American writer Ariel Leve on the story of her tumultuous childhood, which she has recounted in her memoir, An Abbreviated Life.

Australian historian, Geoffrey Blainey, on his prize winning two-volume book called The Story of Australia's People.

What are the ethical implications of judging an artwork according to the life, actions or attitudes of the artist? Revisiting a debate from earlier in the week.

Carolyn Cocca turns a critical eye on our superheroes; John Simpson tracks down the unusual origins of some everyday words; GOMA celebrates its 10th anniversary; and Graham Moore brings us the battle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to electrify America.

25 years of the Women's Circus. Art and Chess: The Rookie by Stephen Moss. Islands: A Speculation. Charlie Adlard: Comics Laureate.

Janine Burke explores the legacy of the arts curator Kiffy Rubbo; Art inspired by animals; Madeleine Thien brings us her top shelf; And a retrospective of the work of frank Norton.

Politics and art in Burning Doors, the new play by the Belarus Free Theatre; Indonesian fiction from Jessica Huwae; tricking the eye with trompe l'oeil in Geelong; and new shortstory collection The Love of a Bad Man by Laura Elizabeth Woollett.

Should the artist be separate from the art? Can 'bad' people create 'good art'? A special debate on Books and Arts.

Comic book artist Nadja Spiegelman on her memoir I’m Supposed to Protect You From All This; Small Great Things is the latest novel by prolific, bestselling American author Jodi Picoult; Pete Byfield wrote his first country song in 2014 and since then has writing songs about life on the farm, drought, and even science fiction; acclaimed lighting designer Nigel Levings on what makes good lighting.

Literary star Zadie Smith discusses her new novel Swing Time, we review the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and discover the art of Sister Corita Kent - a Roman Catholic nun who was also a pop artist.