Glendowie College

130,935 pages read and 4,803 team points

Team members

RCD

3,552 pts

(2,314 pages read)

He Tatau Pounamu; The Treaty of Waitangi a Covenant of Reconciliation

By Alistair Reese

4 stars

Historian and Theologian Alistair Reese discusses the role of the church in advocating for the Treaty before, during and after its signing. He notes that the church was never a neutral bystander to this early history and argues that it should not be so now. Reese encourages members of the NZ church to see the Treaty as a sacred covenant that protects the freedoms and unity of all NZers today. An interesting read that draws on primary sources (both Māori and Pākeha) that I had not heard before.
Poukahangatus

By Tayi Tibble

5 stars

Tayi Tibble is a gifted weaver of words which will elicit all kinds of emotional responses from her readers. Her anthology of poetry about identity, sexuality and relationships explores modern experiences of feminine power and provokes us to think about the ways whakapapa is both transformation and continuation of what has gone before.
1985

By Dominic Hoey

5 stars

A defiant story about hope and friendship in adolescence that transports readers right back to the days immediately following the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior. This book has brilliantly written dialogue and character complexity. Its storyline really captures the brutality of poverty and loss. A great read.
Slowing the Sun

By Nadine Hura

4 stars

A rumination on climate change, colonisation and grief that is often touching and thought-provoking. At times it was uncomfortably political but always authentic, as the author used the environmental context to explore complex feelings about being in the world as a Māori person, as a woman and as a mouthpiece for others. I enjoyed it.
My grammar and I (or should that be me?)

By Caroline Taggart and J.A Wines

4 stars

A clear and sometimes funny stomp through the perilous ‘confusables’ of the English language. This text offers practical support and inspiration to those teaching grammar or trying to better their own usage without taking prescriptivism to the extreme.
Flash Boys

By Michael Lewis

5 stars

A gripping read that takes readers into the murky shadows of high finance in post-subprime Manhattan to show us the immoral dealings of high-frequency traders manipulating new technologies to build vast stores of personal wealth. However, at the heart of Lewis’ story sits a group of courageous individuals fighting to establish a platform for fair trading despite the personal costs to career and reputation. Lewis’ epic tale is an encouraging and surprisingly simple read which reminds us that acting ethically is always most important.
Hotel Lucky Seven

By Kotaro Isaka

4 stars

An oddly enjoyable read about murder, luck and finding gratitude in all circumstances. Translated from Japanese by Brian Bergstrom.
Before You Knew My Name

By Jacqueline Bublitz

5 stars

This well told tale centres on the murder of a young Alice Lee, who is starting a life of fresh possibility in shining New York. Ruby Jones, struggling with an ending of her own, is soon embroiled in the case seeking answers for Alice and for herself. This book is like The Lovely Bones but better, with flawed, interesting characters, philosophical heft and a well paced plot.
Waiora; Te Ūkaipo - the Homeland

By Hone Kouka

5 stars

Fascinatingly complex themes about identity in 1960s NZ.
The storied life of AJ Fikrey

By Gabrielle Zevin

4 stars

A quirky tale of love, loss and literature with a hopeful message. Perfect holiday reading!

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Glendowie College

130,935 pages read and 4,803 team points

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