In The Good Books with Luke Bateman

From ride-or-die besties to deep, complex bonds, Luke explores the most memorable friendships which anchor the greatest fantasy novels and fictional worlds. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio (04:47) Friendships in Fiction (07:12) Friendship #1: Locke and Jean from The Gentleman Bastard series (11:57)Friendship #2: Jude and Willem from A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (17:53)Friendship #3: Aman...

Join The Good Books Club as Luke reviews Paullina Simons’ sweeping historical romance, The Bronze Horseman. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio (03:23) The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons (04:15) First Impressions (06:18) The Setting: Leningrad, the Siege, and the War Hardship (09:11) Tension in the Metanova Apartment (10:26) The Love Story (11:38) The Sexual/Romantic Writing (13:40) Ale...

Move over, Chosen Ones.  We're shining a spotlight on the fantastic but often overlooked side characters of fantasy who well and truly make the story. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio:  A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (04:33) Unsung Heroes in Fiction (06:03) #1: Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings (09:28) #2: Szeth-son-son-Vallano from Stormlight Archive (12:49) #3:  Nig...

New year, new me... Right?  Luke shares the four most impactful non-fiction books to help you achieve personal growth, cultivate success, and change your mindset for a better 2026. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio (01:19) Book Recommendation: The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (02:29) How to Become the Best Version of Yourself (04:47) The Science of Stuck by Britt Frank (08:21) At...

Forget everything you know about magic. From a deep dive into the incredible world-building to the unforgettable journey of Sabriel, Luke tackles Garth Nix's iconic fantasy series, The Old Kingdom Trilogy. (00:00) Intro (00:32) Listener Audio (02:39) The Old Kingdom Trilogy by Garth Nix (05:07) Initial Connection to the Series (07:08) Sabriel by Garth Nix (10:45) Lirael by Garth Nix (15:03) Abhors...

Join The Good Books Club as Luke reviews Kristin Hannah's epic Alaskan survival story, The Great Alone.  (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio (03:19) The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah   (04:12) First Impressions (05:22) Immediate Takeaways (07:20) The Setting of Alaska (08:16) Key Themes (11:57) Complex Characters (15:50) SPOILER WARNING : The Ending  (21:17) Call to Listeners:...

Matthew Reilly steps into The Writer's Room to discuss his latest books The Detective and the creative process behind his bestselling novels. (00:54) Matthew Reilly's Books Shaped Luke's Reading Journey (02:55) Getting Young Guys Back to Reading: The Power of  Ice Station and Hell Island (05:01) Influential School Books:  To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies (07:31) Literary Influ...

Warning : Get tissues.  Luke recommends the most emotionally powerful novels. why we often seek out books that make us cry and how they help us process our own feelings. (00:00) Intro (00:39) Listener Audio (02:42) Books That Still Bring Me to Tears (04:16) Impenetrability is Harmful (07:11) Loss in Magician by Raymond E. Feist (09:12) Loneliness in The Witcher (11:17) Sacrifice in The Demon...

If there is one thing Luke loves, it’s a quest.  Luke picks three essential reads that define the epic fantasy genre, diving deep into epic world-building, intricate magic systems, and characters on journeys of impossible scale. (00:00) Intro (00:39) Listener Recommendation: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (07:58) Introducing Epic Fantasy (08:25) Personal Connection: Fantasy a...

Strap in, because this is a very special and emotional episode. Luke is joined by his biggest supporter, his Mum, to discuss his childhood love of reading, the books that shaped him, and the stories they cherish together. (00:00) Intro (01:08)The First Book Club Pick: The Great Alone (02:12) Introducing Special Guest: Luke's Mother, Leanne (03:30) Reading Rituals As Kids (04:52) Favorite Childhood...

Is it hot in here? Luke's diving into the world of spicy books! It's time to unpack all things "smut," why its blown up as a genre, and the best reading recommendations if you're looking for something a little more saucy. (00:00) Intro (00:39) Listener Suggestion:  The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (02:34) Smut in Literature and Its Place in Culture (03:25) A Male Perspective:...

Stories have the power to change you. Sometimes, a few very special few have the power to save you.  In this episode, Luke talks about three books which provided an escape from reality and helped him to navigate life during the darkest of times. (00:00) Intro (01:21) 3 Books That Changed My Life (01:48) Struggling with Depression and Addiction (03:22) Accepting Help and Changing Direction (06...

From the NRL field to overnight BookTok fame, Luke shares the personal journey which has all led to laying bare a deep passion for reading.  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_p...

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