Gabriel Allon has been awarded a commission to restore one of the most important paintings in Venice. But when he discovers the body of a mysterious woman floating in the waters of the Venetian Lagoon, he finds himself in a desperate race to recover a lost masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting, a portrait of a beautiful young girl, has been gathering dust in a storeroom at the Vatican Museums for more than a century, misattributed and hidden beneath a worthless picture by an unknown artist. Because no one knows that the Leonardo is there, no one notices when it disappears one night during a suspicious power outage. NZ Top 50. Gabriel Allon series, book 25. Sequel to: A death in Cornwall, 142921. Read by Edoardo Ballerini in 9 hours, 28 minutes. Published 2025. Blackstone. Book number 143984.

Conclave by Robert Harris

The Pope is dead. Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, one hundred and eighteen cardinals from all over the globe will cast their votes in the world’s most secretive election. They are holy men. But they have ambition. And they have rivals. Over the next seventy-two hours one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth. Read by Tim Roxborogh in 8 hours, 20 minutes. Published 2016. RNZFB. Book number 144060.

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

Authors (Biography)

Black beech and honeydew: an autobiography by Ngaio Marsh

The author, perhaps best known as a writer of detective fiction, gives a sensitive portrayal of her early life in New Zealand, her wide experience overseas, and her enthusiasm for the stage and Shakespeare. 6 v. of Braille. Pre-UEB. Published 1966. Wellington Braille Club. BR303.

Food and Beverages

Jamie’s 15 minute meals by Jamie Oliver

This book pushes the concept of fast, everyday food to a new level, without compromising on flavour. It’s designed to excite and inspire people to prepare a balanced, nutritional, no-nonsense meal every night of the week. 6 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 2012. RNZFB. EBraille 144229.

The New Zealand bread book by Simon & Alison Holst

This updated bread book explains how to make white and brown bread by hand or in a bread machine as well as no knead and gluten free breads. 2 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 2010. RNZFB. EBraille 144230.

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. 2 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 2025. RNZFB. EBraille 143685.

NZ and Pacific Non-Fiction

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. 4 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 2025. RNZFB. EBraille 143690.

Greenstone land by Yvonne Kalman

A saga set in early New Zealand, telling of the fortunes of Juliette Peridot. Has sequel: Juliette’s daughter, BR275. 13 v. of Braille. Pre-UEB. Published 1981. Wellington Braille Club. BR274.

Adult Fiction

Historical Novels

Kāwai: Tree of nourishment by Monty Soutar

It’s 1818 on the East Coast of Te Ika-a-Māui, Aotearoa. Hine-aute, granddaughter of the legendary warrior Kaitanga, is fleeing through the bush; a precious yet gruesome memento contained in her fishing net. What follows is the gripping tale of a people on the cusp of profound change that is destined to reverberate through many generations to come. Kāwai series, book 2. Sequel to: Kāwai: 143428, in production. 6 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 2022. RNZFB. EBraille 143430.

Mystery and Detective Stories

Shattered by Dick Francis

After glassblower Gerard Logan watches his friend, jockey Martin Stukely, die in a race, he is handed a mysterious videotape. Soon afterwards the tape is stolen, leaving Logan, Detective Constable Catherine Dodd, and a gang of thugs searching for the crucial clue. 3 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 2000. NLS. EBraille 143563.

Come to grief by Dick Francis

British jockey-turned-private-investigator Sid Halley implicates his friend Ellis Quint in a series of disturbing horse mutilations. The suicide of Ellis’s mother, an attack by his father, and a vicious smear campaign compound Ellis’s problems and increase Sid’s guilt over the accusations. Adult content advised. Sid Halley series, book 3. Sequel to: Whip hand, not yet in collection. Has sequel: Under orders, 143734. 4 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 1995. NLS. EBraille 143564.

Southern cross by Patricia D. Cornwell

Robbery, murder, incompetence and not enough parking spaces—just another day in the life of a big city’s police department. Judy Hammer investigates as a virus crashes the police computer, freezing screens with a design of blue fish—the same one a gang called the Pikes claim is their symbol. Andy Brazil series, book 2. Sequel to: Hornet’s nest, not yet in collection. Has sequel: Isle of Dogs, not yet in collection. 7 v. of Braille. Pre-UEB. Published 1998. NLS. BR3687.

Romance

People we meet on vacation by Emily Henry

Travel writer Poppy and her friend Alex could not be more different, but they bonded on a road trip home from college and afterwards took annual vacations together. Unfortunately, their last vacation ruined everything between them. Two years later, Poppy talks Alex into one more trip together. Adult content advised. 4 computer files, contracted, UEB. Published 2021. NLS. EBraille 144239.

New Zealand Travel

The long pathway: Te Ara Roa by Denis McLean

A family walk along the 800 kilometres of coastline. 9 v. of Braille. Pre-UEB. Published 1986. Wellington Braille Club. BR176.

