Otamatea High School

127,940 pages read and 7,350 team points

Team members

Helen

3,841 pts

(2,988 pages read)

The Bee Sting

By Paul Murray

3 stars

I'm only part way through this book, I feel like I'm still waiting for something to happen, not sure what to expect from the second half of the book, but although I keep wanting to read it I really hope the second half gets a bit more interesting/exciting
He'll Be Ok: Growing Gorgeous Boys Into Good Men

By Celia Lashlie

5 stars

I think everyone parent (especially mothers) and teacher of teenage boys should read this. Great insight into the mind of a teenage boy, with some great suggestions of how to approach their teenage years (especially year 9 & 10) - including mum's learning to shut up! I had a lot of moments thinking she's describing my son and now she's describing me to a tee!! I would have loved to have heard Celia speak in person, she seems like she was an amazing person.
Don't Believe It

By Charlie Donlea

3 stars

I couldn't decide how many stars to give this book - for the first 75% of the book I would have given it 5 stars, but the ending seemed so rushed and unsatisfying that I dropped it down to 3 - might be a bit harsh. The story follows a film maker who is covering the murder of a young man and subsequent conviction of his girlfriend that took place 10 years prior, as the hit 'real-time' documentary proceeds questions are raised about whether the girlfriend was rightfully or wrongfully convicted. Definitely a page turner with plenty of twists, I did really enjoy it but just felt really let down by the rushed ending.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

By Gail Honeyman

5 stars

Eleanor believes she is completely fine, not worried that she may be missing out on anything. She is content with her life and the very mundane routine she has in place. Eleanor is rather quirky and lacks the ability to filter what she says and therefore she will tell you exactly what she's thinking. This can lead to very awkward situations (and entertaining for the reader!). But then she meets the man she believes she is destined to be with and her routines change to ensure this happens. Once her routines start to change so does everything else in her life. This is both a heart-warming and entertaining as well as at times heart wrenching book. Please note that it does touch on suicide.
The Wedding People

By Alison Espach

5 stars

Although this book covers a heavy subject (depression and suicide) it was a very light hearted and really enjoyable story that I couldn't put down. Who would have thought when Phoebe and Lila's paths crossed that the flow on effect would impact so many lives
The Parihaka Woman

By Witi Ihimaera

4 stars

A mix of fact and fiction, I enjoyed (maybe appreciated is more appropriate?) learning some of the history of Parihaka, and I enjoyed the fictional story of Erenora and Horitana, I found the way that these were brought together in the book sometimes a bit difficult to read (through a current day fictional character researching history), but overall an enjoyable book that I'm glad a read.
Minding Frankie

By Maeve Binchy

3 stars

I haven't read a Maeve Binchy book in years, but didn't enjoy this much as others I have in the past. A very light read, predictable and a feel good story that I enjoyed and kept me reading it until the end. Basically about a motherless girl (Frankie) who is collectively raised by a close-knit Dublin community. The story is told from the various perspectives of each of the main character (whose lives all end up intertwined), and how their lives change when cousin Emily arrives from America and then more so once Frankie comes into their lives.
4th of July

By James Patterson

4 stars

Crime thriller, found it an easy read that was still a real page turner. Apparently a 4th instalment in the 'Women's Murder Club' series, but I had no idea until after I'd finished it (I found it on the bookshelf at my airbnb), so can definitely be read as a stand alone book. Murder mystery intertwined with a trial against the main character, a policewoman who shot 2 teenagers.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz

By Heather Morris

5 stars

It's so hard to say you "enjoy" a book based around the holocaust, but as horrific as it was, I couldn't put the book down. It was both heart wrenching and heart warming. I think this review from Hugh Riminto encapsulates it well.. has the quality of a dark fairytale. It is both simple and epic, shot through with compassion and love, but inescapably under the shadow of the most devouring monsters our civilisation has known. Everyone should read it.

19 - 0 - 1

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Otamatea High School

127,940 pages read and 7,350 team points

Team members

Imogen

regan

ABarnesWright

Liane Young

Annette LC

Alison

Clocker

TM

Helen

EvandenBerg

JessB

kiwibrenda

Townshend

TraceyC

Mr D George

AdamB

Rebecca P

Aunty Bosch

Tina Sue

Helen

The Bee Sting

He'll Be Ok: Growing Gorgeous Boys Into Good Men

Don't Believe It

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

The Wedding People

The Parihaka Woman

Minding Frankie

4th of July

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Otamatea High School

127,940 pages read and 7,350 team points

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