St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton)

83,504 pages read and 6,883 team points

Team members

Kerry Allen

16,448 pts

(8,224 pages read)

The Bikes We Built

By Jonathan Kennett

4 stars

Take a ride through the history of 61 New Zealand made bicycles from 1869 to the present day. From the velocipede to the penny farthing, to the Raleigh Chopper and the BMX, discover how Kiwis have reinvented the wheel over the last 150 years. Unearthing secrets from factories, garages, archives and museums, The Bikes We Built brings us the stories of New Zealand made bikes and the people behind them – their designers, builders, collectors and users – in a celebration of Kiwi ingenuity, passion and determination.
Cultivating Myths. Fiction, Fact & Fashion in Garden History.

By Helen Leach

4 stars

The book serves as a fascinating piece of "botanical detective work," tracing the evolution of garden fashions from their obscure origins to their modern-day incarnations. Rather than just celebrating the aesthetic, the author examines the cultural forces that shaped our most beloved outdoor spaces. Key themes explored include: - The Cottage Garden & The Potager: Exploring whether these were truly the humble plots of the working class or stylized recreations by the elite. - The 'Natural' Garden: A deep dive into the paradox of "taming" the wilderness to look romantic and untouched. - The Lawn & The Walled Garden: An investigation into how the "outdoor room" became a staple of domestic pleasure. - The Variegation Debate: A look at the polarized love-hate relationship gardeners have maintained with patterned foliage through the centuries. What sets Cultivating Myths apart is its reliance on original sources. By excavating centuries-old gardening manuals, the book brings to light forgotten truths, all while being beautifully accented by historic line drawings. This is not your average "how-to" manual. It is a challenging and engrossing bedside companion for anyone who has ever wondered why we plant the way we do. It invites readers to look past the blooms and understand the history—and the myths—rooted beneath the soil.
Home is the High Country

By Mona Anderson

3 stars

A New Zealand classic, Mona Anderson brings the rugged High Country of the South Island to life through six captivating tales of its smallest inhabitants. With the same heart-warming clarity, Anderson chronicles the "wild and tame" residents of the mountains—from the mischievous aerial pranks of Joey the kea to the touching transformation of Ozwega the Muscovy drake and the comical social blunders of Needlenose the hedgehog. Whether navigating hilarious mishaps or brushing with disaster, these stories capture the intricate pulse of nature with a charm that transcends age. This collection remains a testament to Anderson's enduring legacy as one of New Zealand’s most beloved storytellers, offering a delightful and immersive escape for children and adults alike.
The Dream of Nikau Jam

By Peter Hawes

3 stars

At the center of this book is Simon Fyfe, affectionately known as Feefi. Born a month late and standing head and shoulders above his peers, Feefi is a character defined by his contradictions. While the regulars at the local pub might whisper that he’s "not the full quid," Feefi possesses a brand of wisdom that is as deep as the mines his friends work in. His connection to the natural world isn't just knowledge; it’s a form of poetry. The plot ignites over a tradition passed down from Feefi’s mother: the delicate, clandestine art of making jam from the fruit of the protected nikau palm. When conservationists—referred to by locals with a mix of suspicion and weariness as the "Over the Hill" crowd—descend upon Westport, Feefi finds himself at the center of a legal and emotional firestorm.
Surrender

By Donna Malane

4 stars

Missing persons expert Diane Rowe finds that her professional knack for unraveling mysteries offers little comfort when it comes to the wreckage of her own life. Haunted by the brutal murder of her sister, Niki, and the stinging dissolution of her marriage, Diane’s resilient optimism is pushed to the brink when Niki’s alleged killer is found dead. Despite the condescending efforts of her policeman ex-husband to keep her on the sidelines, Diane dives headlong into a shadow world of seedy secrets that Niki left behind. The narrative expertly balances a personal journey of grief with a high-stakes investigation, proving that while Diane is determined to unearth the truth at any cost, some buried revelations carry a price more dangerous than she ever anticipated.
Where Lions Roar at Night

