Book Matters

Welcome to Back to Chat, a special episode of Book Matters! 

On today’s special episode we are celebrating five years of Book Matters with a familiar and much-loved guest. That’s right—we’re bringing back one of our most popular authors for a return visit!

Please join us as we catch up, see what’s new and dive into their stories—both on and off the page—that continue to inspire our book world. 

It’s a full-circle moment, and we’re thrilled to share it with you!

If you are keen to also listen to our previous interview with Maya Linnell you can find it here: https://bit.ly/44c3NjT

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On Book Matters today, Courtney speaks with Sydney paramedic Sally Gould about her memoir Frog, an intimate look at the human cost of the job and the cumulative effect of trauma. Sally shares a personal story which offers a heartfelt tribute to the resilience, courage and camaraderie that define the high-stakes world of emergency medicine.  Then Janine chats with South Australian crime writer Michelle Prak, we talk about her writing and her new suspense novel Barren Cape, where an abandoned resort seems the perfect place to hide, but is Barren Cape a refuge or a trap.  We hope you enjoy.

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Today on Book Matters we are celebrating Australian crime fiction by chatting to Sydney writer Jane Caro about her compelling and fascinating new mystery novel Lyrebird, which brings a detective out of retirement to investigate a 20-year-old cold case. We hope you enjoy.

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 On Book Matters today Kate speaks with Melbourne author Madeliene Cleary about her new historical fiction novel “The Butterfly Women” which shines a light on Melbourne in 1863, the goldrush and the brothels that operated in that era.   Then Janine speaks with Sydney author Lauren McKellar about her new novel “The Calendar Mums” - a warm, funny and heartbreaking book about what it means to be a mother.  We hope you enjoy.

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On the podcast today Sam chats to Sydney author Catherine Greer about her novel The Bittersweet Bakery Café which sheds light on the complex lives of women, then Kiara speaks with Victoria Brownlee who describes herself as an Eater/Drinker/Writer, about her new novel Eat Your Heart Out.  

We hope you enjoy.

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On the podcast this month Janine speaks with Sydney author Vanessa McCausland about her new release “The Last Illusion of Paige White” a haunting, compelling and beautifully written novel about two women, a tragedy on the lake, and secrets beneath the surface.

Kiara then chats with Ella Ward about her first novel "The Cicada House" - a heartfelt and feel-good time-travelling love story set in London and Australia.

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On the podcast this month Janine speaks with author Kylie Ladd about her new release "The Mix-Up" - A beautifully told and thought-provoking novel about a mix-up that leaves two children wondering who they really are and where they belong . . .  Sam then chats to Darwin based writer Leonie Norrington about her book – A Piece of Red Cloth, A powerful, unique novel based on the oral history of the Yolngu people from north-east Arnhem Land that tells the story of a grandmother who stops at nothing to protect her granddaughter.

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Here at Book Matters we are taking a well-earned break over the holiday period but in the meantime we have put together some great listening in our best in-conversation events held during the year.

Back in October we were fortunate to have well known crime writer and winner of three Ned Kelly awards, Candice Fox here at Bunjil Place.   Fellow crime writer and local girl Kerryn Mayne interviewed Candice about her writing, her collaboration with James Patterson, the adaptations of her novels to the screen and her newest novel “High Wire”.   

The audio quality was a little patchy as it was recorded live but we hope you enjoy.

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Courtney chats with Julie Goodwin about the release of her memoir –
“Your time starts now” - the extraordinary life story of Australia's first winner of MasterChef and bestselling cookbook author. It was by all appearances, a successful, rewarding life. But under the surface relentless pressure from Julie’s outer and inner worlds was taking its toll. Struggling with depression, anxiety and addiction, with bushfires blazing and lockdowns looming, Julie found herself hospitalised in a mental health unit.

We are brought into her story, into her unravelling and quest for healing as she seeks to resume a richly lived life.

We hope you enjoy.

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In our final Book Matters episode for the year Janine speaks with debut author Leesa Ronald about her novel Special Delivery - a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud story of finding love through life's twists and turns and a perfect novel for the summer holidays. 

Then Sam chats to David Lindenmayer about his book The Forest Wars which lifts the lid on what’s happening in our forests.

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