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Why did Putin go to war?
As the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, one question still puzzles many people. Why did Vladimir Putin, considered a masterful and calculating, if ruthless, leader… Audio
Book review: The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin
Luke Finnegan reviews The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin, published by Hachette Audio
Book Critic: Catherine Robertson
Today Catherine talks to Jesse about some of the books which have made the long list for this year's Ockham Awards. She's narrowed the list down from the 44 titles named, to talk about the ones which… Audio
Remembering Gisborne mural artist Graeme Mudge
Many of our listeners in Gisborne will remember the late artist Graeme Mudge, often spotted halfway up a step ladder, in a beret, painting one of his many murals around the city. Arts writer Mark… Audio
Jane Graham: Letters to my younger self: Inspirational Women
If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would it say? Audio
David Robson: Rekindling the spark for your work
David Robson takes a look at how we can rekindle our passion for the work we do. Audio
Kevin Jared Hosein: hungry ghosts of Trinidad's colonial legacy
Set in 1940s rural Trinidad, Kevin Jared Hosein's debut novel Hungry Ghosts reflects on the fractures left for the Southern Caribbean island by a complex colonial legacy. Audio
Book Review: Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino’s first non-fiction book is a slice of cinematic history in the director’s own inimitable voice, reports Dan Slevin.
Book Review: Three of the best from 2022: All the Broken Places by John Boyne, Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson and House of Fortune by Jessie Burton
Ralph McAllister reviews three of his favourite books from last year: All the Broken Places by John Boyne, published by Penguin; Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson, published by Penguin and House of… Audio
Book Review - Three of the best from 2022: Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout, Song of Less by Joan Fleming and Portable Magic: A History of Books and their Readers by Emma Smith
Hannah August reviews three of her favourite books from last year: Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout, published by Penguin; Song of Less by Joan Fleming, published by Cordite and Portable Magic: A… Audio
Book review: Quentin's Classics: The Three Musketeers by
Quentin Johnson reviews two of his favourite classics: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell, both published by Penguin Audio
The uncomplicated secret to a happy life
A good life is a complicated life. It's got highs and lows and it's messy, but meaningful, happy and healthy if you put effort into one thing. Professor Marc Shultz speaks to Jesse about their… Audio
Book Critic: Lisa Glass
Today Lisa talks to Jesse about three books by New Zealand authors. She's reviewing Eddy Eddy by Kate De Goldi, The Pain Tourist by Paul Cleve and Poor people with Money by Dominic Hoey. Audio
Book review: Three of the best from 2022:A Runner's Guide to Rakiura by Jessica Howland Kany; Barefoot by R.V. Bayley and The Art of Copying Art by Penelope Jackson
Lynn Freeman reviews three of her favourite books from last year: A Runner's Guide to Rakiura by Jessica Howland Kany, published by Quentin Wilson; Barefoot by R.V. Bayley, published by Eden Street… Audio
Winery tour guide book launched
Wine expert and writer Joelle Thomson's just released a guide for touring around Aotearoa's best wineries. She's combined her love of wine with a practical guide to seeing vineyards and the… Audio
Brandon Presser: The Far Land
Travel writer Brandon Presser went to live on Pitcairn Island in 2018. While there, he pieced together a full story of the island, The Far Land - 200 years of murder, mania and mutiny in the South… Audio
Book review: Tilly Lloyd's Best of Unity Books 2022
Tilly Lloyd of Unity Books Wellington reviews her favourite books from last year: Guest at the Feast: Essays by Colm Toibin, published by Picador; Exiles: Three Island Journeys by William Atkins… Audio
Lessons from a life as an agony aunt
Dear Prudence offers advice about prickly predicaments for Slate.com. Jenee Desmond Harris took over the column two years ago. She offers the lessons she's learned about living a good life from giving… Audio
Dwindling population on campus led to Vic Books' demise
Vic Books is a retail and hospiltality operation, and without customers, it cannot survive, its general manager says. Audio
Book review: Three of the best from 2022: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, Eden by Jim Crace and The Trees by Percival Everett
Louise O'Brien reviews three of her favourite books from last year: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, published by Tinder Press; Eden by Jim Crace published by Picador and The Trees by… Audio