By Rosie Boom

4 stars

In this charming memoir-style novel based on a true story, ten-year-old Milly finally sees her dreams of rural life come true when her family moves into a rustic, ninety-year-old barn. However, the romanticized "simple life" quickly reveals its rugged edges, trading idyllic days for the grueling reality of mucking out water tanks, clearing land, and facing down a historic "hundred-year" storm. Written with the authentic, wide-eyed perspective of a child, the narrative expertly balances the whimsical joy of animal rescues with the eerie mystery of strange midnight groans. It is a heartwarming yet grounded coming-of-age tale that captures the grit and grit-required resilience of a large family building a life from the ground up.
Mad Dogs

By Robin Judkins

3 stars

The story of Robin Judkins, as detailed in these accounts, is a gripping chronicle of the grit and volatility inherent in pioneering New Zealand’s adventure sports scene. From his early fallout during a 1975 skiing contest to the near-disastrous, high-profile launch of Motatapu Canoes—where the Minister of Tourism narrowly escaped drowning—Judkins’ career was defined by a relentless "lone wolf" mentality and a knack for turning mishaps into publicity. The narrative high point arrives with the grueling 1982 test run that birthed the iconic Coast to Coast race, an ambitious venture that initially forced Judkins to sell his own home to cover the losses of failed rock concerts. Even as he found professional success and cultural recognition, such as his 2009 appointment as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the path was never smooth; he navigated financial ruin, natural disasters at the Ōhau skifield, and the intense public vitriol of the 1992 Milford Mountain Marathon controversy. Ultimately, this history paints a portrait of a tireless promoter whose legacy was forged through exhaustion, disillusionment, and an unbreakable commitment to the rugged landscapes of the South Island, concluding a thirty-year era with the sale of his masterpiece in 2013. An interesting read, though dated.
The Last Days of the National Costume

By The Last Days of the National Costume

2 stars

GoGo Sligo discovers that mending clothes is far from uneventful. Operating Megan Sligo Mending and Alterations, she doesn't just fix rips; she facilitates collusion, helping clients stitch over the holes in their unfaithful lives. People claim she is worth her weight in gold, but it is her silence they are truly buying. When a five-week blackout descends upon the city, a mysterious vintage Irish costume brings a tangled web of deceit to her door. Entranced by a husband's heartbreaking story, GoGo weaves her own web of lies, forcing her to face her own fraying marriage.
Before You Knew My Name

By Jacqueline Bublitz

5 stars

In Jacqueline Bublitz’s Before You Knew My Name, the standard "dead girl" trope is flipped on its head to create a deeply empathetic study of connection and stolen potential. By centering the narrative on the spiritual bond between Alice Lee, a murdered teenager who refuses to be forgotten, and Ruby Jones, the lonely expat who discovers her body, Bublitz shifts the focus away from the typical police procedural and toward the humanity of the victim. Set against the gritty, isolating backdrop of New York City, the novel explores how two strangers can become inextricably linked through tragedy, prioritizing the question of "who she was" over the identity of her killer. It is a hauntingly beautiful, character-driven mystery that demands justice not just for a crime, but for a life lived, making it a vital read for those who crave emotional depth alongside their suspense.
On Blue Ice

By Kim Griggs

3 stars

In On Blue Ice, Kim Griggs bridges the gap between the collective New Zealand psyche and the elusive, icy territory of Antarctica, offering a perspective on a land few will ever visit. Leveraging her twenty years of journalistic expertise, Griggs transforms a casual curiosity into a vivid narrative that balances the grand scale of scientific discovery and historical exploration with the "frank and amusing" realities of everyday survival—including the relatable struggle of fumbling with crampons. Griggs delivers an insightful exploration of why this frozen wilderness remains so deeply embedded in the Kiwi imagination, making the extraordinary feel intimately accessible. An interesting read.
Differently Normal

By Tammy Robinson

4 stars

Differently Normal is a heartwarming and poignant exploration of first love found in the most complicated of circumstances. Maddy’s life is defined by the rigid, selfless routines required to care for her autistic sister, Bee—a responsibility that leaves no room for personal desires until she meets Albert at a therapeutic riding stable. As Albert seeks refuge from his own father’s cold expectations within Maddy’s vibrant but exhausting world, the two must navigate whether their budding connection can survive the heavy sacrifices their family loyalties demand. It is a delightful, "feel-good" read that beautifully balances the weight of caregiving with the power of a romance. A good read.
Pohutukawa Highway

