Read NZ

Masterton Intermediate

1,806 pages read and 3,084 team points

View schoolsView schools
  1. 1

    Ruth

    3,084 pts
    View this team member

Ruth

3,084 pts
(1,806 pages read)

  • Ash

    By Louise Wallace
    4 stars

    Ash follows Thea, a rural vet and mother of two in small-town New Zealand, as she navigates the relentless demands of parenting, household responsibilities, and a demanding career in a male-dominated field. Despite being on maternity leave, Thea is pressured to fill in for a younger colleague, highlighting societal expectations of women’s sacrifices. Her exhaustion and isolation intensify when a volcanic eruption smothers the community in ash, shutting down businesses and forcing families to adapt amidst shortages and health concerns. The novel’s first half evokes emotional intensity and the eruption adds a striking metaphor for the weight mothers carry—especially during crises. Combining themes of parenting, misogyny, climate disaster, and rural life, Ash delivers a powerful, poetic exploration of survival and sacrifice that resonates deeply. The clever merging of poetic prose and fiction is stimulating.

  • The Life of Dai

    By Dai Henwood
    3 stars

    The book chronicles Henwood's journey with incurable stage-four bowel cancer, announced publicly in 2023. It’s neither solely a comedy memoir nor a “cancer book,” but a blend of both, sharing Henwood’s early life, comedic rise, and the realities of his diagnosis and treatment. Henwood’s humour shines throughout, balancing candid reflections about everything from pillow mist to Uber Eats debates. His story also offers practical insights for those with illness, alongside gentle reminders to take on and action health warning signs—something Henwood admits he ignored for too long. Grounded in his Buddhist-inspired outlook, Henwood reveals a deeper side, capable of comedy and vulnerability. This brave, generous memoir invites readers to appreciate the man behind the humour and leaves them smiling through the tears.

  • By Any Other Name

    By Jodi Picoult
    0 stars

  • Ōkiwi Brown

    By Cristina Sanders
    4 stars

    Christina Sanders spins an intriguing story in *Ōkiwi Brown*, imagining what could have happened if the infamous Scottish body-snatcher William Hare ended up in Wellington. The book flashes back to Hare’s gruesome crimes while tying them into the lives of the settlers in Port Nicholson during the 1840s and ’50s. The story revolves around two suspicious deaths—a child in 1846 and a drowned man in 1852—while introducing a cast of whalers, soldiers, and struggling settlers. Ōkiwi Brown himself is a mystery, seen only through the eyes of those around him: a widowed drunk, two lost soldiers, and a Māori woman stuck in tough circumstances. Sanders brings history to life by blending fact and fiction, creating a gritty, believable world that sticks with you long after you’ve finished reading.

  • This Is The F&$%king News

    By Patrick Gower
    5 stars

    A candid, entertaining dive into Aotearoa journalism and politics through the eyes of one of its most recognisable reporters. With sharp insights and raw honesty, Paddy shares behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on the role of media in our lives, and personal struggles, blending humour with vulnerability. Engaging and thought-provoking, it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the news, politics, or authentic storytelling.

  • Grand: Becoming My Mother's Daughter

    By Noelle McCarthy
    4 stars

    Grand: Becoming My Mother’s Daughter by Noelle McCarthy is a memoir about her life, focusing on her relationship with her mother, who had struggles with addiction. It’s very emotional and honest, and I can feel how much she loves her mother, even when things are hard. What stood out to me was how Noelle talks about the Wairarapa, a place in New Zealand where she spent some time. She describes it so beautifully, and it seems like a peaceful and healing place for her. The way she wrote about it connects with my home in Masterton, Wairarapa. I describe my hometown to my friends - "It has no traffic lights." I think that sums it up! This book made me think about family, forgiveness, and how hard it can be to figure out who you are.

1 - 0 - 1
Add pages read