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<strong>Style</strong> | Read 83<br />
OUR PICK<br />
KIDS’ CORNER<br />
Ephemera (NZ)<br />
Tina Shaw<br />
(Bateman Books, $29.99)<br />
What inkling did Tina Shaw have that the New Zealand<br />
she so deftly creates in Ephemera would be so relatable<br />
amid the global Covid-19 pandemic?<br />
After a worldwide crisis, life has come to a<br />
standstill. Airports closed. No electricity, broadband<br />
or, horrifyingly, coffee. Supermarkets, hospitals and<br />
medicine are all a thing of the distant past.<br />
And what protagonist Ruth desperately needs is<br />
medicine for her sister, who is dying from tuberculosis.<br />
There are whispers of an arsenal of drugs at Huka<br />
Lodge, so the former ephemera librarian, somewhat<br />
foolhardily, travels up the Waikato River via a DIY<br />
steamboat with two men. Ruth, who thinks she has led<br />
a sheltered life, soon learns that not even New Zealand<br />
society is immune to the unpalatable parts of basic<br />
survival instincts.<br />
An absolute marvel of a book. Humour is inserted at<br />
just the right time to catch your breath, but be warned;<br />
within the first few sentences, you are sucked into a<br />
world where to survive the choices you make may<br />
mean you no longer recognise yourself.<br />
– Shelley Robinson<br />
Nicola Berry Series<br />
Liane Moriarty<br />
(Penguin Random House, $15 each)<br />
In book one, Nicola Berry and the Petrifying Problem with<br />
Princess Petronella, Nicola is surprised to see a stranger<br />
arrive in her geography class. The stranger’s name is<br />
Georgio and he has come to Earth from his planet,<br />
Globagaskar. He makes the whole class (except Mrs<br />
‘Zucchini’, their teacher) take an odd test to see who<br />
will be the so-called Earthling Ambassador.<br />
My favourite character is Shimlara, Georgio’s<br />
daughter, because, like all Globagaskarians, she can read<br />
minds. According to Georgio, Globagaskar is 2000 years<br />
more technologically advanced than Earth.<br />
I enjoyed this book because it has enough suspense<br />
to keep you reading. If you enjoy adventure, this series<br />
is for you! I devoured all three within a few days.<br />
– Ava Preece (age 9)<br />
Note: Liane Moriarty’s adult titles include Big Little Lies,<br />
now a TV series.<br />
YOUR VERY OWN ONLINE<br />
INDIE BOOKSHOP<br />
LAUNCHING AUGUST 12TH<br />
BOOKETYBOOKBOOKS.CO.NZ | @BOOKETYBOOKBOOKS
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