Anna and Geoff react to the <a href= "https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2026">2026 Booker Prize Shortlist</a>. Our book of the week is <a href= "https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-things-we-never-say-9780241814307"> THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY</a> by Elizabeth Strout. The latest novel by the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize winning author centres on Artie Dam, a history teacher who has a full life but is upended by feelings of isolation and a secret that is revealed. This has been shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Is this a political book? Will there be a spin-off novel about Flossie? Where do we rank it in the Booker shortlist? Coming up: THE RENOVATION by Kenan Ohran Follow us! Email: <a href="mailto:Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com" data-outlook-id= "d1e364db-6840-4fe0-8888-6d3797f04a3a">Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/abailliekaras/?hl=en" data-outlook-id= "96b1af26-4f64-462e-81b0-925d8e9aeb15">@abailliekaras</a> Substack: <a href="https://booksonthego.substack.com/" data-outlook-id="2b7e666d-2427-4c75-b42a-b8e1f689e78b">Books On The Go</a> Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Geoff react to the 2026 Booker Prize Shortlist. Our book of the week is THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY by Elizabeth Strout. The latest novel by the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize winning author centres on Artie Dam, a history teacher who has a full life but is upended by feelings of isolation and a secret that is revealed. This has been shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Is this a political book? Will there be a spin-off novel about Flossie? Where do we rank it in the Booker shortlist? Coming up: THE RENOVATION by Kenan Ohran Follow us! Email: Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @abailliekaras Substack: Books On The Go Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Geoff react to the <a href="https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2026" rel="noopener noreferrer">2026 Booker Prize Shortlist</a>. Our book of the week is <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-things-we-never-say-9780241814307" rel="noopener noreferrer"> THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY</a> by Elizabeth Strout. The latest novel by the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize winning author centres on Artie Dam, a history teacher who has a full life but is upended by feelings of isolation and a secret that is revealed. This has been shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Is this a political book? Will there be a spin-off novel about Flossie? Where do we rank it in the Booker shortlist? Coming up: THE RENOVATION by Kenan Ohran Follow us! Email: <a href="mailto:Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abailliekaras/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer">@abailliekaras</a> Substack: <a href="https://booksonthego.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Books On The Go</a> Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

