Louise and Virginia discuss the strange new world we find ourselves in and are surprised by their responses to the situation. They recommend lots of books about epidemics, pandemics, isolation and adversity, for those so inclined. They discuss the books they’ve been reading, the first half of Middlemarch, The Stella Prize for Fiction shortlist, and they review two books from the shortlist, as well as discussing a couple of things they’ve been diving into.

Email [email protected] @diving_in_podcastVirginia’s Instagram @virginia_readsLouise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads
Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher.Graphics by Orla Larkin - [email protected]

BooksThe Plague by Albert CamusThe Road by Cormac McCarthyThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie BarrowsThe Dark Circle by Linda GrantTo Calais, In Ordinary Time by James MeekThe Island by Victoria HislopYear of Wonders by Geraldine BrooksWild Swans by Jung ChangMao’s Last Dancer by Li CunxinA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesThe Golden Age by Joan LondonNella Last’s WarJane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëA Single Thread by Tracey ChevalierOryx and Crake by Margaret AtwoodRobinson Crusoe by Daniel DefoeJournal of the Plague Year by Daniel DefoeThe Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Mercies by Karen Millwood Hargrave, 2020, Picador, Pan MacmillanThree Apples Fell From the Sky by Narine Abgaryan, translated by Lisa C Hayden.Rest and Be Thankful by Emma GlassMiddlemarch by George Eliot

The Stella Prize shortlisthttps://thestellaprize.com.au/The Yield by Tara June WinchThere was still Love by Favel ParrettThe Weekend by Charlotte WoodDiving Into Glass by Caro LlewellynSee What you Made me Do? By Jess HillHere Until August by Josephine Rowe
TelevisionHousewife, 48
PodcastsCoronacast with Dr Norman Swan and Teagan TaylorHamish Blake’s Instagram account @hamishblakeshotz“Room for One More?”