Talking Aussie Books

Danielle Binks is a Melbourne-based writer, reviewer, agent, book blogger and youth literature advocate. In 2017, she edited and contributed to an anthology of Australian young adult stories inspired by the LoveOZYA movement for which she is a passionate advocate. And now, she has written a YA novel entitled 'The Year The Maps Changed' (Hachette). A compelling and beautifully written middle-grade coming of age story from which we can all learn about kindness and empathy through an examination of our recent past.

Join the fabulous Danielle and I we chat about her road to publication, fan fiction and how (not) to research along with her top tips for aspiring writers!

Katherine Scholes in an Australian best-selling author based in Hobart. She has sold over two million novels globally which have been translated into a number of languages. Many of her novels have been set in Tanzania, Africa. The place of her birth.

Her new novel, set in Tanzania, is called "The Beautiful Mother". It's an exquisitely told tale of one woman's experience of motherhood, what it means to be a mother and . . . what it means to be human.

On the eve of Mother's Day in Australia, join Katherine and I in this wonderfully insightful chat about motherhood, her heritage, inspiration and her character Essie's journey to find the origin of our species.

Jennifer McKenzie Dunbar is an Adelaide based author whose debut novel "Vivaldi's Lost Concerto" is a surprising and fascinating exploration of love, music, of what it means to be marginalised as well as the power of friendship.

With dual timelines spotlighting 21st century Australia alongside 18th century Scotland and Italy, it's an epic story inspired by true historical events.

I loved reading this book and learnt a great deal in the process.

Join Jennifer and I as we chat about Vivaldi, his life, the Scottish connection and the healing value of music.

Sarah Clutton is a lawyer turned author who writes novels best described as a mixture of mystery, family secrets and drama. Her first novel "Good Little Liars" released last year was a runaway success. Emotionally gripping and filled with a cast of nuanced characters, the success of this debut was unsurprising. This year, Sarah is back with a brand new novel. "The Daughter's Promise" is another drama with a deep, dark secret at its heart and which delivers another page-turning read. I loved it.

Join Sarah and I in this brand new episode and listen to us chat about her inspiration, the wild beauty of the Apple Isle, gardening and much more.

Cassie Hamer is a best-selling Australian author who has recently released her second book into the world. "The End of Cuthbert Close" is a fabulous, fun and insightful novel about friendships and romance with a dash of intrigue thrown in for good measure. If you like Liane Moriarty's books, you will love "The End of Cuthbert Close" as well as Cassie's debut title "After the Party".

Join Cassie and I as we chat about mother's guilt, good/ bad neighbours and looking good naked! An unforgettable podcast interview you won't want to miss.

Vanessa McCausland's debut novel "The Lost Summers of Driftwood" is another shining example of the quality of Australian fiction on offer at the moment.

A novel redolent of long, lazy summers and days gone-by, this novel made me nostalgic for my own childhood. Of days before smart phones and the internet. . .when being bored meant heading outside to play instead of being glued to a device.

Tune in to my chat with the lovely Vanessa and then. . .get this book. You won't be sorry. I LOVED it.

Candice Fox is the international best-selling crime writer with a swag of title and awards to her name. Her new book, "Gathering Dark" (Penguin) is a gritty, clever and compulsive tale about an unlikely group of women who band together to find a missing girl. The result is a thrilling read which made me wonder anew at the inner machinations of a crime writer and what inspires them to write such tales.

Join me for this insightful and highly entertaining chat.

Sandie Docker is the best-selling author of "The Kookaburra Creek Café" and "The Cottage at Rosella Cove". A novelist whose star is definitely on a stratospheric rise.

Her new novel, "The Banksia Bay Beach Shack" has just been released. And she returns to the podcast today to chat to me about first loves, last chances and secrets that rocked a small Australian seaside town in the 1960s.

Tune in to my fun and wide-ranging chat with the inimitable Sandie.

Hope you love this book as much as I did.

Anna Romer is the author of four books published by Simon & Schuster and writes stories that evoke our unique Australian landscape. Stories that uncover dark family secrets, old rambling houses and characters who are haunted by their past. Her latest book, 'Under the Midnight Sky' (2019) had a generous dash of all these elements. A beautiful tale that explores the underbelly of trauma and grief in an evocative tale that will keep you turning pages until its thrilling conclusion. If you haven't picked up one of Anna's books yet, I highly recommend this one.

Tune in as we chat about Anna's inspiration, Stockholm syndrome, life in rural Australia, poetry and much, much more.

Kerri Turner is a Sydney-based author of two historical fiction titles. Her latest, "The Daughter of Victory Lights" (HQ Fiction) is a meticulously researched exploration of the difficulties faced by women after the end of the second World War, about wartime sacrifice and of its lasting impacts on those who survived and those who came after them. An illuminating, compelling read to say the least.

Join me as I chat to Kerri about her background, her inspiration and much, much more.