Talking Aussie Books

Tricia Stringer is a multi-award winning bestselling Australian author of 17 novels which include 'Back on Track', 'Keeping Up Appearances', 'Birds of a Feather', 'The Model Wife' and 'Table for Eight' amongst others.

Tricia's brand new novel 'Head for the Hills' has just been released by HQ Fiction and what a joyful, insightful and timely read it is.

I was thrilled to welcome Tricia back to the podcast recently to chat about the problems the people of the fictional town of Jesserton in the Adelaide Hills face when the sale of a deceased estate wreaks havoc on the community.

Julie Bennett is a Sydney-based author of two wonderfully rich, intriguing historical novels. 'The Understudy' published in 2022 and now 'The Lost Letters of Rose Carey' published earlier this year by Simon & Schuster Australia.

Storytelling is in Julie’s blood and that first novel was the most magnificent story - taking readers back to Sydney in 1973, inspired by her own childhood as the daughter of an opera singer as well as the Sydney Opera House itself.

‘The Lost Letters of Rose Carey’ is another glimpse into yesteryear, offering us a page-turning, immersive and fascinating story inspired by a trailblazing Australian woman.

I was delighted to welcome Julie back to the podcast recently to chat about her work.

Christine Paice is the author of the incredible new novel ‘The Oxenbridge King’ which has just been published by HarperCollins Australia. 

Listeners to say that this was a novel I enjoyed, would be an understatement. 

'The Oxenbridge King' takes you back in time, giving you a glimpse into a by-gone era and ruminates on events we can only speculate about. 

A clever, funny and at times heart wrenching story, this book is enthralling and intriguing in equal measures. 

Inspired by the discovery of the bones of Richard III beneath a car park in England back in 2012, Christine has crafted a stunning, beautifully written novel that blends both fact and fiction in an utterly unique way. 

Petronella McGovern is the author of 4 crime novels and two non-fiction titles. 

Her first book, Six Minutes - published in 2019 was an instant bestseller and was shortlisted for the Ned Kelley Awards in 2020. 

The Good Teacher was next, followed by The Liars. 

All masterful stories that examine the human psyche and what makes people behave the way they do. 

Petronella’s latest novel - The Last Trace - was released by Allen & Unwin last month. And listeners, I would say, this novel is Petronella’s best yet. 

A gripping novel about family, about DNA, secrets we keep, parenting, memory, cold cases and so much more. 

Set between the snowy mountains of NSW and the USA, this is a complex, twisty story with a surprise at every turn. 

An absolute page-turner from one of my favourite Aussie writers. 

I was delighted to welcome Petronella back to the podcast recently.

When Lizzy Dent’s new book landed on my desk a couple of months ago, I was excited.

'Just One Taste' (HarperCollins Australia) is a book with all the feels. Unforgettable characters, delightful romance, humour, food to salivate over and destinations to dream of.

An homage to Italy and complete sensory experience from an Aussie author that global bestselling authors Emily Henry, Marian Keyes and Beth O’Leary will happily cover quote for. 

I was thrilled to welcome Lizzy to the podcast recently to chat about 'Just One Taste'.

JP Pomare is a bestselling, award-winning author originally from New Zealand and who now lives in Australia. 

His first novel, 'Call Me Evie', published in 2018, won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel, while 'Tell Me Lies' - his third novel, became a #1 Audible Bestseller and was shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Best Crime Novel award along with the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction. 

This month JP’s brand new novel, '17 Years Later’ will hit shelves across Australia and NZ.

And listeners what a novel it is!

Published by Hachette Australia '17 Years Later' sets a cracking pace, with lots of twists and turns.

It’s an enthralling, nail-biting, propulsive read that will leave you reeling - with an ending you didn’t see coming.

I was delighted to welcome JP back to the podcast recently to chat about it.

Courtney Collins is an accomplished author screenwriter producer and podcaster.

Her first novel, 'The Burial' was published back in 2012 in ten countries and shortlisted for multiple prizes  - including the NSW Premiers Literary award and the Stella Prize.

Courtney’s second novel, ‘Bird’ has just been released by Hachette Australia. 

To say that this is a novel like no other I’ve read would be an understatement. It’s other worldly and yet so real in its exploration of themes that include misogyny and exploitation of women.

Set between the Himalayas in an unspecified time period and Darwin in the present day, 'Bird' follows the story of a young girl who is determined to live life on her own terms. 

It’s a story of resilience, hope and above all - a story about connection. 

I was delighted to chat with Courtney recently about this wonderful novel.

Listeners, some of you may recall back in March of this year, I decided to mix things up a little on the podcast, by interrogating a panel of bookish experts about what they were reading. 

Because, let’s face it, as much as I would like to think of myself as an authority on what Australians read, the truth is - my reading is mostly guided by what I’m doing for the podcast or events I have coming up. 

SO it was then I decided to chat with a reader, an author and a bookseller in an attempt to gain greater insight into reading tastes of the Australian public. 

I’m pleased to say that episode was hugely popular with listeners. So much so, I’ve decided to do it again (or something similar). 

Tune is as I chat to bestselling Aussie author Cassie Hamer ('After the Party', 'The End of Cuthbert Close' and 'The Truth About Faking It') along with bookseller, Georgia Wye from Harry Hartog's Warringah.

Few of us who have a keen interest in history and literature - particularly  Australian history and literature - will not have heard of Henry Lawson and his short story - 'The Drover’s Wife'.

First published in 1892, Lawson’s story centres on an unnamed woman living in the outback, in an isolated hut, with her four children while her husband is away droving.

One day, she and the children spot a snake disappearing under the house.  To keep her children safe, she puts them to bed on top of the table and with her faithful snake-dog ‘Alligator’, keeps vigil, waiting for  the snake to re-appear so she can kill it. 

During the long dark hours of night, she reflects on her life in the time since her marriage to the drover - giving us a glimpse into the hardships endured by women like her; fighting against the elements, loneliness and other dangers in order to protect her family and home while her husband is away. 

It’s a story that’s inspired several adaptations - including 'The Story Thief' by debut novelist Kyra Geddes.

Published this year by Affirm Press 'The Story Thief' is a poignant, clever story that explores the space between fact and fiction through Lillian Taylor: a woman born in the very year Lawson published his much-celebrated story. 

I was delighted to have the chance to chat with Kyra about her novel on the podcast recently.

The best kind of YA novels are the ones that appeal to a broad audience.  Ones that teenagers, younger and older adults alike can relate to on a multitude of levels.

In my time as a podcaster I’ve been fortunate to encounter some truly engaging, highly relevant YA stories that offer a glimpse into the lives of young adults and the issues they face making their way out into the world. 

So when I heard about Troy Hunter’s novel, ‘Gus and the Missing Boy’, a part-detective, part coming of age story, I was intrigued. And I knew I wanted to learn more. 

Troy is a Melbourne-based writer of both adult and YA fiction.  His work has appeared in a variety of publications which include Visible Ink, Nocturnal Submissions and Outrage Magazine. 

'Gus and the Missing Boy' (published by Wakefield Press) is Troy’s debut novel. 

I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with him on the podcast recently.