Auckland Writers & Readers Festival

If you’re into books and reading, you can’t miss the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival. Held annually in May, it’s just the thing to cheer you up as daylight savings works its gloom upon us.
There’s nothing better than going to author talk and queuing excitedly, book in hand, to meet the author, before suddenly finding yourself dumbstruck and blurting out something memorably idiotic. A personal triumph was «I really like the words you use!».
You need to check out the current year’s programme online, but there’s always an impressive mix of local and international author talks, as well as workshops and other goodies. Also, some quality independent booksellers camp out at the Aotea Centre (where most of the events are held).