Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Hannah Tunnicliffe, author of new mystery book for children Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum (illustrated by Erica Harrison).
The book I wish I’d written
Anything by Barbara Kingsolver! She is a genius but manages to retain a warmth towards her characters and readers that I really admire. Prodigal Summer is my favourite title of hers but I wish I had written The Poisonwood Bible, The Lacuna or Demon Copperhead too. Okay, you can probably tell that I want to be Barbara Kingsolver. Sigh.
The book I want to be buried with
I have a copy of Anne of Green Gables that I adore. There is a tear in the chapter Tempest in a Teapot and it has a mysterious green ink stain. The book has already taken a bath with me so I figure it won’t mind being buried with me.
The book I pretend I’ve read
I’m hopeless at getting to some of the bestselling, latest hype books. I have missed reading all of David Nicholls’ books and most of Sally Rooney’s. Because their books have been adapted for TV, I watch the shows and pretend I’ve read them.
The book that haunts me
I read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath in high school and it completely unstitched me. I felt myself dissolve as the protagonist did and all the king’s horses struggled to put me back together again. I recently read it again with my book club and it was much less destabilising. But I still recall that first reading and I’ve admired Plath ever since. (PS: A Clockwork Orange was a close second for this question.)
The book that made me laugh
Anything and absolutely everything by David Sedaris. Calypso is my favourite essay collection so far but I will be reading anything he writes until he stops doing so because his work is hilarious and makes me feel better about humanity.
The book character I relate to the most
Anne with the all-important “e” from Anne of Green Gables: almost certainly thriving with ADHD, romantic, wayward, full of love for her friends and any cute looking body of water or blossoming tree. It might be a cliché for female authors of a certain vintage to adore Anne and if it is I own it.
Greatest New Zealand writer
Patricia Grace is a national treasure. Potiki exploded my tiny mind: I love how much Grace can say so much with so few embellishments. I saw her at the Auckland Writers Festival and cried. Yes, I’m that person.
Best thing about reading
I’ve heard it said that books and writing are the art forms that offer the most interiority. In other words: the best way to crawl inside a head, time or place. I concur. This is the best thing about reading.
Best place to read
In a hammock! I recently bought a secondhand hammock and it added a fifth star to my summer experience. The only feedback I would give to hammocks in general is that there should be an easy place for storing beverages.
What are you reading right now
I’ve just received my copy of See How They Fall, the debut novel by Rachel Paris, and I can’t wait to get reading. From what I’ve heard it’s a Netflix-adaptation-worthy crime novel about a powerful family dynasty, set in Sydney. Local author, big splash – go Rachel!
Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum by Hannah Tunnicliffe and illustrated by Erica Harrison ($25, Flying Eye Books) is available to purchase through Unity Books.
