The Pantograph Punch and Verb are joining forces to bring you Book Coven, which combines the two things we both love – reading and conversations. In the lead up to Verb Readers & Writers Festival 2021, each month for the rest of the year, the book club will dig into a book featured in this year’s Verb programme.

This year’s Verb Readers & Writers Festival has the theme of ‘coven’. The word is evocative of so much, not in the least ideas of community, magic, creation and circles of knowledge. Words can make change in the metaphysical and material worlds and the 2021 festival programme takes inspiration from that particular alchemy. The authors of the books selected for this club all appear in the Festival: each book reveals their astonishing talent and the various combinations of imagination, conviction and craft.

We take the thinking out of your reading through a monthly subscription and send you a book every month.

Here’s what you’ll be reading for Book Coven:

Month One (August): Rangikura by Tayi Tibble; Bird Collectorby Alison Glenny
Two astounding poetry collections. Startling images, energy and atmosphere.

Month Two (September) Butcherbird by Cassie Hart
A domestic psychological thriller from rising Aotearoa star.

Month Three (October) Isobar Precinct by Angelique Kasmara
Isobar Precinct is set in inner-City Auckland and takes the reader on a journey that questions time, memory and our place in the world.

Month Four (November) Against the Grainby Melanie Harding-Shaw
A cosy Witchy novella from the Witchy Fiction collective, this story is the perfect way to round off five months of Aotearoa reading.

Month Five (December) Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
Only one of the hit novels of 2021. Funny, smart, poignant and punchy.

To accompany each book, we will publish a critical reflection to start the book club conversation flowing, before we get together for an exclusive monthly online meet up to dig into the books together. To get us started we have Ana McAllister’s review of Rangikura and Becky Manawatu’s review of Greta & Valdin.

Because we’re so excited, being a part of the book club will get you discounts to Verb Readers & Writers Festival 2021, and a special Book Coven bookmark designed by the phenomenal Sara Moana.

There are two options to sign up for Book Coven. As a reader you get all of the books straight to your mailbox, invitations to a monthly online meet up, a dedicated email newsletter, as well as discounts to Verb Readers & Writers Festival and a bookmark. And a supporter is for those who have some extra cushion and want to support the long term work of Pantograph Punch and Verb Readers & Writers Festival. Supporters get all of the same treats as a reader while also supporting our organisations to grow. Click here to become a reader or a supporter.

You can choose to pay a monthly subscription for either option, or you can sign up upfront for the full cauldron and receive a discount. We have to pay our bills, but also don’t want to be prohibitive. If cost is a barrier but you still love to join us, reach out to us as there are a limited number of discounted spots available.

We can’t wait to start reading with you! Head over to the Verb website here and sign up now.