It would be very easy in these economically grim times to write novels casting bankers in the harshest of lights - simple moustache-twisting pantomime villains.

Mixing reality and fantasy with little help given to the reader makes an odd book - but it's no lemon.

Charlotte Randall is a Christchurch-based author whose latest novel, Hokitika Town (Penguin, $30), is on the best-seller list.

The best baking recipes by Maud Basham - aka Aunt Daisy- have been collated in a new cookbook.

David Mitchell, whose latest novel features a Dutch clerk from old Zeeland, is looking forward to coming to New Zealand.

This year's comic book superhero assault on the big screen starts with Thor, directed by Kenneth Branagh who brings some brains to the brute brawn of the mighty Norse god. Desmond Sampson reports.

A rare comic book stolen from Nicolas Cage 10 years ago has been recovered.

Julie Orringer’s first book, a stunning short-story collection entitled How To Breathe Underwater, was a New York Times notable book.

It's not always easy to travel with children (or grandchildren) because their needs and interests are rather different.

Harlan Coben is a United States author of best-selling thrillers whose latest, Live Wire, ($39.99 RRP, Orion) was released last month.

When a serious academic turns her hand to fiction, the result is magic.

Last year's MasterChef winner Brett McGregor's cookbook takes your tastebuds on a culinary journey.

Back in the 1970s Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City columns captured the off-beat spirit of San Francisco. One of Maupin's leading characters was Mary Ann Singleton, a TV presenter.

American writer Patrick Rothfuss tells David Larsen why he avoids clichés in both life and literature.

This issue of the British literary journal is dedicated to Pakistan.

Self-publishing has traditionally been a surefire route to obscurity and dismal sales. Now a British thriller writer who sells his novels as ebooks for as little as 71p ($1.50) is proving the naysayers wrong.

Ross Dobson's latest book makes the most of storecupboard essentials.

Australian illustrator Shaun Tan's life in recent weeks has been as fantastical as his children's books.

Where are they now? It's so often the public catch-cry following reality TV shows.

Nicky Pellegrino explains how her latest 'love story' could well be something else.

Commander of the Continental Army which won the American colonies independence from Britain, first president of the United States: there's no doubt George Washington is one of the key figures who shaped the world we live in.

The latest offering from Simon Kernick sees the characters of his last six novels meeting for the first time. He tells Stephen Jewell how it happened.

Starman captures only some of pop icon David Bowie's intrigue.

Actress Michelle Ang, who stars as Emily in the newly released film My Wedding and Other Secrets, shares what she's learnt from being a bookworm.

The former Two and a Half Men actor is said to have parted ways with Peter McGuigan of Foundry Media Group after the agent failed to sell the star's life story at a big enough price.