In a Canvas exclusive, Eleanor Catton talks to Professor Jim Al-Khalili about physics, life, the universe and everything.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Colour Purple, Alice Walker, talks to Margie Thomson about the state of American politics, poetry — the lifeblood of rebellion and the richness of a life connected with nature.

Nicky Pellegrino picks the best reads to give (and receive) this Mother’s Day.

Best-selling author Matt Haig, 38, is about to have two more books published. Here, he explains how he only started writing to cope with his sudden, life-threatening depression.

What’s your lucky number? Alex Bellos conducted an online survey and discovered a hot favourite: people find the number 7 clever, cheery and divine.

Author Shonagh Koea tells Rebecca Barry Hill why she doesn’t stick to the rules.

One of the most successful authors in British history, with legions of fans and millions of pounds to her name is not immune to pressure.

The sniper is on a roof-top opposite a playground. He has a child in his cross-hairs.

The moment that Mary Quin thought she would die was in a gunfight with an AK-47 jammed into her spine.

Condemnation of Kim Dotcom's possession of a signed copy of Mein Kampf has been ridiculous, writes Sir Bob Jones.

Books editor Linda Herrick lets you in on her picks of this year's Writer's Festival lineup.

I do not read a lot of noir crime fiction which, on the face of it, means I should not be writing this review — well, on the face the book presents after a few dozen pages, anyway.

Prime Minister John Key's wife Bronagh has taken on a few royal-like duties herself as an ambassador for the Blind Foundation and passed on a Hairy Maclary 'touch and feel' book for Prince George while dining with the royal couple last night.

Stephen Jewell talks to ‘Swedish Agatha Christie’ Camilla Lackberg about her close friendship with her characters, fact being darker than fiction and the myths surrounding her country.

Val McDermid's Northanger Abbey is the second stage of The Austen Project, for which four writers have been invited to produce a contemporary version of a Jane Austen novel.

The charming title of this book is a quotation from The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe.

Don Brash devotes all of three paragraphs to the Exclusive Brethren in his 330-page autobiography despite his dealings with the Church.

No continent is left out in this roll call of diverse and wonderful sites.