The two book clubs at Havelock North library also devoured plenty of non-fiction this year. Here are six of the best from their reading year.
The Longevity Plan by Dr John Day
A cardiologist from the US visits a bucolic little village in India. The village is free of heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol, etc. and people routinely live to over 100yrs. Day came back with seven lessons that changed his life and medical practice. An accessible and practical read. Memoirs of a Kamikaze by Kazuo Odachi.
Written when he was 89 years old, this is the story of a kamikaze pilot who survived. Odachi joined up at 16 and was unknowingly put into the kamikaze squad. He talks about everything from escorting Hirohito’s brother, secret missions, and the shunning pilots experienced in society if they returned alive. His experiences made him an agent for change in society.
Towards the Mountain by Sarah Miles
A book about the Erebus disaster, written by granddaughter of a passenger. Sarah Miles interviews a huge range of people – family of crew, funeral directors, recovery squads, police, families of passengers. Her book talks about the lasting impacts on families, and the whole orchestrated litany of lies about who was really responsible.
Pull No Punches: memoir of a political survivor by Judith Collins
Our book club reader said: ‘worth reading to know how rubbish parliament is and the double standards. Gave me a different perspective on Judith – super bright, a go getter with lots of personality. About her background as a labour supporter, and why she changed’. The Great Cave Rescue: the extraordinary story of the Thai boy soccer team trapped in a cave for 18 days by James Massola
‘Holds your interest, even when you know how the ending turns out’. The heart-stopping story of how the Thai soccer team was rescued, including interviews with people involved in all parts of the effort. Great descriptions of the eerie darkness of the caves that make you feel you are there.
No Friend But the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani
Written on a mobile phone and smuggled out of Manus Island, this is the story of the author's boat journey from Indonesia to Christmas Island and then detainment on the island. Describes the island life, reflects on the system and what it does to the people incarcerated there. ‘An eye-opener as to what goes on currently,’ said our reader.
Posted by Young at Heart and Third Thursday Book Groups
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