This month, Ian, Bev, and Alo dive into The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, joined by special guest Nell.
The Bee Sting is a sweeping, tragicomic family saga that captured readers (and Booker Prize judges) alike. We unpack its unforgettable characters, explore Murray’s distinct writing style through each point of view, and debate that twist ending that left us reeling.
But before we get stung by all that drama, we kick things off with a lively chat about ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Books of the 21st Century — the surprises, the snubs, and the titles that made us cheer (or roll our eyes).
Books mentioned in this episode:
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! – @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian – @bookish_ian
Bev – @booksgonewilde
Alo – @books.swallows.universe
Guest Host:
Nell - @nellreadsbooks
September’s episode of Books, Baby! takes us into the world of Torrey Peters’ Stag Dance, a bold collection of stories about that doesn’t shy away from messiness, desire, and transformation. Across its pages, Peters gives us characters who are stumbling, reaching, and reinventing themselves in ways that feel both raw and achingly human.
Join Alo, Bev and Ian as we dive into these stories—unpacking their humor, heartache, and the sharp truths about love, gender, and selfhood that Peters threads throughout her work.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! – @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian – @bookish_ian
Bev – @booksgonewilde
Alo – @books.swallows.universe
In this episode of Books, Baby!, Ian, Bev, and Alo dive into Saou Ichikawa’s haunting novel Hunchback. With its fragmented storytelling and stark lyricism, the book offers an unflinching look at the intersections of embodiment, shame, desire, and intimacy. The hosts unpack how Ichikawa captures the vulnerability of inhabiting a body that exists outside of societal ideals, while also carving out space for tenderness and connection.
Their discussion highlights the way Hunchback brings disabled experiences and desires into focus, expanding what is often represented in contemporary literature in translation.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! – @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian – @bookish_ian
Bev – @booksgonewilde
Alo – @books.swallows.universe
In this special in-person recording, hosts Alo, Bev, and Ian come together at the stunning Narrm Ngarrgu Library in Melbourne to discuss Separate Rooms by Pier Vittorio Tondelli. Originally published in 1989, this poignant queer novel has been reprinted after more than 30 years and is soon to be adapted into a film by Luca Guadagnino.
The episode delves into the book's meditation on grief, memory, and the enduring traces of love. As the protagonist navigates the emotional aftermath of losing his partner, the hosts reflect on the novel’s emotional depth, its timeless relevance, and its significance within queer literary history.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! – @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian – @bookish_ian
Bev – @booksgonewilde
Alo – @books.swallows.universe
Special thanks: To Simone – @sims_solace- for hanging with us and taking pictures of the behind the scenes of this episode
In the fourth episode of Season 5 of Books, Baby!, Ian, Bev & Alo are joined by returning guest host Simone (@sims_solace) discuss Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, the winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize. This marks the first time a short story collection has taken home the award, and we dive into what makes it so powerful. We explore Mushtaq’s unforgettable characters and how her spoken-style prose builds such disconcerting emotional heights.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! – @booksbabypod
Hosts:Ian – @bookish_ianBev – @booksgonewildeAlo – @books.swallows.universe
Guest Host:Simone – @sims_solace
The Books, Baby! is back after a short break. This month Ian, Bev and Alo are getting lost in the simmering tension of Yael van der Wouden’s debut, The Safekeep.
Set in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961, this twisted tale of desire and obsession follows two women bound by secrets, suspicion, and the haunting legacy of WWII.
Join us as we unravel the novel’s slow-burn intimacy, queer undercurrents, and one very unforgettable bathtub scene.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode discuses spoilers from the book.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts: Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
Alo - @books.swallows.universe
This month on Books, Baby!, Ian, Bev and Alo are diving into the world of Haruki Murakami, through his novel Kafka on the Shore.
We unpack talking cats, Greek mythology influences, classical music, and other themes in Murakami’s storytelling.
Along the way, we discuss some of Murakami’s other works, his signature themes, and the cultural impact of his writing.
📚 Other Murakami books we mention:
📖 Other books that come up in the chat:
Tune in for a deep dive filled with magical realism, metaphysical detours, and just the right amount of existential dread. Don't forget to rate and review!
CONTENT WARNING: This episode discuses spoilers from the book.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts: Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
Alo - @books.swallows.universe
Books, Baby! – Season 5 is here!
With Kylie Minogue’sTension World Tour kicking off this month in Australia, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the beginning of our new season than by diving intoSpinning Around: The Kylie Playlist! a dazzling anthology celebrating Australia's biggest Pop Icon!
Created and edited by Kirsten Krauth and Angela Savage, this collection features an incredible lineup of writers, including Alice Pung, Ellen Van Neerven, Holden Sheppard, Chris Flynn, Carrie Tiffany, Lucy Treloar, Christos Tsiolkas, and more. With essays, poetry, and stories inspired by Kylie’s music, this book is a love letter to the icon who shaped generations.
