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Auckland Writers Festival: Suburban subjects
It might more commonly be called the City of Sails, but to sociologist and historian Scott Hamilton Auckland is "a city of text", with multiple stories waiting to be told.

Book reveals animosity between First Ladies
Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama appear to have much in common on the surface, but a new book on the two First Ladies reveals bitter animosity between them, Celia Walden writes.

Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott: The ace with the bass
Phil Lynott's name is a byword for rock 'n' roll excess. Now a new book explores why the shy church-goer found it so hard to resist temptation, writes Neil Armstrong.

Contest for top book should be a thriller
One New Zealand fiction writer will wake up $50,000 better off on Wednesday thanks to a new literary prize.

Paul Little: Self-obsession - it's all about you
COMMENT: We thought we knew who Americans were, but this year we have seen a new side to their character that has set me wondering about its origins.

Book review: Mothering Sunday, Graham Swift
Graham Swift's consummate novella fills a day, 90-plus years ago post-World War I, when the servant class are free to visit their families.

Is this the next big thriller novel?
Lisa Hilton's new novel is tipped to be the next big thriller, writes Stephen Jewell.

Book review: Lab Girl, Hope Jahren
Strangely, here we have one autobiography of two people.

Overdue book? That's $24k please
No overdue fees had been incurred because she got the book out as a child. As an adult, at today's rates, the woman would have racked up a fine of $24,604.

'Fake Steve Jobs' went to work for a real software firm
When a journalist - and tech industry skeptic - went to work for a start up.

Paul Moon: Is Shakespeare now irrelevant?
COMMENT: Four hundred years after the writer's death it's time to acknowledge Shakespeare has less to offer the modern world.

Hanya Yanagihara on male intimacy
Male friendships have always fascinated American author Hanya Yanagihara.

Books on war for younger readers
Former soldier Glyn Harper, now Professor of War Studies at Massey University, has written numerous history books and children's books.

The 'best living American novelist' on her mid-life crisis
Prolific American writer Jane Smiley has been described as 'the best living American novelist'. She talks to Greg Bruce about Donald Trump, perfectionism and her mid-life crisis.

Book review: Cometh the Hour, Jeffrey Archer
In this, the sixth in Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles, the master story teller continues the saga of the triumphs and tribulations of the Clifton and Barrington families.

A meeting of cultures
A new book argues the view that World War I is a pointless conflict fails to consider myriad positive experiences that continue to shape our lives today.

Book review: The North Water, Ian McGuire
Ian McGuire's story of brutality, greed and whaling - set aboard a boat off the coast of Greenland - is worth seeking out, especially for those of you who are not squeamish.

Book review: Bend With The Wind, Suraya Dewing
"Nothing moves forward in a story except through conflict," writes Robert McKee of Story Seminar fame.

Bill Oddie on the good times and the bad times
Television comedian-cum-birdwatcher and writer Bill Oddie talks to Greg Bruce about his path through fame and depression.

Yes, Gwyneth Paltrow does eat carbs
Yes, Gwyneth Paltrow does eat carbs! An exclusive extract from her new book, It's All Easy.

Visionary Kiwi on radar at last
Alan Bollard has written two books about Bill Phillips, a visionary New Zealander who changed the world of economics.

Potter author reveals favourite character
Author JK Rowling has revealed who her favourite Harry Potter character is.

How British spies saved Harry Potter
A spokesman for GCHQ said: "We do not comment on our defence against the dark arts."

Hang ten for a piece of surfing history
A pristine copy of Hawaiian Surfboard is part of the Rare Books collection up for grabs.

Book review: Deep South, Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux is one of the great travel writers because he makes you eager to visit where he writes about, even when he sharply gets what's wrong with it.

Bookworm Literary Festival: Flowering together with books
Dozens of authors will visit for the Auckland Writers Festival but what's it like to be a visiting author far from home?

Science shows Moby Dick could have sunk ship
It took Herman Melville 135 chapters to get to the part when the whale and the captain do battle, but it took 165 years for scientists it prove it's actually possible.

Reading can fight poverty - advocate
A visiting British reading advocate says reading can help fight poverty.