WINTER WARMERS AND THOUGHT PROVOKERS

Selected by Carole Beu from The Women’s Bookshop.

Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts

- Josie Shapiro - $37

This excellent debut novel won the Allen & Unwin Fiction Prize. Mickey is 5ft tall, dyslexic and knows she’s nothing special –until she discovers running. You run the Auckland Marathon with her all the way, willing her on and feeling inspired by her grit. Absolutely uplifting, it makes your heart race!

Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver - $28

Now in paperback, this latest novel by the brilliant Barbara Kingsolver has just won the international Women’s Prize for Fiction. Based on David Copperfield, it explores poverty and addiction in rural America rather than Dickensian London. Absorbing, at times disturbing, it is superbly written and ultimately hopeful. Demon is a wonderful character.

Horse – Geraldine Brooks - $28

Also now in paperback, this enthralling new novel from a stunning author is set-in two-time periods – the present, with a young woman scientist from Australia, and the mid19th Century when the groom Jarret is still enslaved. Based on the true story of Lexington, the most famous racehorse in US history, this is a majestic, compassionate exploration of slavery. The relationship between Jarret and the horse is deeply moving.

Sure to Rise: The Edmonds Story – Peter Alsop, Kate Parsonson & Richard Wolfe - $60

What a delight! We grew up with the Edmond’s Baking Powder tin in the pantry and the Edmond’s Cookery Book on our mother’s kitchen bench. This gorgeous book, full of stunning photographs and illustrations, is a fascinating slice of New Zealand’s social and culinary history. Yum!

Man-Made: How the bias of the past is being built into the future – Tracey Spicer - $40

This award-winning journalist and broadcaster exposes the next frontier of feminism – how sexism, misogyny and bigotry is being built into our futures. Carefully researched and illuminating, this book exposes the biases and inequalities of new technology and AI. The detailed analysis is often funny but ultimately terrifying.

Pearl in a Whirl: How one fluffy cat braved the floods –Catherine Robertson & Fifi Colston - $21

Every copy sold of this delightful picture book will raise funds for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery effort. Based on a true story (there are photos of the real cat at the back), the harsh reality of the floods is revealed but Pearl never loses her curious playfulness, and all is well in the end. Full of gorgeous illustrations and joy amidst adversity.

THE WOMEN’S BOOKSHOP, 105 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 4399, E: books@womensbookshop.co.nz

Shop online: www.womensbookshop.co.nz