Wardini Books

02/08/2026

It's often said that a book is 'important,' and I think this one really is. Take a ride with two young men, enmeshed in the justice system, meet the professionals trying to extricate them, walk in their shoes for just a while. I was reminded of the good-hearted people I met whilst policing, on both sides of the crime, and the way that disjointed systems do not work, for anyone. Lou.

https://wardini.co.nz/p/the-valley-crime-and-punishment-in-a-new-zealand-city

Bridget Williams Books - BWB

31/07/2026

Radio Hawke's Bay book reviews! Listen here: https://radiohawkesbay.org.nz/explore-programmes-schedule/our-programmes?pid=e145c042-a02c-4ec4-afaf-4e8e6164d6d0

This week...

New from Meg Mason - one for the lovers of intricate book world stories peopled with wonderful characters. https://wardini.co.nz/p/sophie-standing-there-the-highly-anticipated-new-novel-from-the-international-bestselling-author-of-sorrow-and-bliss

New from Dave Eggers - one for the lovers of intricate art world stories peopled with wonderful characters. https://wardini.co.nz/p/contrapposto

Allen & Unwin Aotearoa NZ HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand

31/07/2026

PIES! OMG please click through and have a look at what's on offer. I'm so excited! L x

Tomorrow, Humble Pie officially begins 🥧

Your Humble Pie Guide is now live, showcasing exclusive pies from some of Napier City and Ahuriri's favourite cafés, restaurants, bars and bakeries. Available throughout August.

👉 napiercbd.co.nz/humble-pie-napier

The only question is... which one are you trying first? 😏

📸 Florence Charvin
🚗 Phil Brenchley

30/07/2026

When we realised that The Bookshop Detectives was going to be a published thing, we hoped that it would bring people into the bookshop, divert them to Havelock North, encourage readers to join in our book world mayhem. Pretty chuffed that this has, even a little bit, come to pass. We can't say thank you enough to our team, our community (that's you) and our wonderful industry for taking a punt and having a lot of fun with us. x

“People often say, ‘How are you still married?’” But there’s no ego in it at all. We always come back to what is going to make the best book.”

Booksellers and award-winning cosy crime authors Louise and Gareth Ward turned their real-life partnership into bestselling novels. Read their story in our latest issue, out now.

29/07/2026

Join Marty Smith and Te Herenga Waka University Press (and our Catt) at Hawke's Bay Racing Centre (the Racecourse) for the launch of this beautiful book, complete with extraordinary photography by Florence Charvin.

28/07/2026

Who doesn't love a short and snappy book review, especially when it's about one as good as this?
Lou talked about The Girl With a Thousand Faces on The Breeze Hawke's Bay 97.5FM yesterday morning. If you'd like to be in to win a copy, hop on over to The Breeze's page and comment on the book club post. If you can't wait, have a look here:
https://wardini.co.nz/p/the-girl-with-a-thousand-faces

If you'd like to talk about this book, we'll be nattering about it our our book clubs next week:
Tuesday 4th August, 7pm, Wardini Napier
Wednesday 5th August, 7pm, Wardini Havvers

Thanks to our wonderful rep Alex and the team at HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand for the giveaway copies :)

Lou reviews The girl with a thousand faces by Sunyi Dean

27/07/2026

Catt LOVES this book! Her review on The Breeze Hawke's Bay 97.5FM had customers coming straight in to grab a copy. She read it in 36 hours, it's one of her books on the year, and she says the fictional relationship is one to aspire to. Aww! Have a listen (YouTube link in the pic), and a look at the book here:
https://wardini.co.nz/p/twenty-years-together

HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand

Catt's review of Twenty Years Together by Tom Rob Smith

26/07/2026

It was party time for many of the Wardini community last night. Amy had a veritable riot of readers at Young Adult Wardini YAW! book club. The conversation was, as always, wide ranging and scintillating, the belated Matariki celebration soup warm and nourishing. If you're wondering what it might be like to be a fly on the wall, there's a new edition of YAW! on Radio Hawke's Bay, in which Amy and Grace discuss murders and thrillers and murdery thrillers. Listen here:
https://radiohawkesbay.org.nz/explore-programmes-schedule/our-programmes?pid=676dd452-a8b7-4c58-a643-c00f2c74a56c

25/07/2026

Booksellers Aotearoa NZ conference is over for the year and we're up and (kind of) ready for the long drive back the the Bay. News...
Our mate Mary and the Schrödinger's Books team won Bookshop of the Year! So happy for you, guys! (I have full video of Mary's acceptance speech if anyone needs it lol).
Libro.fm gave us free coffee!
Libby Kirkby-McLeod, Manager of The Coalition for Books wrapped all her Mentos in branded wrapping and was sad when her stall was quiet. We ate some, to be kind.
Pania Tahau-Hodges from Huia Publishers has a beautiful pukapuka coming soon about the Hikoi mo te Tiriti.
The cover of Catherine Chidgey's new book (out end October) The Starving Bride, is swooningly gorgeous.
Dr Natalie Flynn, wife of lovely Nigel Latta, accepted his Special Achievement Award and gave a beautiful tribute.

We are fizzing with ideas and will get on to them as soon as we've driven a long way home and had a lie down. See you soon, L&G ###