The Village Bookshop was set up by its owner, Tracey Lawton in April 2007. Tracey's passion for all things books is evident from the moment you enter the shop, with its comfy couches and magical children’s area enticing you to stay a while and browse through her vast range of stock.

Tracey, Sharleen and Sylvia are always happy to recommend books for everyone from the non-reading teenager to the well-read bookworm, and they will gladly hunt down hard to find books for you too. Come in and say hello, or email them at: villagebookshop@paradise.net.nz

Meet the team:

-Tracey-

Name one book you think everyone should read: The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth - this is not a recent book and currently seems to be out of print but if you can find it, grab it. Beautiful, haunting and a study on human morality.

One book you would recommend to a 'non-reader': Either The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - ripping thriller that has many reading the second and waiting for the third in the trilogy. Or Lottery by Patricia Wood - humourous and touching story about being different.

Who is an author you can't wait to see more from: So many but two that have amazed and touched me with their writing – Helen Garner and Eva Hornung. Dog Boy by Eva Hornung haunted me for weeks; Both The Spare Room and Joe Cinques Consolation by Helen Garner were amazing.

And finally the obligatory 3 desert island necessities question: I have chosen three epics: Lord Of The Rings trilogy by Tolkien - I have read the trilogy a few times now and rate this as my all time top read because of the gripping storyline, attention to detail and it's timelessness. First read it at 16 and still love it. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy - beautiful, sad and ultimately doomed. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry - I haven't yet met someone who has read this and not loved it ... novel set in India that uplifts but breaks your heart at the same time.

So hard to limit myself to these few books!

-Sylvia-

Name one book you think everyone should read: The Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King. It's our story...

One book you would recommend to a 'non-reader': There is something of interest for almost everyone in Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama. Written when he was just starting out in life, it is the story of a man and his family, and what went into the making of someone who has come far and done much.

Who is an author you can't wait to see more from: Philipp Meyer. His first novel, American Rust, was excellent. I am very keen to see what he writes next.

And finally the obligatory 3 desert island necessities question: Having watched my mother read and re-read Proust all her life with great enjoyment, I have been planning to tackle In Search Of Lost Time upon retirement, or a desert island sojourn, whichever comes first! Would like to re-read Pat Barker's Regeneration Trilogy, so that would be on board. A book of Hone Tuwhare's Poems would be great. He is just the sort of clever, laughing companion who would be good company on a desert island.

-Sharleen-

Is cheeky enough to be away on hols in Italy for 5 weeks so we have decided we don't care what she likes!