DAN BROWN:

Dan Brown is a classic rags to riches story.  He went to Hollywood to make it as a musician but ended up writing.

After publishing a couple of books that went nowhere, he wrote The Divinci Code and became one of the best known authors in the world.

The success of the mega-selling novelist continues, and with his eighth book, Origin, readers say he still has the magic touch.

FRANCESCA RUDKIN Movies:

Murder on the Orient Express starring Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp,Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, Penélope Cruz, Daisy Ridley and Dame Judi Dench

A lavish trip through Europe quickly unfolds into a race against time to solve a murder aboard a train. Everyone's a suspect when Detective Hercule Poirot arrives to interrogate all passengers and search for clues before the killer can strike again.

Detroit starring John Boyega, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith

Crime drama from Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) set against the backdrop of the 1967 Detroit riots. 

Only the Brave starring Jennifer Connelly, Josh Brolin, Taylor Kitsch, Miles Teller and Jeff Bridges

Drama based on the true story of the 2013 Yarnell Fire in Arizona.

NICI WICKES: Food

Travelling for food and how you go about finding the best places (cafes, restaurants, markets etc) in the shortest possible time.

For more inspiration visit  http://www.niciwickes.oom/  or her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/niciwickes

TARA WARD: Screen Time

• Nature documentary ‘Blue Planet II’ debuts on TVNZ1 (Sunday, 8.30pm)
• Sci-fi drama based on Marvel comic ‘Legion’ begins on Neon (November 11)
• American movie ‘Mudbound’ premieres on Netflix (November 17) 
• BBC reality show ‘The Big Family Cooking Showdown’ is now on Netflix

PAUL STENHOUSE: Technology

1. We’re one step closer to flying cars…

            And it’s all Thanks to Uber and NASA! 

2. Self-driving cars have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons?

            A pilot self-driving shuttle in Las Vegas… crashed on its first day… within its first hour of operation.

MIKE YARDLEY: Travel

Aussie’s Summer Hits – What the best things to attend over the ditch this summer break. Mike's articles are on our website www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle

CATHERINE RAYNES: Books

Uncommon Type - Tom Hanks

Working Class Man - Jimmy Barnes 

ANDREW DICKENS: Music

Sam Smith’s Thrill of it all’ Andrew's verdict:

SAM SMITH, THE GENTLE GAY GIANT FROM THE UK WITH THE SOARING VOICE IS BACK WITH HIS SECOND ALBUM.  IN 2014 HIS DEBUT ALBUM, IN THE LONELY HOUR, WAS A KILLER.  HIS REMARKABLE FALSETTO COMBINED WITH SUBLIME PRODUCTION AND HIS BROKEN HEART SAW HIM SELL 4 MILLION ALBUMS IN THE US ALONE.  FROM NOWHERE IT PUT HIM IN THE BIG LEAGUE.  HE’S SUNG A BOND SONG AND SOME CALL HIM THE MALE ADELE.  NOW HE’S BACK WITH AN ALBUM CALLED THE THRILL OF IT ALL