Sleep-deprived doctors tread a fine line between reality and fantasy, grumpy baristas take up arms as society crumbles around them, and petty criminals brush shoulders with supernatural beings in this collection of stories and poetry from the best of Auckland writers. Many are set in our familiar cityscape, in places like Karangahape Road, Point Chev, Henderson, and Waiheke. Best of Auckland deals with universal human themes: love and fear, hope and nostalgia, and everything in between. At times quirky or optimistic, at times dark or wistful, the Best of Auckland collection is guaranteed to entertain you, move you, and show you the world from new angles. The Right Thing To Do by Matt Billington Botticelli Painted Venus Naked, Surfing on a Scallop Shell by Anita Arlov Coffice Unrest by Sharni Wilson I Believe That Morris Expects Me to Clean the Kitchen Tonight by Jill Varani Red State by Jill Varani Chaos Blossoms by Rean Fadyl The Singularity of Sleep by Eileen Merriman Birdwatching by Alexandra Fraser Luna’s Crew by Kathryn van Beek Residuum by Paul M Clark Ghostwriter by Siobhan Harvey Out by EJ Doyle