Jenna
The first novel in 15 years from Australian author Sophie Cunningham. Alice, a writer, has spent 15 years researching Leonard Woolf, husband of Virginia.
This is a novel for deep readers and for writers. Exploring colonialism, health, ideas, ghosts, viruses, war, sexuality and research, This Devastating Fever shows us that since early twentieth century, perhaps not much has changed at all.
‘My family should never be out in the world.’
9 year old Shiv has been suspended from school (for fighting) and is under the supervision of Grandma - a vivacious and hilarious woman (to the reader) but incredibly embarrassing (to Shiv.)
Miriam Toews’ Fight Night is the feel good book of this summer.
Listen below for for more as Jenna phones in to Rachel from the bookshop.
Jenna was back in the Auckland RNZ studio today to review Bobby Palmer’s Isaac and the Egg. We know this sad/happy tale is going to be a word-of-mouth favourite. For fans of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Midnight Library and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
Listen to Jenna’s review with Kathryn below.
Today’s Loose Reads is a memoir by Ali Millar, who grew up on the Scottish Borders as a Jehovah’ s Witness. Detailing fear, isolation and conflicting worlds, Millar provides an ultra personal insight into finding freedom.
For fans of Educated.
Listen below to Jenna’s chat with Rachel and Zoe.
Colleen Maria Lenihan’s new book, Kōhine, is an excellent collection of linked short stories that move between Japan and Aotearoa. An atmospheric and weighty account of living with grief, women working hard and a sense of place. This is a highly recommended read from Huia Publishers.
Listen to Jenna’s review with Rachel as she calls in from the shop, below:
Laurence Fearnley’s Winter Time is a South Island based character study filled with mystery and atmosphere. A perfect read for the season!
Jenna phoned in to the bFM studio this morning, listen to her full review with Rachel below.
Jenna speaks with guest host Guy Montgomery today about Jarvis Cocker’s delightful memoir, Good Pop, Bad Pop. This book is an inventory of ‘psychic lint’ from Cocker’s loft - items he’s accumulated without even realising - and in this, gives us the origins of his iconic band, Pulp.
Brightly designed with fantastic images, Good Pop, Bad Pop is very self deprecating, nostalgic and funny. Capturing schoolboys moving through a grimy music scene in 1980’s Sheffield, this is a grand read and we hope there is a sequel planned.
Listen to the full review below!
The Escape Artist is the true tale of a man’s miraculous escape from Auschwitz. Written by journalist and thriller writer Jonathan Freedland, it makes for a pacy and compelling read.
Despite being an incredibly grim topic, Jenna still recommends you pick it up. This story lends incredible insight into how difficult it was to get the news of this horrifying mass murder into the right hands.
Listen below!
Jenna reviews one of her favourite books of 2022 so far - it’s just a little difficult to explain what it’s about.
Canadian author Sheila Heti questions creation, love, grief, art, philosophy, nature & more in this quietly profound novel.
Listen to Jenna, Rachel and Zoe chat as they are reunited in the studio. Click the link below!
We have a great non-fiction recommendation for you today. In the late 1960’s, a Premonitions Bureau was set up at the Evening Standard by psychiatrist John Barker and journalist Peter Fairley. However, Barker’s own fatality is predicted by one of his subjects.
An anecdotal yarn that follows the science of trying to explain the unexplainable.
Listen to Jenna and Rachel on the phone below:
First of all, we have a run through of the winners from last week’s Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, including the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for fiction, Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka.
Then, we are so excited talk about this debut from all-round artist extraordinaire, Coco Solid aka Jessica Hansell.
Following three wāhine around an evolving & gentrifying Tāmaki Makaurau - the form of How to Loiter takes sharp & spare shape in prose, poetry & essay.
Listen to Jenna and Rachel on the phone below:
It’s been a long time between drinks and it’s great to be back to our regular rotation of Loose Reads reviews on 95bFM. Today, Jenna talks about Booker Prize winning author Douglas Stuart’s Young Mungo.
Listen to Jenna and Rachel on the phone below:
Toi Tū Toi Ora is the book of the landmark exhibition of contemporary Māori Art from Auckland Art Gallery. Curator Nigel Borell has collated a richly illustrated text featuring exhibition artworks both on their own and within the gallery space. The book follows the exhibition's themes of Te Kore (the void), Te Pō (the night) and Te Ao Mārama (the light.)
With contributions from Moana Jackson and Taarati Taiaroa, this book is a must for your home library allowing the luxury of revisiting these beautiful works at your own pace.
Listen to Jenna and guest host Annabell chat below.
With rain and thunder in the background, Jenna reviews Last Resort, a debut novel by Andrew Lipstein.
Caleb’s dream is to be a novelist and after some ethically dubious inspiration, it looks like his dream is to be realised. This book is not serious, sharp & funny and is recommend for fans of grifter stories - especially the infamous Who is the Bad Art Friend?
Listen to Jenna and Rachel discuss below.
Jenna reviews this epic novel from renowned poet, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers.
Ailey Pearl Garfield, her immediate family and ancestors tackle racism, trauma, colourism, black feminism, academia and history over 800 sweeping and effortless pages. This book is highly recommended!
Listen to Jenna’s review with Lynne Freeman on RNZ’s Nine to Noon below.
Translated from Italian, Claudia Durastanti’s novel Strangers I Know explores the mythology of family, language, form and fiction. An incredibly smart read and highly recommended.
Listen to Jenna and Rachel discuss below.
Danya Kukafka’s Notes on an Execution is crime fiction fit for true crime lovers. Set in the twelve hours before he is to be executed, Ansel Packer’s story is told by three women who have been affected by his crimes. A pacy and thought provoking read.
Listen to Jenna, Rachel and Zoe discuss below.
The growth of tech, social media and personal devices has evolved the way our society interacts with the world today. Stolen Focus is an investigation into how this has happened, what it means and offers tools in how to get our focus back. A hot topic told in an engaging and thorough way, this a great non fiction read to start off the new year.
Read this excerpt from The Guardian and listen to Jenna, Rachel and Zoe discuss below.
Jenna is Rachel and Zoe’s first guest in the studio since August! Today, she reviews Lauren Groff’s Matrix. An imagining of the life medieval poet, Marie de France, who is sent away from the royal court to live as a nun. Never has a story set in the twelfth century felt so contemporary!
Jenna reviews Orwell’s Roses, the brand new book by prolific non-fiction writer, Rebecca Solnit. Starting amongst George Orwell’s (still living) roses, Solnit weaves together connections of war and beauty. Highly recommended!
Listen to Jenna’s review with Kathryn below.
