“Houses have their own ways of dying,” wrote E.M. Forster, “some with a tragic roar, some quietly.” Ashenden Park, the honey-stoned Palladian villa at the heart of Elizabeth Wilhide’s debut novel.

Gus van Sant is reported to have shot a steamy sex scene featuring Alex Pettyfer a bid to direct the film version of Fifty Shades of Grey.

A softer side to the Iron Lady is disclosed in Margaret Thatcher's authorised biography, including details about a love triangle involving her sister's future husband.

Nicky Pellegrino praises the author's skilful blend of human characters with the folklore of two cultures.

Lauraine Jacobs' new cookbook celebrates a lifetime in the industry, writes Grant Allen.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt Everest, a new book published this week collects photographs from the other New Zealander in the 1953 British Everest Expedition.

Stephen Jewell talks to American writer Hugh Howey about why his post-apocalyptic tale is more grounded than its contemporaries.

Seat-of-the-pants expedition filmmaker Brian Armstrong has an eye for weird and wonderful alcoholic concoctions.

When Ben Crawford and sister Libby renovated the winning house in the first series of The Block NZ, one of the most distinctive features was the weatherboard wall in the living room.

Oldies reveal a rich, ripe vein of charm for Nicky Pellegrino.

The secret to putting together a really satisfying literary journal is to make sure you have an editor with catholic tastes at the helm.

My fairly positive "experience" with this book was abruptly, even rudely, spoiled by the very last item, a contribution by John Key, former merchant banker and Prime Minister of this country.

London-based American writer Patrick Ness tells David Larsen how a childhood accident inspired his new novel.

Jamie Oliver's next project is a book and TV show later this year, designed to make meals which cost less and waste little.

Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook has been slammed by critics who have branded the actress out of touch with her pricey recipes.

The book I love most is... Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Piggy. Ralph. Mayhem.

Aspiring, novelists, poets and playwrights were paid to write by the Sargeson Fellowship, a scheme now at risk, writes Graeme Lay.

Jason Segel penned three books based on a script he sold when he was 21, which he managed to buy back when he became famous.

William Palmer’s novels have always tried to superimpose great truths on relatively small-scale canvases.

A new novel imagines the shimmering yet ill-fated life of Zelda Fitzgerald, writes Rebecca Barry Hill.

Scottish writer Iain Banks said Wednesday he has been diagnosed with late-stage gall bladder cancer and has just months to live.

A fantasy love story set in the islands and being described as the Twilight series of the Pacific is getting young Pacific people excited about reading.

Despite moments of beauty, no one escapes the horror in Nadeem Aslam’s fourth novel.

It can be a struggle to find a book that's truly uplifting.