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Books & Authors
June Nelson: a year with the seabirds of the Galápagos Islands
In the 1960s June Nelson and her husband, renowned ornithologist Bryan Nelson, spent a "madcap" year camping in the Galápagos Islands to study the abundant birdlife. Audio, Gallery
Fintan O’Toole: documenting the evolutions of modern Ireland
Finding ground somewhere between memoir and history book, Fintan O'Toole documents the spectacular changes that have occurred in Ireland over the past six decades in his latest book We Don't Know… Audio
Lani Wendt Young wins best youth novel award
Samoan-based novelist Lani Wendt Young has won the 2022 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Youth Novel for her Fire's Caress book. Audio
Book review: Worn - A People's History of Clothing by Sofi Than
Stella Chrysostomou of VOLUME Books reviews Worn: A People's History of Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser, published by Allen Lane - Penguin Random House NZ Audio
Book review: Diana, William and Harry, by James Patterson
Gina Rogers reviews Diana, William and Harry by James Patterson, published by Penguin Random House NZ Audio
Australian author Jessie Cole on her new book
Desire : A Reckoning is Jessie Cole's deeply personal second memoir. She examines her own experiences of longing, seeking answers on how and why women desire, and how external forces, and upbringing… Audio
Book Critic: Pip Adam
Today Pip talks to Jesse about the Science and Fantasy fiction genre in New Zealand and the recent I Say Nope and Sir Julius Vogel Awards. Within that theme she reviews Na Viro by Gina Cole and… Audio
Book review: Time is A Mother by Ocean Vuong
Chris Tse reviews Time is A Mother by Ocean Vuong, published by Penguin. Audio
Balancing freedom of speech without endorsing misinformation
In order for democracy to thrive, it needs one thing that has the potential to destroy it; freedom of expression. And with that freedom comes cancel culture, misinformation and sometimes chaos says… Audio
Book review: Jumping Sundays: The Rise and Fall of the Counterculture in Aotearoa New Zealand by Nick Bollinger
Cynthia Morahan reviews Jumping Sundays: The Rise and Fall of the Counterculture in Aotearoa New Zealand by Nick Bollinger, published by Auckland University Press. Audio
Chris Finlayson on National's chances and challenges
Former National party minister, Christopher Finlayson, served as one of the most senior members of the last National government, under Prime Minister John Key. He held the portfolios of Attorney… Audio
Former publishing executive horrified by Rushdie attack
Author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed at at a literary event in New York state at the weekend, came to New Zealand about 25 years ago to promote one of his books.
The writer is being treated in a… Audio
Reading into Margaret Mahy's writings
Yuanyuan Liang's fascination with young adult literature took her down a very niche path of study - following one very celebrated Kiwi writers fantastical stories. She speaks to Kadambari Raghukumar… Audio
In a series of remarkable poems, two writers – Karlo Mila and Daren Kamali – explore Pacific identity in Aotearoa
Tongan, Samoan and Palagi poet Karlo Mila reads from her book The Goddess Muscle and Fijian poet Daren Kamali performs his poetry and accompanies himself on traditional Fijian musical instruments. Audio
Owen Marshall returns to short story writing
He's kept us waiting for 13 years, but Owen Marshall, one of our finest short story writers, has just put out a new collection, Return to Harikoa Bay. The characters in the 33 stories are often… Audio
Networks key to future income, says study
Dr Matthew O. Jackson is a Professor of Economics at Stanford. Dr Jackson talks to Jim about the research which concluded that having wealthy friends in childhood boosts your income when you grow up.
…Author Salman Rushdie likely to lose an eye after being attacked on stage
Author Salman Rushdie, who suffered years of Islamist death threats after writing The Satanic Verses, has been attacked on stage in New York state.
Rachel Kushner: reflections on running with The Hard Crowd
Los Angeles-based author Rachel Kushner covers diverse ground in her new collection of essays, from illegal motorbike racing on Baha Peninsula to recounting time spent in a Palestinian refugee camp. Audio
Tom Bower: Meghan’s interview with Oprah was ‘the last straw’
Britain's leading biographer Tom Bower has turned his sights on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for his latest offering, Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors. Audio
Book review - A Riderless Horse by Tim Upperton
Harry Ricketts reviews A Riderless Horse by Tim Upperton, published by Auckland University Press. Audio