The Booklover Banter

Liv and Laura talk about books they've read recently and discuss the Women's Prize for fiction shortlist. Laura also candidly shares her love of handwriting - whether it be writing in her diary, or sending letters and postcards. Join us for a lovely chat.Books mentioned in this podcast:The Paris Express by Emma DonoghueAlways Home, Always Homesick by Hannah KentThe Book of Guilt by Catherine ChidgeyPretty Ugly by Kirsty DunnWhen the Cranes Fly South by Lisa RidzenThe Persians by Sanam MahloudjiAll Fours by Miranda JulyTell Me Everything by Elizabeth StroutThe Safekeep by Yael Van Der WoudenFundamentally by Nissaibah YounisThe Good Mistress by Anne TiernanThe Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Liv, Rach and Laura are back to chat about what they've read, all the new releases they are excited about, and other random bookish musings including a debate on the category of chick-lit - to be or not to be...Books mentioned in this podcast:The Cafe with No Name by Robert Seethaler33 Brugmann Place by Alice AustenThe Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha LesterSee How They Fall by Rachel ParisSwept Away by Beth O'LearyGreat Big Beautiful Life by Emily HenryBest, First and Last by Amy MatthewsBetter Days by Claire ZornDeep Cuts by Holly BrickleyNesting by Roisin O'DonnellThe Axeman's Carnival by Catherine ChidgeyProof of my Innocence by Jonathan CoeSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsThe Mysterious Bakery on Rue to Paris & The Lost Bookshop by Evie WoodsHastings by Dick FrizzellNo Words for This by Ali Mau38 Londres St by Philippe SandsLuminous by Sylvia ParkThe Dream Hotel by Laila LalamiThe Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla BarnesBroken Country by Clare Leslie HallDream State by Eric PuchnerWild Dark Shore & Migrations by Charlotte McConaghyThree Wee Bookshops by Ruth ShawThe Bookshop Detectives 2 by Gareth and Louise WardThe Eights by Joanna Miller

Wahoo! We're back with Season 2 of Booklover Banter. In our first episode of 2025 the team discuss the newly released Ockham Longlist, what they've been reading over the summer and what they are looking forward to in the year to come. You'll want a notebook and pen (or notes on your phone) handy because we talk about A LOT of great books.Books mentioned in this podcast:The Mires by Tina MakeretiDelirious by Damien WilkinsThe Axeman's Carnival by Catherine ChidgeyUnreel by Diana WichtelFeijoa by Kate EvansIn the Half Light of a Dying Day by CK SteadFox Spirit on a Distant Cloud by Lee MurrayThree Days in June by Anne TylerWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyGood Dirt by Charmaine WilkersonDream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieNesting by Roisin O'DonnellThe Boy from the Sea by Garrett CarrThe Women by Kristin HannahThe Postcard by Anne BerestCutting for Stone by Abraham VergheseThe Pool by Hannah TunnicliffeRaising Hare by Chloe DaltonMemorial Days by Geraldine BrooksThe Secrets of Maiden Cove by Erin PalmisanoSorrow Spring by Olivia Isaac HenryOne Dark Night by Hannah RichellWhen the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole by Geoff ParkesDog Man series by Dave PilkeyInkbound by Philippa LeathleyGhostlines by Katya BalenCrookhaven series by J J ArcanjoSkandar series by A F SteadmanNovacene by James LovelockHow to Feed the World by Vaclav SmilThe Serviceberry by Robyn Wall KimmererThe Abundant Garden by Niva and Yotam KayLifeStyled: Your Guide to a More Organised and Intentional Life by Shira GillSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidGreat Big Beautiful Life by Emily HenryKatabasis by RF KuangTwist by Colum McCann38 Londre St by Philippe Sands

This is a bumper episode where we reflect on the year that was 2024. Hear about our top ten bestsellers, our favourite books, the highlights, the challenges and the joys of being booksellers. There's laughing, there's screaming, there's Christmas lights and music and...well, cockroaches.Books mentioned in this episode:Place of Tides by James RebanksTable for Two by Amor TowlesTell Me Everything by Elizabeth StroutAll the Colours of the Dark by Chris WhitakerTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinDusk by Robbie ArnottThe Husbands by Holly GramazioJuice by Tim WintonThe Songbirds of Florence by Olivia SpoonerMoon Road by Sarah LeipcigerThe Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour/Jude DobsonYou Are Here and One Day by David NichollsOrbital by Samantha HarveyJames by Percival EverettLola in the Mirror by Trent DaltonThe Women by Kristin HannahThe Space Between by Lauren KeenanPrecipice by Robert HarrisAll Fours by Miranda JulyDays of Innocence and Wonder by Lucy TreloarNorth Woods by Daniel MasonBecause All Fades by Freddie GilesMaurice and Maralyn by Sophie ElmhirstPlayground by Richard PowersThe City and its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami17 Years Later by JP PomareEden Undone by Abbott KahlerCutting for Stone by Abraham VergheseRuby Loud Mouse by Alice PearceWell Woman by Dr Frances PitsilisMarry Me in Italy by Nicky PellegrinoLioness by Emily PerkinsThe Wild Robot by Peter BrownRunt by Craig SilveySmall Things Like These by Claire KeeganKlara and the Sun by Kazuo IshiguroThe Road Trip by Beth O'LearyHere One Moment by Liane MoriartyWild Dark Shore & Once there Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghyThe Postcard by Anne BerestThe Heart's Invisible Furies by John BoynePachinko by Min Jin LeeDelirious by Damien WilkinsThe Kill Factor by Ben OliverDivine Rivals by Rebecca RossThe Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly JacksonNexus by Yuval Noah HarariThe Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm GladwellThe Knowledge Gene by Lynne KellyThe Horse by Timothy Winegard

