The illegitimate daughter of a 19th century British Prime Minister lived and raised a family in New Zealand.

When it comes to changing your life, CV writer-turned-career coach Tom O'Neil says it is better to make changes by degrees.

Best-selling author Barbara Taylor Bradford has dismissed erotic romance Fifty Shades Of Grey.

Legendary screen siren Ava Gardner has told all from beyond the grave in a explosive new autobiography detailing the sex, lies and booze that caused her so much heartache.

The materially successful but spiritually bereft Janine Harding finds herself, in her early 40s, living in a “do-up” on an island in the Hauraki Gulf, where time on her hands sets her to thinking about her family history.

Stories told of the mostly unknown women behind US astronauts.

The book I love most is ... Roald Dahl's Matilda, the story of a genius 5-year-old girl who overcomes all odds.

In this book full of striking images, it's the first that seems to best capture the essence of potter Barry Brickell - a 1971 portrait of the artist bent double to work inside a huge ceramic jar, his trunk vanishing ostrich-like into its clay mouth.

Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli will lift the lid on his life when he releases his autobiography later this year.

An older woman's wisdom is an asset we can all bank, writes Nicky Pellegrino.

Went to a book launch this week. Book launch? More of a relaunch of Marty Crowe's life, really.

My happy place is the cliff-top walkway at the southern end of Long Bay on the North Shore.

Rebecca Miller’s life was never going to be run-of-the-mill; her father was one of the world’s most famous playwrights. Then she fell in love with one of the world’s greatest actors.

Sharon Stephenson is haunted by screenwriter Neil Cross’ grisly creations.

Best-selling author Audrey Niffenegger tells Jessica Duchen how ballet has inspired her new direction.

F. Scott Fitzgerald may be closely associated with the Roaring Twenties but the American Autor's work is proving timeless.

It was only in retrospect that I truly got the point of Douglas Kennedy’s latest novel.

Patient Dan Brown fans will have another long wait until he's finished his next book, writes Stephen Jewell.

Martin Crowe says Sky TV was a "nasty snake" troubling his life alongside NZ Cricket and the cancer for which he needed chemotherapy.

Best-selling British crime writer Mark Billingham tells James Kidd where he gets his ‘sick and twisted’ ideas.

The universal appeal of the "What If" speculation underpins this fascinating collection of artistic losses ranging from historic thefts to works that never actually realised.

The title of the first Bridget Jones novel in 14 years has been announced - Mad About The Boy.

Women: do you feel like your male colleagues don't listen to you? Men: do you feel like you're walking on eggshells with women in your office?

Did you always think the name Nigel was a bit of a liability?