Macleans College

27,002 pages read and 2,391 team points

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Avid reader

27,670 pts

(19,530 pages read)

The Spain Garden

By Cliff Taylor

4 stars

Rich in the history of Kaipara, the book follows the life of 100 year old Sidney King, a Pakeha, involved in the 1936 Spanish Civil War.
The Doctor’s Wife

By Fiona Sussman

5 stars

A thriller set in the North Shore. Two close couples, one wife is dying of brain cancer, the other found dead. The murderer was in plain sight!
The other Boleyn Girl

By Philippa Gregory

4 stars

Mary Boleyn is 14 when Henry takes an interest in her. However she needs to make way for her sister, Anne. Politics, ambition and family. A great read.
The House of Unexpected Sisters

By Alexander McCall Smith

5 stars

Mma Ramotswe makes an interesting detective. Set in Botswana, Mma is confronted with someone sharing the same extremely rare surname as herself. Who's the mysterious nurse Mingie Ramotswe?
Our Woman in Kabul

By Irris Makler

4 stars

A vivid account of the lives of women in Afghanistan, after the 7/11 attacks. Makler was one of the first female journalists to cover the war but she looks through the eyes of the Afghan women. Quite moving and the pictures bring the text to life.
Full dark, no stars

By Stephen King

5 stars

5 short stories by this excellent writer. Would recommend.
Airman

By Eoin Colfer

3 stars

Conor is crazy about flying, but a tragic event changes the path of his determination.
The Piano Girls

By Elizabeth Smither

3 stars

A collection of short stories. Ok
Chinese Cinderella

By Adeline Yen Mah

4 stars

A visit from an ex-colleague now settled in Shanghai, led me to reread this novel. I looked at it through a new lens and was fascinated by the historical background of the French Occupation and the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
The Room on the Roof

By Ruskin Bond

4 stars

From one of my favorite authors of children's literature, this one did not disappoint. Set in an area I once lived in, Rusty has lost both his parents and needs to adjust to life with his British guardian, Mr. Harrison.
Girl of the Mountains

By Trish Mccormick

5 stars

The effects of a series of events in 1952 are life changing for Kath and her two young daughters in 2019. Set against the Southern Alps, this is a fantastic book, especially if you loved the outdoors.
The Only Child

By Mi-Ae Seo

5 stars

Fantastic psychological thriller set in Seoul. Suspense maintained till the last word!
A Missed Murder

By Michael Jecks

2 stars

Crime set in the reign of Queen Mary. Didn't enjoy it.
A better place

By Stephen Daisley

3 stars

Twins fighting in the Second World War, separated, with the POW assumed dead. Interesting ending.
A Shining Path

By Elaine Blick

3 stars

Sequel to Beyond the horizon, we follow Peggy, influenced by Elizabeth Fry. Peggy, an ex-convict is now a school teacher in Australia. I still prefer First Names Only by this author.
Meltwater

By Suzanne Ashmore

4 stars

A beautifully crafted novel, delving into how trauma reflects in Elizabeth's many 'selves'.
The secrets of the little Greek Taverna

By Erin Palmisano

2 stars

Passable and predictable
Smoke and Mirrors

By Angus McLean

5 stars

Fast paced thriller about a kiwi Jason Bourne.
Pohutukawa Highway

By Tammy Robinson

3 stars

A predictable romance set in a kiwi summer at a beachside camping ground.
Mellons Bay

By Suzanne Singleton

4 stars

Fiction, based on the Mellon family, early Irish settlers in East Auckland. Rich in history of the area and the lives of the Fencibles.
His favorite graves

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

Couldn't put this one down. A crime thriller which keeps you guessing till the last page.
Ellie's Story

By Chris Curtis

3 stars

Set in the 1960s in the British Channel Islands, teenaged Ellie finds herself pregnant and married to the villian, Henri, much to the chagrin of her siblings.
The Red Palace

By Jane Hur

4 stars

Recommended by a student, this historical fiction is set in Korea. Hyeon, a young nurse at the palace needs to find the murderer of 4 women. Is it the Crown Prince?
I think I love you

By Allison Pearson

3 stars

Passable
The Pact

By Jodi Picoult

4 stars

Was it suicide or murder? Will not disappoint, especially if you enjoyed My Sister's Keeper. Would appeal to teenagers
Brothers

By Alex van Halen

3 stars

Finished the book finally. Interesting to see other aspects of Van Halen's life. A bit long winded. Didn't know their mum was Indonesian.
Beyond the horizon

By Elaine Blick

3 stars

Not as riveting as First Names Only, passable.
Apple tree and camel pee

By Linley Jones

4 stars

The author is a local and I was gifted this book. A collection of short stories.
Six Suspects

By Vikas Swarup

5 stars

From the author of Slumdog Millionaire, a novel filled with suspense, leaving the reader guessing who killed Ruby's murderer, Vicky.
A Beggar at the Gate

By Thalassa Ali

4 stars

Sequel to A Singular Hostage, I was keen to find out what happened to Mariana. Rich in history of life in India during the British Raj. Did not disappoint, and looking forward to the third book of the series
The Old Occidental Writers' Hotel