Olivia chats with Rachel and Laura about her new book The Songbirds of Florence. Find out about her research, the editing process, why the title changed and plenty more...

Liv, Rach and Laura talk about books, books and more books: what they've read, what they are excited to read, book covers, book embargoes. Plus hear about what they've been watching, superstitions, pick-up lines and so much more...Books mentioned in this podcast:Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth StroutDeath at the Sign of the Rook by Kate AtkinsonGabriel's Moon by William BoydJames by Percival EverettThe Safekeep by Yael van der WoudenThe Sanatorium, The Retreat and The Wilds by Sarah PearseDeath at the Sanatorium by Ragnar JonassonHere One Moment by Liane MoriartyIntermezzo by Sally RooneyThe Instrumentalist by Harriet ConstablePrecipice by Robert HarrisMarry Me in Italy by Nicky PellegrinoA Very French Affair by Maria HoyleEntitlement and Leave the World Behind by Rumaan AlamThe Mighty Red by Louise ErdrichJuice by Tim WintonThere Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif ShafakTime of the Child by Niall WilliamsThe Alaska Sanders Affair by Joel DickerThe City and its Uncertain Walls by Haruki MurakamiThe Wild Robot by Peter BrownRunt and Honeybee by Craig SilveyThe Age of Enchantment: The Chronicles of Whetherwhy by Anna JamesHolmes and Moriarty by Gareth RubinFilms/TV series mentioned in this episode:Emily in ParisMaxton HallThe Wild RobotRunt

In this deeply personal and emotion-filled chat, Olivia talks with Ruth Shaw live on stage during the recent NZ Booksellers Conference held at the Crown Plaza in Auckland. They discuss what life is like being both an author and a bookseller and Ruth reveals what she is writing next plus plenty more.Books by Ruth Shaw mentioned in this episode:The Bookseller at the End of the WorldBookshop Dogs

Join us at the Booksellers Conference, the biggest event of the year for us booksellers. Come behind the scenes, meet some amazing people, and share in our joy as we chat about what it means to win NZ Bookshop of the Year 2024.

Rachel experiences a fan-girl moment as she sits down to interview one of her favourite authors, J.P. Pomare! Discover the ins and outs of writing crime fiction, including how to write the perfect twist, plus hear his fascinating insights into the state of bookselling in Australia and New Zealand, and so much more...this episode is PACKED with good stuff.Books and authors mentioned in this podcast:The Silent Patient (Alex Michaelides)We are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy FowlerBenjamin Stevenson (Fool Me Twice: Two Twisty Mysteries)Tana French (The Searcher and The Hunter)Michael RobothamVal McDermidRachel CuskDenis Johnson (Train Dreams)Robbie Arnott (Limberlost)Diana ReidTim Winton (Juice)

The team are back! It's been a while but we are together again to talk about the day in the life of a bookseller. It's fair to say we do a bit of rambling, and laughing, and well, we have a good old banter. It is Booklover Banter after all!

Laura sits down to chat with Suzanne Heywood, author of the bestselling memoir, Wavewalker - one of Laura's favourite books! Hear about Suzanne's incredible childhood spent sailing with her family on a yacht - the highs, the lows and everything in between!

In this episode Olivia talks with Renee Rowland, Association Manager of Booksellers NZ. Find out what this important association is, what it does, and get a behind the scenes view of bookselling in Aotearoa. Renee also reveals her favourite books and she tells listeners about something she has done in her life which we believe you will find extraordinary. This episode has it all.Books mentioned in this episode:Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie ElmhirstMatrix by Lauren Groff

Rachel sits down to chat with Freddie Gillies, author of Because All Fades and The Big Bike Trip to discuss his writing process, his journey to publication and the real life inspirations that spark his works.

