The superstar cookery writers of Britain have had a stellar year with Jamie, Nigel, Nigella, Hugh and Gordon all popping out a new book (and, naturally, the telly show coming to a screen soon).

When plans to slash $25 million from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's budget emerged early last year, Joanna Woods' book Diplomatic Ladies suddenly became a lot more topical.

1. Of all the high-profile people you've photographed, who least resembles the popular perception of them?

A psychopath confessed to the murder of two young Swedish tourists for which David Tamihere spent 21 years in jail, says a new book due for release on Friday.

The Big New Yorker Book Of Dogs is big all right: 21cm x 28cm and 395 pages, with a generous smattering of those gloriously sly and sardonic New Yorker cartoons. The content is generally serious in tone.

Peter, the 14-year-old narrator, plus elder brother Hans, the handsome horse-tickler, and sister Tilte, the obsessive reader of other people's diaries, realise their parents have vanished. Ostensibly, Mum and Dad are on holiday in the Canaries.

Nikki Gemmell, author of The Bride Stripped Bare, is famous for her lyrical honesty and for saying those things other women think but dare not say. She's penned her thoughts in newspaper columns which have compiled in her her book, Honestly: Notes on Life, published by HarperCollins.

There used to be a time when if our daughters were proving really difficult to settle for the evening, we would ignore advice in parenting books, make beds on the couch and allow them to watch our favourite TV programme with us: Time Team

It may have been his words that lured millions of adoring fans, but it was Bryce Courtenay's warm hugs and kisses that touched the hearts of his closest friends.

Books editor Linda Herrick and her reviewers select the best for all ages and interests

Fifty Shades Of Grey, the bestselling sensation by EL James, has been named one of the books of the year at a literary awards ceremony.

Whether you're an armchair traveller or frequent flyer, this summer pick up a paperback or download an e-book and read the best of contemporary travel writing.

For most fans the relationship between rugby and food has begun and ended with a pie and chips at the game. For the fancier eaters, those usually seated on halfway, there might be a stadium burger on the menu instead.

Arriving back in New Zealand feels like landing in Middle-earth for Royd Tolkien.

A Kiwi has been accused of covertly deleting thousands of words from the Oxford English Dictionary because of their foreign origins, and blaming previous editors.

A wistful biography of Escoffier leaves Nicky Pellegrino hungry and sad.

Kiwi-born Melbourne-based chef Ben Shewry, author of a new cookbook, impresses with his food philosophy.