When the stone deer was placed in position in the pool in front of the Chalabi home in Kazimiya, near Baghdad, locals immediately named the palatial home the Deer Palace.

Out with vampires, in with other-worldy romance, writes Nicky Pellegrino.

Radio personality and bibliophile Lily Richards tells her story to Viva.

"Life is hard" is one of the Noble Truths and Yang Pao, as a young boy landing on the streets of Jamaica in the 1930s, learns that lesson quickly.

In the opening pages of Michael Ondaatje's new novel, a young boy named Michael sets out for England on a passenger liner. It's the early 1950s.

Wine writer Michael Cooper has recently released 100 Must-try New Zealand Wines (Hodder Moa, $34.99)

This author deserves bouquets for her insight, writes Nicky Pellegrino.

British author Stef Penney tells Christian House about moving the setting for her second novel from the Canadian wilderness to a sinister England.

Sir Paul McCartney has failed to impress critics with the premiere of his first ever ballet, with reviewers branding the show "forgettable" and "bland".

Sir Elton John is moving forward with plans to turn his life story into a major movie musical.

Glenda Bailey has transformed America's Harper's Bazaar by persuading A-list celebrities to take part in outrageous photo shoots.

What kind of historical novelist is Barry Unsworth? Despite his practised ear for the idioms of the mid-18th century drawing-room, and weather eye for the contents of the era's wardrobe, he is not a pasticheur.

Stephen Jewell talks to New Zealand writer Pip Ballantine about why she went to the United States and the good manners of sci-fi followers.

More an exercise in global warming propaganda than anything else, really, though the photos of endangered beauty spots are certainly stunning.

Penny Vincenzi is a bestselling UK author whose new novel The Decision (Headline, $36.99) has just been released.

A family history. Also a social and intellectual history, and a different take on the Australian Dream.