NZ Booklovers Awards 2021 Winners
Addressed to Greta by Fiona Sussman wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2021.
The judges say, ‘You must meet Greta, one of the most well-realised and endearing figures in recent New Zealand fiction. Sussman, a Ngaio Marsh Award winner for Best Novel, takes an oft-traversed path – protagonist receives an unexpected inheritance with strings attached – and then rejects predictability, letting Greta loose on a global adventure that turns her quiet life on its head. If a woman in her later 30s can be the subject of a bildungsroman, that’s Addressed to Greta – but categorisation aside, this novel is something special, and a passage set in Rwanda is a superb example of historically informed storytelling.’
Aroha by Dr Hinemoa Elder wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2021.
The judges say, ‘Dr Hinemoa Elder shares timeless Māori wisdom for a contented life, in harmony with our planet. Each of the 52 whakataukī – traditional life lessons – is expertly explained by the respected Māori psychiatrist. Aroha is an extraordinary book offering an alternative way to view the world, our place within it and how we live alongside each other. Dr Elder’s accessible writing makes this a delightful guide, inspiring readers to find aroha in the modern world. This must-have hardback incorporates traditional art and decoration in its thoughtful design. Aroha is undeniably a book of its time, reflecting our increased need for compassion and connection in the current COVID-19 era.’
I am the Universe by Vasanti Unka wins the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Book 2021.
The judges say, ‘Wonderful illustrations combine with sparse, yet vibrant, descriptions to create a deftly structured book beginning with the vastness of the universe which then gradually narrows its focus to the earth and, finally, to the domestic lives of people living here. This is a book which informs through entertainment, and children – and adults – will be tempted into it again and again by the vivid and detailed images. In our current climate of COVID, the themes are particularly poignant as they remind us of our universal connectivity.’