Local Boards across Auckland have confirmed which libraries will be open during the four days between Christmas and New Year.

The echoes of the Dunedin sound debate have faded with the decades but a new book hears them reverberating louder.

The woman who read Auckland checks out New Lynn War Memorial Library.

Steve Braunias meets Simonne Butler, who very nearly died in the famous attack in 2003 when P-crazed wretch Tony Dixon went at her with a Samurai sword.

One of New Zealand's biggest authors has revealed she is struggling to adapt her biggest book for TV, saying the story has to be completely changed.

Carrie Fisher has denied criticising the sexual skills of her Star Wars co-star and secret squeeze Harrison Ford.

Former All Black Keven Mealamu continues to draw on art skills.

Celebrated New Zealand writer Sir James McNeish has died aged 85.

After nearly 50 years together, a husband is jailed for life for the strangulation of his wife. Greg Bruce discovers how an ordinary relationship went so horribly wrong.

Reviews of crime-fiction by Michael Connelly, Ian Austin, Sam Carmody and Laura Lippman

A New Zealand-educated Harvard professor has signed a publishing deal to write a new book on Bob Dylan. University of Auckland PhD

West Coast author Wendy Scott has picked up a second international award for her teen novel Hieroglyph.

COMMENT: Over the past 150 years the New Zealand Wars have always been central to New Zealand's history and even its popular culture.

As we reach - and pass- the age of 50, it is a time to reflect. David Slack says it should not be a time to regret.

Celebrity chef Rick Stein has been on a food-finding tour of European cities, so we don't have to.

Janet McAllister continues her tour of Auckland libraries, visiting the Albany and Glenfield branches.

After The Monogram Murders, her first novel starring Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, Sophie Hannah was keen to write a second.

Steve Braunias pictures himself living in one of the photographs in his new book - a photo essay about sad, beautiful shops in small towns.

Ned Bartlett and Jono Corfe travelled the length and breadth of the country to test out the wares at almost 50 of NZ's bastions of community.

Author Jay McInerney admits he shares some characteristics with his protagonist, Russell.

Author Jay McInerney's old-fashioned belief that Love and Art can defy both time and money is to be applauded.

A former west Auckland cop has swapped pounding the beat for writing grisly crime novels after being struck down with a rare autoimmune disorder.

A retired Kiwi academic is behind the decision to name Christopher Marlowe as co-author of three of William Shakespeare's plays.

At 9pm tonight, Lonely Planet releases globally its 12th annual collection of the 'Best In Travel' for the coming year.

COMMENT: Libraries are not in decline because of some natural progression, but because of the cultural vandalism of cost-cutting.

Graham Norton's debut novel not what you might have expected from the ebullient chat show host.

Janet McAllister continues her mission to visit each and every one of Auckland's 55 libraries.

Philippa Gregory's historical books are a headlong gallop through the tumultuous 15th and 16th centuries.

Laura McGoldrick discusses Brendon McCullum's new book Declared with Dylan Cleaver.

Most of us love to travel, but not so many people enjoy the tiresome experience of flights and the time spent inside airports.