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Havelock North High School

19,554 pages read and 4,410 team points

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    Kwn

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Kwn

8,233 pts
(6,119 pages read)

  • The Quiet Spectacular

    By Damien Wilkins
    4 stars

    The Quiet Spectacular by Damien Wilkins is a character driven New Zealand novel about returning home after loss and reconnecting with people and place. It focuses on relationships and reflection rather than suspense. I liked its gentle, realistic tone and strong sense of place.

  • Greta and Valdin

    By Rebecca K. Reilly
    4 stars

    Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly is a warm and emotional story set in Auckland, following siblings Greta and Valdin as they navigate family, love and identity. I loved the emotional depth and the strong sense of place, as the setting feels very real and familiar. The characters are honest and relatable, with plenty of humour mixed in with heavier moments.

  • The Whale Rider

    By Witi Ihimaera
    4 stars

    The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera is a moving story set in a small coastal New Zealand town, following a young girl who challenges tradition and expectations. The book explores family, culture and belonging in a gentle but powerful way. I liked how strongly it connects to Māori culture and the natural world.

  • Journey to Tangiwai

    By David Hill
    4 stars

    Journey to Tangiwai by David Hill follows 13 year old Peter Cotterill from Napier as he writes about his life, Scouts and everyday events in 1953 before a tragic rail disaster changes everything. I loved that the main character is from my hometown, the story is based on a true event and the school he went to is the same one my brother attended, which made the story feel even more real and personal to me. The book brings New Zealand history to life and shows how ordinary lives are touched by big events. It is emotional, gripping and very memorable.

  • Nineteen Minutes

    By Jodi Picoult
    5 stars

    Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult is about a school shooting told from multiple viewpoints, including the judge Alexandra, her daughter, and a detective. The story explores the events leading up to the tragedy, the shooting itself, and the aftermath for everyone involved. The twist in the story is really powerful and adds a lot of emotional weight. The book is emotional, confronting, and keeps you thinking about the characters’ choices long after you finish. It is a gripping and intense read.

  • The Girl in Times Square

    By Paullina Simons
    5 stars

    My favourite author has done it again... The Girl in Times Square by Paullina Simons is a modern love story set in New York, following Lily and her intense relationship with a famous actor. The book explores love, obsession and emotional vulnerability in a very raw way. I liked the strong emotions and how deeply it focuses on the characters. Some parts felt dramatic and heavy, but it kept me interested. It is very different from her historical novels, but still an engaging read.

  • The Summer Garden

    By Paullina Simons
    4 stars

    The Summer Garden brings the trilogy to a strong and emotional close, following Tatiana and Alexander as they try to build a life after years of war and loss. This book feels more reflective and raw, focusing on the lasting effects of trauma and the challenges of love after survival. It is slower than the earlier books but very powerful, showing that happy endings are not simple and healing takes time.

  • Tatiana and Alexander

    By Paulina Simons
    5 stars

    A very easy read! Tatiana and Alexander is a powerful continuation of The Bronze Horseman, following Tatiana and Alexander as they fight to survive war, distance and heartbreak. I loved how the story stays centred on their relationship and shows how much Tatiana is willing to sacrifice for love. The book is emotional, gripping and hard to put down, with plenty of tension and hope mixed together.

  • The Bronze Horseman

    By Paullina Simons
    5 stars

    After a few lemons, I finally read a book that was absolutely amazing. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons has a gripping storyline full of emotion, suspense and unforgettable characters, set during the Siege of Leningrad. The love story is intense and heartbreaking, and the historical detail makes everything feel real and powerful. It is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it.

  • Heart of Coal

    By Jenny Pattrick
    1 stars

    Heart of Coal by Jenny Pattrick continues the story from The Denniston Rose, following the lives of the families in the tough coal‑mining community. I only read it because it is a continuation, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to do more of the series. The book shows the hardships, struggles, and small moments of hope in a harsh and isolated place. It is interesting to see the story continue, but the isolation and sadness of life there make it a heavy read.

  • The Denniston Rose

    By Jenny Pattrick
    2 stars

    The Denniston Rose by Jenny Pattrick follows five‑year‑old Rose and her mother as they arrive in the harsh and isolated coal‑mining settlement of Denniston high on the West Coast plateau in the 1880s. The book shows how Rose stays strong and finds her place in a tough, often unfriendly community where survival is hard and life is rough. I found it rather sad and not really my style because of the isolation and the harshness of life there. It is still a story about resilience and growing up in a world that tests you every day.

  • The Book of Secrets

    By Fiona Kidman
    5 stars

    The Book of Secrets by Fiona Kidman is about three women, Isabella, her daughter Annie and her granddaughter Maria, living in the Scottish settler town of Waipu in New Zealand. The story follows how their lives are shaped by family secrets, strict rules and hard times. I really liked the parts about Maria, the granddaughter, as she grows up and learns about herself and her family. Those sections are emotional and moving, showing her struggles and how she tries to find her own place in the world. The book mixes real history with personal stories, and it really captures what it was like to live in that time while following Maria’s journey makes it feel very personal and heartfelt.

  • Shantaram a novel

    By Gregory David Roberts
    4 stars

    Shantaram is a long, immersive novel about an escaped Australian convict who rebuilds his life in India, moving from slum living and running a makeshift medical clinic to becoming entangled in crime, prison, war, and an intense but unresolved love. What stood out to me was the emotional depth and powerful sense of place. The book sits honestly with guilt, loss, and the idea that redemption is messy and imperfect. It is slow at times, but deeply absorbing, and the parts about community, survival, and belonging stayed with me long after I finished.

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