Your Weekend’s best books of 2021 – Stuff.co.nz

In a year where many of us couldnt get out and see the world, we relied on others to bring us perspective, distraction and recipes to help pass the time.

From cookbooks to kids books, fiction and non, the Your Weekend team, and some industry experts, have chosen their favourite books of 2021.

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A Passage North by Anuk Arudpragasam

Few recent books have devastated me as much as Arudpragasam's book. It tells the story of a young Tamil man's journey to the war-devastated north of Sri Lanka, to attend the funeral of his grandmother's carer. In precise, long, languid sentences, Arudpragasam creates a sharp contrast between the narrator's passive remembrance and the horrendous trauma of the inhabitants themselves. The novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and comparisons to two of the twentieth century's great writers of horror, Primo Levi and WG Sebald, are not hyperbolic.

Rangikura by Tayi Tibble

This is Tibble's second collection of poetry, after her wonderful debut Pokahangatus. Tibble has the brashness and humour to match many of Aotearoa's best young poets. However, the thing that really sets her apart from her peers is the sheer craft of her work and its devastating emotional core. Her collections are about to get a major US release, so hopefully the rest of the world can soon catch up on her brilliance.

Aljce in Therapy Land by Alice Tawhai

This is Tawhai's debut novel, and first book for some time, following three stellar collections of short stories. Tawhai manages to be both funny and pointed, while depicting workplace bullying and power hierarchies. But it's also sad, and gloriously unpredictable she's a one of a kind writer.

Moon Musings by Ronia Ibrahim and Khadro Mohamed

My reading for 2021 has been pretty dark, so it was a genuine joy to read a collaborative, thoughtful zine by Pneke poets, Khadro Mohamed and Ronia Ibrahim (the poems are also great heard live). They each wrote a poem a day over the course of Ramadan. It's a demonstration of some of the great poetry bubbling up in the city and the ingenuity many creatives resort to, to get their voices out in the world. They're two poets definitely to watch in the future.

Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly

This is Aotearoas answer to Schitts Creek in literature form thanks to its outrageous sense of humour, diverse range of characters, one very loveable family, and its exploration of fluid sexuality on multiple fronts. This story showcases diversity as it should be, not as a central conflict but just as a part of the characters life. We should count ourselves lucky to have someone so talented as Reilly right here in Aotearoa.

The Panic Years by Nell Frizzell

Nell Frizzell is a British journalist, who after her own rollercoaster, has decided to lift the lid on what she calls The Flux: The Flux is the gap between adolescence and midlife, during which women lose that constructed artifice of control over their lives, confront their fertility and build themselves new identities. Candidly walking us through her own Flux, to finding her feet as a new mother, and everything in between. Frizzells need to make sense of her own Flux serves as a potential help for us all. Whether youre still pondering the big Q, or youve already had kids, even if you never want them, this book has something for everyone.

Pony by R.J. Palacio

An epic hero journey story set in the Wild West US. This beautiful story follows Silas and his ghost friend Mittenwool as they ride into the unknown on a quest to save Silas' father. Although they encounter many dangers, they also meet people with heart and kindness and come to imagine a previously unimaginable future.

Bumblebee Grumblebee by David Elliot

Elephant, Ballephant - Buffalo, Fluffalo - The wonderful David Elliot has created a fun, rhyming, whimsical board book which plays beautifully with words and pictures makes us laugh out loud and brings us to an exuberant ending - perfect book for under twos!

Plum by Brendan Cowell

A heros redemption story, but this hero is a lager-drinking, gambling ex-rugby league player that is very Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi. The book is joyous and heartbreaking and all about the contours of life. It made me think a lot about the retentive way many Antipodean men feel like they have to live their lives.

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Im not going to lie, it took me about 80 pages to get into this - so epic and interwoven it is - but once I was in, I was really in. A genre-bending, millennia-traversing novel, it hones in on five characters, and is about Greek mythology, terror, hope and, ultimately, the power of storytelling. Im very glad I read it, even if it is 500+ pages.

The Republic of False Truths by Alaa Al Aswany

Al Aswanys The Yacoubian Building is up there in my favourite novels of all time, and his latest is just as layered and dynamic. Al Aswany makes you root for his characters so much as they bump up against corruption and frustration at every turn. The novel centres on the uprising in 2011, and Tahrir Square, and paints a fictional picture of a fractured, complicated country full of wonderful people. (Note: it was actually released in Arabic a few years ago, but was only translated into English this year).

Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri

Another book from a few years ago that was only released in English this year - the translation from Italian to English was done by Lahiri herself (shes such a genius). Her other well known novels are all about India and then Indian diaspora - such as The Namsake - but this one is about a middle aged Italian literature professor who lives alone in an Italian city. Ruminative (rather than plot driven) and slight, its a study of urban loneliness.

