Latest from Books

The best books (so far) of 2025 - and those to look forward to

Books editor Mark Broatch and Listener reviewers on this year's best books.

Book of the day: Model Home by Rivers Solomon

A fresh take on a well-worn horror motif triumphs in the detail.

Charlotte Grimshaw: Why being read to and reading are among childhood’s great pleasures

To be read to as a child is to be introduced to the power of your own mind.

The genius of Maurice Gee

Maurice Gee's genius can be traced through his appearances in the pages of the Listener.

Book of the day: Our Beautiful Boys by Sameer Pandya

After a scandalous incident, parents rally behind their kids.

Half Life: Tracing a Jewish family's unpalatable truths

Writer’s relentless search for toxic truth behind his German-Jewish family's WWII survival

Book of the day: Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski

Ages and stages of romantic love are explored in a tale of two women who meet at school.

Top 10 bestselling NZ books: June 21

The NZ books we've been buying this week.

Book of the day: How To Lose Your Mother: A Daughter’s Memoir by Molly Jong-Fast

Erica Jong’s daughter attempts to come to terms with her narcissistic, neglectful mother.

Book of the day: The Good Father by Liam McIlvanney

Father’s inattention leads to a child’s disappearance in Dunedin writer's latest thriller.

Top 10 bestselling NZ books: June 14

Former PM's memoir shoots straight into top spot.