‘Such a cool piece of history’: Sophie Rogers’ most inspirational reads

Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Sophie Rogers, author of historical novel Orchids & Camellias.

The book I wish I’d written

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Set around the time of the assembling of the Oxford Dictionary, it is such a cool piece of history – the research would have been so fun to complete. Plus it does such a beautiful job of weaving feminist themes through the story – it’s a work of art.

The book everyone should read

The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson because it is the most powerful and inspiring story of bravery. I am in awe of Pippa Latour: a spy who kept her wartime activities a secret until late in life. It is important to remember the different ways in which the War was fought.

The book I want to be buried with

Harry Potter. I was growing up as the books were being published and was a massive Harry Potter kid. I was 12 years old when the final book was released and it was while reading The Deathly Hallows that I began to understand how authors planned and weaved their stories. Even as an adult, I will occasionally sit down and read the entire series again, just to feel that bit of magic.

The first book I remember reading by myself

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. I remember this book vividly from school because I loved the sparkle of the silver scales in the illustrations. I remember being excited when it was finally my turn to read the library’s copy! 

From left to right: the book Rogers wishes she’d written; the book she thinks we all need to read; and the book she first remembers reading by herself.

Fiction or non-fiction

If you had asked me this a year or two ago I would have said fiction. In the last few years I have begun to read more non-fiction for enjoyment rather than for research. Now I read just as much non-fiction as fiction.

The book that haunts me

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell – told from the perspective of an underage girl who is groomed by her English teacher. It is the content of the novel as well as how it is written that has stuck with me. 

The book I never admit I’ve read

Fifty Shades of Grey. I feel as though this answer doesn’t need much explanation! 

If I could only read three books for the rest of my life they would be

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory; Harry Potter; and Yellowface by RF Kuang. They are all books that I have read and re-read many times over. If I am not tired of them now, I don’t think I will ever be.

From left to right: the book that haunts Rogers; the book she’s re-reading right now; and one of the books she’d choose if forced to select just three to read for the rest of her life.

The book I wish would be adapted for film or TV

The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. It would be perfect for a TV series. The mix of history, drama, family ties, romance and a family mystery would be amazing on screen. Plus it is set all over the world so the locations would be amazing!

What I’m reading right now

I am actually re-reading a novel called Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. It is set in 15th century China and follows the story of two midwives who are far beyond their times in terms of their medical knowledge. I read it in one sitting the first time around.

Orchids & Camellias by Sophie Rogers ($37, Flying Books Publishing) is available to order through BookHub. ...