Book Review: Is A River Alive?
March 14, 2026
Heavy on the adjectives, amiable, exercising incredible patience with determined and dedicated scientists from around the world.
Heavy on the adjectives, amiable, exercising incredible patience with determined and dedicated scientists from around the world.
Witty and whacky, this early reader is illustrated by the author in a bold, graphic style that includes beautiful double-page spreads.
A sweet, slow, contemporary romance. A must read if you enjoy strong, sensitive MMCs and bubbly FMCs who struggle to open up.
Full of folklore, friendship dynamics and magical drama, these are excellent for 8-12 year old fans of Crookhaven and Enid Blyton.
The only cookbook I’ve read cover to cover! Corry’s fun, conversational writing makes this cookbook a delight to read.
Graham’s illustrations with their gentle washes of colour perfectly complement the Kelly’s journey of hope, persistence, and slowing down.
A brilliant finale, it does a great job of tying together storylines from the previous books while still delivering exhilarating plot twists!
The plot was engaging, the romance had me super invested, and the world-building was great! I’ll definitely be reading the sequel.
A strand of humour runs through the text, & readers of McCurdy’s autobiography will recognise her habit of plainly reporting bleak incidents.
A set of highly unlikable characters who do inappropriate things to stay relevant. Sounds horrible, but this book will put a spell on you.
Easy to read and fast paced, this novel has all the excitement and tension of an action movie, but in book form.
Fast-paced and punchy, it becomes difficult to not feel complicit as the problematic heroine, Thea, navigates her life
Once again, I pick up a manga with a goofy premise only to get gobsmacked by a poignant story about acceptance, grief and belonging.
This book gives a new perspective on life behind the gates with different voices and experiences being told within the pages.
A must-read if you enjoy historical fiction that explores social issues with lush prose and charming, realistic characters.
Dealing with themes of identity, friendship & family truths, this continues Stead’s streak of clever, clear-sighted books for readers 10+.
this is a slow burn between two rivals who are forced to work together after they become each other’s alibis for a murder.
The Vaster Wilds is beloved for a reason, a feral Jane Eyre for a modern audience. I can’t recommend it enough.
Make the wrong decision and it could be your life in danger…This is dark, chaotic and full of twists in classic McFadden style!
The island setting of the novel is a constant presence, with the rocky, ancient landscape and wild weather setting a moody tone throughout.
Lyla Sage brings us the first book in a new series packed to the brim with charm, intrigue and adventure set within the confines of small town Sweetwater Peak.
With such clever and witty prose, it makes for an incredibly convincing adventure into the world of FBI manhunts.
Easy to drop in and out of, the illustrations flow from page to page and the text is written in a no-nonsense way.
It’s quirky and playful, with self-deprecating Kiwi humour and a dash of romantic sizzle. A delightful comfort read that’s full of heart