Hedley's Books

26/04/2026

Some events just feel like they come along at the right time 💙

On Thursday 4th June, we’re honoured to be hosting an evening with resilience expert, Dr Lucy Hone — talking about her new book How Will I Ever Get Through This?

It’s a question that, quietly or not, many of us find ourselves asking at some point. And right now, it feels more relevant than ever.

Join us for what is sure to be an inspiring evening, and a chance to equip yourself, your family and your colleagues with the toolkit to face all of life's challenges.

Tickets are $55 and all proceeds support the amazing work of Autism Wairarapa Charitable Trust

Tickets in-store at Hedley's or via our website: https://booksonline.co.nz/events/

Allen & Unwin Aotearoa NZ

22/04/2026

In just two weeks, we’ll be popping up at as their Official Festival Booksellers!

From the evening of Friday 8th–Sunday 10th May, we'll be in the marquee with books from all the attending authors, and at select events around town too.

There’s so much to choose from...

🏉 Those interested in the psychology of success shouldn’t miss All Blacks mental skills coach, Gilbert Enoka.
🌹Australian literary darling, Hannah Kent will be masterfully interviewed by Noelle McCarthy.
🎥 Screenwriter and author, Michael Bennett (appearing with his daughter, Matariki, then again with Bryan Walpert) is one of the most insightful and interesting crime writers in the biz.
🎶 We always love the late Sunday music slot at the RSA, this time, on the great Dunedin band, The Clean.

Events are starting to sell out so grab yours asap!
https://www.booktown.org.nz/festival-progamme

21/04/2026

Saturday was and at Hedley's, it's no secret that we love music almost as much as we love books!

Next to our classics books selection, sits a collection of 'classic' music on vinyl.

Carefully curated by our resident music man, Steve – the heavy rock era of the late 1960s/early 70s is represented by Led Zeppelin I, II and III, Hendrix’s Smash Hits and several Rolling Stones albums.

1970/1971 heralded the era of the singer/songwriters, none more popular than Joni Mitchell’s Blue and Carole King’s Tapestry. James Taylor’s Greatest Hits is also a must-have.

We have two of Elton John’s best early albums in coloured vinyl, namely Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across the Water.

Bob Dylan and the Beatles are always in stock. Not to forget Prince, CS&N, Steely Dan and Queen … and more.

Come and flip through the collection in store or get them online here: https://booksonline.co.nz/product-category/music/

10/04/2026

These are the smiling faces of Sue Reid and Julie who will greet you at our monthly Book Club!

Sue started her bookselling career with us at Hedley's, and after a hugely successful stint with Paper Plus Masterton, we're thrilled to have her back in the Hedley's fold as host of our Book Club.

As those of you who have joined us know, her enthusiasm and knack for finding the pearls in the plethora of new book releases is second to none!

Julie has the enviable job of being our Book Buyer. Between recommending books or tracking down that elusive title for customers, she meets with the publishers to hear about their new books, then she and David decide which ones we're going to stock. A fun, but by no means easy, task!

Julie is also an exceptional cook, so she's a great person to ask about the best new cookbooks too 👌

30/03/2026

One of our favourite new books this month is 's Shock of the Light. Perfect for fans of Florence Knapp's The Names (and there were lots of you!).

Sue Reid chose it as one of our Book Club reads this month. Here's her full review:

Like most twins, the bond between Tessa and Theo is an intertwined tightness of DNA, thought and pointed personal awareness. The knowing intuition and being in tune with each other’s deepest parts of their soul was a pattern for the siblings. But what happens when a sharpness cuts through that human bond? Secrets are tightly held as the darkness of WWII descends and the established gap sets them on different pathways of life. Between Occupied France and England, Theo and Tessa navigate all they need to do in wartime service. Uncertainty, mistrust and betrayals underpin this debut novel – the secrecy that flourished to the detriment of the siblings, then as a ‘shock of the light’ exposes what the darkness has hidden. Can their bond be enough to sustain a quest for post-war truth, hindered with deception and people protecting power or position? A deeply moving tale of a brother and sister, the unique mystery of twins and the drive to reveal the truth.

