Sure, books are one of life's pleasures, but who said every kid has to love reading?

Shortland Street actor Kiel McNaughton tells us what his big week would involve.

Why are so many good books turned into bad films? Geoffrey Macnab reports.

Having led a lonely childhood, Lesley Pearse knows what it is to seek a better life. Now she is helping women to help others. She tells Stephen Jewell how.

Here's a story about how to become middle-aged and middle-class - without noticing it.

Dan Shanan is a trustee of the Documentary Edge Festival.

Kiwi crime queen Vanda Symon talks to Craig Sisterson about accidental heroines and playing with swords.

There's the boy who kills sheep and gouges out their eyes. There's the young man who wishes literally to eat his girlfriend but who angrily denies he is a Hannibal Lecter figure.

Paul Torday produces an intriguing page-turner that won't fail to surprise.

This work of speculative fiction arrives on New Zealand shelves with the degree of hype usually reserved for angst-ridden teen vamps or boy wizards.

Graham Beattie reveals his top pick of his past month's reading.

Paul Auster writes splendidly about disaffected, damaged people, usually alienated from society in some way, often isolated, physically and/or psychologically.

Yes, another coffee table book on New Zealand, but this one is a bit unique.

After an interregnum of six years following the "retirement" of Justin Paton (the quotation marks are an intriguing addition by the publisher) in 2004, during which "guest editors" steered the ship, Landfall has a permanent editor again.

Even though 2011 is still new, I suspect this debut novel from US author Susan Henderson will be one of my standout reads of the year.

Rhoda Janzen's memoir may be light on laughs, but it's heavy on affection.

Author Armistead Maupin tells Eva Wiseman about championing marginalised people.

Rocketing up the New York Times Bestseller list, this book has been praised for its intricate plot, its scope and daring, and its bold and sweeping narrative.