The Listening Library

Great New Zealand books to listen to whenever you want them.

Produced by Duncan Smith

Cover image with olive green and cream tones featuring the text 'The Listening Library' in bold white serif font, and 'Audiobook Collection' in smaller text above. Stylized vertical book spines line the right side of the image.

RNZ exclusive

This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.

Harbouring (Part 1) by Jenny Pattrick

The Mirror Book (Part 1) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 1
This is a vivid account of a NZ upbringing, where rebellion was encouraged, where trouble and tragedy lay ahead. It looks beyond the public face to the ‘messy reality of family life – and much more’. Part 1 - Introducing the key characters and identifying the territory that the narrative will cover.
A black and white image of a woman with dark hair looking toward the bottom left of frame. The words 'The Mirror Book' appear in the top left corner written in yellow, with the name 'Charlotte Grimshaw' written in black underneath. The words 'a memoir' appear in white in the top right hand corner.

The Mirror Book (Part 2) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 2
Telling your story is existentially important. A personal crisis re-ignites an earlier experience of trauma.

Find out more

The Mirror Book (Part 3) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 3
A childhood trek in the bush leads to perilous cliff top experience. The writer explores her relationship with her mother.

The Mirror Book (Part 4) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 4
Who defines the family narrative? How much do we shape ourselves to conform to others perception of who we are?

The Mirror Book (Part 5) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 5
The writer makes a new friend and the pair take on the persona of rebels and outsiders.

The Mirror Book (Part 6) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 6
"My God, your family! It's Shakespearian" The writer's relationship with her mother takes a turn for the worse.

The Mirror Book (Part 7) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 7
The father daughter relationship gets put under the microscope as the question of who does a story belong to arises.

The Mirror Book (Part 8) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 8
The writers unforgiving eye turns to her own marriage while the wrestling match between mother and daughter goes on.

The Mirror Book (Part 9) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 9
A tragic accident and a problematic affair leave a challenge for the perfectionist.

The Mirror Book (Part 10) by Charlotte Grimshaw

Season 10 / Episode 10
After many mis-steps and excursions down blind alleys the writer comes around to considering the possible benefits of connection and family.

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