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.

Dr Lance O’Sullivan has made it his dream to change the world from the Far North. But, as Greg Dixon discovers, first he had to change himself.

A couple of years ago, Stephanie Johnson wrote a highly entertaining novel about a writing class at an Auckland tertiary institution.

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.

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.

Actor Stanley Tucci has created his second cookbook. He tells Tim Adams that food is a great way of expressing love.

In the prevailing climate of heightened risk-aversion among New Zealand book publishers, it’s always a welcome thing when someone is prepared to offer the market something different.

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?

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.

Writer of art-world satire knows her topic at intimately close quarters.

There's an eerie, existential quality about Melanie Finn's new novel, Shame. What tiny, mundane choices determine our fate? Why does life cut one way, not another?

The 20th century has just begun. Harry Cave is married, personable, sophisticated. He’s inherited a substantial fortune from a father who died of boredom.

A new biography of the master of suspense uncovers the life behind the persona, says Duncan White.

Acclaimed writer Steve Toltz, who was paralysed for over a year, tells Peter Stanford how his new novel reflects his ordeal.