Literature Blogs

Blogs are the perfect websites to learn about the latest book releases, authors, and publishing. The blogs on this list are all based in New Zealand, providing the best chance of staying up-to-date on the latest international and local book news.

NZ Booklovers – nzbooklovers.co.nz

NZ Booklovers is a multi-critic site for reading reviews on local and international books. They are passionate about books and believe in inspiring people’s lives by recommending new and profoundly well-written works.

The blog does not only provide reviews but also does extensive interviews with authors and professionals in the publishing industry. Visit NZ Booklovers frequently for some of the most interesting and factual articles about books and authors.

Te Herenga Waka University Press / These Rough Notes – teherengawakapress.co.nz

Te Herenga Waka University Press is the leading publisher of new fiction poetry on non-fiction books in New Zealand. The publication was first established in the early 1070s as Victorian University Press of Wellington.

The blog provides a perfect space for learning more about local New Zealand authors and their latest offerings. The blog also has an online shop section for purchasing all the latest novels published by them.

Writers Plot, Readers Read – writersplotreadersread.wordpress.com

Writers Plot, Readers Read is a popular blog that frequently posts new book reviews and interesting articles on local authors. The blog is managed by the actual book shop with the same name that focuses on selling and reviewing local New Zealand authored books.

They also love the new self-publishing method that’s been taken up by the indie community, and they love to review and stock books from indie authors.

Visit any of the blogs on this list to stay up to date on all the latest news on literature and publishing with a special focus on literature in New Zealand.

Recent Post

Top Poker Book Authors

Events and PromotionsPoker is one of the most popular card games associated with gambling. The game of poker can be intense yet entertaining and can provide lucrative winnings. With some players just outshining others, this article looks at some of the greatest poker players who have shared their playing secrets in various books. A big part of winning with poker is watching the dealer and keeping an eye on the other players. Poker is also one of the casino games with live dealers on Duelz Mobile Casino. Annie Duke Annie Duke is one of the most popular authors of gambling and poker books. Her first book was titled Annie Duke: How I Raised, Folded, Bluffed, Flirted, Cursed, and Won Millions. The book was her biography with detailed information on how she looks at poker and how she has won so many games. Some of her other books include Decide to Play Great Poker, Thinking in Bets, and Middle Zone. She has also released various DVDs on how to play and win at poker. David Sklansky David Sklansky is well-known for his poker-playing abilities and knowledge of the game. He has authored and co-authored more than 10 books on gambling theory and poker. As with most of the renowned gambling books, his books are all published by Two Plus Two Publishing. Some of his most popular titles include Hold’em Poker, The Theory of Poker, Sklansky on Razz, and Poker, Gaming, & Life. Mason Malmuth Mason Malmuth was an American poker player and author of books about poker and gambling. He owns the famous publishing group of gambling books known as Two Plus Two Publishing. With a bachelor’s degree in maths, he knows a lot about the technical aspects of playing poker and has released acclaimed books such as Poker and More, Real Poker Psychology, and Gambling Theory and Other Topics. [...]

Top Books about Gambling

Books and StationeryBooks have always been providing knowledge on certain subjects that a person wants to learn about. With gambling, it’s sometimes necessary to do research into different games and see how some have been able to beat the game with maths and the positive sides of responsible gambling. Most of the popular games that the books on this list are centred on can be found on various online casinos such as https://duelz-casino.nz/, find poker, sports betting, and much more. Bringing Down the House – Ben Mezrich This is the inside biographical story of six M.I.T students who took a Vegas casino for millions of dollars together with the help of their professor. The professor and his students found a way to build a reliable card counting system which helped them win millions of dollars. The blackjack team won over $10 million with their card counting strategy, which helped them to predict when the correct cards were ready to be played. Thinking in Bets – Annie Duke Thinking in Bets was released in 2018, with its main topics being around sports betting. The book is there to help gamblers make smarter decisions with betting even without having any of the real facts. The critically acclaimed book by Annie Duke was named a blueprint of modern investing by the New York Times and boosted the popularity of the book even more. The Theory of Poker – David Sklansky The Theory of Poker is a 324-page tutorial book on poker that was released by Two Plus Two publishers in 1999. This is a book for those wanting to be professional poker players. The book teaches players how to play professionally and how to look at the game as more than just a game. Reading books on gambling will not only give players a broader understanding of the games but also provide fun and insightful facts. [...]

Essential Stationery Items for Writers

Books and StationeryIn recent years, writers have become keener to write out their novels, short stories, and screenplays on laptops or other pc formats, but recently the younger generation has been gearing down to the natural methods used by the legendary writers. This means getting back to paper and pens, well, at least for the ideas and basic concepts of the story. Sure, it’s easier on a computer, erase mistakes, do research. It’s an all-in-one must-have for all writers. For some writers, nothing motivates the creative process more than having less technology as possible when working on a writing piece. This is an overview of the basics one will need to create the perfect room for creative writing traditionally. Speciality Pens Getting the perfect pen is key to having a comfortable handwriting technique. Although this may not be the cheapest investment when looking at how affordable a standard pen can be, it’s worth it in the long run, as any writer needs a remarkable and special pen. Papers and Notepads Papers and notepads are one of the more obvious stationery items needed, not only for a writing room but for any office setting. Notepads are important for a writing room as a writer will need to scribble ideas down before writing down the actual words. Books/Dictionaries Encyclopedias, history books, and dictionaries are the perfect helping hand for a writing room where a writer doesn’t want to research on a computer or other smart device. Having these books ready can help to do quick research or to find that word a person just can’t get to. Visit any of these book shops. Office Furniture Basic office furniture with a touch of personality to get the creative juices flowing while also being comfortable to work with will be the ideal addition and finishing touch to any writing room. Follow this guide for the perfect writing room. [...]

