Book Matters

Here at Book Matters we recognise and celebrate the importance of diversity in books as they serve as both a mirror and a window into different human experiences. This month we celebrate the many wonderful LGBTQ books and authors in honour of Wear it purple day. Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. The role literature pl...

Today at Book Matters we welcome two phenomenal Australian authors. First up  Courtney speaks with Sulari Gentill about her new literary adventure novel The woman in library, which examines the complicated nature of friendship and how words can turn into a deadly weapon. Then  Janine speaks with debut author Neela Janakiramana about her compelling and illuminating psychological thriller novel The...

On the podcast today we speak to two exceptional Australian crime writers.  Emma Viskic is author of the internationally acclaimed Caleb Zelic series. Her novels have won numerous prizes, including a Ned Kelly Award and an unprecedented five Davitt Awards.  We hear about Those Who Perish which concludes the Caleb Zelic series. Then we chat to debut novelist Matthew Spencer whose novel Black River...

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cu...

In our annual Debut Author special we have three new Australian authors to chat to. First up Janine chats to Bernadette Jiwa about her debut novel The Making of Her which is is a page-turning mother-daughter love story, spanning the 1960s to 1990s, charting one woman’s journey to escape the legacy of the society that shaped her. Courtney then speaks with Lyn Yeowart  about her suspenseful, origina...

In this episode we travel across to the USA where we chat  to New York times best selling Women's Fiction author Jane Green from her home in Westport, Connecticut, about her new novel Sister Stardust in which she  re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging ’60s.  We then talk to young adult fiction writer E. Lockhart...

On this episode we chat to Sydney writer Mark Lamprell about his new novel "The Secret Wife" which takes us back to the 1960's in suburban Sydney - a perfect example of the powers of female friendship.  We also talk to Mary-Rose Cuskelly about her debut novel "The Cane" which is set in the cane fields of Queensland and is an evocative and atmospheric thriller, set in the 1...

In this episode we chat to two very different authors.   Benjamin Stevenson is an Australian award-winning stand-up comedian and author who chats about his new murder mystery novel Everyone in my Family has killed Someone .   Then we go across to North Carolina in the USA and talk to Women's Fiction author Kristy Woodson Harvey about her Peachtree Bluff series which is being adapted for telev...

In this episode we speak with young adult fantasy and science fiction author Astrid Scholte about her new novel League of Liars where four teenagers are charged with the illegal use of magic get together to devise the ultimate jailbreak. A thrilling YA fantasy novel full of twists and turns. We also chat to debut author Lizzie Pook about her novel Moonlight & the Pearlers Daughter - an exquisi...

In this episode we speak with Australian author Diana Reed about her contemporary novel Love & Virtue Feminism where power and sex play out through the eyes of young Australian uni students in a contemporary narrative that is fiercely authentic,  and also with Australian rural suspense writer Fleur McDonald about her new novel Deception Creek about a returned criminal, a cult-like family and c...

Episode four of our Summer Series features a look back on our chat with International bestselling author, Martha Hall Kelly as well as some usual reviews and recommendations for you! Read Next Newsletter Connected Libraries Website Connected Libraries Facebook Page In a nook with a book Facebook Group Connected Libraries Instagram Page Connected Libraries YouTube

In this episode we revisit our chat to Melbourne based writer Sally Hepworth about her writing experience and her novel, The Good Sister . Read Next Newsletter Connected Libraries Website Connected Libraries Facebook Page In a nook with a book Facebook Group Connected Libraries Instagram Page Connected Libraries YouTube

In Episode 2 of our Summer Series, we look back on our conversation with American bestselling author, Deborah Rodriguez.  Deborah talks about her writing journey, her inspiration and her book The Little Coffee Shop of Kaboul. Read Next Newsletter Connected Libraries Website Connected Libraries Facebook Page In a nook with a book Facebook Group Connected Libraries Instagram Page Connected Libraries...