Uprising: Walking the Southern Alps of New Zealand by Nic Low

This incredible book is the result of many years of research, adventure, discovery, and conversation. Nic Low grew up knowing K Tiritiri-o-te-moana the Southern Alps through mountain stories from his European side. This book is his journey to discover the stories of the same landscape from his Mori ancestors. Low beautifully and generously weaves adventure with reflections on history and place, and offers fascinating and well-researched pre-colonial stories of Te Waipounamu

The Uprising: The Mapmakers in Cruxcia by Eirlys Hunter

The long-awaited sequel to The Mapmakers Race! This is the rip-roaring adventure of Sal, Joe, Francie and Humphrey Santander, as they travel to Cruxcia searching for their famous explorer and mapmaker father who has disappeared. The citizens of Cruxcia are trying to protect their land from the all-powerful GTC and its evil, greedy overlord. The mapping skills of the four siblings may be just be what Cruxcia needs to save their land and way of life.

Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit

Hot off the press, Orwell's Roses is the perfect non-fiction gift this Christmas. Solnit investigates George Orwell's love of gardening, particularly roses, while providing a deep and thorough context of the time. Politics, activism, war, privilege, climate, art and science are astutely researched and observed. Solnit's creative voice and personal touch makes for rich reading, letting the reader soak into a fascinating insight into one of the world's most famous writers.

Atua by Gavin Bishop

Atua tells the tale of Aotearoa's creation in a wondrous pukapuka (book) of prkau (myth.) Extraordinary illustrations punctuate each krero (story), a glossary is dotted throughout, to grow your knowledge of te reo kupu (words) and facts. A companion in style and size to Bishop's award-winning Aotearoa, Atua is a must for every child's (and adult's) bookshelf.

Still Life by Sarah Winman

This is one of the loveliest books Ive ever read: an exquisite waltz through 35 years of Florentine history with a cast of characters not limited to a parrot, a globe maker and an art-historian / spy. Its a novel about friendship, family and place - Florence is as much a character as any of the people, filtered through the vicissitudes of history - it is completely lovely, heartwarming and delightful.

Matrix by Lauren Groff

This tells the story of Marie of France, expelled from Queen Eleanors court in the 1100s and sent to an abbey in the English countryside. Descending from a long line of viragoes and crusaders but stuck in the abbey for the rest of her life, Marie becomes prioress and sets about making the medieval nunnery a female utopia. Groff does for Marie of France what Mantel did for Cromwell, and it is an explosive exploration of power and womanhood. Matrix is epic, spare, brutal and utterly divine.

Things I Learned at Art School by Megan Dunn

This collection of essays is everything you didnt realise you wanted from a bright orange book. Dunn recalls growing up in New Zealand, that strange and special thing, with such acute insight. Her ability to make the reader snort-laugh and then cry deserves a medal. Things I Learned at Art School is a sexy winking mermaid swimming in a sea of pathos and nostalgia and has a permanent place in my medium-sized Kiwi heart.

Times Like These: On Grief, Hope and Remarkable Love by Michelle Langstone

Many of us know Langstone as an actress, with roles in McLeods Daughters and 800 Words. But in this book of essays, her first, she bares her soul in another way. Writing about the big things - death, love, memories - and the smaller, everyday moments, Langstone surprises and delights, tearing out the readers heart on one page, and putting it back together the next.

Cook This Book by Molly Baz

Want to be a better cook, but recipes bore you? The Internets favourite chef Baz knows tasty food and how to make following along at home easy on us. With clever QR codes linking to video tutorials, and stunning photos, slaving over a hot stove was never so fun.

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

Did I listen to the audiobook version of this? Absolutely yes, and for very good reason. Everyones favourite cocktail maker and actor, Tuccis retelling of his life through food is a beautiful thing to hear direct from the horses mouth. An Italian-American (New Jersey!) childhood around the dinner table, losing his sense of taste after a battle with cancer, and new love all shared through the lense of food, like a meal with a mate.

Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for an Endangered Planet by Jane Goodall and Douglas Adams

A pioneering environmentalist, feminist and a wonderfully down-to-earth person. This beautifully packaged hardback is presented as one long interview by Douglas Abrams. An important book for our times and will appeal to all ages groups, including younger people.

Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney

Irish author, Sally Rooneys latest book was so hotly anticipated Millennials were sporting #BWWAY bucket hats and uncorrected proofs were popping up on Ebay for huge sums before its release. Of course Rooney hasnt disappointed them, bringing all the emotion, tension and insight into modern life that has become her trademark. A particularly great read for women in their 20s and 30s.

Under the Wave at Waimea by Paul Theroux

As a third generation family-owned business, we love that we also have books from three authors of the same family in store right now Louis Theroux, his mother Anne and this beautifully written and atmospheric novel from Paul Theroux. Under the Wave at Waimea traces the life of a big wave surfer in Hawaii as he confronts ageing, privilege, mortality and whose lives we choose to remember.

Joy of Gardening by Lynda Hallinan

As the title suggests, this is a joyous book and an ode to the power of gardening and growing food to connect us with nature, relieve stress and improve our mental and physical well-being. A book that should be on every gardener's (or want to be gardener's) bookshelf.