By Jennifer Manson

3 stars

Failure is the first step to success. A middle aged mum learns financial responsibility when the creative projects she undertakes end in losses and a marriage break up. Ok.
The Bone Tree

By Airana Ngarewa

4 stars

Two young Maori brothers orphaned. Kauri shows great responsibility caring for his dying, alcoholic father and later tries his best to keep Oranga Tamariki from taking his brother.
Headwaters

By David Hale

3 stars

Saga spread across two generations across two wars. Rich in cultural history and effects of PTSD on relationships, but a bit long.
The Manuscript Killer

By Noel Lee

2 stars

Crime mystery but the culprit is quite predictable.
Bodies of water

By V. H. Leslie

3 stars

A horror thriller. Ok.
The Cry

By Helen Fitzgerald

5 stars

An excellent psychological crime thriller about missing baby Noah.
Never what it seems

By Wayne Andrewartha

4 stars

A fast paced crime story.
All the light we cannot see

By Anthony Doerr

4 stars

Finally finished the book. Set in France during the world War. Told through the eyes of two characters.
A singular hostage

By Thalassa Ali

4 stars

The first book of a trilogy, captivating for Indian history fans. Set in the 19th century during the British Raj.
The Letty Stories

By Alison Lloyd

4 stars

4 books set in 1941. Young Letty accidentally ends up on a ship bound for Australia. The stories follow her journey from childhood to adulthood to marriage and motherhood.
When Breath Becomes Air

By Paul Kalanithi

5 stars

This autobiography of a young neurosurgeon diagnosed with cancer is a must read. I couldn't put it down, so inspiring and honest.
Summer adventure

By Aquila

4 stars

Another fantastic edition from this educational magazine. Great for home schooling too. A range of genres and ideas.
The Fish

By Lloyd Jones

4 stars
The invisible Mile

By David Coventry

4 stars

The 1928 Tour de France is reimagined.
Murder on the Safari Star

By M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman

3 stars

A mystery set on a train journey in South Africa. Possibly inspired by Agatha Christie's work, suitable for young teens.
Things seen from above

By Shelley Pearsall

5 stars

Some good lessons in seeing the potential in every child and not judging a book by its cover. Suitable for intermediate students.
Shades within shadows

By Alan Machado

4 stars

Set against the Portuguese occupation of the western coast of India, the novel is rich in history and Tipu Sultan's attempts to prevent captivity.
Searching for women who drink whiskey

By Miranda Kennedy

5 stars

A 'firangi' or foreigner in the capital of India.
The laws of evening

By Mary Yukari Waters

3 stars
Titanic

By Aquila

5 stars

A great educational magazine for preteens. Illustrations, activities and challenges would appeal to a range of readers
River song

By Di Morrissey

3 stars
Soof

By Sarah Weeks

3 stars

Recommended by a student, written in very simple language.
Sea Disasters

By Keith Eastlake

5 stars

A bit dated but good pictures and layout might appeal to non fiction readers.
Telesa The Covenant Keeper

By Lani Wendt Young

4 stars

A bit long, but ok for an extended text reading log. Set in Samoa and inspired by Pacific mythology.
Skeleton Key

By Anthony Horowitz

3 stars

Graphic novel, ok for reluctant readers.
Shaozhen

By Wai Chim

4 stars

With simple language used and a quick paced plot, this novel would appeal to young teens. Based on the 2014 drought in Henan, China.
To Italy, with love

By Nicky Pellegrino

2 stars

A sugary romance that I breezed through.
First names only

By Elaine Blick

4 stars

An eye opening perspective of the lives of unwed young girls in the 1960s.
Scarlet and Magenta

By Lindsey Dawson

3 stars

Historical fiction set in the Bay of Plenty in the 1880s. Some interesting references to Auckland.
The trials of Nurse Kerr

By Scott Bainbridge

4 stars

Non fiction, follows the deaths and possible murder court trials of a seemingly unassuming nurse. Set in Devonport in the 1930s.
New Zealand Disasters

By Maria Gill

5 stars

A simple yet interest sustaining non fiction book. Would appeal to reluctant readers. I was impressed by the reference to PTSD as an aspect of recovery
All the light we cannot see

By Anthony doerr

4 stars

Quite riveting so far.
Ocean of milk

By Belinda Aycrigg

2 stars

Starts off a bit too slow.
Brothers

By Alex Van Halen

3 stars

OK, so far.
After the Tampa

By Abbas Nazari

5 stars

Just finished the book, would highly recommend
After the Tampa

By Abbas Nazari

4 stars

An inspirational journey of a remarkable refugee.
Blue water hues

By Vicki delany

3 stars
On Hitler's mountain

By Irmgard Hunt

4 stars
Slow Down, You're Here

By Brannavan Gnanalingam

5 stars

A good thriller, events would resonate with children of new migrants.
The Night She Fell

By Eileen Merrimen

5 stars

Psychological thriller, set in Dunedin, about a group of Otago Uni students. Didn't see the twist at the end coming:)

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Macleans College

27,002 pages read and 2,391 team points

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