'Becoming a man is a process of subtraction' - so says one of the leading experts in masculinity and men's mental health. But why? And what can we do to change that?

In this episode, Luke is joined by Dr Zac Seidler: clinical psychologist, Global Director of Research at Movember and Associate Professor with Orygen at the University of Melbourne.

Together, they dismantle the many stories men are told, and learn to tell themselves, about how they should be - from how the pressures of self-optimization culture creates isolated "lone-wolves", to the "perception gap" that keeps men from expressing themselves, and how reading, especially fiction, can serve as an antidote, and a path to empathy and authenticity.

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We're back to finish Luke's list of favourite books he's read this year - including an EPIC fantasy, a global best-seller smash, the end of a romantic trilogy very well known to listeners of this podcast, and Luke's absolute top pick which he now calls one of his favourites of all time!

Which of these have you read? What have your favourite book discoveries of the year been so far?
Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast: 
email [email protected].

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It's the halfway point of the year and, surprise, Luke's read a lot of books so far! Here he takes us through some of his favourite discoveries - from a fantasy at the end of the world, sci-fi that takes you out of this world, a non-fiction that changes the way you see our world and more.

Which of these have you read? What have your favourite book discoveries of the year been so far?
Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast: 
email [email protected].

Stay connected on our socials:
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Let's be clear - this definitely isn't one to have on in the car with the kids. 

Luke is joined by his friend, the beautiful and brilliant Tierney Page, for an unfiltered, laugh-out-loud, and deeply insightful chat that might change how you see romance writing.
From her hilariously honest reading roots—recounting how A Court of Thorns and Roses and its "hot fairies" served as her ultimate gateway back into books —to spontaneously deciding to become a romance novelist, Tierney also dishes on her writing process, explaining how she crafts high-heat scenes that actually develop character relationships and progress the plot, and her secrets for penning the perfect male main character. 

Together, Luke and Tierney put some respect on the genre that underpins the entire publishing industry, exploring why romance novels are essentially the ultimate handbook for men on communication, consent and desire, about the cathartic, vulnerable reality of using books as a personal journal for healing, and much more.

Find more about Tierney's London Hearts Series here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/series/tierney-page/london-hearts/ 

Thanks to Hachette

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For the many years Georgie Tunny has graced our TV screens, and many others before, there was another dream she held: the dream of being an author, a dream she has now achieved with Over to You - her debut novel of fierce female friendships set behind the scenes of the high stakes chaos of the media world. 

In this episode, Georgie draws the lines between her own career and the inspirations for the book, she shares her very relatable early reading loves, how her writing process was far less peaceful than she expected, the truths she's had to face up to about sexism and ageism in her industry, and despite how much she has in common with Luke (which is a lot) there's one thing about how they like their books that couldn't be more different... 

 

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Charlotte McConaghy (Wild Dark Shore, Migrations, Once Were Wolves) is one of Australia's most acclaimed authors; known for her lush prose, fiercely emotional tone and environments so rich you feel instantly transported. And turns out, her process is every bit as wild as what it creates.

In this episode, Charlotte tells Luke all about how she practically skipped school homework after starting her first book at fourteen, how she intentionally channels her biggest emotions—from intense sadness and rage to deep fear—into her protagonists so they can fight their way toward healing, peace, and love, and how a wild research trip to a haunted island was the biggest breakthrough of her recent novel. 

Don't forget to check out the Good Books Club episode discussing Charlotte's work Migrations!

What are your thoughts? Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast:
email [email protected].

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How far would you go to find hope in a desolate world? Are we all just wild at heart? How can we accept and be loved for who we truly are?

These are just some of the questions that arise as you journey with Charlotte McConaghy’s breathtaking climate fiction masterpiece, Migrations (also published as The Last Migration).
In this episode, Luke breaks down McConaghy’s lyrical, screenwriting-paced prose while diving headfirst into the story's raw landscape of grief, environmental desolation, and the beautiful, unconditional love that still pervades through it all. 

What are your thoughts? Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast:
email [email protected].

Stay connected on our socials:
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Thanks to Hachette - for the list of their expert readalikes for Migrations, go to https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books 

and for more, visit www.hachette.com.au

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What if the collapse of everything we know isn't a catastrophe to fear, but an opportunity for our fullest humanity?

This is the idea explored by multi-New York Times and Amazon bestselling author and social philosopher Sarah Wilson in her latest book I Eat the Stars. In this conversation, she explains exactly what complex systems collapse means, the process of writing the book, including speaking to over 200 global thought leaders, why we must continue to create art no matter what, and what radical hope and love truly look like. 

Did this conversation spark something for you? Have some thoughts of your own?
Share them with Luke - email a voice note to [email protected]

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Naomi may be the daughter of Nobel Prize winning writer Kazuo Ishiguro, but for her own writing, she is carving a very different and distinctly unique path - particularly in her new book The Rainshadow Orphans. It's one that balances high stakes adventure with writing that feels like a warm coat, that makes our inner children smile, and that tastes like bubble tea.

In this chat, Naomi talks about what it was like growing up in a very literary household, her time in a 'book spa' working to find people their perfect book, the power of found families, her love of the fantasy community, and the reasons she chooses to follow joy 

 

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Luke is putting his spice tolerance to the test by ranking nine of the most romantic books he's read by how hot the action really gets. From the safe and tender pages of mainstream rom-coms to the completely unhinged world of monster smut, Luke lets you know which books keep their socks on and which ones bring serious ghost pepper heat. Turn up the AC - and maybe close the door - because things are about to get spicy on In The Good Books.

Thanks to our sponsor Wild Secrets. Visit wildsecrets.com.au and use the code GOODBOOKS for a 20% discount. Wild Secrets, Pleasure Delivered.

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