The enduring book club has been meeting now for about ten years. We were originally all connected through our work but our paths have now separated. There were a few more of us, but now we are just five. We are all counsellors, psychologists, case managers and social workers. We plan to meet about once a month….. but it usually ends up with a bigger gap as we struggle to find a shared date that fits. We sometimes remember to talk about the book.

I love this warm, funny, smart, caring group of woman. It’s a safe place to talk about the challenges of our work, to get suggestions and to use a dose of black humour to alleviate the stress.  They have been a great find and I hope to keep them in my life for many years.

I have always relished being in the company of strong women. There is something inspiring and sustaining about the wise conversations that flow. This week our meeting took place on a beautiful summers day and we lounged on a verandah overlooking the glorious Australian bush,  the ideal place to recharge and soothe the senses.

The last two books were:

The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. I just love the thought of escaping from an old persons home when I’m 100. Gives me something to aspire to. What exciting escapades he had. A light-hearted satire set in Swedish countryside. May I age disgracefully!

Where the Rekohu Bone Sings by Tina Makereti is a beautiful and compelling novel which weaves together the history and the relationships of a family, part Maori, part Pakeha and part Moriori. Set predominantly in New Zealand it captures the nature of the country and I look forward to returning there.

One of my greatest pleasures is reading fiction based where I am travelling, any suggestions for books set in New Zealand?