Navigation for Sections
Books & Authors
Book Critic: Catherine Roberston
Writer and book critic Catherine Roberston intriduces us to three new books today: 'Emergency Weather' by Tim Jones, 'Secrets of the Land' by Kate Mahony and 'Tarquin the Honest: Ocian's Elven' by… Audio
Authors' work used to train AI without permission
Authors have been shocked to find out their books are being used to train AI. Alex Reisner, an American journalist with the Atlantic, acquired a data set of nearly 200,000 books known as "Book3"… Audio
When pushing for achievement becomes toxic
Modern kids are getting caught up in the "grind culture" of the adult world and not developing a sense of inherent self-worth, says American journalist Jennifer Berhenti Wallace. Audio
Michael Palin's New Zealand connection: My great uncle Harry’s life and death in WWI
Actor, comedian, broadcaster and author, Michael Palin, has documented the extraordinary life and tragic death of a First World War soldier - his great-uncle Harry in latest book Great-Uncle Harry: A… Audio
Otto English: History's fake heroes
Andrew Scott is a political journalist who goes by the pen name of Otto English. His latest book, 'Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course of History' dives into the hidden lives… Audio
Ethan Kross: How to master your inner voice
How you talk to yourself can mean the difference between a good day or a day spent wallowing with your head under the covers. Award-winning Professor of Psychology and Management at the University of… Audio
Kim Stanley Robinson: 'They are wrong and it needs to be said'
American writer Kim Stanley Robinson spends a lot of time imagining the future, and predicts the next few decades will look messy, but it's still worth trying to reign in climate change. Audio
Kim Stanley Robinson: Imagining the future and finding hope
US writer Kim Stanley Robinson spends a lot of time imagining the future. The author of more than 20 novels, including his best-selling The Mars Trilogy, he's considered one of the greatest writers of… Audio
Norway's Jon Fosse wins Nobel literature prize for voicing 'unsayable'
Norwegian author and dramatist Jon Fosse has won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable," the award-giving body said.
Book review: The Book Collector: Reading and Living with
Dean Bedford reviews The Book Collector: Reading and Living with Literature by Tony Eyre published by Mary Egan Publishing Audio
Independent bookstores hail new sales hub
In what's being hailed as a first for the English speaking world - the country's independent bookstores will now have a collective website for sales. BookHub launches tomorrow, and it'll allow readers… Audio
Book review: Modern New Zealand Cricket Greats
Matthew Roche reviews Modern New Zealand Cricket Greats: From Stephen Fleming to Kane Williamson by Dylan Cleaver published by Upstart Press Audio
The true Kiwi story of a daring escapes and brave resistance
Sometimes, real stories about bravery, betrayal and ultimately love are more dramatic than that can be conjured in the imagination. Doug Gold, the co-founder of the More FM radio network, has a knack… Audio
The biggest birding year in New Zealand history
In 2021 Harry Boorman attempted to break the record for the most New Zealand bird species seen in one calendar year. Jesse spoke to Harry at the time, stating his intention to publish a book about the… Audio
Book review: Snorkelling the Abyss by Jan Jordan
Harry Ricketts reviews Snorkelling the Abyss by Jan Jordan published by The Cuba Press. Audio
Books with Claire Mabey
The Dry Heart by Natalia Ginzberg Ginzberg was an Italian writer who died in 1991 and in the past few years her books have been translated and reprinted and finding a whole new audience. The Dry Heart… Audio
Consciousness: Why a leading theory has been branded 'pseudoscience'
Analysis - Civil war has broken out in the field of consciousness research. More than 100 consciousness researchers have signed a letter accusing one of the most popular scientific theories of…
Reclaiming Crip Culture
Just released, Henrietta Bollinger’s debut essay collection, Articulations published by Tender Press speaks to their experiences as queer, disabled and as a twin.. Audio
Trent Dalton: 'If you have kindness and enthusiasm you're gonna be leading a pretty solid life'
In his new novel Lola in The Mirror, Trent Dalton brings to life the experience of homelessness in his usual compelling and strangely uplifting style. The Australian writer talks to Kim Hill about… Audio
Playground named for children's author Joy Cowley
Much-loved writer Joy Cowley is to be honoured by having a children's playground named after her.