Quiz: All Things Booktown!
Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival kicks off next week, hosted in Aotearoa’s one and only Book Town! But what exactly does it mean to be a ‘Book Town’? Where else in the world might you find them? What is the lore…
The Sapling
From the Shop Floor: For the Love of Books
Featherston Booktown Festival is back this month for its ninth year, so we thought it fitting to kick off this month with a profile of a Featherston-based bookstore! For the Love of Books is a melting pot of second-hand books,…
The Sampling: Ratana The Prophet
By Keith Newman This month’s Sampling is a little bit different, because we’re bringing you an extract from a general non-fiction read. Ratana: The Prophet traces the rich history of the Ratana religious movement of the early 20th century—and it’s…
From the Shop Floor: Books & Co
Along the Kāpiti Coast, in sunny Ōtaki, is one of our country’s youngest bookshops—Books & Co! Established in 2021, their team tells us what it’s like being the only independent bookshop in the area, their challenges, opportunities, and what books…
Quiz: Pride
The last two months have been significant for Aotearoa’s LGBTQIA+ community, with several major Pride events being celebrated across the country—so this month’s quiz is centred on the people, pukapuka, and events that make up New Zealand’s queer community. Questions…
My Creative Rights: What is it and how will it help creators?
Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) has launched a new service that allows users to store their work, contracts and related documents, as well as access personalised rights information and legal advice. The Sapling explains MyCreativeRights and CLNZ chief executive Sam…
From the Shop Floor: The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore
The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore is an online bookstore that exclusively sells children’s and YA books by New Zealand authors and illustrators. It’s run by New Zealand author Kate Gordon-Smith, who writes junior fiction adventures and mysteries. Give us a one-paragraph…
Quiz: Booklovers Awards 2024
The 2024 Booklovers Awards shortlist has just been announced. How much do you know about this year’s shortlisted titles, authors, and categories? Rack your brains with our first quiz of the year, focused on all things Booklovers Awards-related! Questions 1….
The Sampling: The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp
By Leonie Agnew This Sampling was provided by the publisher for a limited time only. It is no longer available. As part of our Summer Excerpt Series, we are showcasing the junior and YA 2023 Storylines Notable Books, and this…
The Sampling: Children of the Rush (#2)
James Russell The Sapling is running a Summer Excerpt Series showcasing the junior and young adult titles from the 2023 Storylines Notable Book Awards. This week we have the first three chapters from James Russell’s Children of the Rush 2, the thrilling sequel to…