One of the most interesting things about reading a historical novel is working out what period detailing preoccupies the novelist and is used as a means of anchoring it to its era.

It's hard to think of a recent debut novel as original and ambitious in its premise - or as successful in its execution - as S.J. Watson's Before I Go to Sleep.

David Hartnell has recently released his autobiography, Memoirs Of A Gossip Columnist (Penguin, $45).

Never mind its unappealing cover, this debut kids' novel is bound to enchant adults, too.

There seems to be a trend for long titles with meanings that remain obscure until you've read a decent chunk of the book.

Commonplace books are literary scrapbooks - "salads of many herbs" as one compiler put it. They are eclectic, idiosyncratic repositories of bits and pieces that have taken a person's fancy.

Edna O'Brien turned 80 last year. The energy and immediacy of these 11 stories makes that hard to believe.

Filming began in Bougainville today for Mr Pip, the movie based on the novel by New Zealander Lloyd Jones.

Monica Ali's new novel is unconvincing but entertaining. Where would Princess Diana be now if she faked her death?

The opening of Jane Harris' second novel gives little indication of how dark it will become.

Jeanette Aplin lives with her husband on remote D'Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds, and has recently written about raising kune kune pigs there in The Price of Bacon (Cape Catley).

Makeup artist Francois Nars once again creates fresh looks for women, easily replicated at home, with his latest book.

Book retailers Whitcoulls and Borders have been sold for an undisclosed sum to the owners of Farmers.

Her work appears regularly in leading British design magazines such as Elle Decoration, she owns the ultra-hip design store Caravan, in London's Shoreditch, leading interiors stylist Emily Chalmers chats about her love of design.

Stan Lee, whose career writing comic books has run from the golden age to contemporary times, is going digital.

Stephen Jewell talks to comic book artist and writer Roger Langridge about taking on cult superhero Thor.

This is the story of a remarkable journey from Sydney, across Australia, the Malay Peninsula, Central Asia, Russia and Europe to London on a decommissioned Australia Post motorbike.

What a great read. Frances Walsh's book is a fascinating work of New Zealand social history written with wit, intelligence and a refreshing lack of condescension towards the ideas and attitudes of the last century.

Te Kohe Tuhaka is an actor who has appeared in Shortland Street and Go Girls.

For the magic of a novel two things are required: beautiful writing and brilliant storytelling.