The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending July 24

The top 10 sales lists recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.

AUCKLAND

1 The Odyssey by Homer, Emily Wilson translation (W W Norton, $36)

Holy pigs trotters, have you all seen Nolan’s The Odyssey yet? Alex Casey and Claire Mabey have: here’s their take on it.

2 London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, $40)

Want to know who else is a huge PRK fan? Jack Tame.

3 Land by Maggie O’Farrell (Headline Press, $38)

The word “mawkish” was used in the Harvard Review Online … too harsh?

4 Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Viking Penguin, $38) 

Strout: forever showing how novels can be wise; resonant but never loud.

5 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Del Rey, $28)

Between Homer and Weir, book-to-film blockbusters are back.

6 Ringside: A Political Memoir by Mike Munro (White Cloud Books, $40)

The Spinoff’s own Toby Manhire talked to Munro about his long and fascinating career at the heart of it. Catch up on their convo right here.

7 The Valley: Crime and Punishment in a New Zealand City by Asher Emanuel (Bridget Williams Books, $40)

A book to underline, and dog-ear (if you are that way inclined) and highlight.

8 Place to Stand by Clare Ward (Allen & Unwin, $38) 

Caro at Unity Books Auckland says: “This story of a doctor’s life in Hokianga could be considered a modern response to ‘Being Pākehā’ by Michael King. Ward writes beautifully, with a great sense of place that will make you want to visit Hokianga (if you don’t already). Illustrated with her own photographs, this truly is a beautiful taonga full of wisdom.”

9 Whistler by Ann Patchett (Bloomsbury, $39)

The critics might be giving this one a hard time but Good Readers are loving it, like Haley who gave it five stars and said, “This book felt like a hug.”

10 Country People by Daniel Mason (John Murray, $38)

We just can’t get enough of the bug-eyed doggos on the cover:

A close up of the painting of dogs spooked by a hole on the cover of Country People.

WELLINGTON

1 The Valley: Crime and Punishment in a New Zealand City by Asher Emanuel (Bridget Williams Books, $40)

2 Out of the Box: 25 Deaf and Disabled Artists, Activist and Adventurers from Aotearoa New Zealand by Trish Harris (Otago University Press, $45)

A superb book bursting with brilliant people for ages 14+. Get a sneak peek of what’s inside right here on The Spinoff.

3 The Odyssey by Homer, Emily Wilson Translation (W W Norton, $36)

4 Cass and the Beast by Claire Mabey and illustrated by Jill Calder (Gecko Press, $30)

This lush new picture book isn’t actually out until August 1, but brave Cass got an early outing thanks to the writer receiving a rather wonderful award this week.

5 London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, $40)

6 Ringside: A Political Memoir by Mike Munro (White Cloud Books, $40)

7 Facing Up to Our Future edited by Peter Davis (Dunmore Press, $35)

Stern and stirring words from the publisher’s blurb: “Our different governments are failing to take effective action on the long-term economic, social, governance and environmental challenges New Zealand faces. In this book some of our best policy thinkers offer options for practical, feasible and longer-view solutions. Tackling the challenges our nation faces is vital for a better future.”

8 Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Viking Penguin, $38) 

9 Land by Maggie O’Farrell (Headline Press, $38)

10 Whistler by Ann Patchett (Bloomsbury, $39) ...