Our Summer Series kicks off with a look back at our conversation with leading Australian crime fiction novelist Chris Hammer, author of international bestsellers Scrublands , Silver and Trust . Read Next Newsletter Connected Libraries Website Connected Libraries Facebook Page In a nook with a book Facebook Group Connected Libraries Instagram Page Connected Libraries YouTube

In our last episode for 2021  we chat to Australian authors, Louise Guy and Jodie Gibson. Louise talks to us about her latest novel "Her Last Hope" while Jodie takes us away to Italy with her new release "The Five Year Plan".   As ever, our talented team  also have some great Summer reading recommendations you can take away on your Summer holidays! Reviews: The Lido by Libby Pa...

This month we chat to debut writer Hannah Bent about her writing and her novel - When Things are Alive they Hum .  We also speak with Miles Franklin award winner Sofie Laguna about her new Children's book - The Song of Lewis Carmichael . Our staff also review:  The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi Group by Christie Tate Poly by Paul Dalgarno CSI Told you Lies by Meshel Laurie Read Next Newsletter C...

In this episode we had the pleasure of talking with local YA fantasy and romance writer C S Pacat about her latest novel Dark Rise, a fantasy epic set in 1800s London. Inspired by the works of JR Tolkein and Mercedes Lackey, this gripping tale of good and evil will challenge all your preconceptions of the fantasy genre. Tim speaks with Cat about her road to publication, her overnight success The C...

This month we are joined by debut Australian author Tania Farrelly who's story The Eighth Wonder will transport you back to New York in 1897. A story described as The Suffragette meets The Greatest Showman  Tania has weaved a tale both exciting and empowering and she chats to Janine about her journey to publication. We are also lucky enough to talk with author Kerry McGinnis about her new boo...

In this month's episode we celebrate Australian Book Week 2021 by interviewing  audio book narrator, actor and writer Stig Wemyss. His amazing voice work might be familiar to families who have enjoyed The Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton or perhaps you might have caught him voicing Eli on Trent Dalton's Boy Swallows Universe. Stig brings a larrikin charm to any story h...

In this month's episode Janine speaks with author Debra Oswald two-time winner of the NSW Premier’s Literary Award and the creator/head writer of the first five seasons of the TV series Offspring.  Her latest novel The Family Doctor is a domestic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your reading chair!   Reviews in this episode include: The Survivors by Jane Harper How to Mend a Broken...

In this episode we have two exciting author interviews for you. Sam talks with Australian author and poet Tabitha Bird about her latest novel The Imporium of Imagination . A captivating novel of magical realism about a fantastical shop that brings comfort, peace and hope to those in need. Makaila interviews author Paige Toon about her latest novel Someone I Used to Know,  a romance that's str...

This month we celebrate the works of First Nations authors in honour of NAIDOC Week 2021.   In this Episode Tim speaks with debut YA author and Yuin man Gary Lonesborough about his novel The Boy From the Mish , a coming of age story about love, family and culture. Janine reviews Anita Heiss new novel Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams  a gripping tale of the Murrumbidgee River flooding o...

This month we celebrate debut authors with two author interviews! Emma Young is from Perth and is a former Bookseller. Her first novel "The Last Bookshop" is all about the weird and wonderful humans you meet over the bookshop counter. and also about the dwindling supply of independent bookstores. Katie McMahon is a GP from Tasmania as well as a writer. Her debut novel The Mistake is a ta...

This month we chat with  Australian author Amanda Hampson, author of six novels.   Her new novel Lovebirds  is a road trip story that explores family, love and redemption. Warm witty and wise and possibly a great story to get you through winter! We also recommend the following books this month, A House Full of Secrets by Zoe Miller Americanah  By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Bones  by Gabrielle Lord Y...

Joining us this month is LA based Australian author Cassandra Austin. Sam chats to her about her latest thriller Like Mother , a gripping tale set in 1969 with an intergenerational twist. We also have lots of reviews to share with you including , The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku, a remarkable story of a Holocaust survivor, All That is Solid Melts Into Air  by Marshall Berman a novel that te...