Books & Authors

By Susan Strongman: Retired and living alone in Hamilton, Mum ticks a lot of the boxes that put her at risk of loneliness. Audio

When councils cut their budgets, it's always libraries that have the spotlight put on them. As staff hours and numbers are cut, librarians are overcoming their reluctance to whisper about the value of… Audio

This weekend, Wellington's Verb Festival hosts its annual worst poet wins event which rewards aspiring writers for indulging their most cliched, cringeworthy tendencies.

Harry Ricketts is a poet… Audio

Dropping perfectionism and focusing on connection can help take the pressure off verbal communication, says Stanford lecturer Matt Abrahams. Audio

When accomplished illustrator Hilary Jean Tapper was offered the chance to work on a children's book written by New Zealand author Joy Cowley, it was an opportunity she couldn't refuse.

At the Bach… Audio

For 30 years, the closest Justine and Geoff Ross had come to cows was two cowhide chairs in their Auckland living room. Audio

Loneliness is a health issue that must be addressed urgently say the former director and deputy director of The Helen Clark Foundation, Kathy Errington and Dr Holly Walker. They speak to Jesse about… Audio

New Zealand writer Anna Smaill's first novel The Chimes made the Man Booker Prize long list in 2015. She's just released Bird Life, an exploration of madness and what it's like to experience the world… Audio

Anne Kennedy's new compilation of New Zealand poetry fills a much-needed gap for anyone who's ever needed a poem for a wedding, funeral, or other family occasion, writes Kete Books reviewer Erica…

Gina Rogers reviews Lady Tan's Circle of Women, by Lisa See published by Simon and Schuster. Audio

Dr John Gillies has had a life long love of Skippers Canyon, and his new book showcases his paintings of the iconic gorge in Otago. He was born in 1945, and discovered his love of art at St Andrew's… Audio

A-I has been announced by the Collins English Dictionary as its Word of the Year. It was chosen from a list of new terms that will also be added to the dictionary - including one with a unique Kiwi… Audio

For this week's Collectors Corner we meet Martin James, a collector of recipe books from Edwardian, and sometimes, Victorian times. He shares his passion with Jesse and why he's chose Edwardian times… Audio, Gallery

For her second book, Zookeeper Danni Rae's gone very small, in fact tiny! Danni talks to Jesse about Harry the Hermit Crab. Audio

If you've ever caught yourself before expressing an opinion about politics, good parenting or even your favourite place to eat, you'll know that censoring is humankind's natural inclination says Greg… Audio