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.

More sublime if shapeless pop harmonies from hairy British four-piece.

Pass the Jack, old-time guitar rock jamming is where it's at.

Raunchy, but still sweet and charming light entertainment

Sly's action comeback big, dumb but not enough fun.

Paula Byrne says she set out to write this book to redress what she believes is the misrepresentation of Evelyn Waugh as "a snob and curmudgeonly misanthropist".

Hilary Thayer Hamann's novel, Anthropology of an American Girl, has been heralded as both the hottest book on the block and as the worst novel ever.

It's too much of a good thing as cooking shows take over the small screen, writes Sarah Lang

Sex & Stravinsky proved to be perhaps her most difficult book yet

It sure sounds like his forthcoming Mission Estate show isn't going to be quite as much fun out front as the Police reunion tour.

Seasoned singer-songwriter, cancer survivor and Cougar Town guest star Crow opts for a retro-soul makeover on her latest.

The heart-in-mouth blindfold game of subterranean cat and mouse that was tunnel warfare is inflected with a broad Australian twang in this extremely creditable based-on-fact World War I drama.

The Going West Books & Writers Festival kicks off its programme with an absolute gem

This new rendition, full of hard-hitting and hilarious performances, has changed my mind

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: High-calibre local jukebox ammo

Rating: 4/5 Verdict: The lad sure can sing

Rating: 3/5 Verdict: Tepid fourth adaptation of much-filmed local yarn-spinner

Rating: 4/5 Verdict: Young man in a hurry slows down

Rating: 5/5 Verdict: Legendary British guitarist and folk-rocker gets things off his chest

Paula Green reviews three collections of New Zealand poetry.

Drunk and disorderly.