From Oscar Glamour to Viral Books: The Bruna Effect Taking New Zealand by Storm
If there's one Brazilian who has been impossible to get out of our heads lately, it's Bruna Marquezine. We watched her glide down the Oscars red carpet in a silver haute couture creation that immediately set the bar for the rest of awards season. And as if that wasn't enough, she was spotted a few days later at a film festival in Rio with a Gucci bag so desirable it would go viral even without a filter. Marquezine proves time and time again that she's not just a talented actress, but a style icon in the making.
But there's another Bruna capturing attention, albeit in a completely different sphere. Bruna Biancardi – for those who don't scroll through Brazilian gossip mags daily – is the influencer and partner of footballer Neymar, and her name is constantly trending too. However, what we really want to talk about today is the remarkable overlap between these Brunas and the books currently taking over BookTok and local reading groups across New Zealand.
Because let's be honest: while Marquezine shines on the silver screen, many of us are at home on the couch, devouring the literary sensations of the moment. And the titles popping up read like a wishlist for a film marathon. Think the dark romance of Haunting Adeline – a book you won't easily put down, if only because the suspense has you by the throat. Or the softer, almost poetic love in Tell Me Softly, which would be the perfect companion for a balmy summer evening. And then there's the phenomenon that is Morning Glory Milking Farm, a title that raised so many eyebrows and sparked so much curiosity on social media that it's now a permanent fixture on every list of most-talked-about books.
What do these books have in common? They're all utterly addictive, boundary-pushing, and exactly what you're looking for when you need an escape from reality. And is Bruna Marquezine reading them herself? No idea, but if she ever starts a book club, we already know which titles would be at the top of her list. Until then, we'll keep enjoying her red-carpet moments, secretly hoping she brings one of these stories to the screen soon.
For now: scroll through your favourite local bookshop, hunt down these titles, and dive into a reading experience you won't forget. And remember – whether you're drawn to the glamour of Bruna Marquezine, the gossip surrounding Bruna Biancardi, or the dark pages of Haunting Adeline, there's always a story out there with your name on it.
The unmissable books creating a buzz right now
- Haunting Adeline – H.D. Carlton (dark romance that will make your heart race)
- Tell Me Softly – (a story about vulnerability and desire)
- Morning Glory Milking Farm – C.M. Nascosta (the most talked-about fantasy romance of the year)
And who knows, maybe we'll spot Bruna Marquezine at Auckland Airport soon with one of these books tucked under her arm – accessorised with that Gucci bag and an irresistible smile.