Book Matters

WELCOME BACK TO BOOK MATTERS, WE HOPE YOU ALL HAD A LOVELY SUMMER BREAK.   ON OUR FIRST EPISODE OF SEASON 5 WE HAVE TWO VERY DIFFERENT AUTHORS AND BOOKS TO TALK ABOUT. FIRST UP,  JANINE CHATS WITH CANBERRA BASED AUTHOR KAREN VIGGERS ABOUT HER LATEST NOVEL ‘SIDELINES’ , WHICH EXPLORES WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TEENAGE SOCCER GAME DESCENDS INTO A BRAWL AFTER A CONTROVERSIAL LINE CALL. NEXT UP COURTNEY SPE...

In our final episode for the year we have two Australian Historical Fiction writers to hear from.  Janine speaks with Sydney author Tania Blanchard about her new novel A Woman of Courage - A gripping, uplifting new Victorian era novel about passion, love, loss, self-discovery and the right to be heard, inspired by a true story.    Then Kate speaks with Darry Fraser about her latest novel – The Mil...

Janine speaks with UK author Wendy Holden about her novel ”The Princess” which is the final novel in Wendy Holden's trilogy about royal outsiders, and fictionalises Princess Diana's little-known early years. Then Kate speaks with Melbourne writer Kirsty Manning about her new novel  “The Hidden Book” which is a compelling novel based on a true story of a WWII European heirloom that brough...

 On Book Matters this month Kate speaks with Irish author Emma Donoghue about her mesmerizing new novel set in 1805 " Learned by Heart ",  which tells the heartbreaking story of the tangled lives of two women whose intense, and unlikely, relationship will change them for ever.  Then Lynda chats with Sydney writer Fiona Britton about her mystery novel "Violet Kelly and the Jade Owl&q...

 In this episode Connected Libraries celebrates History Month where our Local History Librarian Kate speaks with Heather Arnold about her research and her new book Enchanted Beneath the Bluff -  Agnes & Geraldine's pursuit of Elwood's elusive Black Diamonds. A fascinating story set in Elwood and St Kilda in the days of suffrage and spiritualism set in the 1890's. Read Next Newsl...

 On Book Matters Janine speaks with South Australian author Meredith Appleyard about her latest women’s fiction novel Daisy & Kate which is a compelling exploration of the waxing and waning of friendships; how precious they are, and the heartbreak that happens when it all comes undone.   Then Sam talks to Brisbane author Susan Johnson about her memoir Aphrodite’s Breath , that tells what happe...

On Book Matters we like to shine a light on authors who are publishing their first book and in this special episode Courtney talks to debut Australian author Lucy Campbell about her compelling mystery novel ‘Lowbridge’ which is a heart-wrenching mystery about the girls who are lost, the ones who are mourned, and those who are forgotten, in a town simmering with divisions and a cast of unforgettabl...

Ïn this special episode we celebrate ''Wear It Purple Day'' with well -known Australian author Will Kostatskis. Wear it purple day strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. Today Courtney chats to Will  about his latest novel We could be something , a story which takes readers on a wonderful yet emotional rollercoaster t...

Today on the podcast Janine speaks to US author T J Newman about her writing and her latest novel Drowning which is an unforgettable thriller about a family’s desperate fight to save themselves and the people trapped with them—against impossible odds.  Then Sam speaks with debut novelist Pip Finkemeyer about her novel Sad Girl where A young woman tries to figure out if she’s the best (a creative g...

In this episode we have two debut authors to chat to. Courtney speaks with  author Naima Brown who speaks about her debut novel    The Shot   which shines a light on reality television, then Janine speaks with Kate Solly about her delightful novel    Tuesday Evenings with The Copeton Craft Resistance ,   which is a heartwarming story of friendship in an imperfect world, feel-good fiction at its be...

On the podcast today Sam speaks with debut Australian author Michael Thompson about his novel How to be Remembered which is a heartwarming, poignant and ultimately inspiring novel about the important things in life. Then Kate talks to Tara Calaby about her debut Australian historical fiction novel House of Longing which is set in 1895 and takes place largely in Kew Asylum. It explores loss, grief...

On Book Matters this month Janine chats to Sydney based crime writer Rae Cairns about her heart stopping thriller Dying to Know which is a page turning novel about A desperate phone call. A decade of questions and A deadly race to find the truth. Then we go across the world to New York City where Sam speaks with debut novelist Mikki Brammer about her book The Collected Regrets of Clover, which rem...

