LADIES’ LITERA-TEA

An afternoon of women’s words wit & wisdom served with a lavish afternoon tea

Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom Girls’ Grammar School, cnr of Silver Road & Gillies Avenue, Epsom

There are two Litera-Teas, one in September & one in November, each with a different lineup – so why not come to both?

SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER FROM 1PM TO 5.30PM

1pm Barbara Else – Go Girl: A Storybook of Epic NZ Women
A stunning, illustrated collection of true stories about extraordinary NZ women who stepped up, spoke out & blazed trails.  Feminist & inspiring – for all ages.

1.20pm Gigi Fenster – Feverish
An original & captivating memoir about the ‘fever’ of life & creativity; wittily explores her South African childhood, family relationships, transgression, vulnerability & empathy.

1.40pm Pip Desmond – Song for Rosaleen
A beautiful, compassionate but unflinching account of coping with a mother’s dementia; explores the practical & ethical dilemmas & also celebrates Rosaleen’s life.

2pm Anna Jackson – Pasture and Flock

New & selected poems from this highly regarded Victoria University Professor of English Literature. Pastoral yet gritty, intellectual & witty, sweet but with stings in their tails.

2.15pm Kate Duignan – The New Ships

A brilliant new novel set in Wellington, Europe & Asia, examining one man’s attempts to understand his own life – intimate, compassionate & absolutely absorbing.

2.35pm Amber Rose – Wild Delicious

The influences of growing up in rural NZ & travelling widely overseas, converge in this irresistible cookbook that prepares natural, seasonal ingredients to be eaten with delight.

2.55 Afternoon Tea – With lamingtons, melting moments, asparagus rolls and more!

3.35pm Tess Redgrave – Gone to Pegasus

Beautifully capturing Dunedin in 1892, this wonderful debut novel explores music & the role of women & their friendships, just as Women’s Suffrage in NZ is about to happen.

3.55pm Dr. Jo Cribb – Don’t Worry About the Robots

How to Survive & Thrive in the New World of Work. From former CEO of the Ministry for Women & current CEO of the Book Council, exciting ideas & practical tools for the future.

4.15pm Eileen Merriman – Catch Me When You Fall andPieces of You

This full-time consultant haematologist at North Shore Hospital has won awards for her short stories & both her brilliant young adult novels are finalists in this year’s NZ Book Awards.

4.35pm Jo Thorpe – This Thin Now

The story of love lost & the places the poet goes to find it still – from inside the space two hands make, to the numinous blue of sea & sky. Poems of dazzle & quiet – a rare gift.

4.50pm Dame Fiona Kidman – This Mortal Boy

An utterly compelling recreation of the events leading to one of the last hangings in NZ (1955). This beloved writer brings young Albert (Paddy) back to life – heart-wrenching.

5.10pm Megan Dunn – Tinderbox

Riffing on Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451, a brilliantly witty exploration of literature & culture, books & bookshops, aspiring authors, & life in the 21st century.

5.30pm Book Signing in the foyer