Books editor Linda Herrick lets you in on her picks of this year's Writer's Festival lineup.

Scottish writer Alexander McCall Smith spent a year in Belfast in the middle of the Troubles. Amid the bombs and blasts, he discovered a great love, he tells Linda Herrick.

I do not read a lot of noir crime fiction which, on the face of it, means I should not be writing this review — well, on the face the book presents after a few dozen pages, anyway.

British authors Nicci Gerrard and Sean French tell Stephen Jewell why their book collaboration works so well.

Prime Minister John Key's wife Bronagh has taken on a few royal-like duties herself as an ambassador for the Blind Foundation and passed on a Hairy Maclary 'touch and feel' book for Prince George while dining with the royal couple last night.

Stephen Jewell talks to ‘Swedish Agatha Christie’ Camilla Lackberg about her close friendship with her characters, fact being darker than fiction and the myths surrounding her country.

Don Brash devotes all of three paragraphs to the Exclusive Brethren in his 330-page autobiography despite his dealings with the Church.

No continent is left out in this roll call of diverse and wonderful sites.

On December 19, 1910, a few months after the publication of Howard's End, E. M. Forster began sketching out the plan for a new novel.

When Carole Beu opened the Women’s Bookshop 25 years ago, she didn’t realise she would be creating something much bigger than a retail space, writes Linda Herrick.

BBC journalist Kirsty Wark tells Stephen Jewell about her debut novel, and how it feels being the subject of the critics for a change.

A Lorde figurine performing atop three circular cakes to depict The Lord of the Rings was among creative entries for a Canterbury edible story-telling competition.

Nicky Pellegrino is a novelist and former magazine editor who moved to New Zealand for love.

David Larsen discovers the intriguing backstory behind cartoonist Michael Leunig’s whimsical birds

I had to buy a book recently. It hurt. Much as I love books, my financially sensible self would rather get them from the library or stock up on a few good novels at the school fair at $2 to $3 each.

Many contemporary male novelists, particularly comic ones, are incapable of depicting an unsympathetic female character.

American novelist Gary Shteyngart tells Alexander Bisley why he likes to combine hilarity, sadness and introspection.

Hyperbole often surrounds big novels, especially big novels from New York about New York and by New Yorkers, but in Gilbert's case it is all justified.

If you happen to spot celebrity stylist and designer Rachel Zoe out and about, do not worry - she's not judging you.

Whatever you're doing this Monday, wherever you might be, take a moment to reflect on the most popular word in the English language, OK?

A new book charts Abba’s progress from camp 70s novelty act to enduring musical phenomenon. Anna Tyzack meets one of the famous four, Bjorn Ulvaeus.