This month on Book Matters we have a Historical Fiction episode.  First up Janine talks to South Australian author Victoria Purman, where we find out all about her new novel “A Woman’s Work’’ which takes us back to Australia in the 1950’s and the Australian Women’s Weekly cooking competition, where two women have the possibility of a new kind of future. Then Carol speaks with well-known author Jac...

Today on the podcast Janine speaks with Sydney Author Genevieve Gannon who is an award-winning Sydney-based journalist and author of four novels. Her new book The Gifted Son, explores the subject of “one punch” when a talented student is a victim and the consequences of everyone around him.   Genevieve is fast becoming the Australian version of Jodi Picoult  where she writes about moral dilemmas i...

In our first episode for 2023 we celebrate Library Lovers Day!  Courtney speaks with Nina Kenwood about her new novel Unnecessary Drama which is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story. And a coming-of-age story, and a moving-out-of-home story, and a making-new-friends story, and a dealing-with-anxiety story. And according to the author it’s funny! Then Carol speaks to Canberra author Emma Grey about...

Back in lockdown during 2021 we had the pleasure of speaking with historical fiction writer Fiona McIntosh.   She was just launching her new novel ‘The Spy’s Wife’ which takes us from the windswept moors of the Yorkshire dales, to the noisy beer halls of Munich, and grand country estates in the picture-book Bavarian mountains.   This is a lively and high-stakes thriller that will keep you second-g...

Sue shares an interview with author Heather Morris who tells us about her global bestselling novel " Three Sisters " which is based on the incredible true story of the Meller sisters - a beautiful story of hope in the hardest of times and of finding love after loss.    Three Sisters is her third novel, and the final piece in the phenomenon that is the Tattooist of Auschwitz series .   We...

Back in February last year we had the pleasure of speaking with Sydney author Mary-Anne O’Connor for Library Lovers Day.   She spoke about her writing process and told us all about her inspiration for her new novel “Dressed by Iris”, which is a vivid, romantic story of Sydney in the 1930s Depression - the heartbreak, the glamour, the dark underbelly, the struggle towards a better day - and one you...

Welcome to our Summer Series where we look back at some of the In-Conversation online events over the previous year.  Back in lockdown we had the utmost pleasure in speaking with Australian Author Judy Nunn via Zoom who told us all about her new novel Showtime,  which will take you from the cotton mills of England to the magnificent theatres of Melbourne, on a scintillating journey through the gol...

 In our final episode for 2022 Carol has a wonderful chat with Christine Courtenay who has written a memoir about her late husband Bryce Courtenay. From his humble beginnings in Africa to his dazzling success in advertising and as a bestselling author, Bryce’s extraordinary, rags-to-riches life story reads like one of his epic novels. It was a life marked by all the big themes – overcoming adversi...

Welcome to this very special episode of Book Matters to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism.    Casey Cardinia Libraries is proud to support the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender based Violence campaign. And what better way to contribute to the conversation than with books.  We have an interview with Manjula Datta O'Connor about her enlightening book, Daughters of Durga: Dowries, Ge...

We talk to two authors about their very different novels. Courtney chats to Tom Baragwanath about his crime novel Paper Cage set in Masterton New Zealand about a small community where children have gone missing which is a nail-biting thriller and a beautifully written, acutely observed portrait of a community. Janine then chats to Tasmanian author Minnie Darke about her new novel With Love from Wi...

Today on Book Matters we are bringing you a bonus Australian Crime lovers special - Courtney delves into ' The Tilt ' which is a stunning multi-layered novel by Chris Hammer who is the acclaimed and award-winning author of the international bestsellers Scrublands , Silver , Trust and Treasure & Dirt.   Then Janine chats with Australian author Petronella McGovern about her new novel &...

On Book Matters today Janine speaks with the lovely Tricia Stringer about her new novel Keeping Up Appearances which is a delightful novel full of practical wisdom and dry humour that examines female friendship, buried secrets and why honesty is (usually) the best policy. Then Lynda chats to author Alex Sarkis about her novel Something Blue which is about loving home and leaving home, but never es...

Today at Book Matters we enjoy chatting to two fabulous Australian authors. First up Sam talks to acclaimed writer Meg Bignell about her newest novel The angry women's choir - a laugh out loud tale of friendship, music and the incredible capability of women to achieve wonderful things. Jess then speaks to debut YA author Miranda Luby about her novel Sadie Starr's guide to starting over;...