Youth Collection

Adventure Stories

Five have plenty of fun by Enid Blyton

George is not pleased when Berta, a spoilt American girl, turns up at Kirrin Cottage in the middle of the night—dressed in disguise! But George hasn’t got time to be jealous. Berta is in hiding from kidnappers, and she needs help. The Famous Five are the only ones who can protect her, but will they risk danger to themselves to help out a virtual stranger? Famous Five series, book 14. Sequel to: Five go to Mystery Moor, 134321. Has sequel: Five on a secret trail, in production. Read by Greg Hughes in 3 hours, 50 minutes. Published 2019. RNZFB. Book number 134348.

Nine lives by Donovan Bixley

Final countdown to blast off! Has Claude D’Bonair really lost all his nine lives? Can cats and dogs work together to stop Alf Alpha and his army rising from the ashes of defeat? And will the traitorous Major Tom finally get his comeuppance? Find out how it all ends in this explosive series finale. Flying Furballs series, book 9. Sequel to: Downfall, 142459. Read by Dominic Lewis in 1 hour, 49 minutes. Published 2020. RNZFB. Book number 142460.

Fantasy

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya. The exceptional. The Elites. The Elites have possessed powers for decades, gifted to them by the Plague, while those born Ordinary are just that, banished from the kingdom and shunned from society. No one knows this better than Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary posing as an Elite. When she unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya’s princes, Kai Azer, she’s thrown into the Purging Trials, a brutal competition to showcase her Elite powers. If the Trials and the opponents don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for will if he discovers that Paedyn really is completely Ordinary. NZ Top 50. Powerless book series, book 1. Has sequel: Reckless, in production. Read by Romy Hooper in 19 hours, 36 minutes. Published 2023. RNZFB. Book number 142916.

Wave breaker by Anh Do

Something is very wrong in the seaside town where Skydragon is trying to lay low. And it’s not just the insects that are suffering; the dolphins and whales are in trouble too. Something is lurking below the surface of the ocean. But what? Can Amber and her insects get to the bottom of the mystery before it’s too late? Skydragon series, book 5. Sequel to: Brave the storm, 141299. Has sequel: Rescue flight, 141601. Read by Matthew Curtis in 2 hours, 15 minutes. Published 2022. RNZFB. Book number 141600.

Humour

Gangsta Granny strikes again! by David Walliams

Ben is getting used to life without his beloved granny. She was a cabbage enthusiast, a Scrabble partner and an international jewel thief known as The Black Cat. Now, only the memory of their extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on. Then something inexplicable happens. World-famous treasures are stolen in the dead of night and the clues point to none other than The Black Cat! But that’s impossible! Gangsta Granny series, book 2. Sequel to: Gangsta Granny, 128384. Read by Janice Finn in 4 hours, 50 minutes. Published 2021. RNZFB. Book number 144038.

Diary of a wimpy kid: Partypooper by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is not a fan of surprises especially when it comes to his birthday. But he never could have guessed the shocking surprise his family has in store for him this year. When Greg’s epic party plans start to unravel, he holds out hope that he’ll get his one birthday wish: a rare trading card that’s worth a fortune. The problem is, everyone else is after it, too, and there’s no guarantee he’ll snag it first. Will Greg’s birthday dreams come true? Or will he learn to be careful what you wish for? NZ Top 50. Diary of a wimpy kid series, book 20. Sequel to: Diary of a wimpy kid: hot mess, 143147. Read by Greg Hughes in 1 hour, 44 minutes. Published 2025. RNZFB. Book number 144113.

Nature And Animal Stories

The dog runner by Bren MacDibble

Ella and her brother Emery are alone in a city that’s starving to death. If they are going to survive, they must get away, upcountry, to find Emery’s mum. But how can two kids travel such big distances across a dry, barren, and dangerous landscape? Read by Dominic Lewis in 4 hours, 35 minutes. Published 2019. RNZFB. Book number 141480.

Puddie Cat’s big move written by Sandy A. Bower

Puddie Cat’s family are moving from the busy city to the countryside. This story follows Puddie’s exciting adventure to his new home. Will he love it? Read by Madeleine Lynch in 10 minutes. Published 2024. RNZFB. Book number 143804.

The Family

Mum’s busy work by Jacinda Ardern

What is Mum’s most important work? Today I got out of bed and asked Mum what day it was. “Monday,” she said. I asked if that was a day care day. She said yes. I stomped my feet. Even though day care is fun, it’s still hard not to miss Mum throughout the week! But despite her busy job, there’s always time for stories, time for games, time for hugs, and time for love. NZ Top 50. Read by Wendy Karstens in 20 minutes. Published 2025.RNZFB. Book number 144044.

Contact Details

Postal Address

Library Blind Low Vision NZ

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Auckland 0612

Physical Address:

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197 Universal Drive

Henderson

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Phone: during working hours: 0800-24-33-33 (Toll free)

Email: library@blindlowvision.org.nz

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Library Newsline on the Telephone Information Service (TIS)

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