Prose and cons ANNETTE'S READING OBSESSION

For half a century, the passionate educator has been all booked up!

- Kasia De Vydt-Jillings

From childhood visits to the library with her older sister to teaching children with disabilities, hiding from her family to squeeze in a few more pages and 52 years as a member of what may be New Zealand's longest-running book club, reading has brought Annette Hill countless moments of joy.

"From day dot, I read anything and everything I could," shares former principal Annette. "When I was younger, I even used to love getting fish and chips wrapped up in the Truth newspaper because you never knew what you were going to be able to read."

Now 84, she is the only remaining founding member of Christchurch's first Book Discussion Scheme group.

"Sadly, over time, I'm the only one left, but it's evolved and kept the same feeling of closeness," says Annette.

"It's hard to explain - we support one another and always will. But our focus is on the book, and on valuing and respecting people's opinions of it. It's the knowledge and experience of others that's so valuable, and adds to the richness of the group.”

Founded in Canterbury in 1973, the Book Discussion Scheme now sends out titles and notes monthly to around 12,000 Kiwis, from Stewart Island to the Far North and even the Chatham Islands.