Four Kete reviewers, a poet, a teacher, an industry professional and an author, give us a peek into the stack of books from Aotearoa they intend to read over summer. Read on to see what they have in mind, and steal their ideas for your own holiday reading.

Angela Walker

The Last Secret Agent: The untold story of my life as a spy behind Nazi enemy lines by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson

A story that would have gone to the grave with Latour had it not been for her son discovering her secret past online and persuading her to break her oath of silence. Fortunately for us, the result promises to be a rare glimpse into the life of this courageous and inspiring woman.

Kāwai: For Such a Time as This and the second book of the trilogy, Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment, by Monty Soutar

It's been said these works of historical fiction should be read by every New Zealander. Challenge accepted.

Sophie van Waardenberg

This summer, I'm planning to get around to a couple of novels that were published over the last few years.

Bird Life by Anna Smaill

This is particularly intriguing to me for its exploration of grief through magical realism.

Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly

This has been on my list for far too long — it's been recommended by basically everyone I know, and I'm a bit embarrassed that I haven't yet read it.

Big Fat Brown Bitch by Tusiata Avia

This is at the top of my poetry list — Avia is a powerhouse with an incredibly lucid, fearless voice, and I'm looking forward to spending a bit of time with her latest book.

Savannah Patterson

Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly

This intrigues me with its exploration of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships.

When I Open the Shop by Romesh Dissanayake

This draws me in with its portrayal of the immigrant experience, the deep connections between family and community, and the emotional journey of grief.

All That We Know by Shilo Kino

A powerful exploration of identity and belonging, weaving in themes of intergenerational knowledge, cultural resilience, and the push-and-pull between tradition and modern life.

These novels I’ve listed promise not just captivating stories, but also rich insights into the intricacies of life in Aotearoa. With their unique perspectives and deeply resonant themes, they feel like the perfect companions for long summer days, offering both escape and reflection.

Kirsteen Ure

My summer reading is a tower of books I’ve been saving (aspirationally) for a time when the decks are clear – and any holly-decked halls dismantled.

When I Open the Shop by romesh dissanayake

romesh dissanayake’s debut novel has been out for a while (it was released in March). It follows Devendra, a young chef, as he grieves his mother and opens a noodle shop in Te Whanganui a Tara. It’s an innovative novel that experiements with form, taking a poetic turn in a middle section, before shifting back to prose. Reviewing for Kete, David Hill described it as ‘subversive, incongruous … touching and entertaining’, all good reasons to put it on my holiday book list.

Hard by the Cloud House by Peter Walker

History, memoir, science and mythology meet in Hard by the Cloud House. It’s journalist Peter Walker’s story of his search for Aotearoa’s winged giant Te Hōkioi – also known as Pouākai and Haast’s eagle. I still have an old childhood copy of Tales from Arabian Nights and can close my eyes and conjure the illustration of the giant bird (a roc or rukh) which lifts Sinbad the Sailor away to its nest. Walker connects these mythological birds to Aotearoa’s own Pouākai. I must know more!

The Twisted Chain by Jason Gurney

If you haven’t read Rachel Webb’s review of The Twisted Chain for Kete, take a look — it put this book firmly on my TBR list. Jason Gurney, a public health academic and epidemiologist, weaves his family’s experience with rheumatic fever into the story of the disease itself. Essential reading, according to Webb, for anyone interested in the connection between politics and health.

Bookshop Detectives: Dead Girl Gone by Gareth Ward and Louise Ward

Perfect for sprawling on the beach, and book two is out in the New Year. If readers notice a likeness between Sherlock Tomes, the novel’s bookshop setting, and Havelock North’s Wardini Books, well, there’s no mystery. The authors are booksellers in real life (and former police officers to boot). A cosy crime novel with a large serving of bibliophilia sounds like just the escape we all need at the end of a fairly relentless year.