Reviewers are, I suppose, expected to be dispassionate but I admit to being an enthusiastic fan of Simon Winchester. I have never read a book of his that was not thoroughly rewarding and this latest, from a prolific production line, is one of the best.

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: Another slick, overblown Jerry Bruckheimer production

Animal Kingdom arrives at at time when even audiences on this side of the Tasman might be suffering Aussie underworld fatigue in our entertainment diet. Crikey even that Chopper guy's on tour here again.

Rating: 2/5 Verdict: Self-indulgent and self-absorbed

Rating: 4/5 Verdict: After the Grammy-winning Raising Sand, former Zepp-frontman Plant returns with darkness and light

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: The un-Seeded Nick Cave rocks hard once more.

The letters between the two start with a "Dear Miss Frame" in March 1954, soliciting a particular poem for Landfall and any other work, poetry or prose. Her reply

Rating: 4/5 Verdict: Penetrating background music

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: They know what works

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: Sombre theme, but not entirely depressing.

Rating: 4/5 Verdict: Worthwhile grouping of tunes from the wider world and even NZ

Rating: 5/5 Verdict: A jailhouse masterpiece.

Rating: 5/5 Verdict: Forget the hype. It's real.

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: Uneven outing from a soulful voice

Rating: 4/5
Verdict: A great looking film with a rock'n'roll vibe.

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: Teen action flick deals with life and death themes

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: Gorgeous and overwrought

Jonathan Franzen, the literary great who delivered award-winning novel The Corrections, reappears after nine years with a new taste of Freedom.

She's gorgeous. She's an acclaimed poet and dancer. She's been praised by Salman Rushdie and Louis de Bernieres. How astonishing is her first novel?

If you loved watching benign British drama in the 1970s, you'll love The News Where You Are.

British author Louis de Bernieres has set most of his stories in exotic places, but now, in this interlinked collection of short stories, he explores the exoticism to be found on his home turf.

American pop genius of the 1960s redoes Amierican pop genius of the 1920-30s, complete with Wilson completing two unfinished Gershwin songs.

This is the Father's Day gift you've been looking for if your Dad looked like a member of the Phoenix Foundation back in the 70s.

Rating: 5/5 Verdict: TrinityRoots are back, but not in a bad way

Local folkie Flip Grater may hide behind a thick fringe, but she doesn't let anything shroud her hurt feelings.

Weird and minimal electronic intrigue.