Books & Authors

Featuring a chip-lipped duck, a structurally unsound tip truck, and the iconic train cake on the cover, a book of 108 themed cakes has been sparking sugary fantasies for three generations of kids. Audio, Gallery

The gentle, honest books of American writer Judy Blume are well-loved by many people who grew up in the '70s and '80s. Blume, now 85, runs a non-profit bookshop with her husband George Cooper in Key… Video, Audio

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year and with that comes the annual National Flash Fiction Day. The competition has been running since 2012 and it celebrates short stories in all their glory. Audio

Touch is one of our most underestimated senses, says social neuroscientist Professor Michael Banissy. His new book is called 'When We Touch: Handshakes, hugs, high fives and the new science behind why… Audio

Work isn't working. Employees around the world feel burned out and frustrated. Seth Godin is an influential marketing pioneer, teacher, best selling author and blogger. He says workers want dignity… Audio

Are humans really the smartest animal? Animal cognition expert Dr Justin Gregg thinks maybe not. In his new book If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal, he examines our exceptional brain power and finds it… Audio

Best-selling Latin American author Isabel Allende's new book The Wind Knows My Name reveals the brutal reality and lasting trauma caused by forced immigration and family separation. Audio

Carole Beu of the Women's Bookshop in Auckland reviews Where Light Meets Water by Susan Paterson, published by Simon & Schuster Australia. Audio

Shaun Barnett reviews Great Stories of New Zealand Conservation by Alan Froggatt, published by Upstart Press. Audio

Sarah Trotman ONZM is the chief executive of Business Mentors New Zealand, a role she's recently returned to following the impact COVID had on businesses. Audio

Taking care of a family member with dementia is not only hard on the heart – it's also hard to get our heads around, says clinical psychologist Dasha Kiper. She explores the "neurological obstacles"… Audio

Washington Post deputy editor and author David Von Drehle wasn't looking to uncover those secrets when he met his then 102 year old neighbor, Charlie White. Audio

Nicky Walker reviews The Girl in the Water by Joseph Howse, published by Nummist Media Audio

After recently separating from her partner, she discovered a new loneliness. Audio

It's said that 15-20% of people, perhaps up to a quarter of the population, are in some category of neurodivergence. Audio