Top Bookshops in Auckland

Books and Stationery / Events and PromotionsWith literature being one of the most important factors in art and culture, it’s important to indulge in the natural manner of finding the next great read. Visiting bookshops instead of going online adds a more natural and warmer feel when searching for a great book. With so many interesting bookshops in Auckland, this list will showcase the most popular ones to visit. Time Out Bookstore – Eden Terrace, Auckland Time Out Bookstore is situated in Mount Eden and is a well-loved store with the local community. The shop has built a respected reputation for its eclectic titles, self-published works, and beautiful shelf dispels. They even won the Bookseller of the Year accolade in 2016 for their efforts in selling and advertising their books. Bookmark Second-hand Book – Davenport, Auckland Bookmarks Second-hand Books is situated in the historic town of Davenport, which is known for having some of the greatest writers in New Zealand. They have an extensive range of paperbacks, collectable fiction, antiquaries, and specialist books. The shop has over 20 000 books on display, making it easy to find an interesting read. Hard to Find Books – Mount Eden, Auckland This shop is perfect for treasure hunters. Hard to find books in Eden Terrace, Auckland possibly has some of the hardest to find and rare books of any type. The shop has over 300 000 books on sale, making it one of the most well-packed bookshops found in Auckland. Find collector’s hardback books or more contemporary paperbacks at Hard to Find Books. The Open Book – Ponsonby Road, Auckland The Open Book is a beautiful second-hand bookshop situated in the heart of Ponsonby. The shop is in a Victorian-style house that’s fully refurbished and lined with lanterns on the outside. The shop has a large variety of hard-to-find books, as well as bargain, buys for those everyday reads. [...]

Upcoming Literary Events in Auckland

Events and PromotionsAlthough less large format festivals and events are active due to the Covid Pandemic, there are still some literary events to enjoy throughout the city and will provide various benefits to learning new publishing and writing skills or just to meet a famous writer. These are some of the most anticipated literary events happening in Auckland in 2022. Auckland Writers Festival – 10-15 May 2022 Auckland Writers Festival has been running as an annual event for the past 21 years. The festival sees some of the most well-known international writers and authors joining the festival to talk about literature and showcase some of their most profound works. The festival aims to explore ideas, share stories, and experience brilliant conversations about literature. Going West Book & Writers Festival – September 2022 This is an annual festival that usually takes place during September each year. The festival is held in Titirangi, Auckland and includes various events that form part of the west as well. The festival usually runs for a couple of days which includes a weekend where local New Zealand writers and poets come together to take part in a conversation and a panel discussion with readings. Passion2Published Masterclass – 28 January 2022 This is the perfect event for aspiring novelists and authors to attend in Auckland. The event will help writers to understand the fundamentals of self-publishing as well as how to get a publishing house to take on a project. The event is partly hosted by Global Book Publishing, with the CEO also attending the event to provide a publishing workshop to all attendees. The 2-hour workshop will provide attendees with information on how to write the perfect book and how to create a publishing strategy. These events are crucial for literature to stay relevant and keep growing to encourage more people to take on writing and build a passion for the industry. [...]

Famous Authors from New Zealand

Books and StationeryThroughout New Zealand, many celebrated and renowned authors have been contributing to the country’s literary history for years. This article will show an overview of the most talented and successful writers in New Zealand history. Joy Cowley Joy Cowley was born in New Zealand on 7 August 1936. Her first published book is known as ‘Nest in a Falling Tree’ which was released in 1967. This first book was adapted into a screenplay by Ronald Dahl and became the 1971 film The Night Digger. Some of her other well-known novels include Man of Straw, Of Men and Angels, and The Mandrake Root. Mary Anne Barker Mary Anne Barker was born on 29 January 1831 in Spanish Town Jamaica. Later in life, she married Frederick Napier Broome and sailed to New Zealand, where they lived for many years. Some of her most well-known works include Station Life, The Bedroom and Boudoir, and A Years Housekeeping in South Africa. Frank Sargeson Frank Sargeson was born on 23 Mach 1903 in Auckland, New Zealand. He was known as a prolific novelist and writer and was credited with introducing everyday New Zealand English to literature. Through the 1930s and 1940s, he was regarded as the most influential short-story writer in the country. His most popular novels include I Saw in my Dreams, I For One, and The Hangover. Elizabeth Knox Elizabeth Knox was born in Wellington, New Zealand and is most well-known for writing The Vintner’s Luck in 1998. She has authored various novels and autobiographical novellas, as well as many essay collections for newspapers and news agencies. She is still releasing new novels and other books, with the latest release, ‘The Absolute Book’, having been published in 2019. These are some of the most well-known authors in New Zealand history. [...]