Mt Roskill Grammar

78,814 pages read and 1,930 team points

Team members

Claire

8,784 pts

(7,742 pages read)

The Phone Box at the Edge of the World

By Laura Imai Messina

5 stars

This is a powerful and beautiful book which is heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is based on a true place where there is a phone where people can talk to their dead relatives - their voices just go into the wind. It's a book about grief and resilience and moving forward and is based on, and dedicated to, those lost to the Japanese tsunami on 11 March 2011.
All Fours

By Miranda July

1 stars

I did not like this book and after reading half of it I gave up.
A Curse for True Love

By Stephanie Garber

5 stars

The third and final book in the series - I loved all of them. A YA fantasy romance.
I want to die but I want to eat tteokbokki

By baek sehee

4 stars

This is very easy to read and is an honest view of someone living with mild depression. It's an interesting insight into how other people's brains work.
Boleyn Traitor

By Philippa Gregory

4 stars

It's been a few years since I read Philippa Gregory, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy her writing. This is about Jane Boleyn - the sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn (married to George, Anne's brother) who was Henry VIII's 2nd wife. Jane served 5 queens and this is a view of how life might have been at that time.
Beyond the Wand

By Tom Felton

4 stars

I did this as an audiobook. It is read by Tom and discusses him becoming an actor both before Harry Potter, and then throughout the 9 years of Harry Potter magic. and beyond Tom ends up discussing his mental health issues - all with his trademark humour. A very interesting read.
The Ballad of Never After

By Stephanie Garber

5 stars

The second in the Once Upon A Broken Heart series and it's as good as the first. A YA fantasy world
Beneath Our Feet

By Jack Hartley

4 stars

Set in Christchurch in February 2011, this is the story of Alfie & Dani. Alfie has a broken heart - and he manages to have a heart transplant from someone who died in the quake. Dani's cancer has returned and it's terminal - she wants to live before she dies. This YA book is about the few months they have together and the world they create for themselves in order to tick off Dani's bucket list.
My Friends

By Fredrik Backman

5 stars

I like Fredrik's style of writing, and this is a beautiful book. It made me laugh out loud and then wipe away tears of sadness. A wonderful tale of friendship and how people are different, but the same.
Project Hail Mary

By Andy Weir

5 stars

This book was part audio & part physical book. I discovered Part 1 free on Spotify and because I'd heard such good things about the audio book I started reading it. I loved it, but didn't think Part 2 was available, so I went to purchase the book! However, Part 2 is available on Spotify. Listen to it if you can.
Tell us a story out of your own mouth

By Mona Williams

4 stars

This is one of the free books we won through a social media challenge. The book showcases one of the Read NZ Ambassadors
If You don't get your head out of a book, my girl, you'll end up on Queer Street

By Renee

3 stars

This is one of the free books we received from winning a social media post on this challenge, showcasing Read NZ Ambassadors
Te Tukanga Ako

By Te Kahu Rollesotn

4 stars

This is one of 3 mini books we won from this challenge showcasing Read NZ Ambassadors.
Love Stories

By Trent Dalton

4 stars

I saw Trent at the Auckland Writers Festival in May and he spoke about this book, so I wanted to read it. Having listened to him, I can hear him in the way he writes. This is a beautiful book, written at the end of Covid, where he sat at a table on a corner in Brisbane and just asked people about their love stories. The book really is as simple as that, and it's lovely.
Clytemnestra

By Costanza Casati

5 stars

A historical novel about Clytemnestra - the notorious Spartan Queen, but was she as bad as they make out? I loved this story - it was recommended to me by Serene and I will recommend it to others.
The Book of Longings

By Sue Monk Kidd

5 stars

A fictional story about the wife of Jesus and about the women of that time.
Delirious

By Damien Wilkins

4 stars

This is a well written book about life - a realistic type tale. But I think I've read too many of them recently so I wasn't in the mood for this one. Plus the two main characters are getting older and move to a retirement home, only to hate it, so maybe I saw this as being a bit of a realistic future for me! It is a very easy read.
Night

By Elie Wiesel

5 stars

This is a harrowing account of Elie's early life in Hungary and then from when the Germans arrived to when the Germans surrended. It's an incredible tale but brutal. Everyone needs to read this.
Run Rebel

By Manjeet Mann

5 stars

Wow - I could not put this book down. Verse Novels really know how to deal with tough subjects and this is a book which is incredible. As a librarian who deals with students, it's made me realise that sometimes them just being at school is worth celebrating, and I hope that I provide a safe space for all.
You've Reached Sam

By Dustin Thao

4 stars

This is a cute romance book despite the fact he has died and she can't let go. It's well written and really does deal with the grief of losing not only Sam, but also Julie distancing herself from their friends. It would be lovely to be able to say a final. proper goodbye in such circumstances.
How to Talk to Your Succulent

By Zoe Persico

4 stars

A cute graphic novel about feelings, grief and emotions. Aimed at 8-12 year olds, but think older kids would love it too.
1177BC A graphic history of the year civilization collapsed

By Eric H Cline

4 stars

This was an interesting graphic novel - I know nothing about this historical era, so it was a great introduction
What Have I Done?

By Ben Elton

4 stars

I'm English and loved Ben Elton, The Young Ones and Blackadder whilst growing up, so I found this a really interesting book. He's older than me and has made me realise how unaware I was of Thatcher and the power of the media. Ben is very kind about almost everyone, even those who don't deserve it. Some of the people come across as real idiots, whilst other (much bigger stars) are so much nicer - but I guess that says something about people thinking they are greater than they are.
Noise

By Kathleen Raymundo

5 stars

Thought I'd read a quick graphic novel - pick me up on a Friday afternoon. Didn't expect it to be so emotional!
I Who Have Never Known Men

By Jacqueline Harpman

4 stars

I think this is going to be the type of book which I will think about in the years to come.
Good Things Come and Go

By Josie Shapiro

5 stars

Another beautiful book by Josie Shapiro - set in the Coromandel, it's about love, friendship, grief and taking risks.

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Mt Roskill Grammar

78,814 pages read and 1,930 team points

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