24/25 Summer Reading Stacks

January 29, 2025

Our Programme Director, Kiran Dass:

“A chunky novel is essential for a summer read and I loved ‘The Bee Sting’ by Paul Murray. It’s a big-hearted Irish novel that has everything you could ask for.

I’ve cracked into an unputdownable advance copy of Catherine Chidgey’s next novel ‘The Book of Guilt’ which will be published in May. It’s set in 1979 England – right up my alley.

I was amazed to find a novel ‘The Unloved’ by one of my favourite writers Deborah Levy that I didn’t even know existed. Timely, her books are the ultimate high-end holiday reads. I’ve loved diving into ‘By the River: Essays from the Water’s Edge’, and also have the trashy looking ‘Didion & Babitz’ by Lily Anolik about two of the smartest women writers Eve Babitz and Joan Didion. And related, a juicy Hollywood family memoir ‘The Friday Afternoon Club’ by Didion’s nephew – actor and director Griffin Dunne.

I’m super excited about ‘Clay: A Human History’ by Jennifer Lucy Allan who wrote one of my favourite books, ‘The Foghorn’s Lament’. And because I’m obsessed with Irish fiction I’ve got ‘Wild Houses’ by Colin Barrett and ‘Soldier Sailor’ by Claire Kilroy to catch up on.

Finally, via a recommendation from my favourite books podcast Backlisted, I picked up the new edition of ‘Ex-Wife’ by Ursula Parrott. Originally published in 1929, it’s been described as ‘Bridget Jones in the Jazz Age.’”

Executive Director, Steph Walker:

“My summer holiday picks are largely what I hope will be page turners, including books by some of my favourites: Miranda July, Helen Garner and Anna Hope. Most will be read outside where at all possible, with summer treats by my side and the best albums of 2024 on in the background. I always like to throw in some non-fiction to pave the way for 2025: 52 Ways to Walk and Becoming Tangata Tiriti give you a bit of an insight into my new year’s resolutions.”

Administration and Operations Manager, Magda Lorenzo: 

“I’m going for a literary festive mood this summer; a good jigsaw puzzle to keep the brain active, a book to keep discovering the secrets of language, a great children’s Christmas story to keep the spirits light and a couple of mysteries because who doesn’t love them?”

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