Blue House Books

11/11/2025

Back on the 25th November, ready for season!

02/10/2025

https://experteditor.com.au/blog/s-t-if-you-still-prefer-reading-physical-books-over-digital-psychology-says-you-display-these-7-unique-strengths/

There’s a substantial difference between turning the pages of a physical book and scrolling through a digital one. Choosing a paperback over an eBook isn’t just about nostalgia or preference; psychology suggests it could highlight certain unique strengths you possess. Opting for the traditional ...

21/08/2025

In many ways, reading is a “workout for the brain,” said Teresa Cremin, professor of education and codirector of the Centre for Literacy and Social Justice at The Open University in the United Kingdom. Reading can require deep critical and creative thinking as well as nurture cognitive patience, or sustained concentration, she added. Engaging in alternate worlds, histories, cultures and experiences through fictional characters can be helpful in developing compassion and empathy, she added.

Reading isn’t just about getting information –– it’s also good for your brain and well-being. Experts explain how to help the leisure activity make a comeback.

15/08/2025

See our latest offerings on Anttiquarian Auctions - some very scarce gems. In collaboration with Kim Green.

Blue House Books offers a wide diversity of books both online and through our physical shop in Napier.

17/01/2025

Help! We are long overdue for painting the outside of our bookshop, and we invite suggestions. Firstly, what shade of blue? Secondly, what second colour - do we stay with white or go bright, and thirdly, what colour should the roof be?

17/01/2025

Thanks to Paul Gray for our new bookshop sign - "Books 37 000+". So many people come in and say "Gosh, we did not realise you have so many books!" We thought a sign outside mentioning the cornucopia of treasured books inside might entice...

25/11/2024

Hamba kahle Breyton Breytenbach https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2lzy87veno

01/10/2024

Blue House Books will be closed until 18 October whilst we bring in lots of new and exciting books, and add the Garden Room where all our creative, soulful and spiritual books will be kept.

11/06/2024

'I was 19. Martin was 23. I was still at Oxford. Martin had just finished, but not yet published, The Rachel Papers. We started chatting at a book party about our favourite magazine, the New Statesman. The byline I most admired was that of someone called Bruno Holbrooke. Who was he, did Martin know? There was a pause and a sly smile. Then Martin grandly pronounced: “I. Am. Bruno Holbrooke.”'

He called her Tiny. She called him Bruno. In this speech from today’s memorial service to the novelist, the legendary magazine editor celebrates her cocky, beguiling and witheringly funny star writer

30/04/2024

Superb review by Darryl Accone. Read it and be inspired to find 'a room of your own'.
(We have one copy of To the Lighthouse in the shop. First come, first served!)

Today, 96 years after the great writer’s seminal speech on women in fiction, what has changed?

26/04/2024

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68900682

The four 19th Century books have been removed from shelves and taken for further analysis.