Anna and Geoff discuss the <a href= "https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/18/singapore-paid-reading-scheme"> Singapore government paying people to read books</a>, and the <a href="https://2026%20National%20Book%20Awards%20longlist">2026 National Book Awards longlist</a> for fiction. Our book of the week is <a href= "https://www.amazon.com.au/Switzy-Emma-Cline/dp/1784746657">SWITZY</a> by Emma Cline. Switzy is Cline's latest novel after her best-sellers The Girls and The Guest. David, a retired executive suffering from Alzheimers, is travelling to Zurich to end his life. We follow David's point of view as he visits his daughter and an old school friend, while pretending he is fine. Switzy is a national best-seller, a Most Anticipated Book of Fall and has been longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Read-alikes: WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH by Sigrid Nunez MAYFLIES by Andrew O'Hagan Podcast: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/better-off-dead/id1056470744"> Better Off Dead</a> We also give our (wrong) predictions for the <a href= "https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2026">Booker Prize shortlist</a>! Coming up: <a href= "https://www.amazon.com.au/Things-Never-Say-bestselling-prize-winning-ebook/dp/B0FT4HNSRB"> THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY</a> by Elizabeth Strout and <a href= "https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-renovation-9780241745786">THE RENOVATION</a> by Kenan Orhan. Follow us! Email: <a href="mailto:Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com" data-outlook-id= "dd8128ce-4b2c-4b2a-915d-5c58c360538f">Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/abailliekaras/?hl=en" data-outlook-id= "1b5c2f0b-24f4-47b4-b3f7-648f21ebcf82">@abailliekaras</a> Substack: <a href="https://booksonthego.substack.com/" data-outlook-id="0c9fdf30-8ad5-435b-ad2c-f12eca0f32be">Books On The Go</a> Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Geoff discuss the Singapore government paying people to read books, and the 2026 National Book Awards longlist for fiction. Our book of the week is SWITZY by Emma Cline. Switzy is Cline's latest novel after her best-sellers The Girls and The Guest. David, a retired executive suffering from Alzheimers, is travelling to Zurich to end his life. We follow David's point of view as he visits his daughter and an old school friend, while pretending he is fine. Switzy is a national best-seller, a Most Anticipated Book of Fall and has been longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Read-alikes: WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH by Sigrid Nunez MAYFLIES by Andrew O'Hagan Podcast: Better Off Dead We also give our (wrong) predictions for the Booker Prize shortlist! Coming up: THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY by Elizabeth Strout and THE RENOVATION by Kenan Orhan. Follow us! Email: Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @abailliekaras Substack: Books On The Go Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Geoff discuss the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/18/singapore-paid-reading-scheme" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Singapore government paying people to read books</a>, and the <a rel="noopener noreferrer">2026 National Book Awards longlist</a> for fiction. Our book of the week is <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Switzy-Emma-Cline/dp/1784746657" rel="noopener noreferrer">SWITZY</a> by Emma Cline. Switzy is Cline's latest novel after her best-sellers The Girls and The Guest. David, a retired executive suffering from Alzheimers, is travelling to Zurich to end his life. We follow David's point of view as he visits his daughter and an old school friend, while pretending he is fine. Switzy is a national best-seller, a Most Anticipated Book of Fall and has been longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Read-alikes: WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH by Sigrid Nunez MAYFLIES by Andrew O'Hagan Podcast: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/better-off-dead/id1056470744" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Better Off Dead</a> We also give our (wrong) predictions for the <a href="https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2026" rel="noopener noreferrer">Booker Prize shortlist</a>! Coming up: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Things-Never-Say-bestselling-prize-winning-ebook/dp/B0FT4HNSRB" rel="noopener noreferrer"> THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY</a> by Elizabeth Strout and <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-renovation-9780241745786" rel="noopener noreferrer">THE RENOVATION</a> by Kenan Orhan. Follow us! Email: <a href="mailto:Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abailliekaras/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer">@abailliekaras</a> Substack: <a href="https://booksonthego.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Books On The Go</a> Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Switzy by Emma Cline

Anna and Annie discuss books news:  Amazon has sold out of Michelle McNamara's book <a href= "https://www.booktopia.com.au/i-ll-be-gone-in-the-dark-michelle-mcnamara/prod9780571345144.html"> I'll Be Gone In The Dark</a> after news that the Golden State Killer has been arrested.  Our book of the week is <a href= "https://www.amazon.com.au/Red-Parts-Memoir-Maggie-Nelson/dp/141653203X"> The Red Parts</a> by Maggie Nelson, a true account of her attending the trial of her aunt's accused killer.  Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Man-David-Szalay/dp/1555977537">All That Man Is</a> by David Szalay.

Anna and Annie discuss books news: Amazon has sold out of Michelle McNamara's book I'll Be Gone In The Dark after news that the Golden State Killer has been arrested. Our book of the week is The Red Parts by Maggie Nelson, a true account of her attending the trial of her aunt's accused killer. Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading All That Man Is by David Szalay.

Anna and Annie discuss books news:&nbsp; Amazon has sold out of Michelle McNamara's book <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/i-ll-be-gone-in-the-dark-michelle-mcnamara/prod9780571345144.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"> I'll Be Gone In The Dark</a> after news that the Golden State Killer has been arrested.&nbsp; Our book of the week is <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Red-Parts-Memoir-Maggie-Nelson/dp/141653203X" rel="noopener noreferrer"> The Red Parts</a> by Maggie Nelson, a true account of her attending the trial of her aunt's accused killer.&nbsp; Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Man-David-Szalay/dp/1555977537" rel="noopener noreferrer">All That Man Is</a> by David Szalay.

Episode 6: The Red Parts by Maggie Neslon

Anna and Annie discuss this week's best-sellers, including Haruki Murakami's <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Men-Without-Women-Haruki-Murakami/dp/0451494628"> Men Without Women</a> and Meg Wolitzer's <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Female-Persuasion-Novel-Meg-Wolitzer/dp/1594488401"> The Female Persuasion</a>. Our book of the week is new release <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Circe-Madeline-Miller/dp/0316556343">Circe</a> by Madeline Miller. Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Man-David-Szalay/dp/1555977537">All That Man Is</a> by David Szalay.

