Latest from Books
Former UK PM Boris Johnson: ‘My charm has catastrophically worn off with lots of people'
Michele Hewitson talks Brexit, books, parties & philandering with Boris Johnson.
Secrets of NZ environmental heroes shared in Forest & Bird book
NZ’s conservation history revealed as Forest & Bird marks 100 years.
Book of the day: Why Are We Like This? An evolutionary search for answers to life’s big questions
Answers to how life evolved aren’t readily forthcoming but the discussions are compelling.
Book of the day: AI Morality
A sobering look at what could happen as AI continues its rapid advance into our lives.
Book of the day: The Unfinished Harauld Hughes
UK comedian’s shot at a literary hoax lands wide of the mark.
Top 10 best-selling NZ books: December 14
This week's favourite NZ books by sale - and a surprise entry into the top three.
Book of the day: A Land of Two Halves
Returning to places he visited 20 years ago, Joe Bennett hasn't seemed to notice changes.
Chelsea Winter tops 2024 cookbook sales
Recipes for success: NZ's favourite cookbooks of 2024 revealed.
NZ fiction sales slow, but new releases and TV deals spark hope
It's been a tough year for book sales, but big titles still shine.
Book of the day: Nature's Ghosts - The World We Lost and How to Bring it Back
Nature has never been pristine, as shown in engaging account of our planet's past.
Book of the day: One in Three
Dunedin-based doctor's debut novel offers revealing peek into life in Thatcher's Britain.
Chills & thrills: Three crime books to take to the beach this weekend
Character-centric journeys intimate and epic in three new crime novels.
The Listener’s 50 best kids’ books of 2024
Buying books this Xmas for the young ones? Check out our guide to 2024's best kids' books.
The Listener’s 100 best books of 2024
Your essential guide to 2024’s best novels, biographies, history, science, politics & more
The Defiance of Frances Dickinson: NZ author uncovers story of scandal, survival and women’s resilience
What Wendy Parkins learned about marriage, trauma and defiance in the 19th century.
Book of the day: Challenging the Status Quo
Former MP Derek Quigley stood up to Muldoon but fought in vain for his free-market vision.
‘It’s a godawful mountain’: On the eve of 45th anniversary of Erebus disaster, the mountain still commands fear
Erebus is a place where ice meets inferno and tragedy strikes.
Book of the day: Revenge of the Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell returns to his Tipping Point thesis with trademark vigour.
Book of the day: The Chthonic Cycle
Clever, beautifully written debut explores death, beauty and their relationship with time.
Book of the day: A History of Britain in Ten Enemies
This 'horrible history' takes a lighthearted look at Britain's evolution through conflict.
Picture books: Sarah Laing’s illustrated year of reading
The Listener asked the voracious reader to create a visual diary of her reading.
Why acclaimed stop motion NZ animator Antony Elworthy pivoted to children’s books
Antony Elworthy works on mega stop motion movie hits, now he's writing kids' books too.
Atomic science: An elemental new biography of Marie Curie
How Marie Curie forged the way for other female scientists to make their mark.
The best in international fiction: Two new novels reviewed
The very best from acclaimed Aussie writer and the charm of Japanese short stories.
Listener’s critics weigh in on 2024 Booker prize shortlist
On the eve of the Booker prize announcement, our reviews of the six shortlisted finalists.
A life in review: TV critic Diana Wichtel looks back
Television seemed like magic to Diana Wichtel, one of our greatest TV reviewers.
State surveillance goes under the spotlight to reveal hidden cost of dissent
The Enemy Within: Personal story of how NZ state surveillance targets political activism.