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.

As much as the camera has always loved Lake Bell, she has now stepped behind it to write and direct, while still starring as the thinking woman’s Bridget Jones in a new rom-com.

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.

And here we are, on the cusp of July, that month where everyone looks at each other and mutters things along the lines of, "Man, the year's over half over, where did it all go?"

Canvas editor Michele Crawshaw shares highlights from tomorrow’s Canvas magazine. Get your premium glossy weekend magazine in tomorrow’s Weekend Herald.

Five books that make you see the world differently.

The food was well portioned and beautifully presented.

Eighties’ street smarts and underground sub-cultures collide for an inspired take on dressing with an edge.

She’s been a body double in the blockbuster Avatar, made a winning film about roadkill and is one of our brightest rising theatre stars. Alan Perrott meets Laurel Devenie and talks to her about her unorthodox career, and letting go.

The look was that of a cosy local cafe, inside an old railway cottage. There were just enough tables and wicker chairs inside to cater to the happy Saturday morning crowd.

My brother finds illnesses that require drugs he wants to try, and fakes the illness to the doctor to get them.

What do you want to do today? What do you want to be? Think quick.

She’s one of our most successful expat actors, starring in a host of acclaimed TV shows and movies. Melanie Lynskey talks to Alexander Bisley about life in LA, why she hopes her next role is a New Zealand film, body issues and gangsta rap.

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.

Marlborough: capital city, Blenny-vegas. We love it for squint-inducing sauvignon blanc, Renwick pies, mussel farms, plane museums, pinot noir, riesling and everything in between…

Canvas editor Michele Crawshaw shares highlights from tomorrow’s Canvas magazine. Get your premium glossy weekend magazine in tomorrow’s Weekend Herald.

Staring at acres of bottles on supermarket shelves, it’s easy to forget that there are actual human beings behind our favourite fast-moving consumer goods.

Trepidatious first impressions are soon forgotten when familiar fare is served with flair.

Google searches can make you think you’re smarter than you really are, writes Sarah Kaplan.

The look is five-star. Blond wood furniture, blue Mediterranean tiles on the floor, palms in copper pots and smartly dressed — and friendly — waitstaff.

The true meaning of Jaws has been picked over by critics and academics ever since its release in June 1975, and even its status as the first summer blockbuster has been questioned. But isn’t it just about a killer shark, asks Mark Kermode.

More and more parents are seeking expert help to deal with their children’s difficult behaviour. But, asks Kirsten Matthew, is it nature, nurture or something else that’s making Kiwi kids too hard to handle?

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.

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

Canvas editor Michele Crawshaw shares highlights from tomorrow’s Canvas magazine. Get your premium glossy weekend magazine in tomorrow’s Weekend Herald.