In The Good Books with Luke Bateman

Let's be clear - this definitely isn't one to have on in the car with the kids.  Luke is joined by his friend, the beautiful and brilliant Tierney Page, for an unfiltered, laugh-out-loud, and deeply insightful chat that might change how you see romance writing. From her hilariously honest reading roots—recounting how A Court of Thorns and Roses and its "hot fairies" served as her ultima...

For the many years Georgie Tunny has graced our TV screens, and many others before, there was another dream she held: the dream of being an author, a dream she has now achieved with Over to You - her debut novel of fierce female friendships set behind the scenes of the high stakes chaos of the media world.  In this episode, Georgie draws the lines between her own career and the inspirations f...

Charlotte McConaghy ( Wild Dark Shore, Migrations, Once Were Wolves ) is one of Australia's most acclaimed authors; known for her lush prose, fiercely emotional tone and environments so rich you feel instantly transported. And turns out, her process is every bit as wild as what it creates. In this episode, Charlotte tells Luke all about how she practically skipped school homework after starting he...

How far would you go to find hope in a desolate world? Are we all just wild at heart? How can we accept and be loved for who we truly are? These are just some of the questions that arise as you journey with Charlotte McConaghy’s breathtaking climate fiction masterpiece, Migrations (also published as The Last Migration ). In this episode, Luke breaks down McConaghy’s lyrical, screenwrit...

What if the collapse of everything we know isn't a catastrophe to fear, but an opportunity for our fullest humanity? This is the idea explored by multi-New York Times and Amazon bestselling author and social philosopher Sarah Wilson in her latest book  I Eat the Stars. In this conversation, she explains exactly what complex systems collapse means, the process of writing the book, including sp...

Naomi may be the daughter of Nobel Prize winning writer Kazuo Ishiguro, but for her own writing, she is carving a very different and distinctly unique path - particularly in her new book The Rainshadow Orphans . It's one that balances high stakes adventure with writing that feels like a warm coat, that makes our inner children smile, and that tastes like bubble tea. In this chat, Naomi talks...

Luke is putting his spice tolerance to the test by ranking nine of the most romantic books he's read by how hot the action really gets. From the safe and tender pages of mainstream rom-coms to the completely unhinged world of monster smut, Luke lets you know which books keep their socks on and which ones bring serious ghost pepper heat. Turn up the AC - and maybe close the door - because things ar...

If you wanted proof of the life-changing power of writing, you need look no further than Matt Haig. It hasn't just helped his countless readers, but first and foremost, it helped him too.  In this chat, you'll hear how about his turbulent early life, the similarities his story share with Luke's and how his first book was born of a total breakdown. Matt talks about why simple stories and writi...

We've got mail - and opinions. Luke pens his reply to Virginia Evans modern epistolary masterpiece and smash lit-hit of 2026 'The Correspondent', including why a book composed entirely of correspondence can be more compelling than prose, what it teaches us about making meaning of our lives, the beauty of connecting to others (and ourselves) and why we should all start writing letters again! And if...

It's hilarious, it's heart-wrenching, it's hectic. It's one of the most addictive series in modern fiction. And it's one awesome audiobook experience. It's Dungeon Crawler Carl - and in this episode, Luke chats to the masterminds behind it: author Matt Dinniman and audiobook producer, narrator and voice actor Jeff Hays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's why books ARE good! Luke pages through multiple studies showing the (often mind-blowing) ways that reading has been proven to be beneficial for us. Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to hear some of the beautiful messages about books and reading that have been generously shared from the Good Books community, as Luke reacts and gives his thoughts. And it just might get emotional.  Got something to send of your own to be featured in a future episode? Send your voice notes to goodbooks@nine.com.au Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com...

Luke reflects on the life-affirming messages within Matthew Haig's best-seller  the Midnight Library; delving into its themes of alternate lives, regret and possibility and how he saw himself within it. Plus, find out which book the Good Books Club will be looking at next! Warning: this episode contains brief mentions of self harm Join in the Book Club discussion! We'd love to hear your thoug...

Luke brings his fresh friendship with comedian Nath Valvo out of the jungle and into Good Books studio! Nath reveals the books that help him in his comedy and screenwriting, his childhood reading loves (that might just trigger some nostalgia) and the queer romance novel that he thinks 'walked so things like Heated Rivalry could run.'  They also discuss how personal growth can challenge others...

The characters we find in novels may not exist outside of our imaginations - but the values, lessons and examples they provide are real.  From someone that mirrored Luke's own experience, to the kind of parent he hopes he can be in the future, here are some of his favourite literary role models. Who are the characters that have inspired, challenged or changed you? Let Luke know by sending you...

True strength and responsibility as a man doesn't come in any pre-conceived definition of masculinity, but in the courage to confront your own unprocessed pain That's according to Matt Brown—author, barber, and founder of the global movement She Is Not Your Rehab. Drawing from his own experience of leaving a childhood home at just 15 years old, Matt has become a leading voice in the movement...

Did Luke ever mention he's pretty into fantasy novels? But what about you? If you're yet to discover the magic of the genre, here are some titles Luke reckons are the perfect places to start. They dispel common myths, answer common criticisms, they might reassure you that fantasy isn't too different from what you're reading already - and above all, they're just good books! Do you agree with these...

Does Kristin Hannah deliberately try to devastate us emotionally with her writing? The legendary best-selling author of T he Women, the Great Alone, the Nightingale and Between Sisters sits down with Luke to discuss her process, her research, her emotionally devastating reputation and more. Is there an author you’d love to hear Luke interview next? Or a book he NEEDS to read? Or anything els...

Complete immortality. Total freedom. But the world will never know you.  Would you take the deal? Today Luke dives into the magic, heartbreak and sensuality of our most recent Good Books Club read. What would YOU like to be part of our book club next? Send your voice memo to GoodBooks@nine.com.au.  Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcas...

There are some things the screen just can’t capture. From all time classics to those in cinemas now, from tear-jerking romances to sci-fi epics, here are Luke’s top picks for books that are worth the read even when you’ve already seen the film. What are your top picks on this topic? Got a book recommendation for Luke? Or anything else you want him to hear?  Send us your voic...

The love goes on! Luke continues to unpack the literary relationships that give us all the feels.    We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.  Follow all the action on our socials:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Hopeless romantics, meet Luke.  These are the books that make your heart ACHE — from the secret locker room romance of Heated Rivalry to the emotional wrecking ball that is The Song of Achilles and more…   We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.  Follow all the action on our socials:  Instagram - https://www.instag...

Join The Good Books Club as Luke reviews C.M. Nascosta's spicy read, 'Moon Blooded Breeding Clinic'.  We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.  Follow all the action on our socials:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Paullina Simons talks how her life shaped her writing, The Bronze Horseman, her new book The Bell and the Blade, and why she writes 'love in loveless times' [00:43] - Paullina on finding Luke [02:21] - Paullina’s early life [05:34] - How Paullina’s love of stories began  [07:35] - Paullina’s earliest literary loves: The Three Musketeers , Les Miserables , the Count of Monte...

Struggling to start a habit or stay motivated?  Hear all the practical, no-pressure advice and proven hacks to help anyone discover the joy of reading and make it a daily practice. (00:00) Intro (00:31) Listener Audio (02:20)Why Reading is Important (05:11) Mindset Tip #1: Drop the Shoulds (07:33) Mindset Tip #2: The 50 Page Rule (08:33) Mindset Tip #3: Develop a Reading Identity (09:52) Medi...