Kaurilands School

54,742 pages read and 3,166 team points

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Ashleyreads

10,751 pts

(8,245 pages read)

There are Rivers in the Sky

By Elif Shafak

4 stars

A lost poem, two great rivers, and three extraordinary lives are bound together by a single drop of water. I enjoyed this book.
Under the Mountain

By Maurice Gee

4 stars

Under the Mountain is an entertaining book. I appreciate that the book takes place in New Zealand. It was written quite a while ago, so I can almost forgive the author for the weak female lead.
Mongrel

By Hanako Footman

5 stars

I listened to the audiobook and adored it. This book simultaneously broke my heart and mended it. Mongrel follows the intertwined lives of Mei, Yuki, and Haruka as they navigate identity, love, and loss across different cultures. Mei, growing up in England, struggles to embrace her Japanese heritage, while Yuki pursues her musical dreams in London, falling for her older teacher. In Tokyo, Haruka works as a hostess, uncovering long-buried secrets about her mother, as all three women’s stories weave together in a journey of self-discovery and hope.
The One

By John Marrs

4 stars

This book is a page-turner that I couldn’t put down. The premise of five couples being matched through their DNA sets the stage for a gripping thriller where the boundaries of ethics are constantly tested.
Homegoing

By Yaa Gyasi

5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Effia and Esi are half-sisters born in 18th-century Ghana, but their lives take drastically different paths. Effia marries a British officer and lives in luxury, while Esi is captured, enslaved, and sent to America. The novel follows their descendants—Effia’s through Ghana’s wars and colonization, and Esi’s through slavery, the Civil War, and beyond. Spanning generations, Homegoing powerfully explores how the legacy of slavery shapes both families and the world around them.
How to Disappear

By Gillian McAllister

3 stars

Fun thriller. I liked it, but didn't love it.
People of New Zealand

By Sam Moore

4 stars

A playful book filled with cartoons of quirky stereotypes, perfect for teenagers who enjoy engaging illustrations and bite-sized, humorous insights. It's not the kind of book you'll read cover to cover in one sitting but rather one you'll enjoy in short, entertaining bursts. Ideal for flipping through whenever you're in the mood for a lighthearted laugh.
Foul Lady Fortune

By Chloe Gong

3 stars

I enjoyed the beginning and can absolutely see its appeal for a YA audience. While it didn’t fully hold my attention, I believe readers who enjoy [specific aspect, e.g., fast-paced plots, relatable teen characters, etc.] might find it more engaging.
Before You Knew My Name

By Jacqueline Bublitz

4 stars

This novel powerfully highlights the all-too-common refrain that women are blamed for the violence committed against them—whether it’s questions like “What was she wearing?” or accusations of “she must have been asking for it.” It sheds light on the harsh reality that women are often taught to placate men or apologize for their actions, even when they are victims. The story is a poignant reflection of the systemic ways in which women are denied the freedom to simply exist on their own terms. When will we, as a society, allow women the autonomy to be free from judgment, blame, and violence?
The Seven Year Slip

By Ashley Poston

5 stars

Cute, cute, cute! I’m not usually a romance novel fanatic, but this one is adorable! The book explores discovering who you are and who you are within relationships. It offers perspectives from both the past and the future. Clementine has a magical apartment that sends her 7 years into the past, where her life collides with Iwan. They impact each other in a multitude of ways.
Sea of Tranquility

By Emily St. John Mandel

4 stars

This science fiction book features time travel and pandemics. It is an artfully crafted, short yet engaging novel.
The Pain Tourist

By Paul Cleave

4 stars

A tragic event occurs due to a wrongly written address. What follows is a tangled web of mystery, as James Garrett falls into a coma world where an alternate reality unfolds. Paul Cleave is a clever author, and I give this book 4 stars.
The Wedding People

By Alison Espach

5 stars

Just look at that book cover! The Wedding People is both funny and charming. Phoebe Stone arrives alone at the grand Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, and is mistakenly assumed to be part of a wedding party. She had long dreamed of visiting the Cornwall Inn with her husband to enjoy oysters and sunset sails, but now, at rock bottom, she’s treating herself to one last indulgence. Phoebe's unexpected presence leads to a series of unlikely bonds.
The God of the Woods

By Liz Moore

5 stars

In the summer of 1975, another Van Laar kid goes missing—but this isn’t the first time it’s happened. The Adirondack summer camp is all about wilderness survival. But when secrets start creeping out of the woods, this thriller turns into a wild, can’t-put-it-down ride.
Playground

By Richard Powers

5 stars

Makatea is a French Polynesian island healing from the impacts of phosphate mining. The island has a population of fewer than 100 people and now faces a pivotal decision: whether to participate in a future experiment involving man-made floating islands off its coast. The book follows a cast of characters whose lives are interwoven in both known and unknown ways. Environmental science, Polynesian mythology, and the vastness of artificial intelligence are the central themes explored in this book. I can envision a university course being developed around the themes in this book—it’s an excellent read.
Happy Place

By Emily Henry

2 stars

I am happy this book is over. I give it 2 stars. This book is not my jam.
Here One Moment

By Liane Moriarty

5 stars

This book begins with a flight from Hobart to Sydney, where a woman suddenly stands and points at passengers, declaring their "age of death" and "cause of death." What unfolds is a story of interconnected lives. While I almost didn’t finish this book, I’m so glad I did. This novel captures the randomness of life and highlights the importance of embracing it fully, even when the journey feels challenging.
The Last Secret Agent

By Pippa Latour and Jude Dobson

5 stars

I could not put this book down! Pippa Latour was an SOE agent during World War II, and this autobiography tells her incredible story. She grew up in the Belgian Congo and later moved to England and France for school, where she really stood out in Maths and Morse code. Wanting to take an active role in the war, she applied to join the SOE. After a series of interviews, she landed the job and was parachuted into France. There, she worked as a wireless messenger for the British, taking on dangerous missions disguised as a school girl selling soap.
Loop Tracks

By Sue Orr

3 stars

In 1978, sixteen-year-old Charlie is forced to fly to Sydney for an abortion after the Auckland clinic closes, but her journey is delayed. By 2019, Charlie’s orderly Wellington life with her grandson Tommy is disrupted by the arrival of Tommy’s first girlfriend and his estranged father. Set against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and New Zealand’s 2020 General Election, Loop Tracks explores upheaval and change across decades. I give it 4 stars.
Greta and Valdin

By Rebecca K. Reilly

5 stars

Greta and Valdin are siblings from an eccentric Māori-Russian-Catalonian family. This book contains quirky and wonderful dialogue. I loved the family and their mini soap opera of a life. I love this New Zealand gem of a book!
All the Colours of the Dark

By Chris Whitaker

5 stars

This book is excellent. I love the character development and storyline. Mystery, murder and the meaning of friendship.
Other Women

By Emma Flint

3 stars

Fictional imaginings of a real life story. Based on the murder of a woman that took place in 1923.

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Kaurilands School

54,742 pages read and 3,166 team points

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