The Coactive Education Summer Reading Notes

Which Summer Reader are you? Recommendations for Educators Basking in the Aotearoa Summer

The pōhutukawa are blooming, the UV index is unreasonable, and your beach towel is permanently sandy no matter how many times you shake it.

It’s officially Aotearoa summer! The perfect moment to read, listen, and ignore your inbox.

If you're looking for a way to escape Uncle's third recitation of his knee surgery story, aren't up for tying another water balloon, or are completely comatose after one too many slices of pav - we've got a reading (and listening) list for you! Based entirely on the Coactive Education team’s highly scientific (not at all scientific) recommendations.

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First thing's first: what kind of reader are you?

We've all got different tastes - whether you know exactly what you like or want to try something new, we've refined 5 types of readers:

• The Reflector

• The Investigator

• The Feeler

• The Kiwi

• The Fan

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The Reflector

You promised yourself “rest,” but somehow you’re already halfway into a personal transformation.

This reader settles into summer by doing emotional renovation, life philosophy and generally wondering "why am I like this?" … from a camp chair.

• The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan “Proposes that happiness and motivation come from focusing on past progress (the Gain) rather than on unachieved goals (the Gap).” Perfect for anyone trying to stop comparing themselves to their own to-do list.

• The Mel Robbins Podcast “They’re so easy to listen to and incredibly relatable, reminding me that it’s often the small, simple practices that create the biggest impact.” Ideal for long summer walks where you feel extremely wise. - Recommended by Jaime

• Hononga by Tracy Manu “Shares ideas about connecting to our environment and supporting our whare tapa wha to enhance our identity, confidence and resilience.” Beach-day therapy disguised as a book. Recommended by Lisa

• Enchantress of Numbers by Jennifer Chiaverini “A biography of Ada Lovelace, who pioneered the earliest concepts of computer programming in early Victorian times, written in her voice.”For the reader who wants their inspiration historical and dramatic. Recommended by Yolanda

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The Investigator

You’re supposed to be relaxing, but you’re low-key profiling everyone at the campground.

These readers love suspicion, tension, clues, and bold claims like “I’ve figured it out” (they have not).

• The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley “Long time friends spend New Years Eve together in a remote resort in Scotland. One dies and one is the murderer.” Scotland: consistently lovely, consistently dangerous in fiction. Recommended by Jacque

• A Dead Man Walking by JD Kirk “I love the humour and how the characters have developed over time while trying to identify who done it and why.” For people who enjoy crime but also a good chuckle. Recommended by Trudy

• The Mushroom Cook Podcast “Follows the case and trial of Erin Patterson…”True crime for listeners who can’t look at a potluck the same way again. Recommended by Sasha

• The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith “Be prepared to escape into another world expertly crafted by Robert Galbraith.” Exactly the kind of escape you need when the weather app says “feels like 31.”

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The Feeler

Sunburn, big feelings, bigger twists. You’re not just reading — you’re experiencing.

This reader is here for stories that grip, shake, and emotionally fling them around like a boogie board in a rogue wave.

• Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey “I read it last summer but think about it a lot (especially when I see a magpie).”A twisty, clever, funny, very Kiwi novel that will haunt every magpie encounter for the rest of your life. Recommended by Louise

• Kataraina by Becky Manawatu “A tender, emotionally rich story about a young woman navigating grief, identity, and the enduring pull of whānau as she searches for connection and healing.” Recommended by Del

• So Gay For You by Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey “The L Word stars write about their friendship, coming out, how friends are family for LQGTIA+, and the precarious nature of being an actor.” Summer drama with depth. Recommended by Yolanda

• The Names by Florence Knapp “Three names, three different life journeys, a great read.” - Recommended by Adie

• Normal Gossip (Podcast by Kelsey McKinney) “The most fun podcast for people who love hearing drama but not being in drama… always light and absolutely none of your business.” Ideal for ferry queues, ice cold coke zero breaks, and pretending you don’t care but caring very much. Recommended by Kate.

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For The Kiwi

You love a book that smells like a Bunnings snag and feels unmistakably like Aotearoa.

These readers find deep joy in stories rooted in local landscapes, the whenua, kiwi voices, and humour — perfect for a long afternoon on a faded deck chair.

• Hononga by Tracy Manu “A book for anyone who is looking to connect more with Te Ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori to enhance your wellbeing.” - Lisa recommends

• Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout - Del recommends

• At the Grand Glacier Hotel by Laurence Fearnley Contemporary storytelling with strong Aotearoa flavour. - Del recommends

• Bug Week by Airini Beautris "A fabulously fun series of short stories, with quirky characters, bizarre situations and delightful dialogue" Recommends Kate

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For The Fan

You say you’re not reading much this break but somehow consume 40 hours of audio.

You’re a multitasker: driving, sunbathing, pretending to nap — all while caught up in podcasts, fandoms, and full-cast productions.

• Between Two Beers “Binging this podcast, so good.” Perfect for roadtrips with the ac blasting and a fruju in hand. - Nikki recommends

• Star Trek: Khan Podcast “How did Khan go from a beneficent tyrant and superhuman visionary with a new world at his fingertips to the monster we think we know so well?” High drama, intergalactic edition. - Rob recommends

• The Philosopher’s Stone, full-cast audiobook “Over 200 voices bring this incredible story to life like never before.” You may accidentally listen to the whole thing in one sitting.

• Tom Clancy Collection Suspense for readers who like their mysteries with military logistics and explosions. Recommended by Mark

As we all catch our breath from the school year, we hope you’re finding real rest this summer; the slow mornings, the long afternoons, and of course the books you actually want to read. We’re so grateful to have worked alongside you in classrooms, in workshops, online, and in communities all across Aotearoa. It’s a privilege to be part of your teaching journey, and we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings. Enjoy every page, every podcast, every quiet moment. You’ve earned it.

What kind of Summer Reader are you?

• The Reflector
• The Investigator
• The Feeler
• The Kiwi

See All Options