Book Matters

This month we chat to debut writer Hannah Bent about her writing and her novel - When Things are Alive they Hum.  We also speak with Miles Franklin award winner Sofie Laguna about her new Children's book -The Song of Lewis Carmichael.

Our staff also review:

•  The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
• Group by Christie Tate
• Poly by Paul Dalgarno
• CSI Told you Lies by Meshel Laurie

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

In this episode we had the pleasure of talking with local YA fantasy and romance writer C S Pacat about her latest novel Dark Rise, a fantasy epic set in 1800s London. Inspired by the works of JR Tolkein and Mercedes Lackey, this gripping tale of good and evil will challenge all your preconceptions of the fantasy genre. Tim speaks with Cat about her road to publication, her overnight success The Captive Prince and what drew her towards writing fantasy. 

 We also hear from our staff with these book reviews:

• Saving Missy by Beth Morrey
• The Castaways by Lucy Clarke
• While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams
• Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
• The Second Son by Loraine Peck

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

This month we are joined by debut Australian author Tania Farrelly who's story The Eighth Wonder will transport you back to New York in 1897. A story described as The Suffragette meets The Greatest Showman  Tania has weaved a tale both exciting and empowering and she chats to Janine about her journey to publication.

We are also lucky enough to talk with author Kerry McGinnis about her new book The Missing Girl. Kerry has worked as a shepherd, droving hand, gardener and stock-camp and station cook on the family property, Bowthorn, north-west of Mount Isa. She is the author of two volumes of memoir, Pieces of Blue and Heart Country, and the bestselling novels The Waddi Tree,Wildhorse Creek, Mallee Sky, Tracking North, Out of Alice, Secrets of the Springs, The Heartwood Hotel and The Roadhouse.  

Reviews featured in this episode
Losing Kate by Kylie Kaden
A Room Made of Leaves by Kate Grenville
Heartsick by Jessie Stephens
The Forgotten Sister by Caroline Bond
Suspect by Robert Crais

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

In this month's episode we celebrate Australian Book Week 2021 by interviewing  audio book narrator, actor and writer Stig Wemyss. His amazing voice work might be familiar to families who have enjoyed The Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton or perhaps you might have caught him voicing Eli on Trent Dalton's Boy Swallows Universe. Stig brings a larrikin charm to any story he voices and he's sure to get you hooked on audio books if you aren't already.

We also share some favourite read aloud stories from our children's team that are sure to become favourites on your bedtime story shelf.

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

In this month's episode Janine speaks with author Debra Oswald two-time winner of the NSW Premier’s Literary Award and the creator/head writer of the first five seasons of the TV series Offspring.  Her latest novel The Family Doctor is a domestic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your reading chair!  

Reviews in this episode include:
The Survivors by Jane Harper
How to Mend a Broken Heart by Rachel Johns
24 Hour Café by Libby Page
The Scarlett and Ivy mysteries by Sophie Cleverly
Women Men and the Whole Damn Thing by David Lesser
Force of Nature by Jane Harper

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

In this episode we have two exciting author interviews for you.

Sam talks with Australian author and poet Tabitha Bird about her latest novel The Imporium of Imagination. A captivating novel of magical realism about a fantastical shop that brings comfort, peace and hope to those in need.

Makaila interviews author Paige Toon about her latest novel Someone I Used to Know,  a romance that's strewn with obstacles, that is sure to keep you turning the pages.

We also have reviews of the following books
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey
The Girl Remains by Katherine Firkin

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

This month we celebrate the works of First Nations authors in honour of NAIDOC Week 2021.
 
In this Episode Tim speaks with debut YA author and Yuin man Gary Lonesborough about his novel The Boy From the Mish, a coming of age story about love, family and culture. Janine reviews Anita Heiss new novel Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams  a gripping tale of the Murrumbidgee River flooding of 1852, Sam reflects  on Bruce Pasco’s Loving Country as well as Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta and we hear about the exciting life of Jack Charles in Born again Black Fella, his biography.

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

This month we celebrate debut authors with two author interviews!

Emma Young is from Perth and is a former Bookseller. Her first novel "The Last Bookshop" is all about the weird and wonderful humans you meet over the bookshop counter. and also about the dwindling supply of independent bookstores.

Katie McMahon is a GP from Tasmania as well as a writer. Her debut novel The Mistake is a tantalising, suspenseful read that will have you addictively turning the pages.  

We also recommend two debut novels this month
Jane in Love by Rachel Givney
The Good Mother by Rae Cairns
 

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

This month we chat with  Australian author Amanda Hampson, author of six novels.   Her new novel Lovebirds  is a road trip story that explores family, love and redemption. Warm witty and wise and possibly a great story to get you through winter!

We also recommend the following books this month,
A House Full of Secrets by Zoe Miller
Americanah  By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Bones  by Gabrielle Lord
Year of Living Vulnerably by Rick Morton

Sam shares the success of the Bunjil Place Writers' group and how to get involved if you love writing.

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube

Joining us this month is LA based Australian author Cassandra Austin. Sam chats to her about her latest thriller Like Mother, a gripping tale set in 1969 with an intergenerational twist.

We also have lots of reviews to share with you including , The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku, a remarkable story of a Holocaust survivor, All That is Solid Melts Into Air  by Marshall Berman a novel that tells the human side to the Chernobyl disaster, Gideon the 9th by Tamsyn Muir a sci fi lesbian epic, Tell Me Why the poetic and eye opening biography of musician Archie Roach, the historical who dunnit Raisins and Almonds by Kerry Greenwood and Wimmera by Mark Brandi a mystery that will leave you guessing.

Read Next Newsletter

Connected Libraries Website
Connected Libraries Facebook Page
In a nook with a book Facebook Group
Connected Libraries Instagram Page
Connected Libraries YouTube