Episode 1 of our new podcast is now available

Writing in the mountains Book recommendations to lift the spirits

Episode 1 of our new podcast is now available

Dear Friends,
In some exciting news, last week saw the release of Episode 1 of the BAD All About Crime Podcast which I co-host with crime writer, Andy Muir. In this episode, we chat with Catherine du Peloux Menagé, artistic director of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, and academic and crime fiction reviewer, Professor Sue Turnbull, about the book that got us hooked on crime writing and the one that's kept us most recently addicted. It's a lively - and sometimes heated - conversation and you can find it on Google podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

I'm looking forward to interviewing Emily Maguire tonight at The Women's Club in Sydney. We'll be discussing Emily's new novel, Love Objects, which is a moving and insightful exploration of hoarding, betrayal and forgiveness. It's a terrific read, Emily is a beautiful writer and, if you can't make it tonight - either in person or online - I'll be able to tell you all about it at Thursday Book Club this week.

Don't forget that journalist and author Jacqueline Maley will be joining us at Thursday Book Club next week to discuss her compelling debut novel, The Truth About Her . I'd love to see you there.

In the meantime, hope you're having a good week.

NEWS

Congratulations to the much-loved Brisbane bookshop, Avid Reader, for having been shortlisted for The London Book Fair International Excellence Awards for International Bookstore of the Year, together with Cărturești (Romania) and Livraria Lello (Portugal).

Avid Bookstore has a terrific program of author events, both instore and online, including this interview with Linda Jaivin, who'll be discussing her new book, The Shortest History of China, this Thursday from 6.30pm (just before Thursday Book Club). You can book your tickets here.

The inaugural Words on the Waves Writers Festival will be held on the NSW Central Coast, NSW, 11 – 14 June 2021 and I'm so pleased to be part of it. You can view the full program here.

I'm also really excited to be part of Storyfest this year. The program is fabulous and you can find it here.

I’ll look forward to your company at Thursday Book Club this week.

What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. Each Thursday we meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.

On 27 May, Jacqueline Maley will be my guest to talk about her new novel,
The Truth About Her.

'Read the first sentence of Jacqueline Maley's debut novel, and you will be in it until the end. Electrifying, deeply unsettling and so, so satisfying. And, if you've ever tried to manage the sharp end of a career with the blunt demands of parenthood, fiercely recognisable.' – Meg Mason, author of Sorrow and Bliss

In the meantime, I’ll look forward to your company at Thursday Book Club this week.

Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343

If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:

Meeting ID: 852 104 2343

Password: 886196

Thursday Book Club Recommendations

My Recommendations

The Broken Shore by Peter Temple

Your Recommendations

Alia N

Runaway by Peter May

Barbie R

The Kindness Revolution by Hugh Mackay
What We Carry by Ella Kurz, Simone King & Claire Delahunty (editors)
The Breaking by Irma Gold
The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer
All We Have is Now by Kaneana May
Take Me Home by Karly Lane
Dina D

Our Shadows by Gail Jones

Hazel H

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Helen R

Enjoyed listening to Pip Williams, Jock Serong and James Boyce at Bendigo Writers Festival

Noela A

The Teacher's Secret by Suzanne Leal
The French Gift by Kirsty Manning

Ravi S

The Undoing by Jean Coralitz
Runaway by Peter May
A Silent Death by Peter May

Sue M

The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
Take care,

PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?

If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here.