Anna and Annie discuss this week's best-sellers, including Haruki Murakami's Men Without Women and Meg Wolitzer's The Female Persuasion. Our book of the week is new release Circe by Madeline Miller. Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading All That Man Is by David Szalay.

Anna and Annie discuss this week's best-sellers, including Haruki Murakami's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Men-Without-Women-Haruki-Murakami/dp/0451494628" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Men Without Women</a> and Meg Wolitzer's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Female-Persuasion-Novel-Meg-Wolitzer/dp/1594488401" rel="noopener noreferrer"> The Female Persuasion</a>. Our book of the week is new release <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Circe-Madeline-Miller/dp/0316556343" rel="noopener noreferrer">Circe</a> by Madeline Miller. Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Man-David-Szalay/dp/1555977537" rel="noopener noreferrer">All That Man Is</a> by David Szalay.

Episode 5: Circe by Madeline Miller

Anna and Amanda discuss the <a href= "http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2018">Pulitzer Prize winners</a>, including <a href= "https://www.booktopia.com.au/ebooks/less-andrew-sean-greer/prod9780349143606.html"> Less</a> by Andrew Sean Greer and <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvTRZJ-4EyI">DAMN.</a> by Kendrick Lamar. Our book of the week is <a href= "https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-shepherd-s-hut-tim-winton/prod9780143786115.html"> The Shepherd's Hut</a> by Tim Winton.  Winton is an Australian 'Living Treasure' and has won the Miles Franklin award four times.  Will this be his fifth? Next week, Anna and Annie will be reading <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Circe-Madeline-Miller/dp/0316556343">Circe</a> by Madeline Miller. Credits: Artwork by Sascha Wilkosz.

Anna and Amanda discuss the Pulitzer Prize winners, including Less by Andrew Sean Greer and DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar. Our book of the week is The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winton. Winton is an Australian 'Living Treasure' and has won the Miles Franklin award four times. Will this be his fifth? Next week, Anna and Annie will be reading Circe by Madeline Miller. Credits: Artwork by Sascha Wilkosz.

Anna and Amanda discuss the <a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2018" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pulitzer Prize winners</a>, including <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/ebooks/less-andrew-sean-greer/prod9780349143606.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Less</a> by Andrew Sean Greer and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvTRZJ-4EyI" rel="noopener noreferrer">DAMN.</a> by Kendrick Lamar. Our book of the week is <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-shepherd-s-hut-tim-winton/prod9780143786115.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"> The Shepherd's Hut</a> by Tim Winton.&nbsp; Winton is an Australian 'Living Treasure' and has won the Miles Franklin award four times.&nbsp; Will this be his fifth? Next week, Anna and Annie will be reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Circe-Madeline-Miller/dp/0316556343" rel="noopener noreferrer">Circe</a> by Madeline Miller. Credits: Artwork by Sascha Wilkosz.

Episode 4: The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winton

Anna and Annie discuss book news: <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Tracker-Alexis-Wright-ebook/dp/B07712FQF7">Tracker</a> by Alexis Wright has won the <a href= "http://thestellaprize.com.au/prize/2018-prize/">Stella prize</a> for Australian women's writing. Our book of the week is <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Fugitives-Novel-Ceridwen-Dovey/dp/0374226644"> In The Garden Of The Fugitives</a> by Ceridwen Dovey.  She has been called "one of the most exciting writers working in Australia today" (Readings) and this novel has been praised by Kirkus Reviews, The Australian and The Herald Sun.  But what did Anna and Annie think? Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href= "https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-shepherd-s-hut-tim-winton/prod9780143786115.html"> The Shepherd's Hut</a> by Tim Winton. Credits: Artwork by Sascha Wilkosz.

