British author Sarah Winman specialises in strange. Her first novel, When God Was a Rabbit, was a wildly eccentric tragi-comedy that became a bestseller.

With her positive messages and dark themes, Louise O’Neill is leading a new wave of young adult fiction that appeals to anxious parents too. ‘We need to be open and honest,’ she tells Sarah Hughes.

Engineer Paul Hardisty, a veteran of working in developing nations, has set his first thriller in Yemen. It’s a novel which raises plenty of questions about real-life, he tells Craig Sisterson.

Almost 30 years later, Morris Bellamy, the pasty-skinned, red-lipped villain of King's new novel, Finders Keepers, takes a less nuanced approach when confronting his own literary hero.

Sean Plunket's comments describing Eleanor Catton as an "ungrateful hua" and a "traitor" were not in breach of broadcasting standards.

There is a real purity to Patricia Grace's fiction. She may be New Zealand literary royalty but her writing is not about showing off her finery.

Author Charlotte Grimshaw talks to Linda Herrick about the strangely familiar characters in her new novel, growing up with her famous father, C.K. Stead, and how a dog named Philip has changed her.

At a time when the debate over race and racism is raging in the real world, it is perhaps no shock that the same discussion is also swirling in the alternate universe of comics.

Grey is nearly identical to Fifty Shades of Grey. The only difference is that the narrator - Christian instead of Anastasia - uses naughty words instead of heartland interjections like, "Holy cow!"

Five books that make you see the world differently.

A dinner table bust up between Harry Potter's parents and his aunt and uncle sparked the Dursley's animosity towards the young wizard.

Women are losing the ability to give birth naturally, says Dr Michel Odent, the author of a controversial new book.

Elizabeth Wurtzel reveals how she has finally found peace with a husband and is even planning to start a family.

If you are an author whose book fails to grip in the opening chapter, it could prove costly.

Hugh Hefner has accused former girlfriend and Playboy Playmate Holly Madison of trying to "rewrite history".

Author exposes the emotion behind the glitter and the glamour.

They camped out overnight, arrived in trains caught at dawn and devoured the first pages on the sidewalk - but the new Fifty Shades novel has been panned by critics.

Are cats secretly laughing at us? Is all that purring, licking and being available for stroking just an elaborate ruse for food and a warm place to sleep?

Doomsayers claim it is the end of the chapter for bookstores, but Paul Little finds the business of selling books is more of a Neverending Story.

Mystic River author Dennis Lehane tells Jake Kerridge what links bankers with gangsters.

Kate Atkinson's extraordinary 2013 novel, Life After Life, introduced readers to the Todd family in their Forster-esque home of Fox Corner, and managed to achieve publishing's holy grail of both literary acclaim and popular appeal.

The stories of Julian, Dick and Anne, their cousin, tomboy George, and Timmy the dog were my introduction to the transporting quality of books.

"I am a grandmother and I heard a third-grade teacher in the US recently read a book focusing on homosexuality to his class. What about our rights?"

Canvas books editor Linda Herrick's top five reads for the weekend.

Former Playmate Holly Madison has spilled details on life behind the Playboy Mansion doors, saying she was once described as "old, hard and cheap" by Hugh Hefner.

The benefits of reading aloud don't diminish just because your kids grow up, writes Deb Werrlein.