Books

The Spinoff Review of Books is proudly brought to you by Unity Books

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Unity Books + Creative New Zealand

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Poem for Anzac Day: ‘Hoki Mai’ by Tayi Tibble

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A poem from Bill Manhire's 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.

Poem for Anzac Day: ‘My World War I Poem’ by Bill Manhire

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The best-selling American writer on the ideal conditions for reading, the true meaning of utopia and more.

‘Emily Dickinson made me into a writer’: Lauren Groff on the power of reading

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An early and strong contender for book of the year. 

Page-turning rural gothic: Ash by Louise Wallace, reviewed

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To celebrate the launch of a new anthology of Pasifika poetry from Aotearoa, Vaughan Rapatahana reads a beautiful and poignant poem about a remote Pacific Island.

How to read a poem: All day on Ma’uke by Rob Hack

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Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss what's in a name.

All about Emma: Three writers talk about the name they share in common

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The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford Graham

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The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18

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A new novel set in Wellington is a narrative of grief, and an ode to beautiful food writing. 

A love letter to Wellington: when i open the shop by romesh dissanayake, reviewed

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The bookseller confessional uncovers the best bookshop in Ireland, what it's like having a panic attack in front of Sally Rooney and more.

‘Coffee table books or Dune’: Secrets from the bookshop floor

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A novel of ‘deliciously judged suspense’ to get you and your kids through the school holidays.

Folkloric magic for all ages: The Grimmelings by Rachael King, reviewed

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A poem from Lee Murray's new collection Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud.

The Friday Poem: ‘狐 fox’ by Lee Murray

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Rick Rubin's book about creativity is not done with you yet. 

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 12

April childrens books

A fresh pile of recommendations for young readers, handpicked by the experts at Unity Books.

The Unity Books children’s book review roundup for Autumn

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The author of Budget Like a Legend on the books that have helped him in life so far.

‘No singular book is going to be useful for everyone’: Reading tips of a budgeting legend

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Aotearoa's leading indigenous publisher is taking Māori stories to the world.

Huia Publishers wins big at Bologna

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An operationalised, strategically aligned, actionable guide to the phraseology of prime minister Christopher Luxon.

The Christopher Luxon dictionary of corporate speak

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'It's 65 years back. I'm in my final year at Napier Boys' High, and I'm about to earn my first money from writing.'

‘He’s finally done it’: David Hill on the high school essay that made him a writer

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'What if we ate something from every book we read?' my older child suggests. It feels like a good idea. A great idea. A challenge!

Why my family is eating our way through children’s books

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A new poem from Te Whanganui-a-Tara poet and editor Ash Davida Jane.

The Friday Poem: ‘no strangers’ by Ash Davida Jane

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The sector says it's hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action. 

Media industry sheds few tears for minister Lee

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A proposed law might make it easier to fix the broken stuff laying around your house.

An afternoon at the Repair Café, where everyday objects get a second life

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What does a forever relationship look like when you don't believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it?

Dreaming of my not-wedding day

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'I wonder what went through his head every Anzac Day, every year. Maybe you could be forgiven for just wanting to get blitzed and forget about it altogether.'

Don’t mention the war: On grandparents and Anzac biscuits

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Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.

Remembering the great TrueBliss vs Bardot national anthem sing-off

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I'm on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help!

Help Me Hera: Do I even want the public sector job I might be about to lose?

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For all its virtues, Anzac Day – unlike its cousin Armistice Day – is a commemoration of war, not peace.

Seize the day

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Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or RSA.

The first, forgotten Anzacs, more than 50 years before Gallipoli

In which cartoonist Toby Morris draws a review of the best-selling Trump book, 

 by Matt Taibbi (Penguin, $40) is available at Unity Books.

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In which cartoonist Toby Morris draws a review of the best-selling Trump book, Insane Clown President.

The Spinoff

BooksMarch 23, 2017

Book of the Week: Toby Morris draws his review of Insane Clown President

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BooksMarch 23, 2017

Book of the Week: Toby Morris draws his review of Insane Clown President

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