Books & Authors

Phil Vine reviews his top reads from last year: Summer by Ali Smith (Penguin Books, $34), Normal People by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, $33) and Adults by Emma Jane Unsworth (HarperCollins, $33). Audio

February's book giveaway on RNZ Concert's Daybreak is one for younger listeners. Itzhak - a boy who loved the violin is a beautifully illustrated account of violinist Itzhak Perlman's life and career.

Four of the world's keenest crime readers came together for a live podcast recently, called Four Critics Four Continents, where they reflected on the best books in the genre for 2020. With the… Audio

Stephanie Dowrick is a psychotherapist and interfaith minister who co-founded publishing house The Women's Press. She has written several personal development books including international bestseller… Audio

Prolific writer and journalist Simon Winchester is best known for his historical bestseller The Surgeon of Crowthorne, about an inmate in a prison for the criminally insane who was also a major… Audio

Tilly Lloyd from Unity Books with her top picks from 2020: Magdalena: River of Dreams by Wade Davis, Bodley Head paperback Upriver: from the Sea to the Southern Alps by Colin Heinz Upstream on the… Audio

With the threat of Covid hanging over the New Zealand summer, clinical psychologist Dr Sarb Johal's new book looks at how to keep mentally well during a crisis. Audio

This year's Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlist has been announced! Journalist, writer and literary editor at Newsroom, Steve Braunias, shares his thoughts on the list with Jesse. Audio

Author of the My Big Moments series of personalised books for young children Hannah Davison talks to Kathryn Ryan about her picture book Ready For School which doubles as a guide for parents to help… Audio

Ralph McAllister with his top three reads of 2020: Honeybee by Craig Silvey (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) JFK by Fredrik Logevall (Penguin Books, $40) Mr Wilder and Me by Jonathan Coe (Penguin Books, $37) Audio

Chloe Gong is a Kiwi author who had her first adult novel published just last year, at 19 - and it made the New York times best sellers list! She talks to Jesse about her favourite books, movies… Audio

Bronwyn Wylie-Gibb of University Book Shop, Dunedin, with her three favourite books of last year.  Audio

Former New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman says Big Food marketers and politicians thrive on a food system that isn't good for us and isn't good for the planet. He  talks to Jesse about trying… Audio

Claire reviews The King's Nightingale by Sherryl Jordan, Tokū Pāpā by Ruby Solly, and Magnolia by Nina Mingya Powles. Audio

Hannah August shares her favourite reads from 2020, three New Zealand books: Sprigs by Brannavan Gnanalingam (Lawrence & Gibson, $35), Rat King Landlord by Murdoch Stephens (Lawrence & Gibson, $20)… Audio

We chat to Harvard PhD Candidate Charlie Tyson about his recent article on the Scandinavian crime genre. Audio

For far too long, a warped idea of professionalism has tainted the workplace, say Liz and Mollie, two friends who  encourage employees to bring their emotions to the office. Audio

Writer and associate professor Paula Morris, who is the director of Auckland University's Master of Creative Writing talks to Jesse about novelists tackling books set in the 'now'. Audio

Paul Diamond with his three top reads from 2020: He Pukapuka TÄtaku i NgÄ Mahi a Te Rauparaha Nui / A Record of the Life of the Great Te Rauparaha by Ross Calman (Auckland University Press, $59.99) A… Audio