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Long Read: Loss of Incidental Connections
By Susan Strongman: Retired and living alone in Hamilton, Mum ticks a lot of the boxes that put her at risk of loneliness. Audio
Libraries are more than just books
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
Festival indulges poets' most cringeworthy tendencies
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
Book review: Selected Poems: Geoff Cochrane by Geoff Cochrane, ed. Fergus Barrowman
Harry Ricketts reviews Selected Poems: Geoff Cochrane by Geoff Cochrane, ed. Fergus Barrowman published by Te Herenga Waka University Press Audio
How to speak up without freaking out
Dropping perfectionism and focusing on connection can help take the pressure off verbal communication, says Stanford lecturer Matt Abrahams. Audio
Kiwi Illustrator jumped at chance to work with celebrated authour Joy Cowley
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
From selling vodka to farming in the high country
For 30 years, the closest Justine and Geoff Ross had come to cows was two cowhide chairs in their Auckland living room. Audio
Book Critic: Catherine Ross
Mt Roskill Grammar Library Manager Catherine Ross is our book critic this week with a great list of potential Christmas gifts for younger readers. The books she's talking about are as follows: For… Audio
Combating loneliness and reconnecting in Aotearoa
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
Anna Smaill on her new novel Bird Life
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
Read all about it: Kiwis' big love for old books
Old books never die - they end up filling up banana boxes at book fair fundraisers and recycling book love to new readers, as Auckland hosts one of the country's biggest events this weekend.
Review: Remember Me - Poems to Learn by Heart from Aotearoa New Zealand
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…
Book review: Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
Gina Rogers reviews Lady Tan's Circle of Women, by Lisa See published by Simon and Schuster. Audio
Doctor, artist John Gillies' life long love of Skippers Canyon
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
Collins Dictionary announces Word of the Year
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
New book explores intersection of reality and imagination.
Writers living in Aotearoa New Zealand have come together to celebrate what would have been Italian author Italo Calvino's 100th birthday. Marco Sonzogni collated and edited Visible Cities - Lockdown… Audio
Collectors Corner: Martin James
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
Harry the Hermit Crab, a new book from Wellington zookeeper Danni Rae
For her second book, Zookeeper Danni Rae's gone very small, in fact tiny! Danni talks to Jesse about Harry the Hermit Crab. Audio
New book puts cancel culture in spotlight
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
Book Critic: Elisabeth Easther
Elisabeth Easther joins Jesse to talk about the books she's been reading lately. Audio