Back in February last year we had the pleasure of speaking with Sydney author Mary-Anne O’Connor for Library Lovers Day.   She spoke about her writing process and told us all about her inspiration for her new novel “Dressed by Iris”, which is a vivid, romantic story of Sydney in the 1930s Depression - the heartbreak, the glamour, the dark underbelly, the struggle towards a better day - and one young woman's dream of designing her way from rags to riches.

She also speaks about her work with the Hornsby Ku-ring-ai Women’s Shelter which offers safe emergency accommodation and support services to women facing domestic violence and homelessness.

We hope you enjoy.

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

Welcome to our Summer Series where we look back at some of the In-Conversation online events over the previous year. 

Back in lockdown we had the utmost pleasure in speaking with Australian Author Judy Nunn via Zoom who told us all about her new novel Showtime,  which will take you from the cotton mills of England to the magnificent theatres of Melbourne, on a scintillating journey through the golden age of Australian showbusiness.   Judy also tells us about her transition from Actor to Author and what goes on behind the scenes in the theatre world as well as what inspired her other novels. 

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

 In our final episode for 2022 Carol has a wonderful chat with Christine Courtenay who has written a memoir about her late husband Bryce Courtenay. From his humble beginnings in Africa to his dazzling success in advertising and as a bestselling author, Bryce’s extraordinary, rags-to-riches life story reads like one of his epic novels. It was a life marked by all the big themes – overcoming adversity, love, loss, hard-won success, fame and fortune, and holding tight to a dream. Christine uncovers the events that shaped the man behind the stories – a man complex, driven and unfailingly positive, who never lost sight of his childhood dream to be a writer. Then to round off the year Janine speaks with Melbourne author of over 80 novels Nicola Marsh about her writing life and her new novel The Promise of Home - a rural fiction novel set in Victoria which would make an ideal book to take away for your summer holidays.

Lastly from all the team here at Book Matters we hope you all have a great festive season and we will be back in 2023 with more reading recommendations and interviews with a whole new group of writers

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

Welcome to this very special episode of Book Matters to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism.    Casey Cardinia Libraries is proud to support the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender based Violence campaign. And what better way to contribute to the conversation than with books. 

We have an interview with Manjula Datta O'Connor about her enlightening book, Daughters of Durga: Dowries, Gender Violence and Family in Australia.

We also have some special book reviews from our staff here at Casey Cardinia Libraries.

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

We talk to two authors about their very different novels. Courtney chats to Tom Baragwanath about his crime novel Paper Cage set in Masterton New Zealand about a small community where children have gone missing which is a nail-biting thriller and a beautifully written, acutely observed portrait of a community. Janine then chats to Tasmanian author Minnie Darke about her new novel With Love from Wish & Co a heartwarming novel about what we are prepared to give--and give up--in the name of love, and such a timely novel with Christmas on the horizon. And of course we have some great reading recommendations from our staff here at Casey Cardinia Libraries.

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

Today on Book Matters we are bringing you a bonus Australian Crime lovers special - Courtney delves into 'The Tilt ' which is a stunning multi-layered novel by Chris Hammer who is the acclaimed and award-winning author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Silver, Trust and Treasure & Dirt.  Then Janine chats with Australian author Petronella McGovern about her new novel 'The Liars' which is a compelling family drama of marital secrets and family tensions set within an investigation of sinister unsolved killings. We hope you enjoy.

#australiancrimeauthors
#crimefiction
#allenandunwin

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

On Book Matters today Janine speaks with the lovely Tricia Stringer about her new novel Keeping Up Appearances which is a delightful novel full of practical wisdom and dry humour that examines female friendship, buried secrets and why honesty is (usually) the best policy. Then Lynda chats to author Alex Sarkis about her novel Something Blue which is about loving home and leaving home, but never escaping your roots. Or your footy colours.    And of course we have our library staff who will share what they have been reading!  We hope you enjoy!

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

Today at Book Matters we enjoy chatting to two fabulous Australian authors. First up Sam talks to acclaimed writer Meg Bignell about her newest novel The angry women's choir - a laugh out loud tale of friendship, music and the incredible capability of women to achieve wonderful things. Jess then speaks to debut YA author Miranda Luby about her novel Sadie Starr's guide to starting over; a magnificent exploration of performative feminism, #MeToo, eating disorders, bullying, family dynamics and grief. And of course we have some great reading recommendations from our staff here at the library - listen and enjoy

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

Here at Book Matters we recognise and celebrate the importance of diversity in books as they serve as both a mirror and a window into different human experiences. This month we celebrate the many wonderful LGBTQ books and authors in honour of Wear it purple day. Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. The role literature plays in the empowerment of LGBTQ community is vitally important and as such we are delighted to chat to two amazing LGBBTQ authors today!

First up Courtney chats to Nigel Featherstone about his remarkable new novel My Heart is a little wild thing; a story about family, love and the cost of freedom.  Jess then speaks to Cadence Bell about her wild coming-of-gender memoirs The All of It: A Bogan Rhapsody; a raw and beautifully honest account of Cadence’s life. We hope you enjoy!

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

Today at Book Matters we welcome two phenomenal Australian authors. First up  Courtney speaks with Sulari Gentill about her new literary adventure novel The woman in library, which examines the complicated nature of friendship and how words can turn into a deadly weapon. Then  Janine speaks with debut author Neela Janakiramana about her compelling and illuminating psychological thriller novel The registrar, which delves into the human experience of both a surgeon in training and the medical system. 

We hope you enjoy! 

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