The bestselling books at Xmas

This week's bookstore star is top man David Peirse at Dear Reader, 436 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland. He's famous for writing to CS Lewis when he was eight - and receiving a reply, which he still has. He says, "This year there's an incredibly strong range of titles across the board, from New Zealand and overseas writers. So many choices. Come and have a chat if you want any suggestions!" Dear Reader is one of the most intelligently curated stores in the land; there are only 7 shopping days till Xmas; get thee to Dear Reader at once.

The weekly Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list at Xmas, described by Steve Braunias

FICTION

1 Kāwai by Monty Soutar (David Bateman, $39.99)

Named one of the best 10 books of fiction of 2022.

2 The Axeman's Carnival by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $35)

Named one of the best 10 books of fiction of 2022.

3 The Doctor's Wife by Fiona Sussman (David Bateman, $37.99)

Psychological thriller that sees a longstanding, supposedly tight friendship between two couples destroyed by illness and an unexplained, violent death; named one of the best 100 books of the year in the Listener.

4 Eddy, Eddy by Kate De Goldi (Allen & Unwin, $29.99)

"A love story, and a coming-of-age story. As well, it’s a reminder of the importance of recalling the past and facing past griefs. Eddy’s final revelation is shattering but it’s also redemptive. Subtle, intense, very funny and very sad, this is a richly layered novel written with elegance, style and love": from a rave review by Paddy Richardson.

5 How to Loiter in a Turf War by Coco Solid (Penguin Random House, $28)

"An  exciting, whip-smart read", wrote Angelique Kesmara in Stuff.

6 Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $35)

Runaway hit novel of 2021, still going strong all throughout 2022. Funny.

7 Harbouring by Jenny Pattrick (Penguin Random House, $36)

The year's second-best historical novel (after Kāwai by Monty Soutar).

8 Tarquin the Honest: The Hand of Glodd by Gareth Ward (David Bateman, $34.99)

The runaway fantasy hit of the year.

9 The Pain Tourist by Paul Cleave (Upstart Press, $37.99)

Cleave has a license to thrill; and thrill he always does, and continues to do so in his latest crime novel.

10 The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker (Beacon Press, $34.99)

Magic realism! From the publisher's excellent blurbology: "Something strange is happening in Seabrook. The town's lighthouse–dormant for over thirty years and famously haunted–has inexplicably started shining, and its mysterious glow is sparking feverish gossip throughout the spooked community."

NONFICTION

1 Straight Up by Ruby Tui (Allen & Unwin, $36.99)

Named very nearly the best book of nonfiction of 2022. A free copy is up for grabs in this week’s ReadingRoom book giveaway. To enter, email stephen11@xtra.co.nz with the subject line I WANT THE AWESOME BOOK BY THE AWESOME RUBY PLEASE in screaming caps, and describe exactly why it is you find her so awesome. Entries close at midnight on Sunday, December 18.

Last week’s giveaway was the gorgeous New Zealand Gardens to Visit by Juliet Nicholas & Rosemary Barraclough. Readers were asked to send in a photo of something beautiful in their garden. There were close to 100 entries. Readers really wanted this book. I loved every entry and particularly loved the picture of kaka in the garden of Keely O'Shannessy, the petunia grown from seed by Meg Collins, the 3m-tall Lileum Giganteum in the courtyard of Catherine Mackenzie, the Sally Holmes that Joanne Wilson grew from her mum's cutting, and the Wendy House ("complete with picket fence”) that Mike Duncan built in his garden to the delight of his 19 grandchildren. But the winner is Sue McRae of Masterton for her pictures of something in the wisteria on her front porch: a thrush's nest, as below. It’s Xmas; and here is a nativity scene.

2 Wawata by Hinemoa Elder (Penguin Random House, $30)

Wisdom from the great Elder.

3 Simple Fancy by Margo Flanagan & Rosa Flanagan (Allen & Unwin, $45)

Excellent cookbook.

4 Aroha by Hinemoa Elder (Penguin Random House, $30)

More wisdom from the great Elder.

5 A History of New Zealand in 100 Objects by Jock Phillips (Penguin Random House, $55)

Like it says on the packet, 100 objects; an interesting compendium of things.

6 Kai by Christall Lowe (David Bateman, $59.99)

Named the best cookbook of 2022.

7 Whānaukai by Naomi Toilalo (HarperCollins, $55)

A good cookbook.

8 Learning to be French (and failing) by Anna Bibby (Allen & Unwin, $45)

Auckland art dealer Anna Bibby bought a rundown house in a small village while on holiday in France; and then she wrote about it. 

9 Ripe Recipes: Thought for Food by Angela Redfern & Sophie Merkens & Amy Melchior (Beatnik Publishing, $59.99)

Very popular cookbook.

10 Salad by Margo Flanagan & Rosa Flanagan (Allen & Unwin, $45)

Leafy cookbook.