Anna and Annie discuss book news: Tracker by Alexis Wright has won the Stella prize for Australian women's writing. Our book of the week is In The Garden Of The Fugitives by Ceridwen Dovey. She has been called "one of the most exciting writers working in Australia today" (Readings) and this novel has been praised by Kirkus Reviews, The Australian and The Herald Sun. But what did Anna and Annie think? Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winton. Credits: Artwork by Sascha Wilkosz.

Anna and Annie discuss book news: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tracker-Alexis-Wright-ebook/dp/B07712FQF7" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tracker</a> by Alexis Wright has won the <a href="http://thestellaprize.com.au/prize/2018-prize/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stella prize</a> for Australian women's writing. Our book of the week is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Fugitives-Novel-Ceridwen-Dovey/dp/0374226644" rel="noopener noreferrer"> In The Garden Of The Fugitives</a> by Ceridwen Dovey.&nbsp; She has been called "one of the most exciting writers working in Australia today" (Readings) and this novel has been praised by Kirkus Reviews, The Australian and The Herald Sun.&nbsp; But what did Anna and Annie think? Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-shepherd-s-hut-tim-winton/prod9780143786115.html" rel="noopener noreferrer"> The Shepherd's Hut</a> by Tim Winton. Credits: Artwork by Sascha Wilkosz.

Episode 3: In The Garden Of The Fugitives by Ceridwen Dovey

Anna and Amanda discuss book news: a new <a href= "https://www.pottermore.com/news/new-game-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-launches-today"> Harry Potter game</a> and a <a href= "https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/may/10/picnic-at-hanging-rock-review-tale-of-missing-schoolgirls-haunted-by-its-own-retelling"> TV adaptation</a> of Australian classic <a href= "https://www.amazon.com.au/Picnic-Hanging-Rock-Penguin-Classics-ebook/dp/B01E6G6GWO"> Picnic at Hanging Rock</a>. Our book of the week is <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Sight-Novel-Jessie-Greengrass/dp/0525574603"> Sight</a> by Jessie Greengrass, shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Next week, Anna and Annie will be reading <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Fugitives-Novel-Ceridwen-Dovey/dp/0374226644"> In The Garden Of The Fugitives</a> by Ceridwen Dovey.

Anna and Amanda discuss book news: a new Harry Potter game and a TV adaptation of Australian classic Picnic at Hanging Rock. Our book of the week is Sight by Jessie Greengrass, shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Next week, Anna and Annie will be reading In The Garden Of The Fugitives by Ceridwen Dovey.

Anna and Amanda discuss book news: a new <a href="https://www.pottermore.com/news/new-game-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-launches-today" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Harry Potter game</a> and a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/may/10/picnic-at-hanging-rock-review-tale-of-missing-schoolgirls-haunted-by-its-own-retelling" rel="noopener noreferrer"> TV adaptation</a> of Australian classic <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Picnic-Hanging-Rock-Penguin-Classics-ebook/dp/B01E6G6GWO" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Picnic at Hanging Rock</a>. Our book of the week is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sight-Novel-Jessie-Greengrass/dp/0525574603" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Sight</a> by Jessie Greengrass, shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Next week, Anna and Annie will be reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Fugitives-Novel-Ceridwen-Dovey/dp/0374226644" rel="noopener noreferrer"> In The Garden Of The Fugitives</a> by Ceridwen Dovey.

Episode 2: Sight by Jessie Greengrass

Anna and Annie discuss the latest bestsellers, notably The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winton. Our book of the week is <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Ruin-Novel-Dervla-McTiernan/dp/0143133128">The Ruin</a> by Dervla McTiernan, a crime novel set in Ireland. Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Sight-Novel-Jessie-Greengrass/dp/0525574603"> Sight</a> by Jessie Greengrass.

Anna and Annie discuss the latest bestsellers, notably The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winton. Our book of the week is The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan, a crime novel set in Ireland. Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading Sight by Jessie Greengrass.

Anna and Annie discuss the latest bestsellers, notably The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winton. Our book of the week is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ruin-Novel-Dervla-McTiernan/dp/0143133128" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Ruin</a> by Dervla McTiernan, a crime novel set in Ireland. Next week, Anna and Amanda will be reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sight-Novel-Jessie-Greengrass/dp/0525574603" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Sight</a> by Jessie Greengrass.

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