Talking Aussie Books

‘To Sing of War’ is a novel by Catherine McKinnon - the Miles Franklin Award shortlisted author of Storyland- set in the final months of WW2.

An epic story that examines the events in the lead-up to the United States’ decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - ending the war in the Pacific and leading to Japan’s surrender.

Taking us from the Allied campaign in New Guinea, to Los Alamos in New Mexico (where Oppenheimer and a team of scientists were involved in a project to build a weapon to stop all war) and then far away to the sacred island of Miyajima in Japan, we are privy to the lives of those caught in that period of time.

Alive with breathtaking and heart-wrenching detail, this is a book about conflict, death, sacrifice, friendship, love and forgiveness.

An unforgettable story from a remarkable story-teller.

Pip Fioretti is a Sydney-based author who has been writing fiction since 2006 alongside a career in visual arts.

In the 2021 Sydney lockdown and inspired by walks she’d taken though the arid rangelands of western NSW, Pip wrote the first draft for a novel that would become her first crime novel - 'Bone Lands'.

Released by Affirm Press at the end of March, 'Bone Lands' is a highly evocative, compelling and somewhat confronting novel which delves into Australia’s dark past and prosperity built on the back of the pastoral industry.

A thoroughly engrossing, sobering novel that heralds a bright future for one of Australia’s newest outback noir writers.

I enjoyed a wide-ranging, fascinating chat with Pip for the podcast recently.

Art, history, lies and family secrets are at the heart of another stunning debut Aussie novel I recently had the utter pleasure of reading.

Lisa Medved’s mesmerising novel, The Engraver’s Secret is the story of two women linked over the span of 400 years through a mysterious map and a family secret.

Set between Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands in the 1620’s and the Antwerp of Belgium in the present day, The Engraver’s Secret centres of the stories of Antonia Vorsterman and Charlotte Hubert - who share some common traits - a passion for art, their intelligence and fiercely independent natures.

A rich, fascinating and vividly drawn story that I was genuinely sorry to finish.

I was thrilled to welcome Lisa to the podcast recently.

Any book that explores the role fate plays in our lives is always going to be one I will enjoy.

So it was with great interest that I read Rhianna King's and brilliant debut novel ‘Birds of a Feather’ published at the end of March by Affirm Press.

Rhianna is a Melbourne-based author who has spent more than two decades working as a communicator in the public and not for profit sector.

During the long lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, Rhianna fancied company of people other than those she was in lockdown with and so decided to create characters with whom to spend time with.

The result was 'Birds of a Feather': an absolutely delightful novel about forbidden romance, second chances, taking yourself beyond your comfort zone and of course, fate.

I laughed, I cried and just fell in love with this charming and assured story from a talented newcomer.

Rhianna and I had a wonderful chat for the podcast recently about her inspiration, writing, visiting London and... what we would do if we won the lotto!

Debut Australian novelists are enjoying their heyday at the moment. It seems that every other day I’m learning about another fabulous Aussie writer ticking getting published off their bucket list.

Moreover, the quality of these stories are simply outstanding.

None more so than the debut novel from my next guest author.

Maxine Fawcett is a Sydney-based author who runs a media and marketing business with her husband.

Hailing from England originally, Maxine obtained a BA in Communication and Art History from the University of East London before moving on to gain lots of different experiences doing variable work until landing on her feet with an advertising company and later moving out here to Australia.

I first met Maxine or Max (as she’s known by many) a few years back as a fellow aspiring author and it has given me immense joy to see Max hit her stride in her publishing journey and find a home for her wonderful novel.

‘Everything is Perfect’ published by Penguin earlier this year is a book that takes a wry look at marriage, motherhood and how in middle age we can lose sight of our true selves.

A compulsive novel that had me flipping pages well into the night.

I was simply delighted to speak with Max on the podcast recently.

Regular listeners might remember a few years back I welcomed debut novelist Kelli Hawkins to the podcast.

Kelli is a Newcastle-based author who landed a rare four-book deal with HarperCollins for two adult books and two children’s books in 2020.

Back then we were chatting about her bestselling gripping psychological thriller - Other People’s Houses. A gritty and compelling novel I simply could not put down.

Three years on, and Kelli has cemented her place amongst some of the best crime writers in this country - with follow up titles like All She Wants and Apartment 303.

And recently, Kelli celebrated the release of yet another fabulously compulsive novel into the world.

A fourth novel for adults called ‘The Miller Women’.

And having just finished it, I can attest to its brilliance!

Tightly woven, disturbing and incredibly satisfying, I read this absolute page-turner in one sitting - with an end that will leave you breathless.

I was thrilled to welcome Kelli back to the podcast to chat about her new book.

Listeners, as you can imagine I read a lot of books. Mostly Australian fiction - given that this is the genre on which the Talking Aussie Books podcast was founded.

I do try and read the international titles everyone is talking about (I think Yellowface was the latest) and then of course, I throw in a couple of non-fiction titles for good measure.

However, I am far from an authority on what the majority of Australians are reading. There are people out there reading hundreds of books each year…some of the titles I’ve heard of and others, sadly, I haven’t.

So, in an attempt to gain greater insight into the reading tastes of the Australian public, I decided to mix things up a tad and chat to a reader, author and bookseller.

To that end, I was delighted to welcome Mishell Currie (reader), Sandie Docker (author) and Anna Loder (bookseller) to the podcast recently.

The Black and Bright Festival is a literary festival dedicated to the diverse expressions of First Nations storytelling.

Established in 2016 this four-day festival is based in Naarm (Melbourne) and covers all genres from oral stories, novels, to plays and poetry.

With over 60 first nations artists set to appear at the upcoming festival between 14 and 17 March 2024, it is sure to be a fabulous celebration of black stories.

And in honour of this premier cultural event, I spoke with Julie Janson.

Julie is a Darug woman of the Burruberongal Clan.

A playwright, poet and novelist, Julie’s 2022 novel, 'Madukka the River Serpent', an Indigenous crime novel, was long listed for the Miles Franklin Award.

Julie was also a recipient of the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Poetry Prize 2016 and the Judith Wright Poetry Prize 2019.

Julie’s historical novel 'Benevolence' was published by Magabala Books in 2020 and published in the US and UK in 2022.

'Compassion' is the follow-up novel to 'Benevolence' and has just been released by Magabala.

I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Julie about her work on the podcast recently.

Jane Tara is an author and wanderer who is best known in Australia for her role as general manager of Better Reading - one of Australia's largest online book communities.

Jane is the author of more than 100 books, several plays and five novels.

Recently, Jane's new novel, 'Tilda is Visible' was released by Affirm Press.

A wonderfully surprising, quirky, funny and spellbinding book that I absolutely adored.

A must read for ALL women.

I was thrilled to welcome Jane to the podcast to chat about Tilda is Visible.

Dervla McTiernan is an international best-selling critically acclaimed author of 4 novels (think of The Ruin, The Scholar and The Murder Rule) as well as several audio novellas.

Since becoming published in 2018, Dervla's books have regularly graced Amazon bestseller lists. She has won a Ned Kelly Award, a Davitt Award and a Barry Award and has been shortlisted for numerous others.

Her work has been described as rivalling that of John Grisham.

A couple of years ago now I was fortunate to chat with Dervla for the podcast when her book 'The Murder Rule' was released.

Recently, I got to do it again in honour of the release of Dervla's breath-taking new novel ‘What Happened to Nina?’.

A wonderful interview with one of Australia's best storytellers.