COMP CLOSED | Book Giveaway | The Book Collector

The Book Collector is a fascinating bibliomemoir of the writer’s lifetime joy of reading, the books and authors that have touched him, and how they have shaped his passion for book collecting.

Step into his library, where the book is ‘a tangible object of sentiment and delight’ and experience his fondness for New Zealand literature as well as a great many of the world’s most celebrated writers. Then follow this wandering bibliophile as he takes you on a personal journey of search and discovery to second-hand bookshops around Aotearoa New Zealand and further afield, to the community book fairs and charity shops, and into the online world of books.

The Book Collector is an enjoyable and thoroughly engaging read, packed full of stories, personal observations, useful information and splashes of humour, inviting the reader to further explore what our often neglected New Zealand literature has to offer.

‘This book is like a visit to the very best bookshop, in the company of the very best guide. Tony Eyre shares his lifelong passion for books, reading them, collecting them, telling the stories of their writers and the second-hand book shops and book sellers who keep those books in circulation. The result is a delight: a memoir that is personable, digressive, funny and profoundly moving.” –Fiona Farrell

‘Tony Eyre takes readers on a magical tour of a myriad range of second-hand bookshops in this elegantly written account of his life’s passion – book collecting and reading. He also adds much to our understanding of the history of New Zealand writing and the importance of place in shaping childhood and adult lives. This absorbing narrative will be a compelling read for anyone searching for exciting book discoveries.’ –Tom Brooking

‘There are few true believers so agreeable to be cornered by as life-long book collectors. I love the sense of sharing that so drives Tony Eyre ’s passion for the book he is after, the right edition, the original jacket, the set he longs to complete. How good to be reminded of what books can be to anyone devoted to them, and the dedicated hunt to read them, handle them, in fact revere them, as part of our lives. This is the book to remind you of all that.’ –Vincent O’Sullivan

About the author:

TONY EYRE grew up in Auckland before moving to Dunedin in 1978. As a Chartered Accountant for over 50 years, he has had a particular interest in the creative sector, supporting arts practitioners and serving on the boards of various arts-related organisations.

Tony is a strong advocate of Dunedin as a UNESCO City of Literature and has been active in promoting the Dunedin Writer’s Walk, the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival and is currently Chair of the Dunedin Athenaeum Library. As a writer, he has a special interest in creative non- fiction. He has written for magazines and has had numerous opinion pieces and feature articles published in the Otago Daily Times.

Tony is married to Yvonne Fogarty, and they have four adult children and seven grandchildren. The Book Collector is Tony’s first book.

Terms and conditions

1. 1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
   2. Competition closes on the 17th October 2023, winners will be notified via email by 19th October 2023.
   3. It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be couriered. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
   4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
   5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
   6. By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
   7. One entry per household.
   8. Prize is non transferrable.
   9. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize will only be posted within New Zealand.
   10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.