Latest from Books

Success: Lovable character key to publisher's success
From Beijing to Los Angeles, books from New Zealand are helping children learn English.

A novel with characters we can care about
Coming-of-age debut novel has strengths that impress Nicky Pellegrino.

Book lover: Bronwyn Bradley
The actress from Top Girls welcomes you into the inner sanctum of her world as a book worm.

A DIY guide to battling the system
Her aim is to help 'kickstart a revolution' by giving citizens access to the power and information to challenge and overturn decisions.

Book Review: It Chooses You
To judge by online reviews, Californian arthouse film-maker Miranda July's movies are something you either love or hate. And it seems her writing is much the same.

Book Review: Zona
Sales pitch: 'I want to write a book that is a sort of summary of a wilfully ambiguous science fiction movie made by a Russian director more than 30 years ago.'

Book Review: In the Absence of Heroes
Recently, while sitting in the airport lounge in Sydney waiting for a flight home, I glanced up from my hardcover book and surveyed the other travellers in my immediate vicinity.

The Office star writes a modern day fairytale
The Office star Mackenzie Crook adds another string to his creative bow with a children's book. He tells Stephen Jewell how the idea came to him.

Book lover: Oscar Kightley
Oscar Kightley shares insight on his ventures into the world of literature.

White magic spellbinds in a daring new novel
Eowyn Ivey's daring début novel will be hard to follow, notes Nicky Pellegrino.

Book Review: The Dovekeepers
In an age where the care of ourselves has become a religion Alice Hoffman’s book presents an almost-forgotten way of life.

Book Review: Ed King
This is such a clever idea for a novel that it's a wonder no one has thought of it before.

Travel book: <I>The Great Kiwi Motorhome Guide</I>
This book is full of information about what to look out for when buying or renting a motorhome.

Book Review: Currawalli Street
I hate calling a book “charming”, but Christopher Morgan’s narrative deserves the adjective.

Nora Roberts in defence of romance
Nora Roberts is one of the world’s best-selling authors. However, the literary establishment has mostly been indifferent to her success.

Book lover: Paul Torday
UK author Paul Torday opens up about what she's flipped through as a book lover.

Suspense ... where is it in this Aussie thriller?
Nicky Pellegrino feels let down by an Aussie thriller that needs oomph.