Have any of our Book Clubbers read it yet? We'd love to know what you thought!

25/03/2026

We love the 'One Book, One Community' initiative from the Masterton District Library!

Like a big community-wide Book Club, the librarians choose a book (this year it's Murder on Milverton Square by G. B. Ralph) which everyone reads. Then come together for an event with the author and to meet likeminded people - this Saturday! Though we're pretty sure you'll enjoy the event whether you've read the book or not 🙃

Just one week to go until our One Book, One Community Evening with the Author. Have you got your tickets yet? Stop by the library to get yours and a free copy of "Murder on Milverton Square"

25/03/2026

We love when authors visit us, and it was extra special to have Sonya Wilson, author and founder of Kiwi Christmas Books in store yesterday!

Sonya is the author of the award-winning Spark Hunter and Secret Green novels for kids aged 10+.

Inspired by her own childhood roaming the deep South, Spark Hunter and Secret Green is an epic Kiwi adventure-fantasy set in the wilds of Fiordland National Park.

The judges of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults said Spark Hunter was: 'Perfectly pitched for middle fiction readers. Making this story's light shine bright is te reo Maori blended throughout and a cast of supporting characters that are easily recognisable.'

Sonya is also the brains behind Kiwi Christmas Books who we work with to collect donations of new books each Christmas for the children of the Wairarapa Women's Refuge New Zealand.

Last Christmas we received so many books we donated to the Masterton Food Bank for their Christmas parcels too.

Thank you so much for stopping by the bookshop, Sonya! And for all your incredible mahi to get Kiwi kids reading ❤️❤️❤️

24/03/2026

Black Velvet & Vengeance is the #1 bestselling NZ novel over the past couple of weeks, and has been a hit at Hedley's too!

The page-turning third novel from bestselling historical fiction Deborah Challinor, featuring intrepid heroine Tatty Crowe and the fascinating world of Sydney's Victorian funeral business.

Twenty-five-year-old widow Tatty Crowe is the owner of busy undertaking firm Crowe Funerals. Life and business are good until Tatty notices how many women are dying after unlawful abortions, and after a terrible tragedy strikes close to home, she vows to expose the culprit.

https://booksonline.co.nz/product/black-velvet-and-vengeance-tatty-crowe-3/

📸 HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand

18/03/2026

If you're a Masterton local, you've probably seen the roadworks on Queen Street, which is currently closed for traffic and parking.

While David's grandson is thrilled about the arrival of diggers 🚜 the rest of us are working hard to minimise the disruption!

✨ Our front doors and all Queen Street footpaths will remain open and accessible throughout the works

✨ Our back door will be open for access too!

Use the free 120min parking off Chapel St, between ACC and ANZ, then enter through our burgundy back door to the right of the Newbolds. Here modelled by David 😊

If you need wheelchair access, please use the front door as there are three steps at the back to navigate.

We can always deliver books to your door too:

🖥️ Shop online at www.booksonline.co.nz
☎️ Call us on 063782875
✉️ Email us on [email protected]

Choose ‘Collect from Hedleys’ when shopping online for quick pick ups.

Thanks for your support during this challenging time. Fingers crossed for speedy work!

15/03/2026

The Featherston Booktown programme is live and tickets are on sale now! What a line-up it is 🤩 There really is something for every kind of reader.

Here are just a few of the amazing authors coming to Booktown:

Catherine Chidgey (Book Of Guilt, Axeman's Carnival)
Gilbert Enoka (Become Unstoppable)
Dominic Hoey (1985)
Hannah Kent (Always Home, Always Homesick)
Richard Langston (The Clean: In a Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul)
Tama iti (Mana)
Ingrid Horrocks (All Her Lives)
Mike McRoberts (Speaking My Language)
Steve Braunias (Polkinghorne)

And that's hardly scratching the surface! Check out the full programme on the Featherston Booktown website.

Hedley's Books is proud to be Featherston Booktown's Official Festival Booksellers. You'll find us in the Bookseller's Marquee all weekend where we'll have books by every festival author ❤