Summer is the perfect time to slow down, find a patch of shade, and get lost in a good story. 

To inspire your own holiday reading stack, we’ve asked local book lovers to share their top picks from the past year and reveal where they’ll be curling up with a book this season.

Today, we are reading with Central Otago District Council’s Roxburgh Service Centre and Libraries team lead Di Hall.

1. What is a great read from 2025 you would recommend to others, and why?

Diana: My pick for 2025 is the new Thursday Murder Club book by Richard Osman, titled The Impossible Fortune. It is the fifth novel in the series and begins at a wedding that quickly turns dangerous. A missing best man, a bomb threat, and a hidden crypto fortune set the stage for another clever mystery. Readers will enjoy the warm humour, strong character development and contemporary twists.

2. What is on your summer reading list, and can you describe your perfect spot to read?

Diana: My summer reading list is more a listening list. I intend to revisit the wonderful Alphabet series by Sue Grafton featuring private eye Kinsey Milhone. These can be accessed as audiobooks from the “Libby” platform. I will be doing a lot of travelling over the holidays and a good audiobook makes the journey a breeze.

3. Audiobook, paper, e-reader, or a mix of the three?

Diana: Mainly audio books but now and again I’ll pick up a regular book.

4. Tell us about a book that changed how you think.

Diana: Not so much changed the way I think but changed the way I cook. The brilliant cookery books by Nagi Maehashi from RecipeTin Eats, entitled Dinner and Tonight. These books are super user-friendly with helpful tips, notes and alternative ingredient substitutes. Also, each recipe includes a QR code that links to a step-by-step how to video on the RecipeTin Eats website.