St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton)

13,491 pages read and 1,356 team points

Team members

Kerry Allen

3,576 pts

(1,788 pages 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)

13,491 pages read and 1,356 team points

Team members

Kerry Allen

Tash

Durgarra

Nikki

Jordan

AnnaRose

Chris

Ilove2read

Rachel

Savannah Patterson

Meg Cooley

Jamontoast

Marg

Nik

Kerry Allen

Double Helix

Gabriel's Bay

The Conductor

The Suicide Club

A Tankie's Tale

St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton)

13,491 pages read and 1,356 team points

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