Simon Lendrum, Lauren Keenan, Brianne Te Paa, Jane Ussher and John Walsh were announced the winners in the 2023 NZ Booklovers Awards on 30th March.
“Our winning novel is a stunning crime novel with emotional heft. Our lifestyle-winning book sets a new benchmark for other publishers to aspire to. Our new category for Junior Fiction is won by a novel that is a perfectly pitched page-turner for young readers, and the winning children’s picture book is wonderfully told and superbly presented, and should find a place in all homes, libraries and schools,” says NZ Booklovers Director Karen McMillan.
The judges of the The Best Adult Fiction Book Award category – author, reviewer and judge of the Ngaio Marsh Awards Stephanie Jones, publishing professional Rachel White, and NZ Booklovers Director and author Karen McMillan – say:
“In arguably the most competitive year the NZ Booklovers Awards has seen in the Best Adult Fiction category – signified by a packed shortlist – the judges agreed that one novel edged a nose ahead of the rest in terms of broad reader appeal and sheer narrative prowess. Simon Lendrum’s The Slow Roll is a stunning crime novel with real emotional heft and a storyline that, aside from being ceaselessly engrossing, is surprising and often fun, making gambling (as the title nods to) both a plot driver and textural element. One of the best, most confident and polished local crime debuts in recent memory.
Intricately composed and with a tone that tightropes between dry and a little melancholic, thanks to the protagonist’s, a quasi-PI named O’Malley, battle with bad memories and existential sorrow. Lendrum dexterously weaves into an engrossing narrative timely sparks of social commentary like the “stupid, stubborn logic” behind Auckland’s sprawl. While the influence of the likes of Michael Connelly and James Lee Burke are evident – a couple of their protagonists are even name-checked – Lendrum forges a story, and a hero, all his own. The O’Malley/Claire dynamic is irresistible, and the intense, high-stakes third act, coming not long after superb car-chase and knife-fight set pieces, shows Lendrum’s remarkable range.”
The Best Lifestyle Book Award is judged by journalist and author Andrea Molloy, former magazine editor and lifestyle journalist Peta Stavelli, and publisher, home renovator and foodie Iain McKenzie. And here is what they had to say about the winning book:
“Words like opulent, lavish and luxurious come easily when we are describing Rooms. The hardcover of the book is a luscious hot pink – daring and vibrant – it pops out from under the all-white dust jacket like a flash of racy underwear on a conservatively-dressed person. Not that the jacket itself is sombre, it’s just more understated and elegant – the white and gold setting the tone.
Then comes the mostly jade-green double-page spread of the inside cover, which is again a nice contrast to the hot pink, and which features a fabulous tropical panel detail from inside the book. By now, the reader is on their toes – guessing, anticipating the further delights to come. And come they do. The photography, the featured rooms… every page is splendid.
And, as it should be in a book like this in which the images need to be heroic, the small plates and details are left to the back of the book – not languishing, you understand – and important in their own right, but allowing the photographic portraits to be the diva. Congratulations must go to Jane Ussher and John Walsh, but also to the publishers, Massey University Press, which has realised this ambitious project magnificently. Rooms is that rare kind of book which is so well executed, so exquisitely detailed, that it becomes an instant taonga. From the exotic end-plates to the velvet bookmarks, this is a benchmark book which sets new standards for publishers to aspire to.”
Creative writing teacher, assessor, mentor and reviewer P.J. Richardson, writer and former editor Heidi North, and early childhood kaiako and journalist Rebekah Lyell – the judges of the Best Junior Fiction Children’s Book Award and the Best Children’s Picture Book Award join the praises.
About the Amorangi and Millie’s Trip through Time by Lauren Keenan they say: ‘Amorangi and Millie’s mission to rescue their mum from the past results in a thrilling and enlightening romp through some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, such as the invasion of Parihaka, the Great Depression, World War Two, the Musket Wars and the eruption of Mount Taranaki. Through the places they experience and the people they encounter, the book highlights racism and changing attitudes. But most of all it’s fun to read. Keenan (Te Āti Awa ki Taranaki) has a knack for eloquently showing our younger readers how our past and present are linked, making them think while enjoying a skilfully written and perfectly pitched page-turner for young readers.’
And about How My Koro Became a Star by Brianne Te Paa, illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse:
‘After his grandfather dies, his young grandson understands that he must carry out the traditions of Matariki which he learned from his Koro, by preparing an offering of food for the gods, then going to the mountain before sunrise and calling out the names of loved ones who have passed away so that they can become stars. At first, his family is reluctant to help him, but once he explains what his Koro taught him, they climb the mountain together, follow the rituals and call out their Koro’s name so that he can become a star.
The use of rhyme creates a soft, rhythmic effect perfectly enhancing the sensitivity of the writing. The story gives young readers knowledge about the traditions surrounding Matariki while also bravely confronting grief and loss, making it an invaluable resource for both home, school and general libraries. The use of gold font on colourful backgrounds and exquisite illustrations enrich and perceptively interpret this story of a child’s loss of his grandfather yet the healing power of his Koro’s traditions which remain with him. This is a beautiful book; an important story wonderfully told and superbly presented.’
