Autumn 2026 Book & Podcast Reviews
We are loving the top picks from your reading and listening libraries! Keep them coming.
The Lodge
The Lodge is one of those podcasts that stays with you long after an episode ends. It does a deep dive into a New Zealand wellness retreat that promised healing but left many people unsettled. Phil does a good job using personal stories and careful investigation to build a bigger picture. I liked how it takes its time and lets listeners sit with the details rather than rushing to conclusions. It’s absorbing, unsettling, and a great listen if you enjoy smart storytelling that makes you rethink the world of wellness. Josh, Nelson
The Female Career
I’ve been really enjoying The Female Career podcast and honestly wish I’d found it sooner. It features New Zealand women talking openly about their careers, the twists they didn’t expect and the lessons they learned along the way, which makes it feel very real and relatable. I’ve found it especially helpful for perspective and confidence when I’m thinking about my own work choices and next steps. If you like thoughtful conversations that leave you feeling encouraged and not overwhelmed, I think you’d really enjoy this one too. Laura, Auckland
Seed by Elisabeth Easther (Penguin)
I love Marian Keyes and Dolly Alderton and was told this book was similar. And it didn’t disappoint!
At times it felt like a reality TV show with personable characters interweaving their lives together in awkward, often laugh out loud situations. The story follows four friends all embarking on – or wishing to embark, or completely avoiding – motherhood. An easy book that won’t take long to read but stays with you for days after. Alice,
St Heliers
The Island Retreat by Cathy Kelly (HarperCollins GB)
Set against a backdrop of sweeping coastal vistas, this story follows characters seeking solace from their fractured lives in the isolation of a remote sanctuary. It is a grounded study of resilience that mirrors the seasonal shift toward introspection and renewal. Leaving you asking yourself, if everything you’ve built falls away, what remains at your core? Sue, Southland
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (Macmillan Australia)
This is a haunting and suspenseful masterpiece. The story follows eighty-one-year-old Elsie, a woman trapped by a decades-old reputation as a child murderer. The author cleverly weaves past and present, using a modern true-crime podcast to peel back layers of suburban secrets and community bias. It is a gripping character study that explores themes of justice and redemption, proving that the truth is rarely simple. Jane, Geraldine