The team get wildly excited about some crackingly good books they've just read and highlight the ones to get excited about over the next few months. In the nicest possible way (no name and shame) they also share a couple of duds.Books mentioned in this podcast:You are Here by David NichollsMoon Road by Sarah LeipcigerTable for Two by Amor TowlesYou Like it Darker by Stephen KingLong Island by Colm ToibinSkandar series by A F SteadmanCrookhaven series by J J ArcanjoDragon Rider by Taran MatharauWhalefall by Daniel KrausGroosham Grange by Anthony HorowitzThe Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly JacksonSandwich by Catherine NewmanThe Husbands by Holly GramazioAll the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker(We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker)Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth StroutDeath at the Sign of the Rook by Kate AtkinsonJuice by Tim WintonThe City and its Uncertain Walls by Haruki MurakamiPlayground by Richard PowersEntitlement by Rumaan Alam(Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam)Everest Inc by Will CockrillThe Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour and Jude DobsonThe Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang

There is a lot of talk in the bookselling world at the moment about book covers so Liv, Rach and Laura thought it was time to jump in and share their thoughts. Plenty to discuss and, well, just a heads up it gets a little heated... Books mentioned in this podcast: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio How to Win an Information War by Peter Pomerantsev The Bookseller at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw The Crookhaven series by A A Arcanjo Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton What I Would Do to You by Georgia Harper Queen, King, Ace by Olivia Hayfield Earth and Water by John Boyne Piglet by Lottie Hazelwood Because All Fades by Freddie Giles Honeybee by Craig Silvey Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes The Women by Kristen Hannah Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton Moon Road by Sarah Leipciger Jennifer Saints books Others mentioned in this podcast: @posiesandpages @ez.bookdesign  

This is a fascinating episode you won't want to miss! Liv is excited and honoured to sit down with Lyndsey Fineran, Artistic Director of the Auckland Writers Festival to talk about her role. Listen in to hear what is involved in creating the programme for the festival and how Lyndsey convinces authors, the likes of Ann Patchett, to travel half way around the world to appear on our stage. 

Rachel starts us off by talking about new books she's excited to see on our shelves, then we get stuck into discussing the amazing programme for The Auckland Writer's Festival. We make bold predictions about the Ockham Book Awards and chat about which authors we can't wait to see at the festival, the pros and cons of Q&A's with authors, and plenty more...   Rachel talks about the following books: The Whisperwicks by Jordan Lees Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Small Hours by Bobby Palmer The Hunter by Tana French What I Would Do to You by Georgia Harper   We also discuss these fiction finalists in the Ockham Book Awards: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton Lioness by Emily Perkins A Better Place by Stephen Daisley Audition by Pip Adam Other Authors we mention who are coming to the Auckland Writer's Festival: Ann Patchett Trent Dalton Bonnie Garmus Suzanne Heywood Freddie Gillies Airana Ngarewa Paul Lynch Olivia Spooner :) Lauren Keenan Barbara Sumner

In this fascinating episode Olivia sits down to chat with the legendary Ross Lorimer, a household name in the book industry. We're not even going to tell you what he does and how he got to where he is today because it's so much better for you to hear it from the man himself. If you decide to listen to this episode on your way to work, be warned there's a high chance you might be late as you're not going to want to hit pause on this one.   Books and authors mentioned in this episode: The Lord of the Ring by JRR Tolkien What colour is your parachute? by Richard Bolles The Secret History by Donna Tartt Umberto Eco Mattieu Ricard

Today booksellers Olivia, Rachel and Laura discuss the ones that got away. Prepare to be shocked when we reveal the books we know we should have read, the books our customers assume we have read, the books we really really want to read one day. These are the books we have on our metaphorical (and literal) retirement shelves waiting for the day they can be savoured and enjoyed. Or maybe we'll have to get to them earlier...   Books mentioned in this episode: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles All the Light we Cannot See and Clou Cuckoo Land by Antony Doerr Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Cutting for Stone and A Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese The Seven Sister series by Lucinda Riley The Overstory and Bewilderment by Richard Powers Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes Harry Potter series by JK Rowling I am, I am, I am by Maggie O'Farrell The Disposed and Earth Sea trilogy by Ursula Le Guin Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton Road Ends by Mary Lawson The Searcher and The Hunter by Tana French The Secret History and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Tom Lake, Bel Canto and The Dutch House by Ann Patchett Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin All books by JP Pomare Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Anna Karenina and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Middlemarch by George Elliot The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Phew!          

It's Valentine's Day!! So what better time to release an episode all about romance. Olivia and Rachel sit down with Bayleigh Gibson, marketing assistant at Harper Collins NZ to talk about the Romance Isn't Dead influencer event held at The Booklover Bookshop last weekend, as well as romance tropes and sex ratings and so much more. We pose so many questions, with very few answers! Love is in the ear (get the pun!). Books mentioned in this episode: The Fault in our Stars by John Green Faebound by Saara El-Arifi Wildfire by Hannah Grace Too Late by Colleen Hoover Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros The Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon Kit McBride Gets a Wife by Amy Barry Tackle by Jilly Cooper Romance authors Emily Henry and Beth O' Leary