Jenna

RNZ's Nine to Noon: Cousins by Aurora Venturini (trans. by Kit Maude) /  by Time Out Bookstore

Described as a “punk” by Mariana Enriquez, Aurora Venturini wrote this novel as an 85 year old, submitting the typewritten manuscript anonymously to a newspaper competition in 2007. After she won, she said, “Finally, an honest jury.” She had previously written 30 novels.

This is a story of vulnerable women, bad men and revenge in 1940’s Buenos Aires. Cousins is the first Venturini novel to be translated into English.

Listen to Jenna’s review with Kathryn below for more.

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA BERNALDO DE QUIRÓS

95bFM's Loose Reads: In Ascension by Martin MacInnes /  by Time Out Bookstore

On this rare sunny morning in Tāmaki, Jenna visited the studio to talk about the 2023 Booker longlisted, In Ascension. A book that hits the depths of the sea and stretches into the wider universe, this is a book that explores the connection between science, humans and the environment.

For fans of Richard Powers!

Listen to Jenna’s chat with Rachel and Stella below.

95bFM's Loose Reads: Audition by Pip Adam /  by Time Out Bookstore

Jenna called into the studio today to review the brand new novel by award-winning, Pip Adam - one the most inventive and exciting writers in Aotearoa.

In Audition, we meet three giants on spaceship. From here, the least you know about this book, the better. However, Adam stays true to form by pushing the boundaries of her narrative worlds to bring a strong social message to readers.

Listen to Jenna & Rachel chat below!

RNZ's Nine to Noon: In Memoriam by Alice Winn /  by Time Out Bookstore

“I stood on the most God-forsaken patch of earth I hope ever exists and I thought: I wonder how Elly is.”

Alice Winn’s In Memoriam demonstrates both the despair of war and the distraction of love as we meet two young men in love, Ellwood and Gaunt as they leave their boarding school to sit at the front lines of World War I.

Listen to Jenna’s review with Kathryn below.

95bFM's Loose Reads: Tangi by Witi Ihimaera /  by Time Out Bookstore

Tama leaves behind his life in Wellington, of Te Ao Pākeha to head home to Waituhi after the sudden death of his father. As the oldest son, it’s expected that he will return to take over the family farm.

Tangi was the winner of the 1973 New Zealand Book Awards and for its 50 year anniversary, this new edition
has been re-edited to celebrate. This piece by Emma Hislop (Kāi Tahu) explains more about Witi’s process of rewriting.

This incredibly moving novel has more than stood the test of time and is the perfect read for Matariki.

95bFM's Loose Reads: Big Swiss by Jen Beagin /  by Time Out Bookstore

Big Swiss has quickly become a staff favourite at Time Out, nicely fitting alongside titles such as My Year of Rest and Relaxation and The First Bad Man.

Greta transcribes the therapy sessions of sex coach, Om, and becomes enamoured with a patient whom she calls Big Swiss. When she hears Big Swiss’ voice in the dog park, she introduces herself as Rebekah - leading to a very intense infatuation between the two.

Told with the darkest of humour - Big Swiss explores moral boundaries, trauma relationships.

95bFM's Loose Reads: Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by Josie Shapiro /  by Time Out Bookstore

This week, Jenna reviews Josie Shapiro’s Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts, which is the inaugural winner of the Allen & Unwin Commercial Fiction Prize.

Mickey Bloom is an underdog - small, dyslexic and bullied, she finds solace in running. However, this also comes at a cost. Set in Auckland, Everything is Beautiful explores big dreams and what happens if they’re not realised. Highly recommended.

95bFM's Loose Reads: The Strangers by Katherena Vermette /  by Time Out Bookstore

This week, Jenna previews the session she’s chairing at the Auckland Writer’s Festival this week.

Katherena Vermette is an award winning Red River Métis author, from Manitoba, Winnipeg. Her second novel The Strangers, follows Phoenix Stranger, a character from her first novel The Break, to continue her story alongside the story of her family and how she got to where she is now.

You can listen to Jenna, Rachel & Stella’s chat about the book below!

Katherena Vermette: It’s in the Bones is at 2.30pm on Friday.

95bFM's Loose Reads: There's a Cure for This by Dr. Emma Espiner /  by Time Out Bookstore

We think Dr. Emma Espiner’s debut memoir, There’s a Cure for This, is going to be a favourite for 2023.

"I don't know why medicine felt like coming home but, for some reason, it fits. I keep thinking about how the tohu, once awarded, can never be taken back. Better not fuck it up."

Through nostalgia, whānau & the grit of medicine this collection of essays explore being a mother, a daughter & a Māori doctor.

You can listen to Jenna, Annabel & Stella’s chat below!

95bFM's Loose Reads: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai /  by Time Out Bookstore

This week, Jenna visited the studio to talk about a current Time Out staff favourite, Rebecca Makkai’s I Have Some Questions for You.

A cross between The Secret History and Serial Podcast, this is a page-turning read that cleverly captures the zeitgest of the fascination of true crime, the #metoo movement and social justice.

You can listen to Jenna, Rachel & Stella’s chat below!

RNZ's Nine to Noon: Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent /  by Time Out Bookstore

Sally Diamond’s Father told her that when he died, to put him out with the rubbish, so when he did die, that’s what she did. This act brings a lot of attention on this woman who has spent her life in her Irish Village pretending to be deaf outside the house.

With a good chunk of the novel set in New Zealand, this book alternates between a Rosie Project-esque tale and a compelling psychological thriller.

Listen to Jenna’s review with Kathryn below.

95bFM's Loose Reads: Three 2022 music book recs! /  by Time Out Bookstore

Poor Suri is sick today, so Jenna dialed for a last minute review. She gave advice on three great music books, which would be great for a Christmas present (or just yourself.)

Surrender by Bono - a life story told in forty songs which contains beautiful images & drawings.

Re-Sisters by Cosey Fanni Tutti - a memoir spanning centuries, Tutti interweaves the amazing lives of three women (including herself) who paved the way in both music, writing and creativity.

A Book of Days by Patti Smith - a diary of of year, told in images. As only Smith can be, this is considered, thoughtful and is an ode to art, thinkers, music, family and politics.