Talking Aussie Books

Just over four years ago, I had the very great fortune to interview an outstanding debut novelist.

I was relatively new to the world of podcasting then, still finding my way and, consequently, feeling like I’d won the lottery when I was handed the opportunity to speak with this brilliant author.

Listeners, I know you will feel my joy and nerves in equal measures when I tell you that author was Holly Ringland.

The much-celebrated creator of the world-wide phenomenon that was and still is 'The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart' published by HarperCollins.

Once I had recovered from my terror, speaking to Holly who was in England at the time, became a conversation I would never forget. It was overwhelming to speak with this incredible woman who has become an inspirational figure for women and writers around the globe.

And to my utter amazement, I got to do it all again.

This time in honour of Holly’s second novel, 'The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding'.

I was honoured to welcome Holly back to the podcast late last year.

Emma Harcourt is a Sydney-based writer who works a researcher and journalist as well as an author.

After completing the Faber Academy course in 2011, Emma began writing historical fiction.

The result was two novels: the first being the critically acclaimed international best-selling title 'The Shanghai Wife' published in 2018 and now 'The Brightest Star' released earlier this year by HQ Fiction.

Whilst I haven’t read 'The Shanghai Wife' yet, I was utterly enthralled by Luna’s story in 'The Brightest Star'.

As a fan of historical fiction in general, this book was a page-turning read giving its audience insight into the plight of women in Renaissance Florence - which sadly still echoes in parts of the world today.

I was excited to have the chance to speak with Emma in more detail about the book on the podcast a little while ago.

Eliza Henry-Jones is a Victorian author, freelance writer, Phd candidate and flower farmer whose previous novels have been listed for multiple literary awards.

Her work has been published in a variety of places - including The Guardian, Country Style and The Age amongst others.

In 2017, a trip to the remote Orkney Islands of Scotland highlighted Eliza’s preoccupation with hauntings and the interplay between places and traumatic events.

This in turn inspired her latest novel.

Called 'Salt and Skin' (Ultimo Press), Eliza has drawn on her experience of the Orkney Islands and penned an evocative novel steeped in history and folklore. It’s a book that explores love and family, grief and trauma and the way past hurts can continue to affect the present.

An utterly mesmerising read that I was hard-pressed to put down.

I was delighted to chat with Eliza about her novel on the podcast earlier this year. 

I love reading all types of books.  Crime, thriller, domestic noir, family drama, YA, magical realism and romance.  You name it, I probably have it on my shelf.  

But there's nothing quite like reading a rom-com for pure escapism and sheer joy. 

And that's what reading Nina Kenwood's 'Unnecessary Drama' was for me. 

Published by Text Publishing earlier this year, 'Unnecessary Drama' was a laugh-out-loud, thoroughly delightful, feel-good novel about moving out of home, life as a uni student, falling in love and dealing with what Nina refers to in the book as an 'anxious brain'. 

A book which can be enjoyed equally by young adults as well as a more mature audience.

I had a terrifically entertaining chat with Nina on the podcast earlier this year. 

Jackie Bailey is a writer who holds a PhD in creative writing from the University of NSW and whose work has appeared in a variety of publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, ScreenHub, ArtsHub and the Australian Journal of Human Rights. 

Jackie's debut novel 'The Eulogy' was published by Hardy Grant earlier this year.

A work of auto-fiction (drawing heavily on Jackie's own life and experiences), 'The Eulogy' was a moving and memorable book about death, grief and the effects of intergenerational trauma.  

I was honoured to have the chance to speak with Jackie about this exceptional book earlier this year. 

Tori Haschka is a published cookbook author who has appeared on TV programs like The Today Show and Adam Liaw's The Cook Up and has written for a variety of publications including The Times, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian.  

Her first novel 'Grace Under Pressure', published in 2021, heralded a new genre of food fiction - combining her love of the gastronomic with her experiences of motherhood. 

This year Tori published her second novel - exploring these two themes once again. Called 'A Recipe for Family' (Simon & Schuster), this novel examines modern motherhood, how food connects us and what it means to be a family. 

An intelligent, insightful and relatable novel that will appeal for food lovers and readers alike.

I was delighted to welcome Tori to the podcast earlier this year. 

Vikki Petraitis is the author of the best-selling true crime books "The Frankston Murders" and "The Phillip Island Murder" as well as a podcaster - making two highly successful podcasts with Case File Presents: series which have topped charts around the world and enjoyed millions of downloads. 

More recently, Vikki won the inaugural Allen & Unwin Crime prize with her first work of fiction "The Unbelieved" (published earlier this year).

Devouring it from cover to cover, I understood why this manuscript took out the prize. 

Empowering, explosive, gritty and insightful, "The Unbelieved" is a novel that should be on everyone's must-read list. 

I was thrilled to have the chance to chat with Vikki about her remarkable book on the podcast earlier this year. 

Denise Picton's debut novel "The Family String" (Ultimo Press) is a poignant, beautifully written novel about a difficult mother-daughter relationship which explores mental health issues in the context of a faith that could not understand such issues along with the way children cope with family dynamics.

An uplifting, but at times heart-breaking novel capturing the unique, irrepressible voice of its 12 year-old protagonist Dorcas Wilson. 

I loved it and was delighted to welcome Denise to the podcast earlier this year. 

Mercedes Mercier is author of the electric debut novel "White Noise" published by HarperCollins Australia earlier this year.

Drawn from Mercedes' real-life experiences working in the Australian corrections system for almost a decade, "White Noise" is a triumph of a novel. 

I was utterly mesmerised by the world Mercedes created - exploring the ongoing effects of trauma and addiction and offering a chilling insight into the mind of a psychopath.  

A brilliant read for lovers of crime and psychological thrillers. 

Tune into the fabulous chat I recorded with Mercedes a little while back. 

Rachael Johns has been described as the 'undisputed queen of Australian women's fiction' and with a whopping 29 titles under her belt to date, I'm sure you'll agree it's an apt title. 

An award-winning author with her own online bookclub - membership of which has now reached some 5000 members - Rachael is a force to be reckoned with.  

I was more than a little delighted to have the chance to speak with Rachael ahead of the release of her new novel, 'The Work Wives' (HQ Fiction). 

A fun chat in which Rachael gives us some insight into her writing process and how she manages to pump out two titles a year, read voraciously as well as keep up with all her other work-related commitments. 

An episode not to miss!