Get Back by The Beatles

Is there anything new to say about The Beatles? It appears so. In fact, it seems that what we thought we knew about the breakup of the worlds biggest band was not necessarily true. Through unseen photographs and conversation transcripts this official companion to the Peter Jackson-directed docuseries shines new light on the Let It Be recording sessions.

The Greatest Haka Festival on Earth / Mokopuna Matatini by Pania Tahau-Hodges, illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse

It's all whitebait fritters, glittery moko and excitement as Nan and the mokopuna attend Te Matatini all the more exciting as the real festival is now postponed until 2023. Available in both te reo Mori and te reo Pkeh, and great for those ages 4-7.

Kaewa the Koror by Rachel Haydon, illustrated by Pippa Keel

A penguin-y mystery set at the National Aquarium in Napier and based on the real koror who live there. It's both a great story and an excellent introduction to the important conservation work of the aquarium (good for ages 4-7).

Takah Maths by Julie Ellis, illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White

An unusual and innovative picture book combining history, conservation and maths as we explore the story of the takah over the past million years by adding, subtracting, dividing and hopefully multiplying these birds, which were once thought to be extinct (great for ages 6-10).

Kia Kaha: A Storybook of Mori Who Changed the World by Stacey Morrison & Jeremy Sherlock

From the creators of the Mori Made Easy series and beautifully illustrated by 12 Mori artists, this collection of true stories features inspirational Mori from all walks of life, from Dame Whina Cooper to Stan Walker. Its a brilliant gift for all ages.

Donovan Bixley's Draw Some Awesome by Donovan Bixley

Full of ideas and easy breakdowns of his processes, Draw Some Awesome is great for budding artists, as Bixley creates a jumping-off point for kids to learn how to draw, not like him, but like themselves. Lots of inspiration and insights into his previous work. 9+

Whet Toa and the Hunt for Ramses by Steph Matuku, illustrated by Katharine Hall

In the second story about Whet Toa, she travels through alternate realities on a starbeam, fighting robots with Tori the cat, after Ramses the golden ram goes missing. An exciting and funny action-adventure that deals with themes of bullying and anxiety for ages 7+.

Falling Into Rarohenga by Steph Matuku

Fourteen-year-old twins Tui and Kae are pretty sick of each other, but when their mum disappears, and a portal sucks them down into Rarohenga (the Underworld), will the twins be able to stop bickering long enough to rescue her? Grounded, realistic YA fantasy for age 12+.

Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment

Secrets float up from under the lake when Iris and Sam stumble upon a hidden city lost in time. Graphic novels are super popular right now and this one is a beautifully drawn and heartfelt tale of mystery and friendship for fans of Amulet and Lightfall. Ages 9+.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

While I like Picoults writing, I sometimes feel her admirably substantial research can be too obvious on the page. I thought this book was suffering from that - until a shocking twist put all Picoults research into Covid-19 into context and turned it into a totally different novel altogether. A page-turner, and a top-notch entry in the new genre of Pandemic Lit.

Magpie by Elizabeth Day

A psychological thriller about the lengths women will go to to have children, and how much they are prepared to sacrifice to protect them, Magpie is a novel of taut suspense and twists and turns that make the reader constantly reevaluate their views on each of the three protagonists. Smart, savvy and insidiously creepy.

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad

Star chef Ottolenghis recipes famously require a laundry list of ingredients, and while that number isnt always lower here, hes sourced them from a different place: his own pantry, fridge and freezer. And while the contents of yours might not exactly mirror his, these 85-odd recipes will give you lots of new ideas for what to do with that sad tin of chickpeas or nearly-turned cauliflower.

My Elephant is Blue by Melinda Szymanik Illustrated by Vasanti Unka

A picture book about big heavy feelings, told with a light touch and sensitivity, whilst not avoiding the reality of having the blues, which can happen to anyone, young or old. A child wakes to find an elephant sitting on their chest, making it hard to do anything very much. The whole family offers suggestions and support calling up an elephant specialist, offering tasty things to eat. Eventually a walk outside helps, and soon they are out with the whole family, enjoying a picnic in the park. Illustrations reflect the changes, blossoming gardens and sunshine in the finale, whilst acknowledging that the elephant is part of the family for good.

Exit Through the Gift Shop by Maryam Masters Illustrated by Astrid Hicks

Anahita (Ana) is dying of cancer, but her bigger problem is a nemesis school bully (dubbed Queen Mean). We accompany Ana as she navigates a roller-coaster of school life, family life and life with the knowledge of a year to live. But she is fierce and sassy, with a no holding back attitude, which helps deal with the theme of illness, death and bullying in a way that is funny/sad all at once. This is a resoundly life-affirming and perfectly pitched novel for pre-teens (or anyone).

While I Was Away by Waka T. Brown

A wonderful middle grade memoir that follows the journey of 12-year-old Waka, a Japanese girl living in 1980s USA, whose life is uprooted when her parents decide to send her back to Japan to reconnect with her family, culture and language. The novel deals with the issues that come from navigating the complexities of ones identity when growing up.

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Your Weekend's best books of 2021 - Stuff.co.nz