Better Reading Podcast

Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Arts EN ↓ 729 episodes

Cheryl Akle discusses the world with her favourite authors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

Better Reading Podcast

Category

Arts

Podcast website

www.betterreading.com.au

Latest episode

Jul 5, 2026

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Episodes

Lauren Chater: on the gown that inspired The Winter Dress 08.05.2022

Bestselling author Lauren Chater talks to Cheryl Akle about the 17th-century gown that inspired her latest historical novel, The Winter Dress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Better Reading Book Chat: Who made the 2022 Top 100? 04.05.2022

 Better Reading’s Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their old... and new favourites from this year's Top 100. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Better Reading Top 100: Craig Silvey: on the books that shaped his childhood 02.05.2022

The #1 spot on the Better Reading 2022 Top 100 goes to Honeybee by Craig Silvey. To celebrate, we're rereleasing this wonderful conversation Craig had with Cheryl Akle, about writing his modern classic, Jasper Jones , and the books that shaped his childhood and still influence his writing today.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beth O'Leary: on why she loves writing romance 01.05.2022

Beth O'Leary, the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Flat Share and The Road Trip , talks to Cheryl Akle about why she loves writing romance. Her latest novel,  The No-Show,  is out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eliza Hull: on breaking the stigma around disability 24.04.2022

Musician, journalist and writer Eliza Hull talks to Cheryl Akle about her journey to motherhood, and her experiences living with a disability. Her book  We've Got This,  the first major anthology of stories written by parents with disabilities, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma A. Jane: on breaking the silence surrounding sexual abuse and mental illness 17.04.2022

Associate Professor Emma A. Jane talks to Cheryl Akle about trauma, and why we need to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse and mental illness. Her memoir,  Diagnosis Normal,  is out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toni Jordan: on science, writing, and Barbie dolls 13.04.2022

Bestselling author Toni Jordan talks to Cheryl Akle about her love of science, and how her passion for storytelling started from Barbie Dolls. Her latest novel,  Dinner with the Schnabels , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Viskic: on writing a deaf detective 10.04.2022

Emma Viskic talks to Cheryl Akle about the challenges of writing a deaf Private Investigator in her award-winning Caleb Zelic series. The latest instalment in the series, Those Who Perish , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Toltz: on why fear is a big part of his writing 04.04.2022

Booker-shortlisted author Steve Toltz talks to Cheryl Akle about why fear is a big part of his writing, and how he comes up with the ideas for his novels. His latest book,  Here Goes Nothing,  is out in May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julie Bennett: on how her love of opera influenced her writing 03.04.2022

Julie Bennett talks to Cheryl Akle about the glitz and glamour of the Sydney opera scene, and how her family's history in the industry inspired her debut novel  The Understudy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Di Lorenzo: on her passion for overhauling the health of her clients 30.03.2022

Nutritionist, Sarah Di Lorenzo talks to Cheryl Akle about her passion for health, wellness and how it’s possible to permanently lose 10 kilos in 10 weeks. Her book, The 10:10 Diet, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Thompson: on the importance of libraries and storytelling 27.03.2022

Sunday Times bestselling author Kate Thompson talks to Cheryl Akle about the power of storytelling and the incredible true story of Bethnal Green Library during World War II. Her latest novel,  The Little Wartime Library,  is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Butler: on the unsolved murder of Warwick Meale 23.03.2022

Jonathan Butler talks to Cheryl Akle about the unsolved murder of his ancestor Warwick Meale in 1944. In his new book, The Boy in the Dress , Butler dusts off the case and chases the leads that were there all along. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karin Tanabe: on how she's always been a storyteller 20.03.2022

Karin Tanabe on her career in journalism and how she's always been a storyteller. Her novel, The Gilded Years , is out now and is soon to be adapted for film by Reese Witherspoon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

V. E. Schwab: on fantasy and escapism 13.03.2022

New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab talks to Cheryl Akle about writing fantasy fiction, and how it provides an escape for readers. Her latest book,  Gallant , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamar J. Perry: on writing diverse characters in children's books 09.03.2022

Jamar J. Perry talks to Cheryl Akle about the importance of creating diverse characters in his debut children's novel, Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Gold: on publishing, crime fiction and working with James Patterson 06.03.2022

Robert Gold talks to Cheryl Akle about his experience working as a sales director for a UK publishing company, and how co-writing with James Patterson lead to his debut solo novel  Twelve Secrets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Buckley: on dementia and dying with dignity 02.03.2022

Joanna Buckley talks to Cheryl Akle about her father and grandfather's experience with Dementia, which inspired her debut novel  Lily Harford's Last Request. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Callaghan: on how Indigenous thinking can change your life 27.02.2022

Paul Callaghan talks to Cheryl Akle about the power of Indigenous thinking. His book,  The Dreaming Path,  examines the power of Aboriginal spirituality as a profound source of contentment and wellbeing for anyone willing to listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jana Firestone: on why we should embrace change 23.02.2022

Therapist, podcaster and author Jana Firestone talks to Cheryl Akle about change, and why it's good for us. Through a blend of professional advice and personal experience, Jana's new book, Embracing Change , offers readers concrete strategies for adapting to change and unlocking potential. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dinuka McKenzie: on diversity in crime fiction 20.02.2022

Dinuka McKenzie talks to Cheryl Akle about the importance of diversity in crime fiction and how winning the HarperCollins Banjo Prize changed her life. Her debut novel,  The Torrent,  is out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isabel Allende: on the inspiration for Violeta 16.02.2022

Bestselling author and literary icon Isabel Allende sits down with Cheryl Akle in San Francisco to discuss her latest novel,  Violeta,  a fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional story about one woman's hundred-year life.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lizzie Pook: on the dark history behind Australia's pearling industry 13.02.2022

Award-winning journalist and author Lizzie Pook talks to Cheryl Akle about researching the dark history behind Australia's pearling industry. Her latest novel,  Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter,  is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S.J. Norman: on the importance of diversity in writing 09.02.2022

Award-winning artist and writer S.J. Norman talks to Cheryl Akle about their First Nations identity, and why diversity is so important to them. Their latest book,  Permafrost , is out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nita Prose: on her career as an editor 06.02.2022

Nita Prose talks to Cheryl Akle about her job as Vice President and Editorial Director at a Canadian publishing house, and how it has affected her experience as an author. Her novel,  The Maid,  is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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