By Tammy Robinson

4 stars

The story follows the Gilbert family as they return to their long-time summer haunt for a heartbreaking reason: to scatter the ashes of their youngest son, Jeffrey. While the premise sounds heavy, the author expertly balances the solemnity of grief with the chaotic, often hilarious reality of a family forced into close quarters at a 1970s-era campground. At the heart of the novel is Jess, a woman navigating the "bittersweet" nature of memory. For her, the campground isn't just a place of childhood innocence; it’s a graveyard for her first love. Twenty years ago, Hunter Aarden promised her the world under the summer stars and then vanished, leaving a seventeen-year-old Jess with a broken heart and a lifetime of unanswered questions. A great read!
Mazarine

By Charlotte Grimshaw

1 stars

This story begins when Francis realizes her daughter, Maya, has been missing for over two weeks. Driven by silence from Maya’s boyfriend and friends, Francis teams up with the boy’s mother, Mazarine, on a search that spans from Auckland to London, Paris, and Buenos Aires. The story captures the atmospheric "sense of place" and the evolving bond between two mothers but stumbles under its own ambition. The plot is heavily layered with sub-plots involving everything from Chechen spies and European terrorism to a distracting fixation on a specific physical trait—a coloboma in Mazarine’s eye. Ultimately, while the prose is sharp, the sheer volume of characters and unresolved threads, such as the mysterious reappearance of Francis’s ex-lover, leads to an abrupt ending that leaves readers seeking more closure. Unfortunately, not a story I would recommend.
The Secrets of Strangers

By Charity Norman

5 stars

This is a masterfully executed, high-stakes thriller that transforms a claustrophobic hostage crisis in a London café into a profound exploration of the human psyche. A resilient Rwandan grandmother, a homeless man worried for his dog, a dedicated police negotiator and the charismatic wounded café owner is revealed to have a dark history of manipulation, while the gunman, Sam, emerges as a sympathetic figure driven by past trauma. This is a story beyond a simple police procedural, subtly examining how mental health struggles and hidden secrets lurk beneath the surface of ordinary lives. The result is a tense, emotionally resonant read that challenges the reader’s perceptions of guilt and innocence, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. Another great read!
The Gypsy Tearoom

By Nicky Pellegrino

4 stars

In the sun-drenched southern Italian town of Triento, Raffaella Moretti is celebrated as the most beautiful bride of her generation, seemingly destined for a lifetime of bliss with her childhood sweetheart. However, a single year transforms her world entirely, leaving her a young widow scrubbing the floors of a strange house and grappling with the harsh reality that beauty, once a blessing, now invites only suspicion. As Raffaella fights to reclaim her lost joy, she begins to weave herself into the fractured lives of her neighbors—Silvana, the baker’s wife masking a dangerous passion; Carlotta, a gardener's daughter haunted by a secret grief; and the compassionate owner of the local Gypsy Tearoom. Yet, as these intimate bonds deepen, Raffaella is pulled into the heart of a bitter village conflict that threatens to tear Triento apart and destroy the fragile new life she has struggled to build. A good light read!
See How They Fall

By Rachel Paris

5 stars

In this gripping thriller, the death of the Turner Corp patriarch sets the stage for a high-stakes family reunion that quickly descends into a parent's worst nightmare. When an illegitimate heir is introduced to the three brothers at their opulent estate, the resulting tensions trigger a tragedy that leaves Skye, an outsider married into the dynasty, desperate to protect her daughter and expose the family's dark secrets. Detective Mei provides a sharp counterpoint to the family's opulence as she resists corporate pressure to close the case, instead methodically unpicking a web of lies and betrayal that threatens to dismantle the entire Turner empire. It is a propulsive exploration of wealth, legacy, and the lengths a mother will go to when her world is shattered. An excellent read!
The Bookshop Detectives 2: Tea and Cake and Death

