Find out how books changed the lives of our New Zealand Book Month Ambassadors
Books have the power to change your life in a number of ways. Read the stories below to find out how books have influenced the lives of our reading role models:
Annabel Langbein
Emily Perkins
Sir Peter Jackson
Tamati Coffey
Annabel Langbein
“So many strands of my life lead back to this book. I held my first dinner party at 15 – a total disaster! Yet even then I realised the joy of cooking and presenting meals, gathering friends and family around a table.”
“Early in my adventures I found myself in Brazil, and again cooking came to my rescue, helping me earn self-sufficiency through baking pastry. I learned the language of food truly is international.
“When I returned to New Zealand, at a crossroads career-wise, I even wrote to Julia seeking guidance. And she answered, leading me straight to Seattle and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
“You could say I ended up where I am today in part as a result of that wonderful gift of a book.”
Emily Perkins
“This is one of my happiest, most memorable reading experiences – one afternoon in my mid-20s, hanging out with a friend who said, ‘I have to read you this story.’
“It was David Sedaris’ Santaland Diaries, his ridiculously funny account of being a Christmas elf at Macy’s.
“I loved it because I’d had those crazy jobs in malls, dressed as a French maid or a pirate handing out balloons, to fund my writing life – but even more because my friend was laughing so hard she could barely get the words out.
“The more she laughed, the more I laughed, and pretty soon we were crying from it, with aching sides. Yet she was determined to carry on.
“It was inspiring, a real lesson in the power of humorous stories, how they make you want to share the experience with others. And that afternoon always stays with me when I’m writing – a reminder to balance the darker sides of my fiction with humour.
“If a reader tells me my book made them laugh – intentionally, I hope! – it’s one of the loveliest feelings ever.”
Sir Peter Jackson
“I would love to say I had this vision of making the film, but when you’re 18 years old and a photo engraving apprentice you can’t possibly imagine you’re going to be making The Lord of the Rings one day, much less the entire epic fantasy that begins with The Hobbit. I thought, wow, this would make a great film.
“When I began to get very excited about what computers could do – showing things that up to then had really been impossible to do on film, The Lord of the Rings came to my mind. It had been nearly 20 years since I had read the book so I immediately read it again.
“I still had the same copy on my shelf.”
Tamati Coffey
“Reading Judy Bailey’s biography, In My Own Words, was an eye-opener in so many ways. Here’s a woman who went through an enormous amount in her personal life, and we never suspected it, as we tuned into the nightly news.
“In fact, growing up in a state house in Lower Hutt watching her on TV every night was a set ritual. My Father made sure there was no talking between 6 and 7pm when Judy was on.
“She’s such a Kiwi icon. And now I’m working with some of the people she mentions in her book. And taking from her some lessons on how to get on in this business. She’s an amazing lady.
“I still think about that book and recommend it often.”
