by Helene Wong Reviewed by Jeanie Brigham   “You can go anywhere you like,” her mother said. “This is your home.” In 1980, at the age of about 30, Helene Wong was in China for the... Read More

by Elisabeth Tova Bailey Reviewed by Penelope Tinsley   When the author of this charming little story was stricken by a peculiar virus she was confined to bed, and too weak to continue with... Read More

If you're looking for your next in-between-book-club read, there's no better place to start than your local library. Libraries are so much more than just a place to borrow books from: They're... Read More

At BDS we believe that book groups can help pave the way to a fairer, kinder, stronger New Zealand by being places where people can connect, learn, be inspired, and grow together. Literature has... Read More

BDS Promotions person, Renee Blackburn, was recently interviewed by ReadNZ about how New Zealand's book clubs are coping during lockdown, what they're reading, and why they joined the Book Discussion... Read More

COVID-19 Update Wed 19 August Welcome back to levels two and three. Here's what you need to know: It's pretty much business as usual, with a few things to keep in mind: Getting it done... Read More

  *** UPDATE 16 March 2020 — AWF events have been cancelled to help stop the spread of COVID-19 ***   Join Festival Director Anne O'Brien at bookshops and libraries around NZ for a... Read More

At the end of 2019, we asked our members what book club meant to them, and for suggestions on how we could improve our service. Below is a summary of their responses, as well an update on how we are... Read More

Let's get between the sheets...of paper and explore 11 titles with their own unique love stories. From the heart-warming and funny, to the melancholic and tragic, these are just a few stories from... Read More

Would you seize the opportunity to discuss your latest book club read in the presence of its author? Could you confess that you didn't enjoy it, or found it challenging? Would you question the... Read More

Why do we get such a thrill out of being frightened? And why would a generally considered 'pleasant' pass-time like reading include so many genres dedicated to creeping us out? Crime, Horror,... Read More

  New Zealand's 2019 Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 23-29 September. The kōrero/conversation about mental health in our country is an important one, so we've put together a list of... Read More

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is 9-15 Mahuru/September 2019 and to celebrate we’ve put together a list of five BDS titles that feature te reo and tikanga Māori/Māori language and customs. Every New... Read More

I wanted to work for Book Discussion Scheme because I fell in love with their mission to promote reading and literacy. Open Books Open Minds: They are gateways to compassion, hope, love,... Read More

Megan Blakie has been our Promotions person for 8 years (part-time) and finishes in this role on Thursday 21 February, to take up new professional challenges. She writes: "A highlight of my job... Read More

Books can entertain, inspire and inform but a Lyttelton man’s monthly read led to a change of career. David Peers, who’s part of a seven-member all male book group with BDS, was prompted to... Read More

By the start of the new financial year in April 2019, Book Discussion Scheme will become a charitable trust. Essentially the day-to-day operations will remain the same but legally, and at a... Read More

Dunedin 029 celebrated their 20th anniversary by going out for dinner (attended by five of the original members and the group's founder, who joined them from Waikanae!). Current convenor... Read More

Timaru 008 sent in this end-of-year pic to say they have been going for 20 years. Three of the group are the originals.  "We are very proud of our group and have been there for one... Read More

Rachel, a migrant who attends a BDS-resourced book group for speakers of other languages, succinctly sums up a key aspect of any book-club experience. "When I read a book I think I understand the... Read More

How many book clubs have a patron? Dunedin 058 does. A patron is 'a loyal supporter of someone or something'. Google tell us that a patron of the arts 'helps support starving artists'; we hope... Read More

A new function on our website allows Convenors to check if any of their group's books are overdue. The online information, which can be accessed through the Convenor part of the BDS website, allows... Read More

Peter Swan's all-male book club might seem to encourage stereotypical 'bloke' behaviour but at closer inspection his 'Beverage and Books' group does anything but. The former civil-structural... Read More

A Mount Albert man believes his all-male book group not only promotes a love of reading but encourages tolerance. Michael Loo, who meets up monthly with four other male readers, says belonging to a... Read More

The coordinator of an all-male book group in Dunedin is staggered – and delighted – by the candour with which the men talk about themselves. "What has really struck me is the conversations start... Read More

For a part-time bush worker, his men’s book club provides much needed social interaction. Whakatane semi-retiree Peter Fergusson, who works for Manawahe Eco Trust helping to eradicate pest animals... Read More

Reading our own New Zealand stories can be a powerful experience and Invercargill 004 enjoyed hosting the author of a book in the 'New Zealand Stories' series produced by educational publisher... Read More

Prison volunteer Celia Bockett received an award from Department of Corrections Ara Poutama Aotearoa for her help in running a BDS book group at Tongariro prison.  BDS was advised of Celia's... Read More

“As a writer, I’m the end product of everything I’ve read,” said respected New Zealand author Lloyd Jones to an audience of 30 BDS members on Saturday night (1 September). Lloyd, a... Read More

It's not unusual for Book Discussion Scheme to receive the occasional card or email of thanks from members who appreciate the service we provide or to share how much they are enjoying their book... Read More

Mid Canterbury school principal Sean Wansbrough is a keen advocate of the pastime of reading, so much so that the school's homework policy reflects this. Pupils' homework requirements have been... Read More

BDS offers high schools a student book-group programme for the first part of the academic year. Fifteen student groups are operating this year, including an all-boys group at Sancta Maria College... Read More

Having poor eyesight doesn’t mean you can’t be part of a book group, according to a Far North reader Jean Dowson. Jean coordinates a Book Discussion Scheme book group that has been going for 22... Read More

Member's feedback about BDS books and discussion notes is vital. Book groups' comments - whether positive or 'constructive' - help the scheme to maintain a quality selection of titles and to... Read More

 When is a question a ‘good’ question? New Zealand author Tina Shaw is one of 22 Book Discussion Scheme notewriters who are faced with crafting ‘good’ questions and informative material... Read More

When a box of sparkling new books arrives at the Sydenham office of Book Discussion Scheme, not all staff view the arriving package with the full reverence it deserves! One such person is our... Read More