Books & Authors

Set on Vanuatu immediately after Cateogry 5 Tropical Cyclone Pam in March 2015, Mikaela Nyman's novel Sado is the story of an isolated community and its residents coping - and not - when put under… Audio

A Natural Year follows Wendyl Nissen's tranquil life in the Hokianga countryside over a twelve month period. She joins the show to discuss her new book and how the move to self-isolation in the… Audio

Hannah August reviews The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel, published by HarperCollins. The wheel of fortune turns for Thomas Cromwell in this conclusion to Mantel's brilliant trilogy about the… Audio

Do you find yourself with more reading time suddenly? What can you get your hands on to keep the kids occupied?  Audio

Robert Kelly looks at long novels you can really get your teeth stuck into over the next four weeks. Audio

At the NZ Arts Festival 2020, RNZ's Lynn Freeman talks to Rajorshi Chakraborti about his novel Shakti, a fantastical story which has insights into the real-life world of India today. Audio

Writers of fiction for young adults explore themes that are universal in nature but often most poignant in young people finding their way in the world. Two new books by New Zealand authors Half my… Audio

Tilly Lloyd of Unity Books, Wellington, reviews To the Lake: A Balkan Journey of War and Peace by Kapka Kassabova. This book is published by Granta. From the celebrated author of Border comes a… Audio

MacDiarmid Institute Associate Investigator and Senior Scientist at the Robinson Research Institute of Victoria University of Wellington Chris Bumby gives us his scietific take on Mithril from Lord of… Audio

Catriona Ferguson reviews Here We Are by Graham Swift, published by Simon & Schuster. Audio

To end hate, you have to understand hate. After 8 years in one of the most violent neo-Nazi groups in America, Christian Picciolini knows what it feels like to drawn to that hideous ideology.  Audio

Chris Tse reviews AUP New Poets 6 by Ben Kemp, Vanessa Crofskey and Chris Stewart. This collection is published by Auckland University Press. Audio

Kiwi Bookstores and authors are being hit hard by closures and cancellations due to the pandemic.  Audio

John King reviews Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor, Text Publishing. Audio

New York Times Beirut bureau chief, Ben Hubbard, has written a gripping portrait of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his mythic rise to power. Also known as MBS, the prince has been… Audio

The Auckland Writers Festival has announced this year's programme. Audio

Jackie Norman and Gareth Scurr share vegan recipes for busy people - all developed in their camper van kitchen. Audio

Gail Pittaway reviews Indelicacy by Amina Cain, which is published by Text Publishing. Audio

To celebrate her 80th birthday, Dame Fiona Kidman has brought together 13 of her short stories to explore what it means to love. Audio