By Gareth Ward and Louise Ward

5 stars

Once again, Garth and Eloise—along with their loyal companion Stevie—are thrust into a race against time to identify a prolific poisoner before their vital "Battle of the Book Clubs" fundraising event. As the body count rises and the clock ticks down, the threat strikes increasingly close to home, forcing the duo to confront the chilling possibility that Pinter, a serial killer from Eloise’s past, is somehow pulling the strings. With danger closing in and suspects around every corner, Garth and Eloise must navigate a web of mystery to protect their customers, their small town, and the future of their beloved bookshop. Another good read!
The Bookshop Detectives 1: Dead Girl Gone

By Gareth and Louise Ward

5 stars

In the quiet village of Havelock North, New Zealand, Garth and Eloise Sherlock—ex-cops turned booksellers—lead a peaceful life until a mystery parcel lands on the counter of their shop, Sherlock Tomes. What begins as a puzzling trail of bookish clues soon plunges the couple (and their high-strung dog, Stevie) into a cold case involving a decades-old disappearance and a gritty underworld of drugs and floral decapitations. As they juggle the pressure of hosting a high-stakes international book launch to save their shop from the chopping block, a dark shadow from their past in England resurfaces. With their livelihood at stake and a familiar enemy closing in, Garth and Eloise must discover if they’ve finally met their match who will end their story for good. A great read!
See you in September

By Charity Norman

5 stars

What begins as a casual goodbye and a brief getaway to New Zealand spirals into a harrowing multi-year disappearance for young Cassy. Seeking an escape after a painful breakup, Cassy is drawn into an idyllic farming collective, where the initial peace of the valley and the magnetic charisma of its leader, Justin, quickly take hold of her. As she becomes deeply entrenched in the community’s increasingly radical rituals and beliefs, her casual promise to return home in September is forgotten. The story follows her parents' desperate, frantic struggle to rescue their daughter from the group’s grip before Justin’s apocalyptic "Last Day" prophecy reaches its chilling conclusion.
17 Years Later

By J P Pomare

5 stars

If you’re looking for a gripping mystery, you have to check out this book about the Primrose family massacre, a brutal crime that rocked the town of Cambridge seventeen years ago. While the family’s young chef, Bill Kareama, was quickly convicted and sent to prison, the story picks up years later when a persistent true-crime podcaster named Sloane Abbott tracks down TK Phillips, a former prison psychologist who used to be Bill's biggest advocate. Sloane eventually convinces a reluctant TK to reopen the case, and as they dig back into the past, they uncover dark secrets about the "perfect" Primroses that cast doubt on everything the public thought they knew. It’s an excellent read where the list of suspects keeps growing, and you’re left constantly questioning if Bill is actually an innocent man or if Sloane and TK are heading toward a dangerous truth they aren't prepared for.
Spellbound

By Catherine Robertson

3 stars

This is the 3rd book in the Gabriel’s Bay series. Once again, you are immediately swept back into the lives of the locals: there’s Mac, whose grounded nature is the anchor the town desperately needs, and poor Sidney, whose eight-month pregnancy is written with such relatable exhaustion. However, the cozy atmosphere is quickly overshadowed by a sense of impending dread as outsiders with murky motives arrive, weaving a dangerous spell of power and privilege that threatens to tear the community apart. Whether it was Dr. Ghadavi’s palpable anxiety, Bernard’s looming confrontation with his past, or the tragic sight of the "munted" Love Bus, this was a good read in about this fictional New Zealand town.
What you wish for

By Catherine Robertson

3 stars

The second book in the series. Returning to the quirky shores of Gabriel’s Bay felt like catching up with an old, slightly eccentric friend. In this book, I was immediately rooting for Dr. Ashwin Ghadavi, the town’s newest "import." Ashwin is a fish out of water in the best possible way. I laughed along with his internal monologues as he tries to navigate the minefield of Kiwi idioms—which, as it turns out, can be just as difficult to diagnose as a rare tropical disease. Watching him go head-to-head with his office manager, Mac, was a highlight for me; she’s an absolute force of nature, and their "immovable object meets irresistible force" dynamic kept me turning the pages. The beauty of this book is how it weaves together such a disparate cast—from a Norwegian recluse and a former jailbird to a woman navigating the emotional highs and lows of the foster care system. A good read.
Double Helix

