Tell us your Top 20 NZ books

As a lonely 12-year-old, fresh out from England, musician Ian Morris sought comfort in the words of John Mulgan's novel Man Alone.

When it's time to settle the kids down, actor Tim Balme looks to Jive and the Pipi Diggers by Phillippa King, an "unpredictable, warm-hearted and ultimately charming" children's book.

A good book is like a friend who never leaves you. But who is your favourite friend?

The Herald and TimeOut Bookstore in Mt Eden are celebrating the inaugural New Zealand Book Month with a quest to find the country's Top 20 favourite New Zealand books.

Vote online at Timeout before Monday October 9 and be in to win a copy of each of the top 20 titles.

Inspired by the success of New Zealand Music Month, project director Phil Twyford says Book Month is about celebrating the quality and diversity of New Zealand books and raising public awareness.

"We want to show them there are some fantastic New Zealand books out there. There is a great New Zealand book for every taste, every person and every occasion."

He hopes Book Month will alter some people's outdated perceptions of what New Zealand books are like.

Mr Twyford says he is especially excited about collaborating with the Books in Homes project, which will see donated New Zealand books distributed throughout schools around the country.

On September 18, bookshelves will be placed in Auckland's Aotea Square, at Parliament in Wellington and in Christchurch's Cathedral Square, where people can donate their favourite New Zealand books to the project.

New Zealand Book Month will see libraries, bookshops and venues throughout the nation host a variety of events, from stand-up poetry to a ladies' literary tea.


CELEBRITY BOOK CHOICES

Laura Hill
Shortland Street

Maurice Gee The O trilogy: The Half Men of O, Priest of Ferris and Motherstone
Elizabeth Knox The Vintner's Luck
Duncan Sarkies Stray Thoughts and Nosebleeds (short stories)


Helen Medlyn
Mezzo Soprano

Avis Acres Adventures of Hutu and Kawa
James K. Baxter Selected Poems
John Mulgan Man Alone
Witi Ihimaera The Whale Rider
Michael King History of New Zealand


Bill Manhire
Director, International Institute of Modern Letters, Victoria University (Winner of this year's poetry section, Montana NZ Book Awards)

R.A.K. Mason Collected Poems
Maurice Gee Meg
Nigel Cox The Cowboy Dog


Shayne Carter
Dimmer frontman

James Belich I Shall Not Die
Steve Braunias Fool's Paradise
Ron Bisman New Zealand Trotting Greats


Ian Morris
Th'Dudes musician

Maurice Gee The Plumb Trilogy
John Mulgan Man Alone
Frank Sargeson Short Stories
John Adshead & Kevin Fallon New Zealand's World Cup: The Inside Story


Carol Hirschfeld
Campell Live producer

Maurice Gee The Fat Man
Maurice Gee Blindsight
Kevin Ireland Orchids, Hummingbirds and Other Poems


Gordon McLauchlan
Writer and Herald book reviewer

Robin Hyde The Godwits Fly
Frank Sargeson The Collected Stories
Ronald Hugh Morrieson The Scarecrow
Maurice Gee Plumb


Tim Balme
Outrageous Fortune scriptwriter

Maurice Shadbolt The Lovelock Version
Phillipa King Jive and the Pipi Diggers


Francis Hooper
Fashion Designer

Graeme Lay 100 NZ short stories
Elizabeth Knox The Vintner's Luck


Colin McColl
Auckland Theatre Company

Instant Maori
Jean Devanny The Butcher's Shop
Yates Garden Guide
Ruth Park Swords and Crowns and Rings
Pamela Woods Dirt: Filth and Decay in a New World Arcadia