Meet just-turned-105-years-old romance novelist Ida Pollock, the world's oldest producer of bodice rippers.

Nicky Pellegrino bones up on the damage fast food does.

Stephen Jewell talks to esteemed British author Max Hastings about battles won and lost.

“Houses have their own ways of dying,” wrote E.M. Forster, “some with a tragic roar, some quietly.” Ashenden Park, the honey-stoned Palladian villa at the heart of Elizabeth Wilhide’s debut novel.

A previously unpublished novel by Janet Frame, In the Memorial Room was written in 1974 and comes out of her experience as a Katherine Mansfield Fellow in Menton, France.

Gus van Sant is reported to have shot a steamy sex scene featuring Alex Pettyfer a bid to direct the film version of Fifty Shades of Grey.

A softer side to the Iron Lady is disclosed in Margaret Thatcher's authorised biography, including details about a love triangle involving her sister's future husband.

Nicky Pellegrino praises the author's skilful blend of human characters with the folklore of two cultures.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt Everest, a new book published this week collects photographs from the other New Zealander in the 1953 British Everest Expedition.

As the number of living New Zealanders who have actually fought in a war declines, attendance at Anzac Day ceremonies continues to rise and ever more books about military history are published. Jim Eagles looks at the latest offerings.

Stephen Jewell talks to American writer Hugh Howey about why his post-apocalyptic tale is more grounded than its contemporaries.

Seat-of-the-pants expedition filmmaker Brian Armstrong has an eye for weird and wonderful alcoholic concoctions.

When Ben Crawford and sister Libby renovated the winning house in the first series of The Block NZ, one of the most distinctive features was the weatherboard wall in the living room.

Oldies reveal a rich, ripe vein of charm for Nicky Pellegrino.

London-based American writer Patrick Ness tells David Larsen how a childhood accident inspired his new novel.

Jamie Oliver's next project is a book and TV show later this year, designed to make meals which cost less and waste little.

Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook has been slammed by critics who have branded the actress out of touch with her pricey recipes.

New Zealand's man drought may be a sore point for Kiwi women, but it was the perfect drawcard for a Californian girl trying to escape her dubious love life in Los Angeles.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's complex other half remains a mystery, writes Nicky Pellegrino.

The book I love most is... Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Piggy. Ralph. Mayhem.

Aspiring, novelists, poets and playwrights were paid to write by the Sargeson Fellowship, a scheme now at risk, writes Graeme Lay.

Jason Segel penned three books based on a script he sold when he was 21, which he managed to buy back when he became famous.

William Palmer’s novels have always tried to superimpose great truths on relatively small-scale canvases.

A new novel imagines the shimmering yet ill-fated life of Zelda Fitzgerald, writes Rebecca Barry Hill.