Lunchtime Author Talk: Nina Nola & Vanessa Young with Mary McCallum

Auckland author Nina Nola (The Way to Spell Love) and Wellington author Vanessa Young (The Reluctant Homeopath: an unexpected science story) talk to The Cuba Press publisher Mary McCallum about writing books that have difficult and controversial subjects: why they were driven to do it, how they approached the tough stuff in their writing – including dealing with those who didn't think they should write about it at all, and how their books have been greeted by readers and booksellers.

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Nina has written a memoir that focuses on her patriarchal Croatian father and explores the impact he had on her and her family's lives, from her childhood in a Henderson apple orchard and a Pukekohe vineyard to the aftermath of his death 17 years ago. It is the first memoir by a Croatian NZer.
Vanessa is a trained scientist who became a registered homeopath and writes about how she was able to reconcile those two apparently irreconcilable parts of her life. Her book explores the philosophy of well-being and the limits of what we know about ourselves. Both books are powerful, courageous and honest reads by two debut authors.