There’s a neat conceit, albeit an unlikely one, to Joseph Kanon’s new thriller, Leaving Berlin.

It’s 1978 and the inhabitants of Gaialands, an idealist vegan commune in the Coromandel, are living the sustainable dream.

Marian remains a compelling heroine, whose many contradictions are all believable — even if, to the long list of men who are smitten by her, we can confidently add the name of Simon Mawer.

After a 12-month hiatus, the country's premier book awards will return in 2016 with a new structure and an annual fiction prize of $50,000. Do you have a favourite novel by a New Zealand writer?

New BBC period drama Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell blurs history and magic, explain the cast and creators.

Long-running British music magazine NME is going to be made available for free later this year in a bid to stem its falling readership.

After a 12-month hiatus, the country's premier book awards will return in 2016 with a new structure, a new judging process and an annual fiction prize of $50,000.

Audrey Hepburn's newly revealed dietary habits: a devotion to chocolate, detox once a month and never skipping breakfast.

Engineer Paul Hardisty, a veteran of working in developing nations, has set his first thriller in Yemen. It’s a novel which raises plenty of questions about real-life, he tells Craig Sisterson.

Almost 30 years later, Morris Bellamy, the pasty-skinned, red-lipped villain of King's new novel, Finders Keepers, takes a less nuanced approach when confronting his own literary hero.

Sean Plunket's comments describing Eleanor Catton as an "ungrateful hua" and a "traitor" were not in breach of broadcasting standards.

There is a real purity to Patricia Grace's fiction. She may be New Zealand literary royalty but her writing is not about showing off her finery.

Author Charlotte Grimshaw talks to Linda Herrick about the strangely familiar characters in her new novel, growing up with her famous father, C.K. Stead, and how a dog named Philip has changed her.

Dr Lance O’Sullivan has made it his dream to change the world from the Far North. But, as Greg Dixon discovers, first he had to change himself.

A couple of years ago, Stephanie Johnson wrote a highly entertaining novel about a writing class at an Auckland tertiary institution.

Five books that make you see the world differently.

A dinner table bust up between Harry Potter's parents and his aunt and uncle sparked the Dursley's animosity towards the young wizard.

Women are losing the ability to give birth naturally, says Dr Michel Odent, the author of a controversial new book.

Elizabeth Wurtzel reveals how she has finally found peace with a husband and is even planning to start a family.

If you are an author whose book fails to grip in the opening chapter, it could prove costly.

Hugh Hefner has accused former girlfriend and Playboy Playmate Holly Madison of trying to "rewrite history".

Author exposes the emotion behind the glitter and the glamour.

Actor Stanley Tucci has created his second cookbook. He tells Tim Adams that food is a great way of expressing love.

In the prevailing climate of heightened risk-aversion among New Zealand book publishers, it’s always a welcome thing when someone is prepared to offer the market something different.

They camped out overnight, arrived in trains caught at dawn and devoured the first pages on the sidewalk - but the new Fifty Shades novel has been panned by critics.