By Eileen Merriman

5 stars

A newly registered doctor named Jake grappling with his father's Huntington's disease, the fear of passing the genetic disorder to his own future children, and his complicated relationship with fellow medical trainee Emily—is both timely and profound. A great read.
Gabriel's Bay

By Catherine Robertson

4 stars

A heart-warming, thoroughly entertaining novel about a whole community. Kerry Macfarlane has run away from his wedding-that-wasn’t. He lands in coastal Gabriel’s Bay, billed as ‘a well-appointed small town’ on its website (last updated two decades ago). Here Kerry hopes to prove he’s not a complete failure. Or, at least, to give his most convincing impression. But Gabriel’s Bay has its own problems – low employment, no tourists, and a daunting hill road between it and civilisation. And Kerry must also run the gauntlet of its inhabitants: Sidney, single mother deserted by a feckless ex; Mac, the straight-shooting doctor’s receptionist; a team of unruly nine-year-olds; a giant restaurateur; and the local progressive association, who’ll debate apostrophe placement until the crack of doom. A good read!
The Conductor

By Sarah Quigley

5 stars

What happens when art meets the absolute worst of human conflict? That's the powerful question at the heart of this truly excellent read. It plunges you into the brutal reality of Leningrad, June 1941, as the Nazi noose tightens, signaling a siege that Hitler intends to win through shelling, bombing, and, most cruelly, starvation. The book immediately grips you by contrasting the cultural importance of the city with the raw panic of war. While many of the cultural elite are evacuated, the narrative focuses on Dmitri Shostakovich, arguably Russia's most famous composer. I was fascinated by the image of him—not composing in an ivory tower, but digging ditches and fire-watching alongside ordinary citizens, a testament to his defiant spirit. That he was composing a major new work under such duress makes his commitment to Leningrad feel utterly heroic. The story takes a dramatic and profoundly moving turn after Shostakovich and his family are finally forced to evacuate. This is where the true, unsung heroes emerge: Karl Eliasberg, the conductor of the second-rate Radio Orchestra—a man described as shy and difficult—and the ragtag assortment of musicians left behind. They are tasked with the unimaginable: rehearsing and performing Shostakovich's finished masterpiece, the Leningrad Symphony, as the unendurable winter sets in. This book isn't just about music; it's a breathtaking testament to resilience, the power of art to inspire, and the tenacity of the human spirit. The struggle of Eliasberg and his depleted orchestra to bring that symphony to life amid the devastation of hunger and cold is a narrative masterclass. It made me feel the bone-chilling cold and the desperate hope of those left behind. If you enjoy historical accounts that focus on personal, artistic triumph over global catastrophe, or if you simply appreciate a story that highlights the importance of culture in the face of destruction, you must read this. It’s a beautifully written, unforgettable account of a city that refused to be silenced.
The Suicide Club

By Sarah Quigley

4 stars

This book is a raw, tender look at what happens when three brilliant, broken young people collide. The story centers on Bright, a young man whose sudden, unwanted fame drives him to the literal edge. His twentieth birthday is supposed to be his last, but his dramatic suicide attempt is thwarted by the odd, deeply compassionate Gibby. What follows is a complicated relationship as they both become obsessed with the beautiful, magnetic, and seemingly untouchable Lace. These three "misfits," all operating at a genius level but teetering on a devastating precipice, find themselves caught in a desperate and competitive love triangle while simultaneously trying to protect the fragile Lace from herself. This book tackles the ultimate taboo and isn't afraid to explore the dark impulse to end one's life, but ultimately, it's a powerful affirmation of our deep, vital need for connection. It shows how stepping back from the edge can be the first step in saving not only yourself but also the people you love.
A Tankie's Tale

By Jill Mitchell

3 stars

This is about a NZ soldier who was a tank driver in the second World War. Interesting story about his experiences.

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St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton)

83,504 pages read and 6,883 team points

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