Join Ian, Bev, and Alo as they break down the themes, highlight their favourite pieces, and explore how Kylie’s influence extends beyond music into culture, identity, and storytelling.
Listen to the playlist with the songs from the book!
Start your 2025 with a literary bang! In this special year-in-review episode, Ian, Bev, and Alounwrap the books that defined 2024. Released just in time to kick off the new year, we’re diving into the stories that made us laugh, cry, and rethink the world around us.
From dazzling debuts to thought-provoking works by queer authors, women, and minorities, the team reflects on their favourite reads, surprise hits, and unforgettable podcast moments.
Books Discussed in This Episode:
Thank you for making 2024 another unforgettable chapter of Books, Baby! And for kicking off the new year with us!
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram! Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod Hosts: Ian - @bookish_ian Bev - @booksgonewilde Alo - @books.swallows.universe
It's Books, Baby! Booker Prize episode and Bev, Ian and Alo discuss the 2024 winner novel Orbital written by British author Samantha Harvey. CONTENT WARNING: This episode discuses spoilers from the book. Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram! Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod Hosts: Ian - @bookish_ian Bev - @booksgonewilde Alo - @books.swallows.universe
In this episode of Books, Baby! , Ian, Bev, and Alo dive into the ultimate holiday reading list, sharing their top recommendations for books that make the perfect travel companions. We explore perfect pairings for your next trip, like visiting St. Petersburg after reading Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, wandering through Tuscany with Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, or discovering Vietnam while immersed in Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai's The Mountain Sing. Whether you’re seeking lighthearted rom-coms or gripping thrillers, we’ve got you covered with recommendations to make your journey unforgettable!
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
For this episode of Books, Baby! Ian, Bev & Alo are joined by fellow bookstagrame Nell (@nellreadsbooks) to dive into Sally Rooney’s literary phenomenon. They explore the buzz surrounding her work, even daring to draw comparisons between Rooney and Taylor Swift, while discussing her latest novel, Intermezzo.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
Alo - @books.swallows.universe
Guest Host:
Nell - @nellreadsbooks
In this episode, Ian, Bev, and Alo dive and dissect the novel A Language of Limbs described by Benjamin Law as "an instant queer classic".
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
In the second episode of season 3 of Books, Baby! Ian, Bev & Alo are joined by fellow bookstagrame Simone (@booksolace) to discuss Bryan Washington's new novel: 'Family Meal'.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
Alo - @books.swallows.universe
Guest Host:
Simone - @booksolace
Welcome to season 4 of Books, Baby! Reading the rainbow and the ocasional straight white man. In the first episode of season 4 Ian, Bev & Alo deep discuss Kairos by German author Jenny Erpenbeck, and winner of the International Booker Prize 2024 Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram! Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod Hosts: Ian - @bookish_ian Bev - @booksgonewilde Alo - @books.swallows.universe
It's the finale of season 3 of Books, Baby! and Ian, Bev & Alo are joined by fellow bookstagramer Sanch (@sanchwrites) to talk about books and their screen adaptations with a special focus on the Netflix series adaptation of Aussie best-seller book 'Boy Swallows Universe" by Trent Dalton.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
Alo - @books.swallows.universe
Guest Host:
Sanch - @sanchwrites
As we bid farewell to 2023, Ian, Bev, and Alo come together for a special year-end episode to recap the literary journey of the past year. In this first-ever recorded session in person, we revisit the diverse landscape of books that shaped our 2023. From our page-turning favourites to those that didn't quite meet our expectations, we'll unpack the best, worst, and most surprising reads of the year. Join us as we reflect on the highs and lows of our reading adventures from the past year.
For the complete list of our choices, connect with us on Instagram - Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod - where we will be posting the books that we discussed in this episode.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
Alo - @books.swallows.universe
Thank you so much for listening to us during 2023 and we hope you continue listening us in 2024! Wishing you a 'Merry Chapter-mas' and a 'Booktastic New Year' filled with literary delights and captivating reads!"
In this episode of Books, Baby! Bev, Ian and Alo are dishing out their thoughts and feelings about 'The Late Americans,' the latest novel of one of their favourite authors, Brandon Taylor. Prepare for a thought-provoking discussion and heartfelt reflections on the themes, characters, and the brilliance of Taylor's writing.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
In the second episode of season 3 of Books, Baby! Ian, Bev & Alo are joined by fellow bookstagrame Nell (@nellreadsbooks) to discuss Kazuo Ishiguro's iconic novel 'Never Let Me Go'.
Connect with us via email (booksbabypod@gmail.com) and on Instagram!
Books, Baby! - @booksbabypod
Hosts:
Ian - @bookish_ian
Bev - @booksgonewilde
Alo - @books.swallows.universe
Guest Host:
Nell - @nellreadsbooks