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.

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

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

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.

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?

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

The world’s most admired writers and poets have long extolled its virtues. Here, Yvonne Van Dongen explains why she’d take friendship - old and new - over romance any day.

Award-winning Auckland writers Linda Olsson and Thomas Sainsbury tell Craig Sisterson why they’re collaborating on a thriller trilogy.

The book was going to be published in hard copy by Pan Macmillan but was scrapped when health experts warned some of the recipes could harm infants.

Anthony Horowitz's new James Bond continuation novel will mark the return of one of the franchise's best-loved Bond girls.

Six of the best in stories starring oddballs and good sorts.

In her new novel we encounter Julian in a state of profound grief for his lover, Julia, and their daughter, Mira.

Meet the first novel by a Galway writer who blogs about life on a council estate under a name so forceful I can’t repeat it in a family newspaper. Meet also a terrific reading experience.

Felicito Yanaque is a self-made man. He lives in the city of Piura, and is the owner of a small transport company that he has built up from scratch into a modestly successful enterprise.

"Horror and pity" have greeted one renting Auckland couple but they want to change attitudes to tenants, regarded as taking a "second-class" option.

Peter Bromhead on the important things in life.

A record-breaking estimated festival audience of 60,000 meant author-signing queues up to two hours long. Janet McAllister reports.

Bruce Jenner's ex-wife Linda Thompson is reportedly planning to share her side of the story.

Parisian feel-good tale amuses despite its implausible plot.